The Art Of Selling Travel Podcast

In this episode, I'm asking a question many travel advisors are quietly wondering: “Am I replaceable?” With AI tools, coach-bots, automated content, and templated posting systems everywhere, it’s easy to feel like you’re being pushed out of your own business. But the real issue isn’t AI itself — it’s what happens when we remove the human side of our work and expect technology to fill the gaps. Today, I’m sharing personal stories, client experiences, and industry insights that reveal exactly why human connection still wins, and why your lived experience, intuition, and emotional intelligence are the real differentiators AI can’t touch.

You’ll hear about frustrating bot interactions, the rise of generic AI-generated travel content, and the ways host agencies and suppliers often overlook advisors as true business owners. I also share defining moments from my own time as an advisor, moments of crisis, heartbreak, urgency, and real human emotion, that show why clients still need a trusted guide, not an algorithm. AI can speed up tasks, but it can’t replace the human edge that makes your business memorable, trustworthy, and irreplaceable.

If you’re ready to build a business that AI supports, not one that AI replaces, this episode is a must-listen.

And if you want to take this work further, join me in June 2026 for our in-person workshop in Camrose, where we’ll dive deep into building an irreplaceable, human-first travel business. Register HERE: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/travel-advisor-growth-workshop until March 15, 2026 use code EARLYBIRD to save. 

Check out our Educational & Coaching Programs:
Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/facebook 
How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 
Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 
Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 
Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 
Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel 

Most travel advisors say they sell experiences, but then send a quote that’s basically air + hotel. That’s the fastest way to end up in the price game, get ghosted, or have a client come home saying, “We didn’t know what to do once we got there.”

In this episode, I’m joined by Nicole from Project Expedition to talk about how advisors can stop treating tours, transfers, and excursions like “extras” and start building complete travel packages that actually reflect what clients want. We get into how to lead the experience conversation, how to handle the fear of “I don’t know enough,” and how to use trusted suppliers to curate options without turning your workflow into chaos.

If you want clients to stop shopping your quotes and start trusting your guidance, this is the episode.

You will not want to miss our on this Free PDF Download

Free Experience Defining Questions Download!

Check out our programs: 

Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/facebook 

How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 

Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 

Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 

Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 

Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel 

If the idea of SOPs makes you want to shut your laptop and walk away, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, Glenda sits down with systems and Google tools expert Adrienne Farrow to break down what SOPs actually are, why they matter for travel advisors, and how to create them without overcomplicating your business. They talk candidly about ADHD brains, delegation resistance, and the hidden cost of “it’s just easier to do it myself.”

This episode shows you how to start documenting what you already do, use simple screen recordings instead of long documents, and build systems that support delegation, consistency, and growth without killing your creativity.

If you want a business that does not fall apart when you step away, this is where it starts.

Connect with Adrienne: 

https://www.adriennefarrow.com/ 

SOP Workshop with Adrienne , Special coupon at checkout!

https://store.adriennefarrow.com/products/systematize-with-sops-workshop?variant=46070315581618 

Check out our Educational & Coaching Programs: 
Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/facebook 
How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 
Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 
Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 
Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 
Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel 

Today’s episode digs into one of the biggest challenges travel advisors face: the massive gap between what clients think a trip will be like and what the experience is actually going to be.

Sean from Virgin Voyages joins Glenda to unpack how client perceptions are shaped long before they talk to an advisor—through clickbait videos, influencer reviews, social media drama, friends’ stories, and those glossy marketing photos that never tell the full truth. We break down why assumptions are not facts, why advisors need to lead with real experience, and how understanding a client’s mindset, anxieties, and sense of belonging can completely change the outcome of a sale.

We talk openly about inclusivity, body confidence, and how often clients are really asking, “Will I fit in there?” even if they never say the words out loud. You’ll hear how travel advisors can reclaim their role as the original “influencers” by sharing grounded, experience-based insights rather than reacting to the viral online noise.

You’ll also learn practical strategies for when a client asks for a specific cruise line, resort, or destination that you know isn’t the right fit. We cover how to ask better questions, how to propose alternatives without sounding pushy, and how to shift the conversation from price to value. Because let’s be honest, “too expensive” usually means “I don’t see the value” or “I don’t see myself there.”

We also discuss the moments when it’s not only okay but necessary to say, “I can’t in good conscience book this for you,” and how those boundaries actually build long-term trust.

Sean finishes with his top producer tips for selling more Virgin voyages: using advisor communities and tools, leaning into smart upgrades, following up consistently, selling the experience instead of the itinerary, and leading with Virgin’s adult-only, inclusive, fun-forward vibe.

If you’re ready to shift from order-taker to trusted advisor, this episode gives you the language, confidence, and mindset to help clients choose the trip that truly matches who they are and how they want to feel when they travel.

Grab The Travel Advisor Content- Vault Perception vs Reality 

https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/travel-advisor-content-vault

Check out our Educational & Coaching Programs:
Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/facebook 
How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 
Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 
Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 
Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 
Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel 

If your travel business feels chaotic, reactive, or “held together by hope and duct tape,” this episode is going to change everything.

In today’s conversation, Glenda breaks down one of the biggest themes she’s seen this year across coaching calls, advisor conversations, and industry shifts: the difference between running your business on defense versus running it on offense.

