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

Rita M. Perez
  • 4.9 (28)
  • 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. 1d ago

    Ep 268 Creative Ways Travel Advisors Can Use AI to Save Time in Their Business with Kate Thomas

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Join us at Prep for Wave Week this year:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/prep-for-wave-week/ Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Kate from Travel Pro Theory is here to nerd out with me about all the creative ways travel advisors can use AI.  We walked through the whole lay of the land, from chatting with AI to setting up projects, building skills, and letting Cowork run scheduled tasks that do the tedious work for you.  Kate shares how she uses connectors to analyze her email data, target her most engaged people, and pull destination research automatically every single week.  We got into building branded lead magnets, sales pages, and quizzes without heavy tech skills, and why judgment is the one skill you need to use AI well.  This conversation will show you just how much time you can get back while keeping the human parts of your business fully human. Questions this episode answers: What are the different ways travel advisors can use AI in their business?What is the difference between AI chat, projects, skills, and Cowork?What are AI connectors and MCPs, and how do travel advisors use them?How do you build a skill in AI, and what should the instructions include?How do you use AI without making your content sound AI-generated?Which Claude AI models are best for different business tasks? Connect with Kate on IG: https://www.instagram.com/travelprotheory/ 35 things you didn't know AI could do in your travel biz: https://travelprotheory.kit.com/35-things-ai 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/steeryourmarketing FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strategictravelentrepreneurs/ Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

  2. Aug 14

    Ep 267 How Travel Agents Can Tell Better Stories on Social Media with Bianca Alba

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Join us at Prep for Wave Week this year:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/prep-for-wave-week/ Fill out Rita's 2026 Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/3zuchVKZ817RvGyk9 Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Storytelling is where so many travel advisors get stuck, especially when marketing doesn't come naturally.  So I brought on my friend Bianca, founder of This Latina Travels, to break down the exact framework she uses to create Reels that actually connect with her audience and grew her following to 10,000+.  We get into how to write hooks that stop the scroll, why an imperfect story beats perfect content every time, and how to figure out the "what's in it for me" that keeps people watching.  She also shares her repurposing process for stretching one Reel across platforms, and unrelated, a beautiful way you and your clients can pay it forward while visiting Puerto Rico.  If your content has been feeling a little flat, you're going to walk away with real ideas you can use today.  Questions this episode answers: How can travel agents tell better stories on social media?What should you do when you have great footage but no story to tell?How do you edit a voiceover Reel from start to finish?Why shouldn't travel agents rely on social media as their only marketing toolHow can travel advisors and their clients volunteer with the Flight Angels program in Puerto Rico? Connect with Bianca on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thislatinatravels/ Get 20% off Bianca's merch with code podcast: https://www.thislatinatravels.com/shop/ Learn more about helping get pets to their forever homes from Puerto Rico: https://flightangels.org/ 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/steeryourmarketing FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strategictravelentrepreneurs/ Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

  3. Aug 7

    Ep 266 Are You Using AI Legally In Your Travel Business?

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Join us at Prep for Wave Week this year:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/prep-for-wave-week/ Fill out Rita's 2026 Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/3zuchVKZ817RvGyk9 Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 I don't know about you, but AI has been big on my brain this summer. Coincidentally, The Legal Paige just came out with a reel talking about using AI legally. I'm sharing the four big things Paige mentioned, and translating them to how they would affect travel advisors like you. Things like why you can't just upload other people's work into AI to who actually owns the content AI creates for you.  I'll share what I've been rethinking about my own courses and content, plus some GPT ideas I'm excited about for helping you get the most out of what you've already got.  I'm not a lawyer, but Paige is, and I've been following her long enough to know that she knows her stuff and then some. Come think through these topics with me, as we're all figuring this out this new world together. Questions this episode answers: Is it legal to upload client itineraries into AI tools or a CRM's AI?Can you copyright a blog post or website that AI wrote?Is it a copyright violation to upload someone else's course or digital product into AI?Should travel advisors use AI to write their contracts?What should you never paste into AI?Do you need an AI clause in your travel agency terms and conditions?Can a client legally run your itinerary through AI and use it themselves?How can travel advisors use AI and GPTs to get more out of the content they already own? The Legal Paige Reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbqlAc_yw8o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== The Legal Paige Templates *affiliate link*: https://thelegalpaige.com?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/steeryourmarketing FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strategictravelentrepreneurs/ Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

  4. Jul 31

    Ep 265 Why Your Travel Agency Social Media Posts Aren't Working (And How to Fix Them)

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Join us at Prep for Wave Week this year:  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/prep-for-wave-week/ Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 If your social media posts aren't working, it's probably because every single one is trying to sell.  I learned this the hard way back in my baby travel advisor days, and I saw it happen all over again at a recent workshop where advisors kept turning warm-up posts into sales posts.  So let's talk about why that pushes the right people away, because nobody hands a complete stranger $10,000 to plan their trip, amiright?? I'm walking you through the three jobs your posts should actually be doing, Meet, Connect, and Convert, so you can stop yelling "book with me" into the void and start building the kind of trust that leads to real bookings.  Your feed is a place to build relationships, not a billboard, and once that clicks, everything about your marketing gets easier.  Questions this episode answers: Why isn't my social media selling as a travel advisor?Should every social media post be a sales post?How often should travel advisors post on social media?What types of social media posts should travel advisors make?How do I build trust with clients on social media?What's the best call to action for a social media post?Why do my salesy social media posts push clients away?How do I sell travel on social media without being sleazy? 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/steeryourmarketing FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strategictravelentrepreneurs/ Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

