Pink Couch Podcast: Behind the Scenes of the Travel Industry

Ian Patterson takes a spin on the Pink Couch with an MSC update on everything from home-porting in the Caribbean to private island escapes. His primary message: “Travel advisors are in the business of making money. And cruising provides that opportunity.”

TTAND advisor Judith Coates tackles a number of sticky issues on the Pink Couch Podcast. On the topic of commissions protection: “Even if the commission has been paid out, some suppliers will recall it. And that's really hard to take when we've counted on that revenue for a few years.”

Jakki Prince tells Nina that the global travel industry has a responsibility towards sustainability, as well as travellers. “Not every trip has to be a volunteer trip where you're planting trees. You can have great, sometimes incredibly ultra-luxury vacations that have sustainable elements.”

Jalisco Tourism Secretary Michelle Fridman, accompanied by Dave Cecco, takes a spin on the Pink Couch to advise all is “calm and peaceful” in Puerto Vallarta. A cartel-linked shut down in February led to widespread travel disruption and miscommunication. “After 48 hours, we were completely normal in Puerto Vallarta,” says Fridman.

On moving from the role of BDM to Director of Sales, Erminia Gallina says: “I learned there’s power in saying no. But I also tell you why, which makes all the difference.” Ultimately, Gallina says, “the reason why women are succeeding in leadership is because we do relationships extremely well.”

When Open Jaw launched 25 years ago, supporting women was central to its mission. Nina says the hot pink colour and cheeky personality was focussed on creating a relatable brand. “Everything we did — how we spoke to advisors, our approach, launching a charity initiative — we spent a lot of time thinking, ‘What can we do to support women?’”

When Lesley Paull was starting out, she says travel was “sort of a men's club.” Thirty years on, she tells Nina that the industry is slowly changing. “I had a lot of people at that time tell me as a female, there would be no way I would survive.”

Travelsavers’ Jane Clementino recalls being the only woman in the boardroom other than the coffee lady. Times have changed. And yet, she says women still underestimate their value. “They believe that the male in front of them is ready for the job — that they've earned the right. And I feel like women still need to prove it.”

Tameka Wharton reflects on her years leading the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Board, sharing how strong role models (including her mom!) helped shape her leadership journey. “We have to go at every task being thorough and understanding that we always end up with either a solid outcome of success or a great opportunity to learn,” she says.

Stephen Smith, Exec VP Leisure, at Direct Travel - “generally known as a large corporate travel management company” - says the launch of the Altitude brand is intended to highlight its “very significant host agency and leisure operation.”