Strategic Travel Entrepreneur: Business Tips for Travel Agents/Advisors, Travel Agency Owners, and Travel Business Owners

Rita M. Perez
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Each week I share, along with featured guests, tangible and practical business strategies for travel entrepreneurs.We discuss foundations, marketing, sales, client experience, systems, supplier relations, and everything in between to empower you to run an effective and profitable travel business, and not just another travel hobby.For travel agents, travel advisors, travel suppliers, tour operators, tourism professionals, travel coaches, travel creators, travel business owners, travel agency owners, host agency owners, and travel industry support partners.

  1. 2D AGO

    Ep 253 The Best Travel Tech Tools for Growing Your Travel Agency in 2026

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Save your spot at the Travel Tech Audio Summit: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/travel-tech-audio-summit/ It's Travel Tech Audio Summit time and this year's lineup is one I'm super proud of.  We're talking CRMs, AI agents, booking platforms, fee guidance, trip tracking, and more! The coolest part?  Almost every single tool you're about to hear about was built by travel advisors just like you.  These are the travel tech tools that are going to make you look like a total bad booty in your travel business in 2026 and beyond.  If you want the full 30-40 minute interviews with exclusive promos you won't find anywhere else, head to the link above and grab your complimentary spot in the travel tech feed.  Questions this episode answers: What are the best travel tech tools for travel advisors in 2026?What CRM should I use for my travel agency?How much should I charge for travel planning fees?What is the best booking platform for independent travel advisors?How can AI help travel advisors run their business?What travel agency software is built by travel advisors?How do I track client trips and follow ups as a travel advisor?What is the best all in one platform for independent travel entrepreneurs?How do I automate my travel agency without losing the personal touch?What travel tech tools help travel advisors save time and make more money? Enjoy and take action! --------------------------------------------------------------- Rita M. Perez (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively. She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts. Website:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/ Socials: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/takethehelmvbs FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529490048073622 Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

    46 min

  2. MAY 1

    Ep 252 Tasks Every Travel Advisor Should Remove From Their Plate to Grow Faster

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Save your spot at the Travel Tech Audio Summit: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/travel-tech-audio-summit/ What if the secret to growing your travel business was actually doing less?  I'm getting into the tasks, platforms, and decisions that travel advisors need to stop saying yes to, plus the smarter investments that actually buy back your time and your sanity.  I'm sharing what is coming up on the Travel Tech Audio Summit and why this year's lineup might be the most exciting one yet.  Consider this your permission slip to subtract something this week. Questions this episode answers: What tasks should travel advisors stop doing to grow a more sustainable business?How can travel advisors buy back their time without sacrificing business growth?What technology tools are travel advisors using to automate and save time?What is the Travel Tech Audio Summit and how can travel advisors sign up?When should a travel advisor outsource tasks in their business?How can travel advisors reduce stress and burnout while still running a successful agency?What is ManyChat and how can travel advisors use it to save time? Enjoy and take action! --------------------------------------------------------------- Rita M. Perez (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively. She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts. Website:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/ Socials: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/takethehelmvbs FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529490048073622 Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

    35 min

  3. APR 24

    Ep 251 How Many Trips Do You Need to Sell to Make $50K as a Travel Advisor

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Save your spot at the Travel Tech Audio Summit: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/travel-tech-audio-summit/ Let's talk money, honey :) I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how many trips you need to sell, across six different trip types, to gross $50,000 as a travel advisor.  From a Disney spring break family trip to a 20-person river cruise group, you'll quickly find that not all trips are created equal...in time, effort, and commissions earned.  Whether you're just starting out or you've been on the hamster wheel wondering what to focus on next, these numbers are going to give you serious clarity on what it takes to hit your income goals. Questions this episode answers: How many trips do I need to sell to make $50,000 as a travel advisor?Which trip types pay travel advisors the most commission?How much commission do travel advisors make on Disney trips?Is it worth charging planning fees as a travel advisor?How many river cruises do I need to sell to hit my income goal?What is the most time efficient way to make money as a travel advisor?How do travel advisor commissions compare across different destinations?Can travel advisors make $50,000 a year selling group trips?What trip types should a travel advisor specialize in to maximize revenue?How do I figure out how many trips I need to sell to reach my travel advisor income goal? Enjoy and take action! --------------------------------------------------------------- Rita M. Perez (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively. She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts. Website:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/ Socials: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/takethehelmvbs FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529490048073622 Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

    37 min

  4. APR 17

    Ep 250 A Milestone Celebration and the Underrated Marketing Moves For Travel Advisors

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ We're hitting a massive milestone and I'm handing over the mic to my pal Stephanie Gries of Travefy to ask me ALL the things.  We get into why most travel advisors are leaving money on the table with their marketing to the underrated in person strategies that actually make a difference.  We're also talking spirit animals, flight confessions, and the hardest business decisions I've made this year.  Grab your favorite bevvie because this one is a mixed bag of fun, honest conversation, and actual marketing strategy you can use for your travel business today.  Questions this episode answers: How can travel advisors use in person networking to grow their travel business?What marketing mistakes are travel advisors making on social media?How do you write hooks that actually stop the scroll and convert followers into clients?What is the difference between people of influence and influencers for travel advisors?How can travel advisors get in front of new audiences without paid advertising?What is the best marketing strategy for travel advisors who are not getting clients from friends and family?How can travel advisors sell their travel photos and videos for passive income?What does it take to build a sustainable and profitable travel business from scratch?How do you know when to shut down a program or offer in your travel business?What podcasts and resources should travel advisors be listening to for business growth? Enjoy and take action! --------------------------------------------------------------- Rita M. Perez (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively. She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts. Website:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/ Socials: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/takethehelmvbs FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529490048073622 Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

