The Lounge by Travefy

Your agency's financial story is already written. The question is whether you're reading it. Most travel advisors got into this business because they love travel, not because they love spreadsheets. But ignoring the financial side of your agency isn't just stressful. It's costing you money you've already earned. In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Cannon, a license...

Every travel advisor knows the feeling: you've pitched a trip, poured time into the details, and the client either disappears, says they found it cheaper somewhere else, or hits you with the dreaded "I'll get back to you." So what do you actually say?  In this episode, we sit down with Harish Shroff, VP of Sales at Indus Travels and author of Mastering the Art of Sales , for a...

Wave Season can bring a surge of inquiries and bookings. It can also bring long hours, constant notifications, and a pace that is hard to sustain. In this episode of The Lounge by Travefy, we sit down with Stacey Cabell, a 14-year travel industry veteran, to explore how advisors can maintain peak performance without burning out. We cover how to recognize the early signs of burnout, why protecting...

Are conferences actually worth the time and money, especially with so much virtual education available now? In this episode, we sit down with Kelley Wright (Travel Agent Recruitment) and Stephanie McCracken (Director of Marketing) from Travel Show Marketing Group, the team behind Travel Agent Forum, to break down how advisors can approach events strategically.  You’ll learn how attendees can get t...

Choosing a host agency can shape your entire travel business—but it’s often misunderstood. In this episode, we're joined by Shayna Zand from Host Agency Reviews to break down what host agencies are actually designed to do for advisors, and what they’re not. We unpack common misconceptions around fees and commission splits, why long-term success has more to do with fit and expectations than nu...

Artificial intelligence is no longer “coming soon” for travel advisors—it’s already reshaping how business gets done. In this episode, we’re joined by Travefy CEO David Chait to unpack what AI truly means for advisors right now and where it’s headed next. This conversation is grounded in real advisor insights from Travefy’s recent collaboration with Travel Market Report’s first-ever Outlook on AI...

After the booking is made, your sales process isn’t over, it’s entering the stage that matters most. In Episode 4 of The Lounge by Travefy’s Sales Workshop Series, we chat with Courtnie Nichols, CEO of Travel Bash and founder of The Biz Huddle, to explore how thoughtful post-booking care turns happy travelers into loyal, repeat clients. Courtnie shares simple ways to wow clients, how to personaliz...

Once the leads start rolling in—what happens next? In Episode 3 of The Lounge by Travefy’s Sales Workshop Series , we chat with Angela Hughes, CEO of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel and founder of Luxury Travel University, to unpack how to design a sales workflow that actually works. Angela shares how to qualify clients effectively, when to charge fees, how to balance automation with personal conn...

Marketing doesn’t have to be loud, complicated, or icky. In this Sales Workshop Series episode, we chat with travel advisor and business strategist Roslyn Ranse from Travel Agent Achievers to unpack a simple, human-first system for getting more of the right clients. We cover why value beats “specials,” how to ask for referrals without feeling salesy, a one-hour-a-week marketing routine, and what t...

Welcome back to The Lounge Podcast by Travefy and the kickoff of Sales Workshop series, designed to strengthen every step of your travel sales process. In Episode 1, we sit down with Glenda Beagle from The Art of Selling Travel to start where great selling truly begins: mindset. Glenda unpacks why advisors fear “being salesy,” how to stay authentic, and practical ways to stop getting ghosted after...

In this episode, we chat with Kate Thomas, Founder of Travel Pro Theory and Owner of North + Leisure. Kate shares her love for data and why knowing your business numbers is so important and how you can use to make important decisions about your business. Kate walks through how you can get started right away by setting up a simple spreadsheet and system to start tracking your business numbers, from...

In this episode, we catch up with Dave Natale, AKA the River Cruise King, whose business has skyrocketed since his last appearance on The Lounge Podcast in 2021! He shares the secrets behind his thriving river cruise group business, from using Travefy’s itinerary builder to crafting personalized experiences with city guides, movie and music recommendations, and more. Dave also reveals his top mark...

