TRO Signal Podcast | Travmarket Media Network

In this episode, Lynda speaks with Tomas Garza,  a writer, podcaster, and lifelong traveler whose journeys have led him to a path of writing, podcasting, and teaching spiritual truths.   Tomas started his own podcast in 2019 as a way to market a book he published, and now podcasting is the centerpiece of his  business life. His show treats topics of spirituality and personal transformation, drawing on lessons learned over a lifetime. In addition, he and his business partner teach the nuts and bolts of podcasting. Writing and then marketing his book kick-started the podcasting adventure. He loves to talk about journeys--spiritual and geographical. Travel has been a huge part of his life from an early age. He spent time in the travel industry (2014-2018) working for a corporate entity as a guide, leading clients on trips around the world. Subsequent to his layoff in 2018, he and his wife Cindy spent two and a half years living in Merida, on the Yucatán peninsula.  Spirituality is a central theme. Everything he does revolves around it. He has started  a daily livestream on Enlightened World Network called "A Course in Miracles 365: Awakening to Love.” He’s  had a regular meditation practice for 35+ years. Book: Decide: How to Replace Your Fictions with Truth, Go Big in Life, And Transform Audaciously (2019) Podcast: Decide to Transform https://decidetotransform.podbean.com Contact info: https://tomasgarza.com tomas@tomasgarza.com Facebook: Tomás Garza Facebook Group: Podcast Prosperity Facebook Group: Enlightened World Network Twitter: @tomas_garza Instagram: @tomasgarzaauthor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of TRO Signal, Lynda interviews RICHARD D’AMBROSIO. Richard is a master storyteller who has helped hundreds of travel advisors, entrepreneurs and leading brands —including American Express, Flight Centre USA, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Thomas Cook Travel —grow their brands and sales through marketing and sales coaching. Richard has a passion for helping small businesses find their voice and tell their story to attract ideal clients, and has been a regular speaker and educator with Travel Market Report, The Travel Institute and a variety of travel media properties. In this podcast, he talks about ways Travel Advisors can leverage their own stories and that of their clients to connect with their target audience and promote their business.    Contacts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdambrosio/ https://www.travelbusinessmastermind.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen as a budding tour operator discusses his impeccable timing, branching into international travel on the eve of a global pandemic. Experienced outdoor guide Mike Pulham has led groups in the Pacific Northwest for twenty years—hiking, rafting, river floats, snowshoeing, camping.  Then he decided to branch out into the wider world. Adventure group trips to Costa Rica, Peru, and Egypt…now it gets interesting. Are the travelers stranded in a foreign county or do they return safely? What does 2021 and beyond have in store for Good Vibes Travel? And how did his company get its name? He tells the stories in this podcast. Mike is a lifelong adventure guide. At 16 years old, Mike was trained to be a white water river rafting guide. For the past 20 years Mike has been organizing and leading outdoor adventure trips in the Pacific Northwest. Mike has lived a life of adventure, and many organizations like churches, companies and nonprofits have hired Mike to take adults and youth exploring the Pacific Northwest. Mike has organized and hosted outdoor trips like white water rafting, snowshoeing, overnight camping, hiking, zip lining, sky diving and much more. Mike has a strong passion for international travel, and he has explored many countries around the world. Mike’s passion is to change people’s lives and help them discover their meaningfulness by showing them the beauty and adventure our planet has to offer. While creating each adventure, Mike is always thinking how to make adventures fun, exciting and ensuring safety as his highest priority.  Good Vibes Travel Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/GoodVibesTravel.LLC Website  https://goodvibestravel.com/ YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4uRabp17OUkgW5gKRUiDGA/videos Instagram https://www.instagram.com/goodvibestravelllc/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Through the magic of social media, a Brit doing sightseeing tours in Switzerland (Typically Swiss Tours' Chris Wilson) joined forces with travel advisors in Toronto, California, and Oregon to create a business/social group called the Fab 5. Here, four of them discuss the travel business in the time of Covid, thoughts about the future of travel, and the creative ways they keep busy without work in three different countries. Hint: there may be contests and cowbells. This is a peek into what’s become a real group friendship during this unusual period of time. It’s not quite Absolutely Fabulous, but it’s fun. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Lynda speaks with travel professionals Anneke Marchese and Shelly Pawson about the adjustments in personal relationships that have resulted from the travel standstill, homeschooling and Covid. Anneke is the owner of AM/FM Leisure & Adventure Travel, a full service travel group physically based in the volcanic recreational paradise that is Central Oregon, with travel designers across the US. Contact Info: www.facebook.com/amfmtravelwww.facebook.com/anneytravels www.instagram.com/amfmtravelwww.instagram.com/anneytravels Shelly Pawson is the owner of Bridgeport Travel in Tualatin, OR, and is an 13 year veteran of the travel industry.  