The Travel Advisor Life

Amy Westerman
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  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

What does it really take to build a life and business you love in the travel industry? Amy Westerman has spent more than 27 years finding out, leading through 9/11, recessions, the rise of online booking, a global pandemic, and now AI. As founder of The Curated Travel Collection, one of the country's leading luxury host agencies, she's helped hundreds of entrepreneurs build travel businesses that support the lives they want to live. The Travel Advisor Life is her honest conversation about entrepreneurship, reinvention, community, and creating freedom through business, for travel advisors, aspiring advisors, and anyone curious about what this life could look like. New episodes every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Is Becoming a Travel Advisor Right for You?

    Welcome back to The Travel Advisor Life! In Episode 4, host Amy Westerman, Founder of Curated Travel Collection, asks an important question for anyone considering this career: Is becoming a travel advisor actually right for you? Loving travel might be what first draws someone to the profession, but loving travel alone isn't enough. Enjoying your own vacations and creating meaningful travel experiences for other people are two very different things. At its core, travel advising is less about places and more about people, relationships, service, and building a real business. Drawing from 27 years in the industry, Amy shares the three questions she uses to identify people who are likely to thrive: Do you genuinely enjoy taking care of people, even when it's inconvenient? Are you willing to treat this like a real business from day one? And are you willing to become part of a community rather than trying to figure everything out alone? In This Episode: [00:01] Is becoming a travel advisor right for you? [00:51] What separates advisors who last [01:41] Making the right decision for your life [02:28] Loving travel isn't enough [03:20] Your clients won't always travel like you [04:02] Question #1: Do you genuinely enjoy taking care of people? [04:58] Service, details & the unexpected [05:45] When taking care of people energizes you [06:35] Question #2: Will you treat it like a real business? [07:29] Building something real [08:17] Why some advisors struggle [09:29] Question #3: Are you willing to be part of a community? [10:17] Showing up matters [11:23] You don't have to know everything [12:19] This industry runs on relationships [13:13] The three qualities that matter most [14:12] What's NOT on the list [15:09] What training can't easily teach you [15:59] When your life experience becomes your strength [16:56] The strength she didn't know she had [17:58] Ask yourself these three questions honestly [18:49] Explore what's possible Why This Matters Loving travel can spark your interest, but passion for destinations isn't what determines whether you'll build a lasting business. The profession is deeply rooted in people: remembering their preferences, helping when plans change, and sometimes solving problems that weren't your fault. It also means treating your work as a business—you don't have to begin full time, but you do need to approach it with intention. And you don't have to build it alone: community, coaching, and mentorship are some of the most important ingredients for sustainable growth. Action Steps for Listeners - Ask yourself honestly: Do I enjoy taking care of people even when it's inconvenient? - Am I willing to treat this like a real business instead of something I'm casually trying? - Am I open to building inside a community instead of figuring everything out alone? - Consider the skills you've developed outside travel: communication, organization, relationship-building, follow-up, attention to detail. - Don't assume that lacking a traditional business or sales background disqualifies you. - If your honest answer to all three questions is yes, explore the profession more seriously. Resources & Links Curious about what life as a travel advisor could look like? Learn more at https://curatedtravelprofessionals.com Curated Travel Collection https://curatedtravelcollection.com Subscribe & Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Travel Advisor Life so you don't miss what's next. And if you know someone who's been wondering whether this career might be right for them, share this episode and encourage them to ask themselves Amy's three questions. Remember: Travel is simply the vehicle. The life you build is the destination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is Becoming a Travel Advisor Right for You?

