Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

Alle Pierce is an Emmy award-winning host, travel influencer, river cruise ship Godmother and founder of Gals Abroad Getaways, a travel company that designs group trips for like-minded women.

Before diving into the travel industry, Pierce built a successful career in broadcast journalism as a local news reporter. During this time, she honed her storytelling and public speaking skills, which would later become the foundation for her next venture — helping companies and tourism boards craft compelling brand stories.

On this episode of Humans of Travel, Pierce reflects on her journey from television host to entrepreneur, shares insights from her favorite projects (including a recent role covering the 2024 Paris Olympics), and opens up about how she stays authentic in the fast-paced world of social media. She also delves into the inspiration behind Gals Abroad Getaways, the lessons learned from her travel advisor mother and her vision for the future of her company.

This episode was sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Alle Pierce's website and Instagram

Gals Abroad Getaways

Gals Abroad Getaways on Instagram

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring  2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And this week, we are releasing a new sponsored episode featuring our partners at Collette.

In this sponsored episode of Humans of Travel, host Ken Shapiro, Vice President and Editorial Director of TravelAge West, TravelPulse and TravelPulse Canada, interviews Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, CEO of tour operator Collette. Leibl-Cote, who is only the fourth CEO and first woman to hold the position in the company’s 107-year history, shares insights on what it’s like to lead an iconic travel company.

Listeners will get an inside look at Leibl-Cote’s inspiring career journey, from growing up in a travel-focused family to her current leadership role. She shares personal anecdotes, such as a recent family trip to Africa and what it’s like being a “sports mom,” along with a few reflections on her favorite travel destinations and moments.

The conversation also dives into Collette’s evolution as a leader in group touring, the company’s focus on the modern, culturally curious traveler and how it has become a talent incubator within the travel industry. Leibl-Cote provides valuable insights on upcoming travel trends, tips for travel advisors and what makes group travel special.

This episode is sponsored by Collette.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Collette

From TravelAge West: A Look Into Collette's 100 Years as a Successful Tour Operator (2018)

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive 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 award-winning 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring  2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

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 Collette.

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 Executive 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 award-winning 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring  2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

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 Collette.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Samantha Brown's website

Samantha Brown on Instagram

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive 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 award-winning 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.

Note to listeners:  We're currently on hiatus until Spring  2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.

Three 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.

This episode is sponsored by Collette.

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 Executive 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 award-winning 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 to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.

Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the travel advisors named in the "5 Future Leaders to Watch List," the cover story within the October 2024 issue of TravelAge West. All of these travel advisors, attendees of Future Leaders in Travel, were chosen to appear in the cover story to acknowledge their work and their potential to be game-changers in the travel industry.  

Today, we're sitting down with Brittany Taylor. Taylor is well-traveled (having visited more than 45 countries), and has embraced mentorship within the travel advising profession, being trained by Shelby Donley, the founder of Camelback Travel. In this episode, Taylor reflects on her success and offers advice to agents who are just getting started.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Camelback Odyssey Travel

Email Taylor: [email protected] 

Follow Taylor on Instagram @brittanytaylortravel

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive 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 award-winning 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.

John Diorio has spent his entire career in travel, from the tour operator and wholesale space to Hotels.com and, most recently, Virgin Voyages.

Despite this, Diorio – now the vice president of North American sales for the cruise line — said his relationship with travel didn’t start until he enrolled in travel school at age 19; prior to that, his jaunts consisted of yearly family vacations from his hometown in New York to the Jersey Shore.

But after his very first flight (to Dayton, Ohio, in his early 20s), Diorio was hooked, and he hasn’t looked back since.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Diorio reflects on his professional journey leading up to his role at Virgin Voyages, which included the lessons learned in travel school (which teaches students how to work in every sector of the industry), and some of his favorite memories from his career. He’ll also share his thoughts on mentorship in the travel industry, and what it was like starting with Virgin Voyages three years before the product had officially launched.

Note: This episode is sponsored by Apple Leisure Group Vacations. Humans of Travel will go on a short hiatus; new episodes will return in March 2024.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Virgin Voyages

First Mates website 

Brilliant for You Online Sales Guide 

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive 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 to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.

Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the travel advisors named in the "5 Future Leaders to Watch List," the cover story within the October 2024 issue of TravelAge West. All of these travel advisors, attendees of Future Leaders in Travel, were chosen to appear in the cover story to acknowledge their work and their potential to be game-changers in the travel industry.  

Today, we're sitting down with Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel, an independent affiliate with Montecito Village Travel. Johnson credits his early success to growing up in Big Sky, Montana, where he held many hospitality jobs and was exposed to the work of travel advisors. Since he became an advisor himself, Johnson's sales have jumped from $100,000 last year to a projected $1.2 million this year. And while many wait to give back, he's already launched an internship program with the University of Georgia, and has coached 12 interns.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Future Leaders in Travel

5 Future Leaders to Watch List, 2024

Prescription Travel

Montecito Village Travel

Email Johnson: [email protected]

Johnson's Instagram

@Presciption Travel (Instagram, Facebook)

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive 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 award-winning 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.

In 1994, before the home-based travel advisor was a popular career choice in the travel industry, Michelle Fee co-founded Cruise Planners, a franchise travel agency model for home-based professionals, that would grow to become a staple in the industry.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Fee will reflect on what it was like during Cruise Planners’ early days — when the first cohort of advisors comprised only five people — to its present state of supporting and training hundreds of travel advisors on what it takes to open their own businesses.

Listeners will learn more about the franchise model, along with what they may need to know before opening one of their own. Additionally, Fee talks about her initial business challenges; the achievements and highlights of her decades-long career; and her advice for young leaders, especially women.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Cruise Planners

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive 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.

Grace McBride got her start in the travel industry earlier than most — as an undergraduate at Cornell University. During her sophomore year, McBride worked as a marketing intern for JetBlue, where she helped write marketing and ad copy for the airline. After catching the travel bug, she joined MilesAhead, a travel agency founded by Cornell classmate Rob Karp.

But it was an entrepreneurship class that ultimately gave McBride and her friend, Sarah Peters, the idea for an entirely new travel business: TripKit, an itinerary builder and assistant service for luxury travel advisors (a company that the pair eventually sold in 2022).

In this episode of Humans of Travel, McBride takes listeners along on her entrepreneurial journey, sharing the impact her father — a florist from Long Island — had on her work ethic; the pros and cons of starting two companies while juggling school (and a pandemic); and how travel advisors and suppliers can engage with her newest venture: Lucia, a freelance marketplace for the travel industry.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

From TravelAge West: Lucia Gives Travel Businesses a New Way to Hire Freelance Workers

MilesAhead

TripKit

Lucia

Contact McBride: [email protected]

Rob Karp on Humans of Travel

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.