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Ready to dive into the hottest travel trends that are actually backed by data? In this episode, I'm nerding out over Tripadvisor's latest trend report, breaking down 14 emerging travel trends for 2025 - from water culturalism and astrology-based trips to gaming tourism and beauty voyages. 

Whether you're a travel pro looking to capitalize on these trends or just curious about where the industry is headed, you'll discover fascinating shifts in how people are choosing to explore the world, all based on real search and booking data from millions of travelers. 

Bonus alert: stick around to hear some listener shout-outs at the end! 

Questions this episode answers:

• What are these travel trends based on?
• How can travel agents leverage travel trends to build their business?
• What specific opportunities exist within each trend for travel businesses? 
• How are travel preferences shifting from traditional vacation styles to new experiences? 
• What are the emerging trends in celebration-based travel? 
• How is family travel evolving beyond traditional kids' clubs and pool activities? 
• What does the rise in slow travel and neighborhood-focused tourism mean for travel planning? 
• How are solo travelers approaching travel differently now? 
• What are the latest trends in wellness and beauty tourism? 
• How are sports and event-based travel opportunities evolving? 

Enjoy (and take action)!


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Tripadvisor Trendcast: https://www.trendcast.tripadvisor.com/

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Send Rita a text with your thoughts!

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Join Host Agency Reviews founder Steph Lee and myself for some real talk about the ups, downs, and in-betweens of entrepreneurship in the travel industry. 

From candid stories about starting a business to practical insights about building authentic connections online, this episode dives into finding your footing when you're starting or stuck in your business ownership journey.

Plus, get the inside scoop on Host Week 2025, including special appearances from industry tech leaders, pet photos, and even some karaoke serenades from your favorite host agencies.

Questions this episode answers:

•  What inspired Steph Lee to become an entrepreneur in the travel industry? 
•  How do you overcome fears when starting a travel business? 
•  How do you manage growth and build a team as a travel entrepreneur? 
•  What role does authenticity play in travel business marketing? 
•  How can travel entrepreneurs balance personal brand with business growth? 
•  What is Host Week and what can travel advisors expect? 
•  What are the latest travel tech developments for travel advisors? 

Enjoy (and take action)!


Sign up for Host Week: https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events/2025/host-week-2025

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Send Rita a text with your thoughts!

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You know that feeling when you see something that just makes you want to scream? When I watched an AI-generated promotional video this week, it actually left me speechless, in not a good way, and I knew I had to talk about why this is seriously concerning for entrepreneurs. 

In this episode, I'm chatting on why using AI to replace authentic human connection is a massive red flag, while also sharing the AI tools that are actually saving me hours in my business (including why I'm switching from Cast Magic to Claude). 

Questions this episode answers:

•  Is AI marketing good for travel agents? 
•  How do travel agents use ChatGPT? 
•  What are the best AI tools for travel agents in 2025? 
•  Are AI-generated promotional videos bad for travel businesses? 
•  How to use AI for travel content creation?
•  How can you start using AI if you're completely new to it? 
•  Which AI tools are specifically designed for the travel industry?  

Enjoy (and take action)!


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Sign up for Host Week: https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events/2025/host-week-2025

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Direct EMAIL:
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Send Rita a text with your thoughts!

Get access to over 1000 social media cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776


Are you dreaming of turning your travel business into your full-time income but feeling stuck in the "what-ifs" and "somedays"? In this episode, I'm getting real about my journey from quitting my theme park job with no backup plan to building a successful travel business, sharing the exact steps I took and the mindset shifts that made it possible. 

Whether you're ready to take the leap or just starting to explore making travel your primary income, I'm breaking down the practical strategies that worked for me (and the mistakes I made along the way) to help you create your own path to success. 

Questions this episode answers:

•  How do I transition from my full-time job to running a travel business? 
•  How can I generate immediate revenue in my travel business? 
•  What mindset changes do I need to succeed as a full-time travel entrepreneur? 
•  How do I conduct market research for my travel business? 
•  How do I diversify my travel business income streams? 
•  How can I transition from part-time to full-time travel advisor? 

Enjoy (and take action)!


Remember to email me for details about Summer Camp at Sea :)

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Direct EMAIL:
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Send Rita a text with your thoughts!

Get access to over 1000 social media cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776


Like last year, I wanted to start this year with a bang, sharing about a tactic that has really helped to grow my business--and that has been partnerships and collaborations.  I'm a firm believer that you go farther, faster, together, especially after I did it for so long alone.  Avoid my mistake and start thinking creatively on how you can grow your travel agency by working with other businesses and thought leaders.