She is a graduate of the Hawaii Destination Specialist program, as well as the Disney College of Knowledge.  She is an expert with many of the popular cruise lines and is working towards her Accredited Cruise Counselor certification with the Cruise Lines International Association.  Shelly has an extensive knowledge of "All Inclusive Resorts", both in Mexico and the Caribbean and enjoys traveling to many of the destinations that she sells.  She and husband Greg are the parents to an 11 year old son and one spoiled rotten dog.   Contact Info: shelly@bridgeport-travel.com  www.bridgeport-travel.com  Facebook – facebook.com/bridgeporttravel   Instagram - @bridgeporttravel Twitter - @ShellyTravels LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/shellypawson/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Lynda speaks with Dr. Sheri Rosenthal, the director at Wanderlust Entrepreneur and the creator of The Retreat Blueprint Program. In addition to being a medical doctor, Sheri is a travel entrepreneur and the author over several books. She studied with don Miguel Ruiz for 8 years and became an instructor of his program developed from his work, "The Four Agreements." Dr. Rosenthal has become one of the foremost experts teaching others how to put together retreats and specializes in spiritual travel and adventures. With Lynda she discusses how her business developed and how she brilliantly re-shaped her business during the Covid-19 pandemic.   Contact: Director @ Wanderlust Entrepreneur & Creator of The Retreat Blueprint Program Dr. Sheri Rosenthal WanderlustEntrepreneur.com! Journeys of The Spirit Luxury Travel See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Lynda speaks with Dr. Carol Dimopoulos of Learning Journeys. Carol has a unique background which bridges the tourism sector and academia. In her professional role she serves as CEO and founder of Learning Journeys, a company focused on global learning programs through a concept known as "The Traveling Classroom". The organization focuses on incorporating education into the global travel platform as well as creating social tourism exchanges which create economic opportunity for developing societies. Through her global exposure, she discovered what drives human empowerment at a core level.  Her academic background includes over 11 years of experience teaching in the online learning environment in the capacity of adjunct business instructor at The State University of New York, Empire State College. She is an alumni of Empire State College, where she earned a B.S. in Cultural studies. She also holds an MBA in strategic management from Sage Graduate School and a doctorate from The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in Global Education and Leadership.  https://www.learningjourneys.com As discussed in today's episode, here is the link to the Malta Modern Day Explorer videos:Malta - Modern Day Explorers - USTOA Here is the link to the Learning Journeys Travel professional certification: https://www.learningjourneys.com/pages/travel-agent-certification See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've partied like it's 1999 and now we have the hindsight of 2020.  What does that mean for 2021?  Here's what we, the podcast hosts at Travmarket Media Network, are hopeful for and resolving to do in 2021.  Happy New Years! ~ The Hosts of Travmarket Media Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our current theme is Resiliency, and in this episode Lynda speaks with Project Expedition’s co-founders and we discuss the way they’ve been able to stop, drop, and regroup very quickly during this most unusual year. In addition to refunding client money within days at the beginning of the shutdown, they’ve spent the year developing new products and services, including a comprehensive shore excursions platform. They’ve kept the team together (working remotely) and they’re years ahead of their own schedule due to the unexpected time they’ve had to be creative.  Rob Keen is a Co-Founder at Project Expedition, a platform where travel advisors can book over 20,000 tours and excursions in destinations around the world. Based in New York City, Rob currently leads the Sales, Business Development, and Technology teams at Project Expedition. Previously, Rob spent seven years at Bloomberg in London.  Jeremy Clement is a Co-Founder at Project Expedition, a platform where travel advisors can book over 20,000 tours and excursions in destinations around the world. Based in New York City, Jeremy currently leads the Customer Experience and Marketing teams at Project Expedition. Previously, Jeremy spent seven years at Bloomberg, with long-term assignments in their New York, London, and Tokyo offices. https://www.projectexpedition.com Contact Info: jeremy@projectexpedition.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyclementpe/ rob@projectexpedition.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/robkeenpe/ Linked In Article:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/plotting-course-through-pandemic-rob-keen/?trackingId=uNcMtxA9SsS8XcGJYt1Ugg%3D%3D See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have so much to be thankful for in 2020.  This episode is heartfelt and personal thankful messages from a majority of the hosts on the Travmarket Media Network of podcasts.   