Pink Couch Podcast: Behind the Scenes of the Travel Industry

Beyond Borders Tourism Coalition founder Shannon Stowell and his travel colleagues from both sides of the border are attempting the superhuman - to keep Canada-US ties alive and to push back against falling cross-border travel.

From camera-shy newcomer to high-performing advisor, Gabi Hradsky explains to Nina why other advisors should be making the most of their own social media platforms to grow their business.

Nina chats with Tamar Ishaky, Registered Psychotherapist, about stick handling the added stress of the holiday season and the parallels between therapist and travel advisor! Take a deep breath…

The ‘Hi, this is Karla from Saskatoon’ method of negotiating a contract isn’t for everyone. But for Karla Amaya of Sunset Travel, operating solo by building a fully independent travel agency was the only option for this risk-taker.

Andrew Dawson tells Open Jaw that although bookings are returning, the island needs support and Sunwing Vacations is donating $100 per couple towards relief efforts for all bookings to Jamaica for the next two weeks.

Long time proponent of the value of travel advisors to the travel ecosystem, TLN COO Lindsay Pearlman tells Nina Slawek that as sales skyrocket (luxury is up 25%), more people are using advisors. “The industry is growing faster than we’re bringing people in. And good advisors can make well into six figures.”

Aruba is showing how sustainability can be built naturally into the visitor experience, a strategy that keeps over 40% of Canadians coming back to the Dutch island. “We refer to our tourism model as high-value, low-impact,” says Aruba Tourism CEO Ronella Croes. “It’s a tricky balance.”

In a no holds-barred conversation with Nina Slawek, Air Canada’s Mark Nasr outlines the carrier’s on-going fleet regeneration, global network growth and service improvement plan. While acknowledging “we're not perfect,” he says “we fully recognize that” and “specific measures” are being implemented.

Independent travel advisor ​​Brenda Slater shares her experience in choosing a new host agency along with advice to consumers considering a career in travel: “do what you know, do what you like, do what you have a passion for.”

Open Jaw prez Nina Slawek sat with Air Canada Director of Sales Ana Paula De Souza (in between Samba lessons in Rio!) to chat about the growing business opportunity the airline is creating with its expanding reach across Latin America.