Masters in Travel

Jaksot

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  Ep 291 The Legal Blind Spots That Could Harm Your Travel Business 15.09.2026 41min

  Most travel advisors have never read their own host agreement fine print. That gap can cost real money. Brianna sits down with Gunes Hopson, founder of GFH Law PLC and owner of Luxe Travel by Gunes, to break down real contract disputes she has handled, including hidden exclusivity clauses and non-competes that trap advisors mid-transition. Gunes also explains why AI cannot replace a lawyer's review of a legal document, and what actually happens when an LLC exists on paper but not in practice.
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  Ep 290 Shop Talk: Saying Yes to the Big Number and What It Actually Costs 08.09.2026 39min

  In this month's Shop Talk, Whitney and Brianna reconnect after five months apart and compare notes on what shifted. Whitney shares the delegation ceiling she hit this summer, from moving her team onto a shared inbox to splitting her support roles at inquiry-to-deposit and pre-departure. Brianna talks through taking June and July mostly off in Portugal and Spain, then coming home to a 50-person corporate offsite in Italy that fell in her lap. Together they get into what a $500,000 group program really costs in hours, why corporate planning committees move so slowly, and whether staying in your lane beats chasing a bigger number. The conversation wraps with both of them prepping for PURE in Marrakech, including conference nerves and the 72-out-of-700 appointment scramble.
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  Ep 289 [REPLAY] On DMCs: A candid conversation with a DMC partner 01.09.2026 50min

  In this conversation on DMCs, Whitney flips the script and chats with Hicham Mhammedi Alaoui, co-founder of Experience Morocco and The Travel Collection, to shine a light on the DMC side of working with travel advisors. They unpack how DMCs can create unique and memorable experiences without breaking the bank, how global expansion works behind the scenes, and what travel advisors should know to build successful partnerships. Hicham shares candid advice on communication, budgets, and the ever-evolving landscape of destination management, offering invaluable insights for both new and seasoned travel entrepreneurs.For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  Ep 288 [REPLAY] on Dmcs: A Conversation With Travel Advisors PT 2 25.08.2026 1t 10min

  How can travel advisors create partnerships with DMCs that feel more like collaborations and less like transactions? Joining Whitney for Part 2 of a two-part convo are seasoned travel advisor Kate Sullivan and newer advisor Anna Tretter to explore the intricacies of working with DMCs. They talk about the role DMCs play in the travel industry, especially in crafting experiences that go beyond the traditional "greatest hits." And they share tips on effective communication with DMCs, the benefits of using technology and collaborative platforms,. and pursuing transparency that builds trust with both the DMC partner and clients.For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  Ep 287 [REPLAY] on Dmcs: A Conversation With Travel Advisors PT 1 18.08.2026 42min

  Sometimes you love them, sometimes they drive you crazy...this week, we're talking all about Destination Management Companies (DMCs)! Seasoned advisor Kate Sullivan and newer advisor Anna Tretter join Whitney to share their personal experiences, frustrations, and strategies when working with DMCs. Plus, they talk about the importance of transparency, effective communication, and how to build strong partnerships with DMCs to enhance client experiences. This is Part 1 of a two part conversation!For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  Ep 286 [REPLAY] It’s a “Yes” Until It’s a “No” 10.08.2026 58min

  When a new inquiry comes in, how do you approach it? In today's episode, Jeremy Sulek of Jetset World Travel shares his less conventional approach to handling every inquiry and effectively booking clients. If you cautiously vet potential clients when inquiries come in, expecting them to prove that they are worth your time and energy, Jeremy will challenge your mindset. Learn how to maintain a positive outward posture, even with potentially unsuitable clients. Plus, learn strategies for restructuring qualification processes and approaching your travel business with a business mindset.For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  Ep 285 [REPLAY] How to Find Your Way Into the World of Incentive Travel 04.08.2026 56min

  We asked listeners on our Instagram what topics you want to hear on the podcast, and the topic of "incentive travel" was one. So today, Brittney Tromanhauser of Avery Travel Group shares about her journey as a corporate incentive travel specialist. She discusses the transition from leisure travel to focusing on corporate group travel and the ins and outs of that sector.For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  Ep 284 [REPLAY] How to Pitch Local Media 28.07.2026 1t 1min

  How to pitch the media is a topic our guest on today's episode knows inside and out. Listen in as Jenn Lee, now President and CMO of Travel Planners International, lays out an easy-to-follow formula for reaching out to different media sources. Pitching the media, when done right, can help legitimize you, your business, and the business of travel advisors everywhere.For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  Ep 283 [REPLAY] How to Scale + Grow Your Travel Business With an Employee Model 21.07.2026 44min