You’ll hear a personal story about a nonprofit board experience that became an unexpected mirror for what so many travel advisors are experiencing in their own businesses. And you’ll uncover why the solution isn’t to hustle harder but to slow down long enough to build the foundation that creates confidence, clarity, and growth.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing the freight train instead of driving it, this episode will help you step back into leadership and set your business up to play on the offensive side of the field, where momentum actually builds and results multiply.

What you’ll learn:
• Why reactive businesses feel heavier, harder, and more chaotic
• The surprising reason many advisors burn out without realizing it
• How slowing down leads to faster and more sustainable growth
• What “offensive strategy” looks like in a travel business
• How to shift into clarity, control, and confidence

Perfect for travel advisors who want a business that feels steady, scalable, and strategic, not stressful.

Are You Building Offense or Defense? Grab this free check list now! Give me my check list!

Check out our Educational & Coaching Programs: 
Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/facebook 
How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 
Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 
Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 
Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 
Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel 

If the idea of “selling” makes you cringe, you are not alone. A lot of travel advisors will say, “I don’t sell, I just plan vacations,” and I get it. Nobody wants to feel pushy or sleazy.
In this episode, I’m joined by Jeremy from G Adventures to talk about how to sell more travel without selling your soul. We break down what “selling with noble purpose” actually looks like, why features and benefits are not enough anymore, and how storytelling helps clients stop shopping on price and start choosing based on meaning.
We also tackle the real-world question: What if your client just wants a flop-and-drop beach week or a cruise? You can still sell with integrity, connection, and impact.

If you want a sales approach that feels human, confident, and aligned with who you are, press play.
In this episode, we cover:

What “experiential luxury” means and why it matters for the next generation of travelers

Grab the Values work sheet here : https://www.artofsellingtravel.com/values 

To connect with Jeremy, check out his popl here: https://popl.co/card/xGDbxuRV/1/s

Check out our programs: 
Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com//facebook 

How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 

Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 

Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 

Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 

Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel 

Travel advisors have always worked in an industry that requires flexibility, problem-solving, and a steady presence. But in uncertain times, that role can feel heavier than ever. Between constant headlines, shifting policies, and clients feeling anxious about the world, it’s easy to feel like you’re carrying not just the logistics of a trip, but the emotional weight of everyone involved.

Here’s the truth: it is not your job to absorb your clients’ stress. You are not responsible for calming the entire internet or predicting every possible outcome. Your role is to be informed, grounded, and confident in guiding your clients forward.

Clients look to you not because you have all the answers, but because you know how to assess information, filter out the noise, and focus on facts instead of fear. In moments of uncertainty, confidence doesn’t come from pretending nothing can go wrong. It comes from knowing what to check, what to consider, and how to communicate clearly and calmly. Because in the chaos, your calm is the reassurance.

I've created a couple of scripts you can use when you have clients feeling uncertain and they're asking questions based on what they're hearing, or even considering cancelling their trip. You can download that at artofsellingtravel.com/confidence

If you need a list of reputable travel industry sources, check here: 
Pax News: https://www.paxnews.com/ 
OpenJaw: https://openjaw.com/ 
Travel Market Report: https://www.travelmarketreport.com/ 
Travel Weekly: https://www.travelweekly.com/ 
Travel Pulse Canada: https://www.travelpulse.ca/ 
Travel Pulse: https://www.travelpulse.com/ 
Karry On: https://karryon.com.au/ 
Travel Daily: https://traveldaily.com.au/ 
Travel Mole: https://www.travelmole.com/travel-news/ 
Iata Newsroom: https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/ 
TTG Media: https://www.ttgmedia.com/  

Check out our Educational & Coaching Programs: 
Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/facebook 
How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 
Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 
Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 
Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 
Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel 

Most travel advisors are building businesses on top of burnout, pressure, and “shoulds” then wondering why everything feels so hard. In this episode, I’m joined by human design expert Rachelle Nicholetts to talk about what happens when you start running your travel business in alignment with your actual energy instead of everyone else’s rules.

We dig into:

What human design is and how it becomes your energetic “owner’s manual”

Why so many of us feel resistance, exhaustion, and constant pressure in business

The difference between types, strategies, authorities, and why your authority matters

How undefined emotional centers make you wildly empathetic… and wildly prone to absorbing client chaos

Why do some advisors thrive working from home while others need Starbucks, coworking, or Zoom rooms to get anything done

What bitterness, frustration, and confusion are telling you about your business, boundaries, and relationships

If you’ve ever thought, “Why can everyone else do this and I can’t?” this episode will feel like a permission slip to stop forcing and start working with your energy instead of against it.

Connect with Rachelle: 

YouTube @rachellenicholetts Instagram @rachellenicholetts
 https://www.rachellenicholetts.com/ 

Check out our Educational & Coaching Programs: 
Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/facebook 
How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 
Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 
Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 
Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 
Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel 

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Check out our programs: 
 

Accelerator 2026: https://artofsellingtravel.com/2026 

Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com//facebook 

How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 

Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 

Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 

Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 

Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel 

Wishing you the happiest of holidays, merriest of Christmases and of course a phenomenal new year ahead. Here are my 2026 wishes for you. 

Merry Christmas! 

Check out our programs: 

Join Accelerator 2026: https://artofsellingtravel.com/2026 

Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com//facebook 

How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold 

Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass 

Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections 

Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ 

Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel