As we all know, travel is an incredible experience that allows people to explore new places and cultures. However, many clients may reconsider some of their travel plans after the weekend news. With conflicts ongoing between Russia and Ukraine and now Israel and Hamas, international travel from the US may take a bit of a hit. Time will tell, but you must be prepared to suggest alternative destinations and experiences to your clients. Amazing experiences are not relegated to Europe and the Middle East. Here are five to consider!

Costa Rica is a beautiful country located in Central America. It is known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and adventurous activities such as zip-lining, bungee jumping, and white-water rafting. It is also a…

I once had a travel professional take me to task because I provided them with an article in USA Today which also contained advertising for other travel programs. That would never do, she assured me, because like so many other papers and magazines, USA Today was “filled with travel advertising.”  Likewise, many agents will not link to travel articles that include the contact information of hotels or tour operators.

I believe many travel professionals sometimes work with an over-broadly image of their competition because they have failed to properly define their customer base and their proper relationship to their clients. To these few, the landscape is filled with competition. This perspective is informed by the idea that the travel consultant is “selling” travel.  That is what Travelocity does, just as suppliers do. …

I remember as if it were yesterday, hearing the following words at the home of two Russian immigrants in Chicago. The husband was now an emergency room surgeon while his wife was a successful travel professional. Their home was modest, yet beautifully furnished. The good doctor said after passing the rolls at the dinner table, “If you can’t make it in America, you can’t make it.” Those words stuck with me over the years. That was more than 25 years ago, and I think of that sentence every time I present to a room full of travel professionals. With a little poetic license, I will now put a different spin on the same belief. “If you can’t make it in the travel business, you can’t…