  5. Jul 24

    Ep 264 How Travel Advisors Can Manage Stress and Burnout with Dr. Amanda White

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Get your ticket to Client Callout:   https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/client-callout/ Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 You know that feeling when the phone rings and your whole body kind of shudders?  Yeahhhh, that's exactly what Dr. Amanda White and I are unpacking, because burnout in your travel business usually isn't as much a systems problem, as it's a stress response you may not have dealt with yet.  We talk about why your body keeps score long after the busy season ends, what actual boundaries look like when your clients are in three different time zones, and the mindfulness tools that go way beyond bubble baths.  Amanda brings her doctorate in workplace trauma plus her own experience as a travel advisor, so this is research-backed and industry-specific advice.  If you have been wondering how long you can keep going like this, start here. Get Amanda's Catalyst Reset and use code STEER for 15% off (affiliate link): https://ritaventures--adwcatalyststrategies.thrivecart.com/catalyst-reset-travel-advisors/ Visit Amanda's website: https://adwcatalyststrategies.com/ Questions this episode answers: Why do travel advisors burn out?Is burnout a trauma response?Can workplace stress cause physical health problems?How do I set boundaries as a travel advisor?What boundaries should I set with travel clients?How do I stop working 24/7 in my travel business?When is it okay to bend your business boundaries?What are mindfulness techniques for stressed business owners?Should travel advisors refer business to other advisors?How do I know if I'm charging enough as a travel advisor? 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/steeryourmarketing FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strategictravelentrepreneurs/ Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

  6. Jul 17

    Ep 263 Figuring Out Your Right Fit Client as a Travel Advisor

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Get your ticket to Client Callout:   https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/client-callout/ Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 You don't need to market to everybody, and trying to is why your marketing feels so hard right now.  I'm walking you through exactly how to figure out your right fit client as a travel advisor, from my own journey landing on cruise retreats to the onion layer exercise I use to peel back what your ideal client actually values.  We're talking about why niching down makes your discovery calls easier, your lead magnets write themselves, and your referrals stronger.  Plus I'm sharing details on my upcoming Client Callout workshop, where you'll walk away with social media posts built around the client you actually want to work with.  If your marketing has been trying to please everyone, this one's going to change how you show up online. Questions this episode answers: Why isn't my travel marketing working even though I'm active on social media?How do I niche down without losing potential clients?What is the onion layer exercise for finding your ideal client?How do I figure out what type of trips I should specialize in selling?Why does niching down make discovery calls and proposals easier?What questions should I ask to define my ideal travel client?How do I use my own personality and interests to find my travel niche?Can I still book other types of trips if I niche down my marketing? 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/steeryourmarketing FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strategictravelentrepreneurs/ Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

  7. Jul 10

    Ep 262 What to Pack and Film on a Cruise Ship Inspection

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 Getting ready for your first or next ship inspection and not totally sure what to bring, film, or expect?  I'm breaking down exactly how to prep for a ship inspection, from comfortable shoes and battery packs to the content strategy that'll help you actually use that footage after you're home.  I'm covering the must-get shots like public spaces, cabins, and pool decks, plus tips for smooth panning, protecting kids' privacy on camera, and squeezing every bit of value out of your stories and posts.  You'll also get insider honest logistics like security check-in, tipping servers, and what happens if you run out of time before you've gotten everything on your list.  Whether this is your first ship inspection or your fiftieth, you'll walk away with a game plan for gathering content that actually helps you sell more travel. Questions this episode answers: What should I pack for a cruise ship inspection?What content should I film during a ship inspection?How do I prepare for my first ship inspection as a travel advisor?What footage should I prioritize on a cruise FAM?How do I get smooth, non-shaky video footage on a ship?How do I use Instagram stories during a ship inspection?How do I repurpose content after a ship inspection? 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/steeryourmarketing FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strategictravelentrepreneurs/ Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

  8. Jul 3

    Ep 261 My 2026 Mid Year Business Review

    Send Rita a text with your thoughts! Join us for the ultimate content and marketing camp in 2027: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776 I cannot believe we are already at the halfway point of 2026!  In this mid year business review, I'm pulling back the curtain on what January through June actually looked like for me as a travel industry educator and podcaster, including the wins, the not so great moments, and the pattern I finally noticed.  We're talking branding transformations, a business name change, health hiccups, revenue gaps in the first half of the year, and why Q2 ended up being my favorite quarter so far.  If you've ever wondered what running a solo travel business actually looks like behind the scenes, this one is for you.  The second half of 2026 is about to be incredible and I cannot wait to share what's coming.  Questions this episode answers: How do you do a mid year business review as a solo business owner?What does running a travel business really look like behind the scenes?How do you create stability in a travel business when revenue is inconsistent?How do you know when it is time to rebrand your travel business?What is the value of attending in person events as a travel industry entrepreneur?How do you use a word of the year to make better business decisions?How do you niche down in the travel industry and why does it make your marketing easier? 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/steeryourmarketing FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strategictravelentrepreneurs/ Email: rita@steeryourmarketing.com

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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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