In this special bonus episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Shannon Cunningham, Director of Engagement at Gifted Travel Network, to celebrate Global Travel Advisor Day and GTN’s Travel Advisor Appreciation Week.

Together, Meredith and Shannon shine a light on the heart, resilience, and behind-the-scenes work that make travel advisors so valuable. They reflect on the entrepreneurial journey advisors navigate every day, the importance of celebrating both small and big wins, and the role community plays in making this career feel less isolating and more fulfilling.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that travel advisors are not just planning trips. They are building businesses, advocating for clients, creating meaningful experiences, and helping move the travel industry forward. Whether you’re a new advisor or a seasoned business owner, this conversation is a celebration of you and the work you do.

📖 Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8fTBU

Live Tickets: giftedtravelnetwork.com/event

Promocode: PODCAST

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Carol McKee of McKee Travel, a Travel MBA alum, GTN mentor, and seven-figure travel entrepreneur.

Carol shares how her background as a CFO and business owner shaped the way she approached building a travel business, and why so many advisors miss the mark when they focus only on trip planning instead of the business behind it. From understanding your numbers to creating systems that support growth, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build something sustainable.

They also explore:

• Why many advisors stay stuck in the break-even phase

• How to think about revenue, expenses, and real profitability

• The impact of sales yield and where money is often left on the table

• Why systems and processes matter more than most realize

• What to consider before scaling or building a team

Carol’s perspective is both practical and direct, offering a clear reminder that success in this industry is not just about selling travel, it’s about running a business.

If you’ve been busy but not seeing the financial results you expected, this episode will challenge how you think about growth and help you refocus on what actually moves your business forward.

Sign up for TBU LIVE with promocode PODCAST for $20 off your ticket: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/eventCarol's website: http://mckeetravel.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith Calloway is joined by Sarah Key, founder of The Keys to Travel.

Sarah shares her journey from corporate life to building a travel business that supports both her professional growth and personal life. From taking the leap into entrepreneurship to switching host agencies and navigating motherhood with two young kids, she offers an honest look at what it really takes to grow a business that evolves with you.

They also talk about building a brand that attracts the right clients, the role of community in long-term success, and how Sarah is creating more meaningful experiences through long-term travel planning for her clients.

If you’ve ever wondered how to create more flexibility, grow with intention, and build a business that fits your life, this episode will give you a grounded and practical perspective.

The Keys to Travel website: https://thekeystotravel.com/

Sarah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahrosekey

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Roseann Coyle of Sun Drenched Travel. A travel advisor, mentor inside Gifted Travel Network, and former insurance industry leader, Roseann brings a perspective most advisors never get access to, but absolutely need.

In this conversation, she breaks down why travel insurance should never be an afterthought. From common misconceptions to the risks of supplier plans versus third-party coverage, Roseann shares how a clearer understanding of insurance helps advisors better serve their clients while also creating an additional stream of revenue.

Beyond insurance, this episode explores how thoughtful touches like gifting can strengthen client relationships, what it really looks like to scale before you feel ready, and why many advisors get stuck when they don’t know their next step.

This episode is a reminder that building a successful travel business is not just about booking trips. It is about protecting your clients, creating meaningful experiences, and making decisions that support long-term growth.

🔗Roseann's website: https://www.sundrenchedtravel.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Robin Cline, founder of Cline & Co Travel Consulting. A former entrepreneur turned luxury travel advisor, Robin has built a highly successful, referral-driven business rooted in clarity, service, and strong client relationships.

Robin shares what it really looked like to launch her travel business just before the world shut down in 2020, and how she used that unexpected time to build a strong foundation. With a background working alongside high-net-worth clients in previous industries, she brought a unique perspective into travel, one that shaped her approach to service, branding, and client experience from the very beginning.

Throughout the conversation, Robin offers a refreshingly honest look at what it takes to move from “taking any client” to building a business that aligns with your strengths, interests, and long-term goals. She also breaks down how she scaled intentionally by hiring early, refining her workflows, and focusing on relationships that naturally lead to repeat business and referrals.

They also explore:

• Transitioning into travel during an uncertain time
• The importance of understanding your ideal client early on
• Why saying yes to everything can slow your growth
• Building a brand that creates trust and confidence
• Hiring before you feel “ready” and why it matters
• Creating a client experience that drives referrals and loyalty

Whether you’re just starting out or refining an established business, Robin Cline’s story is a thoughtful reminder that success in travel doesn’t come from doing everything, it comes from doing the right things well.

Robin's website: https://clineandcotravel.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Jennifer Jacob, Co-Founder of Tique HQ and host of the Tique Talks podcast. After scaling a multi-million dollar travel agency, Jennifer shifted her focus to helping advisors build more structured, sustainable businesses.In this conversation, Jennifer shares how her journey in travel evolved and why so many advisors struggle to grow without the right systems in place. As her business expanded, she saw firsthand how quickly success can turn into overwhelm when operations are not built to support it.Together, Meredith and Jennifer unpack what actually drives sustainable growth, from hiring and delegation to documentation and workflows. It is a practical look at how to build a business that runs consistently, not one that relies entirely on you.They also explore:• Why systems are the foundation of sustainable growth• The difference between personalization and consistency• What advisors often misunderstand about hiring• Jennifer’s perspective on W-2 employees versus contractors• How documentation creates freedom• The shift from travel advisor to business ownerWhether you are feeling stretched thin or thinking about your next stage of growth, Jennifer offers a clear reminder that long-term success is built on structure, not just sales.

Tique HQ Website: https://tinyurl.com/3mm647v7Jennifer Jacob's LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/yr3wmrrb

This week we had a special live recording of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast where we got to dive into one of the most powerful growth strategies in luxury travel: river cruise groups.

In this dynamic, candid panel conversation, host Meredith Calloway was joined by Gifted Travel Network advisors Carol Mckee (Mckee Travel), Patti Mills-Roy (Mills-Roy Luxury Travel), Emer Coughlin (Celtic Hearts Travel), and Sandy Lipkowitz (Sterling Journeys) where they shared how they have successfully built and filled profitable river cruise groups within their businesses.

They unpacked the real strategies behind their results, including:

• How they identified and developed special-interest group concepts
• Where they found the right audiences and how they positioned their offers
• The marketing approaches that actually filled their sailings
• The operational systems that kept their groups organized and profitable
• Lessons learned, pivots made, and what they would do differently

Whether you are new to group strategy or looking to refine and scale what you are already doing, this conversation will offer practical insight from advisors who have successfully integrated river cruise groups into sustainable, growth-minded travel businesses.

Celtic Hearts Travel: https://celticheartstravel.com/

Mckee Travel: https://www.mckeetravel.com/

Mills-Roy Luxury Travel: https://www.millsroyluxurytravel.com/

Sterling Journeys: https://sterlingjourneys.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, Sandy Saburn, Chief Communications Officer at Gifted Travel Network, steps in as host and is joined by Kristin Matthews, Vice President of Professional Development.

Together, they unpack one of the most overlooked but essential parts of running a travel business: crisis management.

From flight disruptions to global uncertainty, Kristin shares how advisors can prepare for the unexpected, communicate with confidence, and support clients through stressful situations. The conversation also explores the emotional side of navigating challenges as a solopreneur, and why having a strong community matters more than ever.

They also explore:
• Proactive steps advisors can take before issues arise
• How to stay informed using reliable, real-time sources
• Why travel insurance is a critical part of client care
• Communication strategies that build trust during uncertainty
• How to prioritize and support clients in real time
• The role of community in navigating high-stress situations

This episode offers a practical and honest look at the side of the travel industry that clients don’t always see, but that defines true professionalism.