Questions this episode answers:

• Why are partnerships and collaborations important for business growth?
• How can I meet potential partners for collaborations?
• How can travel agents leverage partnerships to grow their businesses?
• What are the steps to building successful collaborations and partnerships?
• What content strategies can help establish authority and attract potential partners?
• How do collaborations aid in visibility and business conversions?
• How can personal interests and communities be leveraged for collaborations?
• What's the role of platforms like LinkedIn in networking and building authority?

Enjoy (and take action)!


Remember to email me for details about Summer Camp at Sea :)

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Direct EMAIL:
[email protected]

Send Rita a text with your thoughts!

Get access to over 1000 social media cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776


This episode is becoming quite the year end tradition for me, and it's probably one where I'm the most transparent and open about what's been going on in my business.  I do this not to brag, or gain sympathy, I do this, so that you can learn from what I've done and gain a lesson or inspiration.

I always find these episodes fascinating when other business owners do them, and I hope you feel the same after listening in :)

Questions this episode answers:

• How has SEO contributed to bringing in clients to my travel agency?
• What are some key lessons from my business failures over the past year?
• What strategies will I be implementing to diversify my connections within the travel industry?
• How I am addressing income stabilization in my travel business?
• How to adapt to changes in the social media landscape and planning for the future?
• Why is community support important in achieving business growth?

Enjoy (and take action)!


Remember to email me for details about Summer Camp at Sea :)

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Direct EMAIL:
[email protected]

Send Rita a text with your thoughts!

Get access to over 1000 social media cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776


Looking to increase your travel agency revenue in 2025?  Then you need to tune in to this week's episode, as I discuss the metaphorical levers you can pull to increase your income, or manage your agency operations smarter.

Questions this episode answers:

• What to consider when managing "business capacity"?
• Why is lead generation important, and what are effective strategies to improve it?
• Why do travel agents need to know more than just demographics of your ideal client?
• What are some alternate revenue streams for travel businesses?
• What factors should be considered when setting professional fees?
• How can you improve your conversion rate?
• Why is 2025 the year of humanity?

Enjoy (and take action)!

Sign up for the 7 Days of Christmas! https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1177525

Resources Mentioned:
Ep 168 Money Making Activities for Travel Business Owners
Ep 166 7 Practical Reasons to Charge Fees as a Travel Advisor
Knowing your Business Capacity

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Send Rita a text with your thoughts!

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Something strategic travel business owners measure--their metrics.  And they don't just measure them, they leverage them to make better informed decisions.  Remember, we go by business data, not drama.  I'm sharing some of the metrics I've been keeping an eye on, how I leverage them, and how you can too.

Questions this episode answers:

• What are the key business metrics I should be tracking?
• How can these metrics inform my business decisions?
• What should I do if my website has high clicks but low conversions?
• What role does visibility and SEO play in conversion rates?
• What tools can help track and improve metrics?
• How can AI tools improve my sales page?
• How does deleting inactive email subscribers impact my business?
• What metrics should I review at the end of the year?

Enjoy (and take action)!

Sign up for the 7 Days of Christmas! https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1177525

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Direct EMAIL:
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Send Rita a text with your thoughts!

Get access to over 1000 social media cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776

Some things make me go...hmmm...and etiquette is one of those.  In this episode I go over some pretty common etiquette themes that come up on FAM Trips and General Business interactions for travel agents.  

As mentioned, sometimes common sense isn't common, so while I'm not necessarily calling anyone out, I am calling out bad behavior that just needs to be left behind in 2024.

Questions this episode answers:

• What is a FAM (familiarization) Trip?
• How to maintain professionalism on a FAM Trip?
• What should I do if I cannot attend a supplier event I registered for?
• What are general business etiquette tips within the travel industry?
• Can I share other people's social media content?
• How does email marketing work?
• What should I consider when naming my business or a business program?

Enjoy (and take action)!

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Send Rita a text with your thoughts!

Travel Industry Black Friday is here!  Welcome to the final of three episodes featuring our event Presenting Partners :)

Up this week is David Shull from Tern, and he shares his thoughts on your value as a travel advisor, how his software (Tern) is helping you be more efficient thanks to data integration, and the role of AI in the travel industry.

Questions this episode answers:

• How does Tern improve connections between advisors, agencies, and suppliers?
• Why is the role of travel advisors evolving, and what value do they provide?
• How does the integration of technology in the travel industry impact human experiences and business processes?
• What are the common challenges related to data fragmentation in the travel industry, and how does Tern address them?
• What is the significance of having a centralized system for commission tracking and insights?
• How does Tern facilitate the onboarding and training processes for new travel advisors?

Enjoy (and take action)!

Listen to David on the Travel Tech Audio Summit:  https://takethehelm.thrivecart.com/travel-tech-audio-summit-2024

Read Tern's White Paper: https://www.tern.travel/lp/agencies-2024

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Travel Industry Black Friday Goody Bag:
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