Strategic Travel Entrepreneur: Business Tips for Travel Agents/Advisors, Travel Agency Owners, and Travel Business Owners
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.
Ep 256 How Many Cruises Do You Need to Sell to Make $50,000 as a Travel Agent
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/
Take Host Agency Reviews' Travel Advisor Survey: https://har.news/survey2026
Join Host Agency Review's Tech Week: https://hostagencyreviews.com/har-wired
Ya'll loved the first version so much that you requested a cruise specific version, so here we are!
I'm breaking d...
Ep 255 Travel Advisor Trade Show Prep From Someone Who Just Did 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/
Take Host Agency Reviews' Travel Advisor Survey: https://har.news/survey2026
Etsy store where I bought my stickers: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1581100221/custom-vinyl-stickers-die-cut-stickers
If you have ever thought about setting up a travel table at a vendor event but talked yourself out...
Ep 254 How to Sell Without Being Salesy 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/
Take Host Agency Reviews' Travel Advisor Survey: https://har.news/survey2026
Whitney Shindelar's Prep for Wave Week Presentation: https://youtu.be/H4FwXgpls2k
Get the Networking Logbook:<...
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 c...
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 s...
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...
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...
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 ha...
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...
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.
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...
Ep 245 How I'm Changing My Personal Habits to Become a Stronger Travel Business Owner
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
Get BOGO Consulting with Rita: https://calendly.com/ritaventures/take-the-helm-marketing-consulting-flash-sale-bogo
Join the Interest List for Summer Camp at Sea 06/2027: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1192151
Entrepreneurship is amazing, but it can also feel incredibly chaotic, and sometimes life throws you curveballs that force you to finally make the changes you've been putting off.
After a pretty eye-opening specialist v...
Ep 244 How to Plan Your Content Strategy Before Your Next FAM Trip
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 Orlando Summer Camp 6/2026: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1193096
Join the Interest List for Summer Camp at Sea 06/2027: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1192151
You know that feeling when a trip is coming up and you're like, oh shoot, I should probably think about content?
Yeah, same-ish, so let's talk about it :)
...Ep 243 Why I Don't Rely on Social Media to Get Clients
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
Join us at the Lead Generation Accelerator: https://docs.google.com/document/d/176WVpzZcflAJV3wLT7nFp5VeaocFlURo659PZ4PwvmQ/view
Nina's SEO Masterclass *affiliate link*: https://ritaventures--ninaclapperton.thrivecart.com/6-months-to-50k/
If you've been spinning your wheels on social media waiting for clients to find you, I want to give you full permission to stop.
S...
Ep 242 How to Build the Perfect Sales Mix for Your Travel Business
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
Join us at the Lead Generation Accelerator: https://docs.google.com/document/d/176WVpzZcflAJV3wLT7nFp5VeaocFlURo659PZ4PwvmQ/view
Give your Feedback on Summer Camp: https://forms.gle/kc8U8J6V9UYBion77
Check out the Plan Your Year Workbook: https://amzn.to/4aYAQMW
You cannot build a marketing plan before you have a sales plan...
Ep 241 How to Create Ultra-Personalized Travel Experiences Your Clients Will Never Forget
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
With AI helping you work faster in the background, you should have more time to add the humanity and ultra-personalization that makes clients choose YOU over booking it themselves.
So I've brought together 8 of my industry pals to share their best tips for creating those jaw-dropping, magical moments that clients talk about for years, from VIP-ing every single client to using automation so you actually have the s...
Ep 240 The Complete Marketing Matrix for Growing Your Travel Business
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Get me as your personal photographer at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
Join Korrine and I on Feb 10th at 3pm EST: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1192150
Most travel advisors are doing the connecting part of business with emails and social media, but completely missing the meeting part where you actually get clients.
The marketing matrix shows you exactly where to focus your energy across four phases, and I'm breaking down specific t...
Ep 239 What I Would Do to Get Clients in February as a Travel Advisor
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Get me as your personal photographer at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
Crunch your numbers on the Lead Generation Calculator: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/calculator
If you need travel clients this month, stop talking about everything and start selling something specific.
I'm sharing the exact steps I'd take to book clients in February, including how to use your numbers to create a crystal-clear sales target, where to show up (online and in-person), and how to l...
Ep 238 6 Marketing Trends I Noticed at Podfest for Travel Advisors
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Get me as your personal photographer at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
Fresh off of PodFest 2026, I'm sharing the 6 biggest marketing trends that kept coming up and they apply directly to growing your travel business.
We're talking LinkedIn, the power of relationships over vanity metrics, getting paid what you're worth, and why you absolutely need a website in 2026.
Plus, I'm calling out the busy-work trap that's keeping you invisible and sharing why being a small fish do...