  2. Sep 21

    The Biggest Myths About Being a Travel Advisor

    Welcome back to The Travel Advisor Life! In Episode 3, host Amy Westerman, Founder of Curated Travel Collection, tackles some of the biggest myths surrounding the travel advisor profession and why those misconceptions can keep talented people from seeing what's actually possible in this industry. From the outside, being a travel advisor can look like free vacations, beautiful destinations, and Instagram photos. But behind every successful advisor is real work: guiding clients through important decisions, navigating unexpected problems, building supplier relationships, creating systems, and taking responsibility for a real business. Amy breaks down five common myths: that travel advising is just a hobby, that you need years of industry experience to get started, that you can't make real money, that AI will eliminate the profession, and that building a successful business means sacrificing your family or personal life. Drawing on 27 years in the industry, she shares why success isn't determined by your previous career or how much you know on day one. In This Episode: [00:01] The biggest myths about being a travel advisor [00:53] Why these myths hurt the profession [01:59] Myth #1: "This is just a hobby" [02:51] The real work behind a client's trip [03:47] A travel advisor is running a business [04:48] Myth #2: "You need years of industry experience" [05:37] What you actually need to get started [06:34] Myth #3: "You can't make money doing this" [07:30] Hobby money vs. business money [08:27] Myth #4: "AI will make travel advisors disappear" [09:32] AI is a tool, not a threat [10:36] Using AI to make more room for relationships [11:33] Myth #5: "You have to sacrifice your family or your life" [12:28] Building a career around your family [13:49] Build your business to fit your life [14:35] Let go of the myths [15:33] Take the first step Why This Matters Misconceptions about this profession don't just affect how outsiders see the industry—they can influence how current and aspiring advisors see themselves. This isn't a business built around posting beautiful destinations online. Professional travel advisors guide clients through important decisions, protect their investments, solve problems, and build sustainable businesses. You don't need decades of experience or to sacrifice the rest of your life to succeed. The opportunity comes from treating travel advising like the profession it is: investing in your education, creating systems, developing relationships, embracing useful technology, and surrounding yourself with the right support. Action Steps for Listeners Identify which myths about becoming a travel advisor you've been believing—and question whether they're actually true.Ask yourself whether you're prepared to treat travel advising as a real business rather than a casual side activity.Don't let a lack of industry experience stop you; focus on your willingness to learn, be coached, and build new skills.Look at how technology, including AI, could reduce administrative work and create more time for client relationships.Think about the life you want your business to support and begin building systems and boundaries around that vision. Resources & Links Curious about what life as a travel advisor could look like? Learn more at https://curatedtravelprofessionals.comCurated Travel Collection https://curatedtravelcollection.com Subscribe & Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Travel Advisor Life so you don't miss what's next. And if this conversation challenged something you've believed about becoming a travel advisor, share it with someone who needs to hear what this profession is really about. Remember: Travel is simply the vehicle. The life you build is the destination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Biggest Myths About Being a Travel Advisor

  3. Sep 21

    Why Now May Be the Best Time to Become a Travel Advisor

    Welcome back to The Travel Advisor Life! In Episode 2, host Amy Westerman, Founder of Curated Travel Collection, explores a question she hears often: Is now really a good time to become a travel advisor? After 27 years in the travel industry, Amy has seen the profession navigate 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, the rise of online booking engines, a global pandemic, and now artificial intelligence. Each disruption came with predictions that travel advisors would become obsolete. Instead, Amy has watched the industry adapt, evolve, and come back stronger. Amy also tackles one of the biggest obstacles facing aspiring advisors: waiting for the "perfect" time to begin. Through her own story and examples from advisors in her community, she explains why success isn't about starting with all the answers. It's about developing the right skills, finding the right structure and support, and being willing to start before you feel completely ready. In This Episode: [00:01] Why right now could be the right time [00:54] An industry that gets stronger through change [01:43] Surviving 9/11, the financial crisis, online booking & the pandemic [02:36] Booking a trip is not planning a trip [04:06] What the pandemic taught travelers about advisors [04:57] Travel came back bigger than expected [05:48] Will AI replace travel advisors? [07:20] Technology + human connection [08:03] Treating travel advising as a real profession [08:57] Are you waiting for the perfect moment? [09:45] Starting before you feel ready [10:37] You don't have to know everything [12:12] Betting on yourself [13:01] Why human travel expertise is in demand [13:57] You're not too late [14:47] Ask a better question Why This Matters There's never going to be a perfectly certain time to start a business. The economy changes. Technology evolves. And there will always be another reason to wait. But the history of the travel industry shows that disruption doesn't eliminate the need for travel advisors—it highlights the value of knowledgeable, connected professionals who are there when travelers need real help. For someone considering becoming a travel advisor, the better question may not be whether the timing is perfect. It's whether you're willing to develop the skills, find the right support, and begin. Action Steps for Listeners Stop asking, "Is this the right time?" and ask, "Am I willing to build the right skills?"Write down the reasons you've been waiting and determine which are genuine barriers versus fears about not being fully ready.Think about the skills you already have that could translate into a career as a travel advisor.Look for the right training, structure, processes, and community rather than expecting yourself to figure everything out alone. Resources & Links Curious about what life as a travel advisor could look like? Learn more at https://curatedtravelprofessionals.comCurated Travel Collection https://curatedtravelcollection.com Subscribe & Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Travel Advisor Life so you don't miss what's next. And if this conversation reminded you of someone who's been considering a new career, share it with them. Remember: Travel is simply the vehicle. The life you build is the destination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why Now May Be the Best Time to Become a Travel Advisor