In this episode, we dive into the essential legal risks, fraud prevention strategies, and best practices every travel advisor needs to know. Sheila Folk, CEO and Founder of Travel Industry Solutions, shares her expert insights on how travel advisors can navigate complex legal landscapes, protect themselves from fraud, and maintain financial stability. Learn why regularly updating contracts and pri...

In this episode, get inspired as we chat with global keynote speaker and marketer, Tim Hines. Tim shares his “marketing starter” mindset and how travel professionals can leverage this to navigate marketing in their business and excel their business forward. From the power of consistency, leveraging AI tools, understanding customer needs, and more, Tim will help ignite the entrepreneurial fire insi...

In this episode, Luxury Travel Advisor, Becky Lukovic joins us to explore the rising trends of women traveling together and the unique dynamics of women-led travel groups. Becky shares her insights on how women are shaping the travel industry, from popular destinations to preferred travel styles. We also dive into strategies for women who own travel businesses to build a strong sense of community...

Join us as Attorney Jeff Ment unpacks the latest travel industry news, including DOT airplane refund rules and FTC non-compete potential changes coming later this year. Learn how these developments could impact your business and discover strategies to stay legally prepared for upcoming changes. Don’t miss this essential guide for your business! Show Notes: Visit The Ment Law Group Website Top Reso...

Dive into the powerful world of social media with Owner of Haus Social, Amber Zakem. In this episode, she shares her essential tips for travel advisors, from choosing the right platform to leveraging AI for content creation. Whether you're just starting out or looking to stay ahead of trends, Amber's insights on using Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and other powerful tools will transfor...

Do you find yourself overwhelmed with the endless marketing opportunities and strategies you can apply to your business? In this episode, we chat with marketing educator, Mary Charleson, on how travel advisors can use her rule-of-3 packing method when it comes to marketing. Mary breaks down how to simplify your marketing strategy and best of all, make it all work together seamlessly. We also chat...

In this episode, we chat about the essential steps for travel advisors to establish their service fee structure with industry expert, Jennifer Jacob! Gain insights into tailoring fees based on niche, geographical considerations, and transitioning into fee charging for the first time. Jennifer shares actionable strategies to develop an objective approach rooted in expense analysis, time tracking, a...

In this episode, we chat with Morris Sims who shares how to create a proactive strategy to getting new and more clients to your business. Morris challenges conventional approaches and emphasizes the importance of crafting a compelling introduction. Learn actionable strategies for visibility across social media, email marketing, events, and personal interactions. Morris also shares his game-changin...

In this episode, we chat with Erin Novodvorsky, Lead Consultant at The Geek Travel Agent. Join us as Erin takes us through her journey in the travel industry, where she transformed her business by aligning it with her passions and expertise. Erin shares her pivot from selling travel that didn't resonate with her to focusing on unique niches such as pop culture travel. From movie and TV show-i...

In this episode, we chat with Roni Weiss from Travel Unity to explore how travel advisors can enhance their support for clients and each other by embracing diversity and fostering an understanding of differences. Roni shares advice on how to better serve travelers by including specific questions when helping to plan their trip and thoughts to consider when working with each client.  Show Notes: Vi...

Discover the ins and outs of S-Corps with Haylie Hardin in this episode as we delve into what they are and how to determine if your business is ready. Explore the advantages of transitioning to an S-Corp for tax planning, and get a quick guide on the actions you need to take to make the switch. Show Notes: Download a Presentation Slide Deck of Haylie’s Tax Tips! Visit Go Hardin’s Website Connect w...

In this episode we chat with tax expert Haylie Hardin about top tax-saving tips for small business owners, especially those who are new to understanding business taxes. We explore the practical strategies of saving money on business expenses and discussing actionable steps that can lead to substantial savings at tax time! Show Notes: Download a Presentation Slide Deck of Haylie's Tax Tips! Vi...

What is wave season and how should you be preparing for it? Join us in this episode and Travel Advisor and marketing strategist, Rita Perez, will tell you how! Get ready for a big year of travel sales in 2024 and Rita will give you the tips and guidance on how to get your business, life, and goals aligned to create a successful year head! Show Notes: Free Wave Season Checklist! Free Lead Generatio...