Ep 237 Your Complete Guide to Travel Advisor Conferences and Events
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Get me as your personal photographer at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
By popular demand, I'm breaking down the ultimate travel industry events calendar because I know you're trying to figure out which conferences actually deserve your time and money.
From ASTA's big conference in San Diego to Summer Camp at Sea in Alaska, I'm walking you through host agency events, consortium gatherings, supplier showcases, and those invitation-only luxury events like ILTM that you need on your radar.
...Ep 236 Why Instagram Isn't Working for Travel Advisors and How to Fix It
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Get me as your personal photographer at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
If Instagram isn't working for your travel business, you might not doing it wrong.
You might just be using it for the wrong thing.
The truth bomb is that Instagram isn't meant to find clients, it's for nurturing the ones you've already met. (Blanket statement with nuance, I know.)
I'm breaking down the biggest mistakes I see travel advisors making on social m...
Ep 235 Where to Find Your Ideal Travel Clients in 2026
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Get at least 6 months of content with YOU in it at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
If you're wondering where to find clients who don't micromanage, actually value your expertise, and are ready to book, buckle in.
I'm sharing the exact communities, organizations, and lifestyle groups where high-value travelers naturally gather, think beyond the obvious and get ready for some seriously creative ideas.
Plus, I'll help you figure out if your current niche is specific enough or...
Ep 234 My Biggest Failures (and Wins!) of 2025 as Travel Business Owner
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Get at least 6 months of content with YOU in it at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
I don't know about you, but 2025 was a dumpster fire in so many ways.
It also had some incredible wins I didn't see coming.
I'm pulling back the curtain on everything from major health struggles and revenue misses to Summer Camp at Sea success and hitting that 1,000+ attendee goal for Prep for Wave Week.
You'll hear the unfiltered tr...
Ep 233 I Tried Writing a Blog Post Every Day for 30 Days and Here's What Happened
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Get at least 6 months of content with YOU in it at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
Join us for the Business Maintenance Webinar: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1190839
So I did something a little crazy in November...I challenged myself to write a blog post every single day.
Spoiler alert: I didn't hit my goal of 30 posts, but what I gained was way more valuable than just checking off a to-do list.
...Ep 232 The Exact Marketing Audit I'd Run for Your Travel Business If I Was your CMO
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Finally work on your travel business at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
Want to know exactly what I'd be looking at if you hired me as your Chief Marketing Officer?
I'm walking you through my complete audit process, from reviewing your messaging and voice of customer research to evaluating your ROI and figuring out what's actually driving results in your travel business.
This isn't about throwing spaghetti at the wall or doing all the marketing things be...
Ep 231 Saying No to 24/7 Clients and Building a More Aligned Travel Agency with Marcie Muensterman
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Finally work on your travel business at Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
Marcie Muensterman went from total burnout (missing Christmas, sleeping with her phone under her head, snapping at everyone) to building a six-figure travel business in just 20 hours a week.
She's breaking down why limiting yourself to 5-6 clients per month isn't crazy, how to stop believing the lies about needing to be available 24/7 for luxury clients, and why Facebook groups might be the smartest move you're n...
Ep 230 How to Build a Travel Business Without Burning Out with Iris Serbanescu
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Shop Travel Industry Black Friday: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/blackfriday
Get the Black Friday Bingo Board for giveaways: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1189130
Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
What if the only thing standing between you and a thriving travel business is your own mindset?
I'm chatting with the amazing Iris from wmnsWORK and By Iris about what it really takes to build a successful travel business.
Sp...
Ep 229 Stop Drowning in Your Travel Agency Inbox and Take Back Control with Mary Beth Lynn
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Shop Travel Industry Black Friday: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/blackfriday
Get the Black Friday Bingo Board for giveaways: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1189130
Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
If you're spending all day in your inbox and still going to bed wondering if you missed something important, this one's for you.
I'm sitting down with Mary Beth Lynn from Assistants that Work, who went from working 60-80 hour weeks (a...
Ep 228 Why You Don't Suck at Being a Travel Entrepreneur
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Take the podcast survey: https://forms.gle/CeqJQkuZbEZ6jNeZA
Get the Black Friday updates: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1189130
Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
Feeling like you're failing at business?
Real talk- you don't suck, you're just unfamiliar with it.
*Boom* right?!
Most of us weren't raised to be entrepreneurs, so of course things like lead generation, systems, and marketing consistency feel hard.
I...
Ep 227 4 Travel Agency Hats No One Tells You About
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Take the podcast survey: https://forms.gle/CeqJQkuZbEZ6jNeZA
Get the Black Friday updates: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1189130
Summer Camp at Sea: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/
Think running a travel business is just about booking trips?
Let me give you a reality check.
You're actually juggling four major C-suite roles - CEO, CFO, COO, and CMO - on top of your regular travel advisor responsibilities.
Nobody prob...