  Join Brianna and guest Erica Carr for a conversation on their innovative approaches to scaling a travel business with an employee model, from implementing unique incentive programs to understanding the evolving roles within a travel agency. They delve into the significance of hiring ahead of growth, the shift in industry norms post-Covid, and the vital role of technology in adapting to change. Plus, they share their personal experiences in assembling teams that complement their strengths and drive business success, highlighting the balance between independent contractors and employees, the value of understanding employee motivations, and strategic hiring decisions that prioritize team dynamics and client satisfaction.For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  Ep 282 [REPLAY] Increase sales in your travel business without that "sales ick" 14.07.2026 1t 1min

  Love travel and planning it, but hate the sales part? In this episode, Brianna and guest Glenda from The Art of Selling Travel delve into the art of sales and client relations. Glenda shares her seasoned approach to pricing negotiations and reframing rejection, all while maintaining an authentic human connection. She provides invaluable insights on asking the right questions and building rapport that help build connections with clients. Through this candid discussion and personal stories, they unravel the complexities of selling travel experiences, advocating the power of conversation over assumption.For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  Ep 281 [REPLAY] Shifting Your Mindset in How you Deal with Yourself in Your Business 07.07.2026 58min

  Mindset is a topic that we hear about in our personal lives and in our professional lives. It is a topic that lingers behind all decisions that we make, especially as an entrepreneur. If we asked ten people, or ten advisors, what mindset means to them we would get 10 different answers. On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Lina Sutton and Danielle Gaerte. Three travel advisors talking about their experiences and their challenges in running a travel business and their mindset related to being an entrepreneur.For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  280 Soulful Experience w/ AmaWaterways 30.06.2026 23min

  In this solo episode, Brianna closes the loop on her recent AmaWaterways Soulful Experience sailing through Portugal’s Douro River and reflects on what the trip taught her as both a traveler and a travel advisor. After previously sharing how to turn fam trips and personal travel into a marketing engine, she now pulls back the curtain on what actually worked, what surprised her, and how the experience shaped the way she thinks about river cruising. Brianna is clear that one sailing does not make someone a river cruise expert, but it can reveal where deeper product knowledge needs to grow. She shares why river cruise itineraries require more nuance than simply choosing a ship or destination, especially when the river itself shapes the pace, access, views, and traveler experience. She also offers a thoughtful firsthand perspective on AmaWaterways’ Soulful Experience, including the sense of community, cultural storytelling, and emotional resonance that made this sailing feel so meaningful. For travel advisors, this conversation is a reminder that strong product fit is about more than destination alone, it is about understanding the traveler, the itinerary, the community, and the story being told.
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  Ep 279 [REPLAY] Going Solo or Joining a Team; How to Know What’s Right for You 23.06.2026 43min

  You may be interested in being a travel advisor, but are you also interested in being an entrepreneur? Sometimes running a travel advisor business requires much more than just planning travel. You may have to ask yourself if you’d rather join a team to help with the workload, or go solo to control more of your business. On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Korrine Johnson to dive into this big question, considering all of your options, and how to figure out what will work for your business.For the next several weeks, enjoy this replay of a listener favorite episode. We'll be back soon with new content!
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  Ep 278 What Travel Advisors Can Learn From Aman-Level Luxury Hospitality 16.06.2026 39min

  In this episode of Masters in Travel, Brianna sits down with Olivia Tambosso, a luxury travel advisor whose career began on the inside of one of the world’s most respected luxury hotel brands: Aman. After years in guest-facing operational roles in Morocco, Thailand, and Japan, Olivia brings a rare perspective to the travel advisor side of the industry. Together, Brianna and Olivia explore what true luxury looks like behind the scenes, from anticipating client needs to understanding the operational realities that shape a hotel stay. Olivia shares how her time at Aman taught her to communicate more clearly, advocate more thoughtfully, and view hotels as collaborative partners rather than simple suppliers. This conversation is a reminder that luxury travel is not just about beautiful rooms or impressive amenities. It is about care, nuance, relationships, and the small details that make clients feel deeply seen.
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  Ep 277 How to Turn Every Trip Into a Marketing Engine 09.06.2026 29min

  In this solo episode, Brianna walks travel advisors through the exact mindset shift and planning process that turns a trip from a one-time experience into a long-term marketing asset. As she prepares for seven weeks in Europe, including a Portugal river cruise with AmaWaterways, she shares how she thinks through audience, intention, content capture, and post-trip visibility before she ever boards the plane. Brianna breaks down why firsthand experience is one of a travel advisor’s greatest competitive advantages, but only when it is used with purpose. She also shares her approach to daily storytelling, identifying anchor moments, using honest reactions as content, and extending a trip into a 90-day content window. This episode is a practical reminder that the most valuable content often starts before the trip begins and continues long after the suitcase is unpacked.
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  Ep 276 From Spa Treatments to Wellness Retreats 02.06.2026 40min

  In this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Kate for a thoughtful and practical conversation about the wide spectrum of spa, wellness, and sport-focused travel. Together, they unpack why the simple question “Does the hotel have a spa?” often falls short, especially when clients have very specific expectations around relaxation, treatments, facilities, programming, or transformation. From diagnostic wellness resorts to choose-your-own-adventure retreats, hotel spas, hydrotherapy circuits, and active travel experiences, Whitney and Kate explore how travel advisors can ask better questions and better understand what clients are really seeking. They also discuss the importance of expectation setting, from knowing whether a treatment happens in a true spa or in-room to understanding whether a client should plan for one hour or an entire afternoon. For travel advisors, this episode is a reminder that wellness is not one-size-fits-all, and that the details can make all the difference in matching the right client to the right experience.
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  Ep 275 Family Friendly Hotels 26.05.2026 1t 14min

  Family-friendly hotels are often misunderstood, with many properties claiming the label without truly designing for how families actually travel. In this episode, Travel Advisor Lee Friedman of Mango Tree Travel shares firsthand insight into what makes a hotel genuinely work for families. The conversation dives into real-world considerations like room configurations, kids club quality, dining flexibility, and how hotel design impacts both parents and children. It also explores the gap between hotel marketing and on-the-ground reality, and how Travel Advisors can better evaluate properties beyond surface-level claims. Throughout, clear patterns emerge around what thoughtful hospitality looks like for families versus what simply checks a box. Travel Advisors will walk away with a sharper lens for identifying, positioning, and confidently recommending family-friendly hotels. This episode was originally aired on The Hivemind Podcast. Explore more hotel comparison and destination deep-dive episodes on The Hivemind Podcast at ⁠https://www.thehive.travel/podcast
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  Ep 274 What I'd Do If I Were Starting Over in 2026 19.05.2026 33min

  In this solo episode, Brianna reflects on what she would do differently if she were starting her travel business from scratch in 2026. With 10 years of experience behind her, she breaks down the foundational decisions that matter most, from choosing the right host agency to getting honest about your network, picking a niche early, investing in the travel business, and building systems before they are urgently needed. Brianna also shares why proximity still matters when building a client base, how to use slow seasons as intentional build time, and why AI should be treated as infrastructure rather than a shortcut. Whether you are brand new to the industry or years into your travel business, this episode is a practical reminder that clarity, consistency, and confident decision-making shape the path forward. Above all, Brianna brings the focus back to the work that actually matters: getting in front of the right people and building a travel business that can hold real weight.
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  Ep 273 What I Wish Someone Had Taught Me Earlier About Trip Design 12.05.2026 39min

  There is a skill inside great trip design that nobody talks about enough, and it has nothing to do with knowing the best hotels or having the right supplier relationships.It is judgment. And judgment is hard to teach when it has always lived in your gut.In this solo episode, Brianna shares the frameworks she has spent years developing to articulate what once felt purely instinctive. She walks through how to truly read a client beyond their intake form, how to think about trip movement before you ever touch a hotel list, and why budget clarity is one of the most powerful tools you have in the proposal process.Whether you are building a team, strengthening your own process, or just looking for language to match the expertise you already have, this one is for you.
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  Ep 272 How to Stop Overthinking Your Content and Actually Show Up with Kyla Daisy 05.05.2026 54min

  If you’ve ever stared at a blank caption, rewritten it three times, and still didn’t hit post, this episode is for you. Brianna sits down with social media strategist and former travel advisor Kyla Daisy to unpack what’s really behind the hesitation so many travel advisors feel when it comes to showing up online. Together, they explore how overthinking, comparison, and the pressure to be perfect are often the biggest blockers to consistency. Kyla shares a refreshingly simple approach to content that prioritizes clarity, organization, and sustainability over complexity. From what “good enough” content actually looks like to how to build confidence through action, this conversation will help you stop sitting in drafts and start showing up in a way that actually connects. If you’re ready to simplify your social media and make it work for your travel business, this episode will meet you right where you are.