In episode 11, Gina Bang (Chief of Sales and Marketing) sits down with Katherine Jackson (Director of Product and Yield) to introduce Avanti's group travel program and make the case that group bookings belong in every advisor's toolkit, not just a specialist niche. They break down Avanti's simple definition of a group, ten or more travelers, and the two kinds of groups advisors will encounter: preformed groups that arrive ready to book, and affinity groups built from an advisor's own network of clubs, congregations, and communities. Gina and Katherine walk through real sample itineraries, from a Bologna and Milan Wine and Dine trip to a Scotland Quilt Club tour, showing how a shared interest can turn into a fully custom trip. The conversation covers the practical side too: the recommended 10:1 outreach ratio, ideal lead times, and the seven-step "Groups, Made Simple" process that carries a group from first conversation to round-the-clock in-destination support. They close with a look at Avanti's global groups infrastructure, spanning Bothell, Barcelona, Portland, and Manchester, and a challenge to advisors to start seeing their own network as untapped group inventory. 

Important Links:

Check out Avanti's Group Travel page.

Check out our South Korea e-brochure, created in partnership with Korea Tourism Organization.

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Welcome to the tenth episode of Avanti's podcast: 'On Air with Avanti Destinations'! 

In episode 10, Gina Bang (Chief of Sales and Marketing) sits down with Katherine Jackson (Director of Product and Yield) to unpack Avanti Advantage and what it means for advisors partnering with Avanti Destinations. They trace Avanti's four decades as a business to business specialist in customizable international travel, now covering more than sixty countries. They walk through the tools built to help advisors quote and book faster, from InstaQuote to the full Agent Portal, along with ongoing training sessions held twice a week. The conversation moves into Avanti's four tier loyalty program, tracing how commission rates, dedicated support, and educational trips grow from Explorer status up through Globe Trotter. Gina and Katherine also detail the exclusive hotel amenity program available only through Avanti bookings, along with the new Avanti Insider Tours launching in 2026, small group experiences led by local guides across six European countries. 

Important Links:

Check out our South Korea e-brochure, created in partnership with Korea Tourism Organization.

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Welcome to the ninth episode of Avanti's podcast: 'On Air with Avanti Destinations'! 

In episode 9, Gina Bang (Chief of Sales and Marketing) sits down with Katherine Jackson (Director of Product and Yield) to make the case that the world's most memorable culinary experiences often happen in places travelers least expect. Hosts Gina and Katherine walk through five European destinations, England (particularly London's world-class Indian food scene and Birmingham's Balti Triangle), France (Marseille's pizza culture rooted in Neapolitan immigration, plus the deep regional food traditions most tourists never reach), the cross-border Basque Region (where Spanish and French culinary traditions converge into something greater than either), Switzerland's Italian-speaking canton of Ticino (where Lugano delivers genuinely Italian cooking against a stunning lakeside backdrop), and Greece (where the real story is the enormous gap between typical tourist food and the hyper-regional, historically rooted cuisine available on a well-crafted itinerary). 

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Important Links:

Check out our South Korea e-brochure, created in partnership with Korea Tourism Organization.

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Welcome to the eight episode of Avanti's podcast: 'On Air with Avanti Destinations'! This is a special episode that delves into Avanti's Insider Tours.

In episode 8, Gina Bang (Chief of Sales and Marketing) sits down with Katherine Jackson (Director of Product and Yield) to introduce one of the most exciting new additions to the Avanti portfolio — Avanti Insider Tours. Exclusive to Avanti travelers, these expertly guided small-group experiences are capped at just eight participants and guaranteed to depart twice weekly from May through October, regardless if all the eight allocated spots are filled or not. From a thousand years of royal history on the streets of Westminster to a boat ride to Murano to watch master glassmakers at work, each tour is designed to go beyond the landmarks and deliver genuine, lasting understanding of the places clients visit. Currently available across eight iconic cities — London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Barcelona, Dublin, and Edinburgh — these are the moments clients come home talking about. Travel Advisors are encouraged to book early, as spaces are limited and the season fills quickly.