Ep 226 Travel Advisor Wave Season Checklist - Your Complete Guide to Your New Year of Business
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Take the podcast survey: https://forms.gle/CeqJQkuZbEZ6jNeZA
Get the Black Friday updates: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/offers/view/1189130
Wave season is right around the corner, friends, and I'm walking you through my complete checklist to get your travel business ready for Q1 and Q2.
We're covering five essential areas, from reviewing your 2025 finances and updating your legal docs to scheduling your marketing efforts and creating a strategic sales calendar.
I'm sharing practical ti...
Ep 225 Group Tours Are Out and Cruise Vacations Are In: Stats and Strategies for Travel Agency Owners
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Submit your podcast feedback: https://forms.gle/Gxf7A6AQFVAmzbEn8
The fastest way to see what’s missing in your marketing, and what to do next: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1187247
Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
Group tours aren't necessarily out, but people ARE consistently choosing to go on cruises over them, and the numbers prove it.
We're looking at some juicy stats fro...
Ep 224 Lead Generation Strategies for Travel Advisors Preparing for Wave Season
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
The fastest way to see what’s missing in your marketing, and what to do next: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1187247
Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
If you want an inquiry filled Q1 and Wave Season, you need to start generating leads RIGHT NOW because the business you have three to six months from now is a direct result of what you're doing today.
I'm breaking down cre...
Ep 223 7 Reminders Travel Agency Owners Need to Know About Running Their Business
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
The fastest way to see what’s missing in your marketing, and what to do next: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1187247
Stop wasting hours hunting for cruise content: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
Let's talk about some business fundamentals that keep coming up for travel advisors and agency owners.
Whether you're brand new or you've been in the industry for years, these seven reminders cover everything from E&O insurance and legal agreements to cha...
Ep 222 Inside My Q4 Planning as a Travel Business Owner and Ideas You Can Use
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Join us for this year's Plan Your Year Workshop: https://prepforwaveweek.com/planyouryear
Get access to over 2000 cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
Quarter four is officially here, and I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how I'm planning October through December for my travel business.
From setting holiday boundaries to prepping Black Friday offers and mapping out 2026 industry events, I'm sharing my strategy so you can use it as inspiration for your own Q4 p...
Ep 221 What Is Hotel Representation and How Travel Advisors Can Leverage It for Better Client Experiences with Angelique Johns (Prep for Wave Week 2024 Replay)
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Save your spot for Prep for Wave Week :) https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/prep-for-wave-week
Get access to over 2000 cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
Hotel representation companies might be one of the travel industry's best kept secrets, and if you've never heard of them before, you're definitely not alone because I hadn't either when I first started in this business.
We're breaking down exactly what hotel rep companies do, how they're different from booking engines, and w...
Ep 220 Build a Travel Business That Runs Itself Through Strategic Operations and Systems with Courtnie Nichols (Prep for Wave Week 2024 Replay)
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Save your spot for Prep for Wave Week :) https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/prep-for-wave-week
Get access to over 2000 cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
You're running a business, not a hobby, and it's time your operations reflect that mindset.
I'm bringing back my conversation with Courtnie Nichols, the SOP queen who's built a travel empire using systems that actually work.
We're talking everything from AI-enhanced standard operating procedures to tech stacks that talk to e...
Ep 219 How to Reverse Engineer Your Travel Business Sales Goals for Maximum Profit (Prep for Wave Week 2024 Replay)
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Save your spot for Prep for Wave Week :) https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/prep-for-wave-week
Get access to over 2000 cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
You know that feeling when you're doing all the marketing stuff but your business still feels messy and unfocused?
That's because you're working forward instead of backwards, friend.
I'm breaking down exactly how to reverse engineer your travel business by starting with your actual income goals and working backwards to fi...
Ep 218 Travel Advisor Success Stories at Different Business Stages and Revenue Levels with Judi Lombardi, Leah Iudice, and Stephen Scott (Prep for Wave Week 2024 Replay)
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Save your spot for Prep for Wave Week :) https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/prep-for-wave-week
Get access to over 2000 cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
Get ready for some real talk about building a travel business that actually makes money!
I brought together three incredible travel advisors at completely different stages.
From a newbie who hit $500K in her first year to a seasoned pro running multiple businesses, they're spilling just a few of their s...
Ep 217 How Travel Advisors Can Find and Partner with Tour Operators with Mitch Bach
Send Rita a text with your thoughts!
Save your spot for Prep for Wave Week :) https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/prep-for-wave-week
Get access to over 2000 cruise video clips: https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1166776
Looking for tour operators who aren't just another name on the major booking platforms?
I'm breaking down the messy but wonderful world of finding those hidden gem operators who create truly unique experiences for your clients.
We explore the blurry lines between travel advisors and tour operators, decode confusing industry te...