    51 min

  5. APR 10

    Ep 249 Why Your Travel Agency Marketing Is Not Working and How To Fix It

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ You are posting, you are showing up, and still crickets.  Sound familiar?  I am pulling back the curtain on the five biggest marketing mistakes I see travel advisors making right now, from speaking to everyone and converting no one, to always asking for the sale before you have even built the relationship.  Let's help you stop guessing and start taking the right marketing action. Questions this episode answers: Why is my travel agency marketing not working?How do I find my ideal client as a travel advisor?Why am I not getting clients from social media?What is WIIFM and why does it matter in travel marketing?How often should a travel advisor ask for the sale on social media?Why is my travel agency not attracting the right clients?How do I get more clients for my travel business?Should travel advisors have a niche?How do I add personality to my travel agency marketing?How do travel advisors find clients outside of social media? Enjoy and take action! --------------------------------------------------------------- Rita M. Perez (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively. She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts. Website:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/ Socials: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/takethehelmvbs FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529490048073622 Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

    39 min

  6. APR 3

    Ep 248 River Cruise Expo Highlights and Marketing Tips for Travel Advisors with Dori Saltzman

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Join the Interest List for Summer Camp at Sea 06/2027: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1192151 Travel Market Report: https://www.travelmarketreport.com/ I recorded this one live aboard AmaWaterways's AmaCerto at this year's TMP on the River. Dori Saltzman, cruise editor at Travel Market Report, joins me to break down everything travel advisors need to know about selling river cruises and what went down at this year's River Cruise Expo. We also get into the good stuff like how to use press relationships to grow your travel business, why your "about me" page is actually not about you, and how marketing to your ideal client brings you so much ease.  If selling more river cruises, getting media coverage, and showing up as the go-to travel advisor in your niche is on your radar, this conversation was made for you.  Questions this episode answers: What is the ASTA River Cruise Expo and should travel advisors attend?How can travel advisors start selling river cruises with confidence?How do travel advisors get press coverage to grow their business?What is a unique value proposition for a travel advisor and how do you write one?How should travel advisors market to their ideal client?What is the difference between the River Cruise Expo and other travel advisor conferences?How can travel advisors use LinkedIn and local press to build relationships with journalists?Why should travel advisors say no to certain clients to grow a more profitable business? Connect with Dori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dori-saltzman/ Solve the mystery in Dori's book *affiliate link*: https://amzn.to/4s7FJIP Luxury Travel Report: https://www.luxurytravelreport.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------- Rita M. Perez (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively. She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts. Website:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/ Socials: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/takethehelmvbs FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529490048073622 Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

    47 min

  7. MAR 27

    Ep 247 What Travel Advisors Need to Review Every Year to Run a Real Business

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Join the Interest List for Summer Camp at Sea 06/2027: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1192151 Business Maintenance Checklist: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1179572 Just like your house, your business needs an annual tune-up. From seller of travel licenses to SEO audits, there are maintenance tasks every travel advisor business owner needs to tackle every year.  Consider this your official reminder and your roadmap :) Questions this episode answers: What is the difference between a travel advisor and a travel agency owner?What business maintenance tasks should travel advisors complete every year?What legal and compliance requirements do travel advisors need to renew annually?Do travel advisors need a seller of travel license?How should travel agency owners manage business risk and insurance?What should travel advisors include in their annual marketing audit?How do travel advisors improve their SEO and online discoverability?What systems and technology should travel agencies review every year? Check out The Legal Paige's In Case of Death File (affiliate link): https://thelegalpaige.com/products/in-case-of-death-file?_pos=1&_sid=17185ccec&_ss=r&aff=847 Enjoy (and take action!) --------------------------------------------------------------- Rita M. Perez (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively. She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts. Website:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/ Socials: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/takethehelmvbs FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529490048073622 Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

    42 min

  8. MAR 20

    Ep 246 How to Get Travel Clients Through Events, Conferences, and Community Networking

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Join the Interest List for Summer Camp at Sea 06/2027: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1192151 If you've been wondering how to get more travel clients without feeling like you're shouting into the void on social media, events might just be your new BFF. From festivals and farmers markets to virtual summits and charity galas, there are so many creative ways to get your travel business in front of the right people, and most of them don't require a huge budget.  I'm walking you through four different ways to show up at events depending on your goals, your niche, and what you've got to work with.  I'm also chatting on promotional timelines, registration tech, and how to craft a call to action that actually converts after the event wraps.  Le's go! Questions this episode answers: How do travel advisors get more clients through events?What types of events should travel advisors attend to find new clients?How do I market my travel business at local events and festivals?What is the attend, vend, spend, and depend framework for travel advisors?How much time do you need to plan an event for your travel business?How do travel advisors use virtual events for lead generation?What should a travel advisor's call to action be after an event?How do I promote a virtual event for my travel business?Can travel advisors sponsor events to grow their business?How do travel advisors follow up with potential clients after an event? Enjoy (and take action!) --------------------------------------------------------------- Rita M. Perez (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively. She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts. Website:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/ Socials: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/takethehelmvbs FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/529490048073622 Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

    41 min
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Each week I share, along with featured guests, tangible and practical business strategies for travel entrepreneurs.We discuss foundations, marketing, sales, client experience, systems, supplier relations, and everything in between to empower you to run an effective and profitable travel business, and not just another travel hobby.For travel agents, travel advisors, travel suppliers, tour operators, tourism professionals, travel coaches, travel creators, travel business owners, travel agency owners, host agency owners, and travel industry support partners.

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