Let us also thank you for listening.  We hope you are safe and at least in communications with your loved ones if you can't be physically present with them this year. Blessings to you and gobble, gobble, gobble, ~ Megan Chapa Network Producer Travmarket Media Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of TRO Signal, Lynda Phillippi interviews Jamie Bachrach of the Wandering Puffin. Jamie is an FIT specialist with a love for puffins, a love of Scandinavia and a passion for his clients. Jamie talks about passion and navigating the ups and downs of being a travel professional in the time of Covid-19,  the Northern Lights and how why the puffin is his spirit animal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melissa Mackey is a woman on a mission. In 2006, Melissa Mackey began her career in travel and quickly climbed the corporate ladder and became manager within months of starting. Her store was 6th most profitable store in all of Canada. As she grew these stores, her dreams and vision became bigger and stronger in the world of entrepreneurship and travel. She closed doors in retail and started retail agency Travel Chicks in 2010. She is an author, public speaker, coach and trainer. Her vision is to become the leading authority in group trips and lifestyle design services. Her passion comes alive when it comes to people, travel and business. She inspires others to travel, take risks and dive into a passion full life. Travel Chicks are committed to high quality service and always remembers the importance of a great customer experience. She holds regional, international and regional workshops for professionals looking to create the best self they can be, to develop confidence and to start their own businesses.   http://www.travelchicks.ca/ (866) 934-8463 info@travelchicks.ca See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to move from being a travel professional to a tour operator? Today, Linda and I interview Christina Ernst of VIP Southern Tours. Christina gathered up her courage, bought a fleet of vans, and started a business doing wine tours in the Northern Georgia Mountains. She explains how she made the transition, the challenges she faced, and the brand she has built over the last few years. What possibilities do you have for expanding your own business locally? https://www.facebook.com/christinanagyernst https://www.facebook.com/VipSouthernTours http://vipsoutherntours.com/ My article on the topic: https://www.travelresearchonline.com/blog/index.php/2020/10/act/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Goldenberg is a 4'10" travel professional, but she stands tall in the world of competitive weightlifting where Lauren is a U.S. National Masters record holder in the  55-59 age bracket! But there's more: she is also a world record holder. TRO Signal's Lynda Phillippi interviews Lauren about her passion and how it fits into the world of being a travel professional. Lauren Goldenberg started The Family Traveler in 2000. She came into the travel planning business via the professional sports industry. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and receiving a Master’s Degree in Sports Management, she traveled the globe for many years working in various media-related positions on the men’s professional tennis tour. Her love for exploration and world culture abounds.  Her career changed course after the birth of her daughter…who she raised as a global citizen. Lauren’s passion for finding great places for families to travel, to reconnect and to experience the world grows with each trip booked! https://www.facebook.com/thefamilytraveler https://www.instagram.com/lauren904g/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thethefamilytraveler/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, my co-host, Lynda Phillippi and I speak with Angela Hughes, the founder of Color My World, a non-profit 501c3 organization leading a global effort to relieve human suffering, by providing emergency response relief items and humanitarian services including sustainability projects internationally to those in need. Established in 2000 by The Hughes Family of Bedford, NH, CMW is about, helping young people get involved in service related activities. Angela is also a travel professional specializing in luxury travel and owns and operates Trips and Ships Luxury Travel. Angela is also the administrator of the Facebook group Luxury Travel Social Media & Marketing Strategies for Travel Professionals.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nolan Burris is the founder and Chief Visioneer of Future Proof Travel Solutions, based in Vancouver, Canada. Nolan just shocked many of his friends by signing off of social media, and, in this episode, provides a heartfelt reason for his decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talent.  You have it or you don’t… Right? Isn’t talent the reason Bobby Fischer was a grand master chess player at 19?  Isn’t talent why Bill Gates was a boy genius and is now the world’s richest man, or why Tiger Woods was a child golf prodigy? Talent is largely a myth, at least as an indicator of brilliant success. The crucial factor isn’t intelligence, it isn’t inherent talent, it isn’t experience. One factor, and one only, determines success: how intensely one practices one’s chosen art. I have three brilliant guests on this episode! But first, I want to introduce my brilliant new co-host! Lynda Phillippi is a travel advisor and owner of Renaissance Travel and Events, specializing in small group travel by land, sea, and river. She lives in the heart of Oregon's wine country and loves to plan itineraries showcasing food, wine, and natural beauty. Lynda was the host and producer of an arts-related television show for 19 years. She is an extraverted extravert and a terrific asset to a high-functioning introvert like myself. Now, our guests for this episode. Barbara Oliver is the owner of All Together Now Travel Inc / Romantic Journeys™, a full service travel agency in Los Angeles, CA that specializes in Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, and Group Travel. Joey DeLoach is a travel writer and editor for Travel Research Online. He has been writing for what seems like forever, but also studies the ancient arts of standup comedy and wing chun kung fu. He started, and hosts, the one-on-one interview podcast Discoursers, which is most definitively not safe for work, but is available on most podcast providers. Annette Easton is a travel agent & motorcoach tour operator in Winnipeg, Canada. Her company, Easton Tours, was founded by her grandmother in 1981.  She travelled  extensively with her grandfather, and after his death found herself without a travel companion, so she started a tour company to have people to travel with!  In 2012 we acquired another local bus tour company when their owner decided to retire. She has been mostly focused on the bus tours for the last few years. Want to see the results of their skills aka "talent"? Have a look here!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is a re-cap of a webinar TRO did this week entitled “Don’t Let a Crisis go to Waste”. The webinar had its origin in an article in TRO by Richard D’Ambrosio. Like many good articles, I think Richard’s was a starting point. What are real action items we can employ to begin preparing for moving product through the distribution chain again? We can do little to determine When travel will once again return to economically feasible levels, but we have it within our purview to decide How we will manage it when it does.  Our guests for this episode: Dan Austin of Austin Adventures  Jim Cloonan of Travel Show Marketing Group Margie Jordan of CCRA Carmen Perez of Travel Agent Marketing Success Made Easy Tracy Shatz of Elite Travel Journeys See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us dream of the expat lifestyle. What would it be like to pick up and leave our homes and just move to a new country? What would it be like? Today, we're joined by four travel professionals who have decided to move abroad and to continue their travel practice. We're going to ask our guests what inspired them to take on the new challenges of adopting another country as home, how it's affected their travel practice, and what advice they have for others considering the expat lifestyle. Here is some information about this episode's guests: Karen Rosenblum has 20 years of experience in the professional travel industry, and now specializes in personalized travel consulting and handcrafting Spain itineraries based on her clients’ unique needs through her business Spain Less Traveled.  Last year, she created  Travel Spain!: a fast-growing Facebook community for Spain travelers (and travel dreamers) who want to discover Spain more authentically and (a bit more) off the beaten path. A solo female traveler at heart, Karen has explored over 60 countries, mostly solo.  Aside from Spain, some of her favorite destinations are Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Portugal, Myanmar, Perú, and Morocco. Born and raised in Chicago, but from California, after years of digital nomading Spain truly stole her heart.  Finally, in 2018 (about three years ago), she uprooted her life and moved there.   Jen Maki was born and raised in northern Minnesota and always dreamed of being a location independent business owner.  She the author of the book, 'Couples That Travel Won't Unravel'. After 13 years in the business, she took a giant leap of faith and sold everything she owned and purchased a one way ticket to Puerto Rico and now has the best of both worlds, an American territory in the heart of the Caribbean! Her website is https://mydivinevacation.com and her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/4divinedeals/ Matt Wahlgren's career in travel began as a hobby. After returning from the Peace Corps in 2006, he began to help my family members and friends with their own travel plans. He simply loved shared his experiences abroad and enjoyed assisting family as they created their own itineraries. In 2014, he decided to turn his passion into a career, and never looked back. In August of 2020, he sold his home and moved to Mexico! Website: www.matt.travel FB: https://www.facebook.com/travelbymatt IG: https://www.instagram.com/travelbymatt/ Lori Gold is a Canadian and has moved to Mexico to pursue her expat lifestyle! You can catch Lori's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lorirachel and she is a travel professional associated with luxury travel firm TWIL Travel https://www.twiltravel.com                           See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the experience of raising children in the travel industry like? Do the children of travel professionals experience life and travel differently? How does it affect their worldview and perspective on humanity? Our guests this week explore their lives as both parents and travel advisors raising Nomad Kids. Our guests this week: Camille Sanders, owner of Chic Romance Travel. Camille is an Internationally Certified Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist, along with a Caribbean, Mexico & Europe Specialist. Her agency has also been featured on wedding & honeymoons specific TV & Radio interviews with Central Valley Talk, Spotlight on the Valley, Comcast Cable, 1 Hour TV Talk Me.TV, Central Valley Talk 1680 & KMYC1410. Camille has also been featured in Destination Weddings and Honeymoons magazine and Travel Weekly. ​Camille has been in the Travel Industry over 30 years & has been doing Romance Travel for over 15 years. Camille travels several times each year to attend industry trainings, develop supplier relationships, and preview the latest properties.  