The Travel Business Unpacked

Why Advocacy Matters for Every Travel Advisor, Featuring Jessica Klement

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Jessica Klement, Vice President of Advocacy for American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).Jessica shares how she built a career in advocacy, starting on Capitol Hill before eventually finding her place in the travel industry. Together, Meredith and Jessica unpack the work happening behind the scenes to protect travel advisors at the state and federal levels, work that many advisors benefit from every day without even realizing it.From proposed legislation that could directly impact advisor businesses to the importance of grassroots involvement, this conversation offers a deeper look at why advocacy matters for every travel advisor, not just industry leaders. Jessica also shares how ASTA works alongside advisors across the country to ensure lawmakers understand the real impact their decisions have on travel businesses and their clients.This episode is a reminder that advocacy is not separate from the day-to-day work of being a travel advisor. It plays a direct role in protecting the future of the industry and the businesses advisors work so hard to build.Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8f [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUNMdE1ockJUSkNJZjZ1OFRlVHp0V2J3U01nUXxBQ3Jtc0ttTUhaVXRRMkRIZ0hnNzRIME9aekluODVXZDJSeVVVTncwZGVuMzloLXVnS0RWOTBMc1cwWDN3d0Yya2JCa1ppVnZmbFRCWWdJNVYzTUQzVXgyekpNbjBsZXlhRDdINVpvMktIUnpaLUhYOHplTGN6QQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F4pbvtr8f&v=3WRmisvDDlE]ASTA Website: https://asta.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmZGRGx1US1UdEZmZzk4S05nZl9BMEUwZkNiQXxBQ3Jtc0trYUdGbnFmRXZubHA3aDgtSTNYNnNkU0k0TE9jNzMwTzBqOVA4QjJLdTBqcWxkLVFUdUFSNklOb1hsbGo2VDJyMm9GRndGYS1xRHY4NmYwY00yNGYzaVltMjRnV0xibmhXNk1RYVZQZ0dqMlI1Y3RzUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fasta.org%2F&v=3WRmisvDDlE]Jessica Klement's LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/JessicaKlementLI [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWZmQ08wQ3NxZzY2aDRIRkk0NTVTVGxFa1lOUXxBQ3Jtc0ttOUhxaVlHNjF3Z1UyNWxsY2NodGMzTFVONlV0X3pzZk5lUXgxcXZlYldZamp5R2tRbTc1Uk9lbTVtTjRodEJxejVVSDRRa2tCalFIdWVLZExLX1dZeDlpVE5OTEtmTlM2RUZqMXNra1BxM2pJbTI4TQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2FJessicaKlementLI&v=3WRmisvDDlE]TBU Live Tickets: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/e... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2IwUkZTemIxOXZVUi1tR2JaeWh6bU4zbzFtd3xBQ3Jtc0ttb3ZQS2paY1RxTDhhNGRraWlWb0tsdDNsa00xeDE5LUJ4NlJfZlhpWVYteDBKNTduVDI5bkphMDhnY2hsa0xPRXR6UFFLN29iSkRKZGRKVS1QSEVoZ3hEdlRxbGMzaHlVc2w4TVpxdWRka0RONWhFRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com%2Fevent&v=3WRmisvDDlE]Promocode: PODCAST

Kim Weas on Why the Right Advisor Community Matters

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Kim Weas, founder of MoonTide Travel. Kim shares her journey from accidental travel advisor to established business owner, and the pivotal moment she realized her business needed something different to keep growing.From navigating a host agency transition to redefining her vision for the future, Kim offers an honest look at what business evolution really looks like for travel advisors.They also explore:• When it’s time to rethink your host agency• Why the right advisor community makes a difference• Moving from booking trips to building a true business• Mindset shifts around growth, fees, and confidence• What established advisors should consider before making a changeA thoughtful conversation for advisors navigating growth and change.Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8fKim's website: https://www.moontidetravel.com/TBU Live Tickets: giftedtravelnetwork.com/eventPromocode: PODCAST

How Nancy Gany Built a Referral-Driven Luxury Travel Business

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Nancy Gany, founder of Inspired Steps Luxury Travel and a Travel MBA alum who has quickly built a thriving, referral-driven luxury travel business based in relationships, trust, and elevated service. With a background in consulting and project management, Nancy shares how she transitioned into the travel industry during the uncertainty of the pandemic and discovered that many of the same skills that made her successful in corporate life, listening well, building relationships, and solving problems, became the foundation of her success as a luxury travel advisor. Meredith and Nancy unpack what luxury travel advising actually looks like behind the scenes, from cultivating hotel partnerships and creating personalized VIP experiences to confidently narrowing your niche and knowing when to say no. Nancy also shares how focusing on Europe and luxury hotel bookings helped her create a business that aligns with both her expertise and the lifestyle she wants to build. The conversation also explores the value of preferred partner programs, the difference between being a “booker” and a true advisor, and why strong client relationships continue to fuel Nancy’s business almost entirely through referrals. Whether you’re new to the industry or refining your own luxury niche, Nancy’s story is a thoughtful look at how clarity, professionalism, and genuine care can create a sustainable and fulfilling travel business. Nancy's website: https://inspiredstepsluxurytravel.com/ Sign up for TBU LIVE with promocode PODCAST for $20 off your ticket: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/event

Celebrating Travel Advisor Appreciation Week with Shannon Cunningham

In this special bonus episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Shannon Cunningham, Director of Engagement at Gifted Travel Network, to celebrate Global Travel Advisor Day and GTN’s Travel Advisor Appreciation Week. Together, Meredith and Shannon shine a light on the heart, resilience, and behind-the-scenes work that make travel advisors so valuable. They reflect on the entrepreneurial journey advisors navigate every day, the importance of celebrating both small and big wins, and the role community plays in making this career feel less isolating and more fulfilling. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that travel advisors are not just planning trips. They are building businesses, advocating for clients, creating meaningful experiences, and helping move the travel industry forward. Whether you’re a new advisor or a seasoned business owner, this conversation is a celebration of you and the work you do. 📖 Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8fTBU Live Tickets: giftedtravelnetwork.com/event Promocode: PODCAST

Carol McKee on Closing the Hidden Gaps in Your Travel Business

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Carol McKee of McKee Travel, a Travel MBA alum, GTN mentor, and seven-figure travel entrepreneur. Carol shares how her background as a CFO and business owner shaped the way she approached building a travel business, and why so many advisors miss the mark when they focus only on trip planning instead of the business behind it. From understanding your numbers to creating systems that support growth, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build something sustainable. They also explore: • Why many advisors stay stuck in the break-even phase • How to think about revenue, expenses, and real profitability • The impact of sales yield and where money is often left on the table • Why systems and processes matter more than most realize • What to consider before scaling or building a team Carol’s perspective is both practical and direct, offering a clear reminder that success in this industry is not just about selling travel, it’s about running a business. If you’ve been busy but not seeing the financial results you expected, this episode will challenge how you think about growth and help you refocus on what actually moves your business forward. Sign up for TBU LIVE with promocode PODCAST for $20 off your ticket: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/eventCarol's website: http://mckeetravel.com/