The whole month of May is National Travel Advisor Month, and to celebrate it... Avanti is offering several incentives for advisors. One of these incentives include the chance to earn complimentary Insider Tour spots. Check out this flyer for more information about the offers.

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Welcome to the seventh episode of the first season of Avanti's podcast: 'On Air with Avanti Destinations'! This is a special episode that delves into pre & post cruise options.

In Episode 7, we're exploring one of the most powerful ways Travel Advisors can elevate their clients' cruise experiences — thoughtfully designed pre and post cruise experiences. Gina Bang (Avanti's Chief of Sales and Marketing) sits down with Katherine (Avanti's Director of Product and Yield) to uncover how adding days and travel components (transfers, hotels, tours) to your clients' cruise vacation can easily become trip highlights in their own right. From boutique hotels with genuine local charm in London and Santiago, to private transfers that weave in unforgettable sightseeing stops, Gina and Katherine paint a vivid picture of how Advisors can further elevate cruises. Whether your clients are embarking in Barcelona, disembarking in Rome, or sailing through South America, this episode will leave them eager to experience every moment — on the ship and off.

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Welcome to the sixth episode of the first season of Avanti's podcast: 'On Air with Avanti Destinations'! The first season tackles our Go365 initiative that helps Travel Advisors spark destination inspiration throughout the year.

In Episode 6, we're heading to Graubunden, a breathtaking region nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps that's quickly becoming one of Europe's most inspiring travel destinations. Gina Bang (Avanti's Chief of Sales and Marketing) sits down with Ken Pringle (Avanti's Director of National Accounts) to explore what makes this remarkable corner of Switzerland so special. From newly crafted rail itineraries winding through dramatic Alpine landscapes to charming villages, wellness retreats, and rich cultural experiences, Ken and Gina paint a vivid picture of a destination that goes far beyond the ordinary. Whether your clients are seeking adventure, tranquility, or simply the romance of train travel through the Swiss Alps, this episode will leave them eager to experience Graubunden for themselves.

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Welcome to the fifth episode of the first season of Avanti's podcast: 'On Air with Avanti Destinations'! The first season tackles our Go365 initiative that helps Travel Advisors spark destination inspiration throughout the year.

Episode 5 focuses on how New Zealand is an excellent year-round destination for travelers. Gina (Avanti's Chief of Sales and Marketing) sits down with Sarah (Avanti's South Pacific Product Manager) to talk about viable options like the Summer Harvest Celebration in Rotorua to a winery tour in Paroa Bay. Discover how New Zealand can deliver depth and variety as far as year-round vacations go.

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Welcome to the fourth episode of the first season of Avanti's podcast: 'On Air with Avanti Destinations'! The first season tackles our Go365 initiative that helps Travel Advisors spark destination inspiration throughout the year.

Episode 4 focuses on warm weather getaways that US travelers can choose if they wish to escape the cold winter months in the States. Gina (Avanti's Chief of Sales and Marketing) sits down with Sarah (Avanti's South Pacific Product Manager) to  discuss the contra-seasonal merits and highlights of destinations in the South Pacific — particularly Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Welcome to the third episode of the first season of Avanti's podcast: 'On Air with Avanti Destinations'! The first season tackles our Go365 initiative that helps Travel Advisors spark destination inspiration throughout the year.

Episode 3 discusses how Travel Advisors can tap into Wellness-based itineraries for their clients. Join Gina (Chief of Sales and Marketing) and Derek (Asia Product Manager) as they break down how Asian wellness experiences — from Japanese onsen experiences after hiking to Korean jimjilbang sessions after winter sightseeing — are perfect for crafting high-value itineraries 365 days a year.

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.

Welcome to the second episode of the first season of Avanti's podcast: 'On Air with Avanti Destinations'! The first season tackles our Go365 initiative that helps Travel Advisors spark destination inspiration throughout the year.

Episode two is all about outdoor winter adventures.

Craving adrenaline? The wild is always open! The world serves up heart-pounding escapes 365 days a year. Zip-line through Costa Rica's cloud forests, dive Belize's coral reefs (best visibility April-June), or hike New Zealand's fjords in their sunny summer (December-February).

Thank you for listening! For more information about Avanti, please go to avantidestinations.com.