https://www.chicromancetravel.com https://www.facebook.com/ChicRomanceTravel Sally Bedoian Killoran has been in the travel business for over 25 years. Sally's mother and grandmother started her travel agency in 1985 and she began working there in high school. She realized early on she had a desire to not only travel but help others experience travel adventures that would transform lives.  Sally has 4 daughters who are now great travel companions and have experienced so much by traveling and her daughter Hanna is involved in the industry and appears on the episode. TravelMastersaz.com  https://www.facebook.com/TravelMastersAZ/ Amanda Vallone is one of the co-owners of Roseborough Travel Agency. Amanda has a really awesome kid she lovingly calls "Aurora the Explorer!" She has been to Hawaii, New York, South and East Africa, Alaska, and all over the Caribbean, all before she was five years old! Aurora is a really great traveler and Amanda is assisted by her husband, George who often goes on many of the trips with them!https://www.facebook.com/roseboroughtravel/ https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/roseboroughexplorer/ https://www.roseboroughtravel.com/Page/RoseboroughTravelHome   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“…to prepare to stay in a place or position for a long time, usually in order to achieve something … (Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Another fine mess we’ve found ourselves in. But we are not without power and a course of action. We have weathered these storms in the past. The first responsibility we have to our families, companies and employees, is to preserve our house.  While the most immediate impulse, correctly so, will be to cut expenses,  it is important to do so rationally and with an eye to the future. Done correctly, cutting expenses has the same effect as trimming your sails in a strong wind – you gain more control over your boat. Done incorrectly, however, you lose the ability to navigate, to steer beyond the storm. Cutting expenses cannot be done in isolation. Your marketing mix must also adapt to the new circumstances.  An important thought as you plan your way forward: Consider the psychological nature of the current Coronavirus situation and the central role travel has played in it. We have to empathize with the population and our clients. Do not underestimate the importance of ongoing communication with your client base and the need to continue to be visible in a steady, calm manner with correct messaging. Here is a quick action plan to consider. Go through your expenses and get rid of “leaks”- subscriptions you are not reading, software you are not using, anything you don’t recognize. Cull out luxuries in excess of what you need to operate efficiently and smartly. Example: your basic cable service and internet are important to your business. HBO and STARZ, not so much. Enough said. Look at your marketing. Do NOT cut back on effective marketing or your visibility. You must remain visible. This is the time to blog, to send out newsletters, to stay in front of clients. During tough times, too many travel companies quit marketing and go silent. Maintain your visibility to take advantage of pent-up demand when the tide turns, and it will turn, it always does.  Focus on existing clients – they are the least expensive clients to reach. Focus on niches for the same reason. This is not the time to shotgun market, so get strategic about how you spend your marketing dollars and time. Use your most efficient and effective communication channels – your blog, your newsletters and social media, and those channels that have worked for you in the past. Look at your marketing messaging. Continue to think about and develop your communication skills. Practice your writing, develop your responses, think through your manner and way of being with clients. Make your messaging to clients helpful and instructive. We are entering into a very specific customer service phase of our business, and sales will give way for a while to smart marketing. Right now, empathize with your clients. Don’t over-sell. Remain authentic and retain your concern for clients. Don’t try to tell clients they should ignore sound advice regarding protecting their health and well-being. Calmly provide good advice. Be a stable influence. When this all passes, and it will pass, clients will remember your empathy and your voice. Take care of yourself. Take some walks, play with your animals, spend time with family. Stay in touch with friends. Remember what is really important. We are all going to look at things a little differently on the other side of all of this, but not one of us is an island.  