Humans of Travel

Most members of the travel industry community know Samantha Brown as the host of PBS’ Samantha Brown's Places to Love, a long-running television show that allows viewers to tune in as Brown jets all over the world, showcasing some of the planet’s most fascinating destinations, communities and cultures. During this episode of Humans of Travel, Brown reflects on her upbringing — her early relationship with travel, and how her interest in theater prepared her for a life in front of the screen. She’ll also share a memorable story about getting to her audition — and ultimately landing the role — for the Travel Channel’s Great Vacation Homes, and reflects on some of the most memorable moments from her career. Finally, listeners will hear about Brown’s focus on sustainability and human connection while traveling, and what she respects most about the travel advisor profession. This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Samantha Brown's website Samantha Brown on Instagram ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello everyone. And welcome to humans in the hot seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today, we're speaking with travel advisor Erica Carr, founder of BookitBox Travel and a member of Gifted Travel Network. Carr has a unique business model and takes client gifting to the next level — we'll hear all about her creative approach to marketing, and her best piece of marketing advice for travel advisors who are hoping to set themselves apart from the crowd. This episode was sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi everyone, it's Emma Weissman, the host of Humans of Travel from Travel Age West. We've decided to re release a few of our favorite Humans of Travel interviews on the weeks where we aren't dropping new episodes. And you're listening to one of those encore presentations right now. In addition to being an author, a TedX speaker and a frequent media contributor, Sahara Rose De Vore is the founder of The Travel Coach Network (TCN). Now, you may be wondering — what is a travel coach? What types of clients do they work with, and what’s the difference between a travel coach and a travel advisor, or a traditional travel agent? In the latest episode of Humans of Travel, De Vore breaks down the specifics of her travel career. Travel coaches, like De Vore, help individuals or companies — such as tour operators, DMCs, travel agencies or corporate meeting planners — hone in on the psychology of travel, and how they can best alter their marketing or improve their company’s culture based on a human-centric approach, one that takes into account their consumers’ unique mindsets, fears, obstacles, professional goals and unique personal experiences. In addition to being a travel coach who focuses specifically on wellness, De Vore helps budding travel coaches develop their businesses through TCN and through her Travel Coach Certification Program, an accredited program from the International Coaching Federation. Listeners will also hear about De Vore’s own travel experiences, which include going solo to 84 countries across the world, and how she pushes herself out of her comfort zone while living with an anxiety disorder. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Travel Coach Network De Vore on Instagram The Travel Coach Network on Instagram De Vore on Linkedin De Vore on Facebook The Travel Coach on Facebook The Travel Coach Network Podcast Free Beginner's Guide to Travel Coaching Women Thrive Through Travel MasterFind Virtual Event 2023 INSIDE THIS EPISODE 2:30: Meet Sahara Rose De Vore, a wellness travel coach and the founder of The Travel Coach Network 3:00: What is a travel coach, and who would generally use them? 5:15: De Vore breaks down the differences between a travel coach and a travel advisor. 7:00: De Vore explains the significance of TCN’s accreditation from the International Coaching Federation. 9:25: De Vore shares the most common challenges that travel coaches have when beginning their businesses. 14:09: De Vore reflects on her childhood growing up with a single mom, and how she navigates her public-facing persona as an introvert who is living with anxiety. 18:50: De Vore talks about what it was like traveling solo to 84 countries. 24:00: De Vore speaks on why she hopes to reshape how people view travel. 29:30: As a wellness coach, what trends is De Vore seeing in the wellness space? 32:45: Weissmann asks De Vore a round of rapid-fire questions. ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today, we are joined by Dr. Gene Delaune, senior medical consultant for Allianz Travel Insurance. During this episode, listeners will hear about Dr. Delaune's past as an ER doctor, what it means to be a medical consultant for a travel insurance company, and advice on what to look for in a travel insurance policy. This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive By Marriott Bonvoy. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Allianz Travel Insurance ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Mortimer, the founder of cruise line Aurora Expeditions, is a pioneer in the adventure and exploration space — he’s traveled to many of the world's most remote and untouched regions, and has led more than 80 expeditions to Antarctica. In 1984, Mortimer made history by being part of the first Australian team to summit Mount Everest via its northeast ridge route without the use of supplemental oxygen, and he’s also summited several other peaks, such as Antarctica's Mount Minto and K2 in Asia. In 1991, Mortimer founded Aurora Expeditions, which has a fleet of two expedition ships — Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle — and another on the way. During the episode, Mortimer will reflect on some of his most thrilling journeys. Listeners will also hear about his advocacy for environmental conservation and sustainability in the travel industry. This episode is sponsored by Marriott Bonvoy. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Aurora Expeditions About Greg Mount Minto Documentary: The Loneliest Mountain From TravelAge West: Review: Antarctica Onboard Aurora Expeditions' Sylvia Earle Review: Greg Mortimer from Aurora Expeditions New ship announcement: Douglas Mawson ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat. Today, we are joined by Richard Lebowitz, who oversees a team at Forbes Travel Guide that aims to bring awareness to star-rated hotels across the global luxury travel advisor community. Lebowitz is no newbie in the travel industry; he’s had over 30 years of experience in travel and hospitality, 25 of them with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in various leadership positions, including as Regional Vice President of Luxury Lifestyle and Leisure of North America for the global sales office. He was also Senior Vice President of the Hotel and Resort Program at Signature Travel Network and, at the onset of the pandemic, he took a role as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Sharecare, which is a digital health and wellness company. While at Sharecare, Lebowitz rolled out Verified with Forbes Travel Guide initiative, a health security verification program for the hotel and travel industry. During this episode, you’ll hear about Forbes Travel Guide’s global rating system for luxury hotels, and the tools available to travel advisors who are sending their clients to these properties. We’ll also touch on The Forbes Travel Guide verification program for advisors. This episode is sponsored by All Inclusive By Marriott Bonvoy. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Forbes Travel Guide (For more information on award-winners, articles and more) Travel Advisor Portal support@forbestravelguide.com ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristy Durso, owner of Incredible Memories Travel, is a passionate advocate that everyone should be able to travel, regardless of an individual’s unique disability. A full-time wheelchair user since 2019, she has used her own travel experiences (and those of her husband and three children, who also live with disabilities) to dig deeper into the world of accessible travel. Now known as an expert in this niche, Durso has made it her goal to educate other travel advisors and inspire and advocate for travelers from every walk of life. In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear about Durso’s own journey as the wife of a military veteran and mother to three children living with disabilities; her path toward becoming Miss Wheelchair Texas in 2022; and her views on the accessible travel landscape (including what the industry does right, and what it does very, very wrong). Listeners will also hear about Durso’s sales process, including the questions she asks clients with accessibility needs, the conversations she has with supplier partners, and the changes she makes to her trip-planning process depending on the type of disability a client has (mobility, cognitive, hearing- or vision-related limitations and more). She also gives advice to other travel advisors who are interested in marketing to clients within the disability community (which encompasses one-fourth of U.S. adults), and the importance of using person-first language and inclusive marketing materials and tactics for reaching this group. Want to learn more about this travel niche? Check out our Travel Agent Guide for Planning Accessible Travel. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Miss Wheelchair Texas Incredible Memories Travel kristy@incrediblememoriestravel.com Durso on Instagram: @Kristygoes Durso on Facebook: Kristy Durso Accessible Travel Network on Facebook TravelAbility (creator of the Accessibility Playbook) Durso’s Video with Wheel the World A recent movie that Durso likes: The Upside ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Kenneth Shapiro, Vice President, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West, as he takes the host seat during this sponsored episode of Humans of Travel, featuring Philip Blackwell, vice president of sales and business development for Travel Insured International. In this episode, Shapiro asks Blackwell about his role as a coach for youth hockey players, including the lessons he's learned from his team, and how these lessons inspire him both in the corporate world and in life in general. Listeners will also hear about how Blackwell got into the travel industry, how the insurance landscape has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, and top tips for travel advisors selling insurance policies to their clients. This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Travel Insured International ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Danny Genung, the owner of Harr Travel, is a former middle school teacher-turned legacy travel advisor and a YouTube influencer in the cruise and resort space operating under the @HarrTravel channel. In addition to selling anywhere from 70-100 cruises per month, Genung is perhaps best known for his onscreen appearances during the cruise ship tour videos he posts daily for his 128,000 subscribers. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Genung speaks on the history of Harr Travel, which was started by his grandfather. Listeners will hear Genung talk about what it was like working with his grandfather at a young age, and how he has developed the business since taking it over. For travel advisors who are interested in learning more about creating videos to level up their businesses, Genung offers advice on tech tools, audience engagement and more. This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Genung’ s YouTube From TravelAge West: How a 40-Year-Old Travel Agency Is Achieving Its Best Sales Ever During COVID-19 ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of the Humans of Travel podcast. Today's episode features Julie Patterson, founder of Wanderfully Planned, who gives listeners a crash course in Instagram social media strategy for travel advisors. Patterson led an educational session on social media last year at the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, and she will take listeners through her process for posting — including how she uses the platform Clickup for planning — how she organizes her content, how she handles social media posting when she’s traveling, and the top mistakes she sees other travel advisors make when posting. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE ClickUp Patterson on the Masters in Travel podcast Get in Touch with Patterson: @WanderfullyPlanned on Instagram ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you have any interest in the cruise industry, the chances are you know Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International. Freed’s career has spanned more than four decades; after spending 29 years at Carnival Cruise Line, she moved over to Royal Caribbean International in 2008. In her 20s, Freed’s tenacity and ambition propelled her to early success; she was a senior vice president by the time she was 36, and she was named the first female chairperson of Cruise Lines International Association in 1998. Additionally, her deep relationships within the travel advisor community have earned her industry-wide recognition and have cemented her as one of the most well-known executives in the cruise industry. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Freed opens up about her early career and her unconventional path to landing a job at Carnival Cruise Line. She also talks about what it was like to work under the leadership of Bob Dickinson, Carnival’s former president and CEO, who was a mentor to Freed and an advocate for her throughout her career. Listeners will also hear about Freed’s own views on mentorship (she suggests bypassing a single mentor in favor of a “board of directors”); what she loves about working in sales; and why the title on a business card can sometimes get in the way of forming valuable connections. Finally, Freed details why she chose to “jump ship” and leave Carnival for a competing cruise line, and she shares a few highlights from her time at Royal Caribbean. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) Vicki’s Coffee Talks Reach Freed via phone: (305) 539-6031 Freed’s email: vfreed@rccl.com ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of the Humans of Travel podcast. Today, we are speaking with Jessica Klement, the vice president of advocacy for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). There’s no typical day on the Hill for Klement, who spends her time lobbying members of Congress and fighting for the rights of travel advisors across the country. In this episode, Klement will describe ASTA’s top priorities for 2024 – including the FAA reauthorization — and she’ll share some of the benefits of ASTA membership. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Contact ASTA: Follow on Instagram: @astatraveladvisors Email: govtaffairs@asta.org ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two years ago, Henley Vazquez created Fora Travel, a host agency that caters to a select group of new travel agents: part-timers, side-hustlers or even those who are just looking to dip their toes into a career in travel, but don’t know where to start. As a travel advisor herself — and a former staff member at Town and Country Magazine and Indagare — Vazquez says her mission is to bring new blood into the travel industry and support people at every stage of their career. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Vazquez shares the ins and outs of Fora — what she looks for in potential new advisors, why the model is appealing to non-full-time workers and what she says to people who think the barrier to entry for this career should be higher. Listeners will also hear about Vazquez’s own relationship with travel, and what Fora has in the works for 2024. This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Fora Travel Special Code for Humans of Travel Listeners: Foratravel.com/joinus Application Code: HumansofTravel Follow Fora on Instagram: @helloFora Vazquez’s Speedtalking with Fora Podcast, on YouTube: From TravelAge West Why Do Travel Agents Have to Chase Their Commissions? Part-Time Travel Agent? Fora Aims to Professionalize New Agents (and Side-Hustlers) These Suppliers Pay Travel Agent Commissions On Time Part-Time Travel Agents Make Up a Third of the Travel Advisor Workforce ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of the Humans of Travel podcast. Today, we are speaking with Ashley Taylor, a travel advisor at Key to the World Travel. She talks about her former career as a hospice nurse, and her transition to travel — and she’ll explain what she believes to be the connection between those two professions, in two very different industries. She'll also offer some advice for travel advisors just getting started in the business. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Key to the World Travel Contact Ashley Taylor: Follow on Instagram: @Ashleykttw Email: Ashley.taylor@keytotheworldtravel.com ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello everyone, and welcome to Season 5 of Humans of Travel. We are kicking off our fifth season with an episode of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Karen Coleman-Ostrov, a franchise owner with Dreams Vacations. Coleman-Ostrov took her first cruise more than 30 years ago, and now specializes in cruising and owns a franchise with Dreams Vacations. Here, she’ll explain why she chose to become a franchisee (rather than an agency employee or an independent contractor), and what advisors should know when considering this business model. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Dreams Vacations From TravelAge West: Which Travel Advisor Model Is the Best Fit for You? ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello everyone, and welcome to Season 5 of Humans of Travel! We are back with new episodes for 2024, starting with an episode of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Karen Coleman-Ostrov, a franchise owner with Dreams Vacations. Coleman-Ostrov took her first cruise more than 30 years ago, and now specializes in cruising and owns a franchise with Dreams Vacations. Here, she’ll explain why she chose to become a franchisee (rather than an agency employee or an independent contractor), and what advisors should know when considering this business model. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Dreams Vacations From TravelAge West: Which Travel Advisor Model Is the Best Fit for You? ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award-winning travel photographer Mark Edward Harris has been to an astounding 102 countries — including many that evade the average traveler and, as he puts it, places that are “seldom seen and even lesser understood.” Many times, Harris is traveling for business, on assignment for publications such as Vanity Fair, LIFE, The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, National Geographic Traveler, Vogue and TravelAge West, among others — and he’s the recipient of many prestigious photography awards for his work. He’s also the author of several travel photography books, including “Inside Iran,” “North Korea,” “The Way of the Japanese Bath” and, most recently, a book about orangutans called “The People of the Forest.” In this episode of Humans of Travel, Harris dives into some of his most thrilling adventures, from his time in North Korea and his coverage of the Tokyo Olympics to his experience photographing orangutans for “People of the Forest.” He also reflects on the times when it’s been more appropriate to put down the camera, and how he gets his subjects to trust him. Plus, he offers some advice for succeeding as a travel photographer. INSIDE THIS EPISODE 1:00 Meet Mark Edward Harris, award-winning travel photographer 2:30: How did Harris get interested in photography, and travel photography specifically? 9:20: Harris gives us the scoop behind the photo on the cover of his book "North Korea." 12:15: It's not all about pressing the shutter, according to Harris. 15:15: Harris talks about the ethics of travel photography — and when it's more appropriate to put the camera down. 22:00: Harris offers advice for wannabe travel photographers. 27:45: What camera/equipment does Harris recommend? 31:00: Harris explains how to best shoot action shots and speaks about his time covering the Tokyo Olympics 35:00: Harris talks about finding stories in his own backyard, rather than going to far-flung locales. 36:30: What’s next for Harris? RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Harris’ Instagram Harris’ Website Harris’ Books: The People of the Forest The Way of the Japanese Bath North Korea South Korea The Travel Photo Essay: Describing a Journey Through Images ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since 2004, Shannon Stowell has been at the helm of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) — the largest global network of adventure travel leaders in the industry — which includes tour guides, operators, lodges, advisors, destination management organizations, media and more. He believes that tourism has the potential to be a powerful and protective force – if it’s done right. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Stowell takes listeners on a journey through some of his life’s biggest adventures, from making the natural landscapes of Salida, Colo., his playground as a teenager to taking his first international trip to Fiji and experiencing an especially impactful trip to Kurdistan (in Northern Iraq) a few years ago with his son, Ashton. Stowell also explains the nuances of the term “adventure travel,” which is defined by the themes of cultural immersion, physical action or natural experiences (or a combination of the three), and how his own definition of adventure travel has shifted due to a recent health scare. Listeners will also learn about the ATTA’s mission of promoting sustainable travel — including how members of the travel industry can get onboard with this initiative — and the future of the adventure travel segment as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE ATTA: www.adventuretravel.biz Tomorrow’s Air (permanent carbon recapture subscription): www.tomorrowsair.com Contact the ATTA: Info@adventuretravel.biz ATTA’s free community membership program: https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/atta-opens-doors-with-new-free-community-membership-program Stowell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonstowell/ ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people in the travel industry have crossed paths with Terry Dale, who has served as the president and CEO of the U.S. Tour Operators Association (also known as USTOA) since 2011. But many may not know that although he currently resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., Dale’s roots are firmly planted in Brooklyn, Iowa, a town of 900 that served as the backdrop for his childhood on the Dale family farm. In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will learn about Dale’s early vacations (to Iowa’s State Fair) and his entrance into the travel industry via an entry-level job with Cedar Rapids Tourism in Iowa. They’ll also hear about the career growing pains Dale faced as he hopped between tourism boards in the U.S. (including a tense run-in with the mayor of Providence, R.I.) and how he navigated 9/11 as the executive vice president of NYC & Co. Finally, Dale will share more information about USTOA’s 50th Anniversary, and how the association and the traditional travel style of touring (what he calls the “T word”) has evolved since he joined the association. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) TravelAge West article on USTOA's 50th Anniversary ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Humans of Travel! We’re back from our winter hiatus, and we’re gearing up to bring you a brand-new season featuring conversations from some of the most innovative and inspiring voices in travel. Our first guest is Beth Santos, the founder of Wanderful, a virtual and in-person community of more than 40,000 women of diverse ages and backgrounds, all connected through their love of travel. Santos has been recognized by Business Insider as one of 17 Changemakers Transforming the Hospitality Industry, and she’s been named as one of 12 Inspiring People to Follow by Conde Nast Traveler. She’s a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur and community builder who has set out to disrupt travel for women worldwide, starting Wanderful during her time living off the coast of Western Africa. Since then, it’s morphed into a robust member community with online resources and education, along with chapter events in more than 50 global cities. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Santos gives her take on women’s place in travel planning and decision making, and what society gets wrong about female travel (hint: it doesn’t follow the “Taken narrative”). She also takes listeners through her own journey, from the early days of blogging about Sao Tome and Principe to the evolution of Wanderful and what it offers its community of members. Know a great Human of Travel who has a compelling story to share? Send us an email at letters@travelagewest.com. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Wanderful Santos’ website Santos on LinkedIn Santos on Instagram: @maximumbeth Santos’ recent favorite book: The Last Resort Santos’ podcast: 85% ABOUT YOUR HOST Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. ABOUT THE SHOW TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.