  4. Sep 15

    Travel Is the Vehicle. The Life You Build Is the Destination

    Welcome to the very first episode of The Travel Advisor Life! Host Amy Westerman, Founder of Curated Travel Collection, shares the inspiring story behind her journey in the travel industry and the vision for this podcast. After nearly three decades in travel, Amy has witnessed the industry's biggest challenges—from 9/11 and the rise of online booking to the pandemic and AI. Through every shift, one truth has remained: travel advisors continue to thrive by building meaningful relationships, adapting to change, and creating businesses that support the lives they truly want. In this episode, Amy explains why success in the travel industry isn't simply about booking vacations. It's about building a business that creates freedom, flexibility, financial independence, and purpose. She shares inspiring stories of advisors who transformed their lives, rediscovered their identities, left unfulfilling careers, and built businesses around the moments that matter most. Whether you're an experienced travel advisor, considering joining the industry, or simply curious about what's possible, this episode lays the foundation for the conversations ahead and reminds us that travel is only the beginning. In This Episode: [00:00] Welcome to The Travel Advisor Life Why this show is about more than travel—it's about building a life you love. [01:03] Three Decades of Industry Change Through every disruption, advisors have only become more valuable. [01:57] Why Amy Returned to the Travel Industry She missed more than travel—she missed helping people build meaningful careers. [03:03] Stories That Changed Lives Advisors, parents, and professionals who transformed their futures and freedom. [04:47] Booking Trips Isn't the Hard Part Building the business is and nobody talks about it. [05:51] Community Over Competition Relationships and collaboration build the businesses that last. [06:52] What You'll Hear on This Podcast Successful advisors, industry leaders, and lessons from nearly 30 years in business. [08:47] Taking the First Step Start curious—you don't need all the answers to begin. [09:49] Join the Conversation Community and shared experiences make this industry and life better. Why This Matters Many people believe becoming a travel advisor is simply about planning vacations. Amy shows that the real opportunity is much bigger. The travel industry offers a pathway to entrepreneurship, personal growth, financial freedom, meaningful relationships, and a lifestyle built around your priorities instead of someone else's schedule. Success doesn't come from simply booking trips. It comes from building relationships, embracing community, and creating a business that supports the life you want to live. This episode shows you how to: View travel as a business, not just a jobBuild a career around freedom and flexibilityUnderstand why relationships matter more than transactionsEmbrace community over competitionTake the first step toward creating the life you've always wanted Action Steps for Listeners Reflect on what kind of life you truly want your career to support.Focus on building genuine relationships instead of chasing transactions.Connect with other travel advisors and learn through community.Stay curious and be willing to take the first step, even without having all the answers.Share this episode with someone who has dreamed of building a business around travel. 🔗 Resources & Links Curious about what life as a travel advisor could look like? Learn more at https://curatedtravelprofessionals.comCurated Travel Collection https://curatedtravelcollection.com Subscribe & Stay Connected If you enjoyed this first episode of The Travel Advisor Life, be sure to subscribe or follow us so you never miss future conversations about building a successful travel business and a life you love. If this episode inspired you, please leave a review and share it with someone who dreams of creating more freedom, flexibility, and purpose through travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Travel Is the Vehicle. The Life You Build Is the Destination
  • 4 Episodes

5
out of 5
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About

What does it really take to build a life and business you love in the travel industry? Amy Westerman has spent more than 27 years finding out, leading through 9/11, recessions, the rise of online booking, a global pandemic, and now AI. As founder of The Curated Travel Collection, one of the country's leading luxury host agencies, she's helped hundreds of entrepreneurs build travel businesses that support the lives they want to live. The Travel Advisor Life is her honest conversation about entrepreneurship, reinvention, community, and creating freedom through business, for travel advisors, aspiring advisors, and anyone curious about what this life could look like. New episodes every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Amy Westerman
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright The Travel Advisor Life 2026
  • Show Website
    The Travel Advisor Life

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