Hang in there friends, hunker down. And wash your hands. Your friend in travel, Richard See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our four guests this week on TRO Signal discuss how they have taken advantage of the Covid-19 travel standstill by working ON their businesses instead of IN their business. Compare notes and see how the standstill is a perfect time for a gentle approach to re-shaping your travel practice  Our Guests this week: Natasha Cummings owner of Beyond Blessed Travels Born in St Vincent and the Grenadines and move the United States when she was 15, Natasha has this to say about her history in travel: "I always had the love for travel but, like most things my dream of traveling took a back seat when I started a family. But now since my children are all grown up I decided to go back to pursue my dreams of traveling, so I decided to start my travel business in 2017. Being a travel business owner and a travel advisor the most rewarding part or working in the travel industry is helping others fulfill their dreams. My goal is to help family create memories for a lifetime by turning their dream into a reality."   Loretta Lamberth is a former dental hygienist who is an independent contractor for Take Time to Travel outside of Atlanta.  Loretta describes her travel practice history as follows: "I have been a travel advisor since 2005, after (mostly) leaving a career in Dental Hygiene. I can't say that one day I just woke up and decided to be a travel advisor with no previous background...but it's pretty close. What I CAN say is that I had been evolving into an advisor across the previous 10 years, and finally realized it one day, at a time when I was also ready to leave my dental office position. So, I did a month's worth of research, did some basic training from The Travel Institute, found a great (large, national) host, and dived in. Dental hygiene went to the back-burner as I took only fill-in positions or 1-2 day/week part-time positions. In 2017 planning to transition fully into travel, I received an offer to join a local brick and mortar agency as an outside agent, and knew it was time to make a change because my business and my goals were changing also.  How did I go from dental hygiene to travel? In 1996, my husband and I took our first trip to Europe for our 15th wedding anniversary. Europe absolutely seduced us! What we thought would be a “once in a lifetime” trip, or at least not repeated until retirement, became practically a yearly endeavor, and my whole world changed. In time, friends and family had me planning their trips, too, and one thing led to another until I took the leap I described above in 2005. In 24 years since that first trip, we've traveled multiple times through the cities and countrysides of Italy, France, and Germany, as well as destinations in 11 other countries within Europe. My personal favorite vacation destinations are just about anywhere in Italy or France! It’s been Italy and France that have kept me coming back, always planning the “next trip” in my head until I can plan it in real time. I love to travel in May, when the red poppies are blooming alongside the roads and in hillside fields! Is it any suprise then that my travel specialty is European/Mediterranean vacations?  I am currently working on several official industry designations: Italy Destination Specialist, and Northern Europe Destination Specialist, as well as the ASTA VTA. And because my repeat clients have also branched out beyond European travel, I am doing additional trainings for Australia/New Zealand and South Pacific/French Polynesia destinations or suppliers."   Shelly Morse is a 20 year veteran of the travel industry and maintains a number of certifications and niche markets. Her agency is Horizon Vacations, and she describes her agency as follows: "My experience in the travel industry spans more than twenty years. Over the course of this time, I had the opportunity to serve in different positions in the industry, including corporate travel, leisure travel and briefly worked as a hotel sales manager. My broad range of positions over the course of my career has helped shape my business as it is today. I arrange groups large and small for families and friends traveling together on vacation, as well as corporate incentive groups. After taking a short break from leisure travel and arranging corporate travel in the late 1990s, I returned to leisure travel in 2002 and many of my loyal clients have trusted me with their family vacations for over 15 years.  I am a Charter Member of Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist Association, a Certified Sandals Specialist, Jamaica Travel Specialist, and many other resorts and cruise certifications. I earned my certification as a Hawaii Destination Specialist through the Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau and love to plan detailed multi-island itineraries. I continuously attend webinars and training courses to stay educated in the industry. Most recently I attended GTM West (Global Travel Marketplace) in Nevada, connecting with the best cruise lines, hotels, and tour operators worldwide.  I also enjoy creating multi-country trips throughout Europe, with customized itineraries featuring fascinating cites such as Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Santorini, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Munich, Prague, and Budapest.  One of my great passions is working with engaged couples to plan their once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon vacation. I am honored to be a part of my clients' special trip and I enjoy spending time working with each couple to recommend the right resort or destination for their dream honeymoon."   Melissa Mackey is an international speaker on the topics of Business Growth, Travel & Transformation. She is a published author and an independent mom on a mission. She is the CEO of Travel Chicks & Founder of Ignite Me Now and brings 15 years of travel + business experience in the field and working one on one with clients to help you discover the missing link in your life and business. Travel Chicks began in 2010 and primarily focuses on helping solo females finding friends to travel the world together. She leads retreats and masterminds worldwide to help entrepreneurs grow and scale their business from a heart centered space. Melissa's been featured on major media outlets such as Financial Post, Huffington Post, Breakfast Television, and Mind Valley. She is an accomplished millennial mama who is committed to helping others thrive.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it like to be a travel professional in the time of Covid-19? We know all too well the negatives, but is there anything positive we can take away from the experience? I ask five travel consultants to open up to me, to be honest and candid in their Covid Confessionals. These are my all-star guests for the premier episode: Chuck Flagg is a former radio producer, dish Jackie, standup comedian. He has been in travel for over 12 years. Chuck is a franchisee of Cruise Planners, specializing in Luxury travel and the river cruise market. Chuck is a former contributing writer to TRO. https://www.facebook.com/chuckflagg  Sharon Campbell-Little, is the president / owner of award winning Wedding and Honeymoon Travel group specializing in full-service worldwide romance travel. Originally born in Edinburgh Scotland with a travel career spanning over 25 years, twelve of those years were spent working overseas for Thomas Cook one of the largest tour operators in the world. Sharon has now settled in Southern California and describes herself as a passionate and hopeless romantic who simply loves love. Since emigrating to the US 11 years ago,  Sharon has built her romance travel company within the niche of destination weddings and honeymoons. Sharon has been the recipient of many top seller awards with hotels and preferred tour operator partners and is a #1 Selling agency for the island of Jamaica. Under her leadership, Wedding and Honeymoon travel group has helped more than 5000 couples to have a destination wedding in the Caribbean. More recently Sharon has taken on a mentorship role for new advisors coming into the Travel industry or romance niche. She also teaches several Travel and Tourism classes within OCC community college. https://www.facebook.com/sharon.little.9440  Also be sure to check out Sharon's Facebook Group - Travel Industry's Got Talent Happy Hour: https://www.facebook.com/groups/622496201642708/  Tom Varghese is the Chancellor of Travel (Owner) at Travel Tom. Tom has a strong passion for travel and is dedicated to providing a wonderful customer experience. With degrees in Economics and Business Administration, he started his career on Wall Street where he ran the Analyst Desk for JJ Kenney/Standard & Poors and ended with a position as Vice President at JP Morgan. Tom entered the travel industry in 2002 while continuing to work on Wall Street, choosing to indulge his love of travel as a part-time travel consultant. In 2011, he decided to pursue his true passion to be a full-time travel consultant and gave JPM his 2 weeks’ notice. “Travel Tom” is a recognized leader and an expert in the travel industry and has won numerous awards and distinctions. He has won Travel Impressions prestigious Globe Award (2014-2016) as well as top awards from his suppliers such as Hyatt Resorts (Hyatt 5-0), Sandals (Chairmans Royal Club), Palace Resorts (Platinum Agency) Hard Rock AIC (Triple Platinum) and Karisma (Diamond Level Agency). He was also honored to be recognized as Top 25 All Star Travel Agents (2016) from Travel Agent Magazine. He makes a point of personally visiting most of the destinations he sells and has formed partnerships and alliances with hotel owners, tour operators and others to ensure his clients have an exceptional travel experience. https://www.facebook.com/traveltom  Lynda Phillippi is the owner of Renaissance Travel and remains passionate about one of a kind travel experiences and memories that are truly unparalleled and unforgettable. Lynda is the regional director in Portland, Oregon for the American Society of Travel Advisors and is an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor, a CLIA Master Cruise Counselor, and a Certified Travel Agent. https://www.facebook.com/LyndaPhillippihttps://www.gowithlynda.com/home.html  Brian Raymond is the president of Sophisticated Crusing. Like many in the travel business, Brian didn’t start in it. His career started out as a staff attorney for the Michigan Speaker of the House. From there he moved into technology, as President of the Michigan Information Technology Network, Sr. VP at Chaparral Communication and VP at Sony Electronics. After twenty years in corporate America, he decided to work for himself as a real estate broker, and then he and his husband followed a dream to build a bar on the Mediterranean in Spain. The plan was to stay there forever, but the financial crisis of 2008 hit Spain especially hard. They sold the bar and moved to the US, where Brian started his travel career in 2010. https://www.facebook.com/james.brian.raymond            See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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