 Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode features Sarah Little, senior vice president of business development for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).

Little has spent most of her career at ASTA fostering meaningful industry partnerships. Recently, she was honored as the godmother of AmaWaterways’ newest ship, AmaSophia. She attended the ASTA River Cruise Expo in March to participate in the vessel’s christening.

In this episode, Little reflects on the unexpected phone call that marked this major career milestone and shares recommendations for advisors looking to grow their river cruise business.

This episode is sponsored by the AmaWaterways.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

ASTA

AmaWaterways

From TravelAge West: ASTA River Cruise Expo 2026

Contact Sarah Little: slittle@asta.org

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

 

Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode features Sarah Little, senior vice president of business development for the American Society of Travel Advisors (<a href="https://www.asta.org/">ASTA)</a>.
Little has spent most of her career at ASTA fostering meaningful industry partnerships. Recently, she was honored as the godmother of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amawaterways.com/">AmaWaterways</a>&rsquo; newest ship, <a href="https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amasofia">AmaSophia</a>. She attended the ASTA River Cruise Expo in March to participate in the vessel&rsquo;s christening.
In this episode, Little reflects on the unexpected phone call that marked this major career milestone and shares recommendations for advisors looking to grow their river cruise business.
This episode is sponsored by the <a href="https://www.amawaterways.com/">AmaWaterways</a>.
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.asta.org/">ASTA</a>
<a href="https://www.amawaterways.com/">AmaWaterways</a>
From TravelAge West: <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Events/asta-river-cruise-expo-2026">ASTA River Cruise Expo 2026</a>
Contact Sarah Little: slittle@asta.org
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME. TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.&nbsp;
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
&nbsp;

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.

Humans of Travel

TravelAge West&rsquo;s podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences &mdash; the highs and the lows &mdash; that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat: Sarah Little, Senior Vice President of Business Development for ASTA, on Becoming a Ship Godmother

 Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode features travel advisor Natalia Yepes, owner of Adventuresque Travel Boutique.

As a former flight attendant for both American Airlines and United Airlines, Yepes is skilled in the art of handling difficult, sometimes dangerous situations, and navigating through them with ease and a sense of calm. 

During this episode, she shares how her training has translated to her role as a travel advisor, and offers advice to fellow agents on how to manage their own crises in business.

This episode is sponsored by the AmaWaterways.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Future Leaders in Travel

Yepes on Instagram

Adventuresque Travel Boutique 

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode features travel advisor Natalia Yepes, owner of <a href="https://www.adventuresquetravel.com/">Adventuresque Travel Boutique</a>.
As a former flight attendant for both American Airlines and United Airlines, Yepes is skilled in the art of handling difficult, sometimes dangerous situations, and navigating through them with ease and a sense of calm.&nbsp;
During this episode, she shares how her training has translated to her role as a travel advisor, and offers advice to fellow agents on how to manage their own crises in business.
This episode is sponsored by the <a href="https://www.amawaterways.com/">AmaWaterways</a>.
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.futureleadersintravel.com/">Future Leaders in Travel</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/adventuresquetb/?hl=en">Yepes on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.adventuresquetravel.com/">Adventuresque Travel Boutique&nbsp;</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME. TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.&nbsp;
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat: Travel Advisor Natalia Yepes on Preparing for (and Handling) a Crisis

Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, has dedicated 30+ years to the travel industry. Serendipitously, her very first job in travel was with a French hotel group, where she regularly worked with travel advisors. Krueger quickly recognized that personal connections were far more important than product, and she brought that line of thinking to future roles in wholesale travel before moving to Classic Vacations.
 
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Krueger reflects on the lessons that have shaped her as a leader, including building the right inner circle, being the kind of champion for others that you’d want for yourself and learning from the “scripts,” or examples, of others.
 
Krueger also outlines Classic’s cultural pillars and discusses making career advancement moves to fit life stages. She also explains Classic’s ownership evolution, up to its recent acquisition by TBO, and previews the company’s continued digital transformation. Even with forward motion on the tech side, Krueger says that “trust, time and humanity” are and will remain foundational to Classic and the travel advisors it serves.
 
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Classic Vacations

From TravelAge West: Classic Vacations to Be Acquired by TBO, an Indian Tech Company

Contact Krueger: officeoftheceo@classicvacations.com

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Melissa Krueger, CEO of <a href="https://www.classicvacations.com/">Classic Vacations</a>, has dedicated 30+ years to the travel industry. Serendipitously, her very first job in travel was with a French hotel group, where she regularly worked with travel advisors. Krueger quickly recognized that personal connections were far more important than product, and she brought that line of thinking to future roles in wholesale travel before moving to Classic Vacations. &nbsp; In this episode of Humans of Travel, Krueger reflects on the lessons that have shaped her as a leader, including building the right inner circle, being the kind of champion for others that you&rsquo;d want for yourself and learning from the &ldquo;scripts,&rdquo; or examples, of others. &nbsp; Krueger also outlines Classic&rsquo;s cultural pillars and discusses making career advancement moves to fit life stages. She also explains Classic&rsquo;s ownership evolution, up to its recent acquisition by TBO, and previews the company&rsquo;s continued digital transformation. Even with forward motion on the tech side, Krueger says that &ldquo;trust, time and humanity&rdquo; are and will remain foundational to Classic and the travel advisors it serves. &nbsp; This episode is sponsored by <a href="http://www.amawaterways.com">AmaWaterways</a>.
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.classicvacations.com/">Classic Vacations</a>
From TravelAge West: <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Tour-Operators/classic-vacations-tbo-acquisition">Classic Vacations to Be Acquired by TBO, an Indian Tech Company</a> <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Cruise/ncl-removes-ncfs"></a>Contact Krueger: officeoftheceo@classicvacations.com
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME. TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.&nbsp;
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Melissa Krueger: The CEO of Classic Vacations on Career Growth, Company Culture and Classic’s Tech-Forward Next Chapter

Archy Arushanyan, senior director of national field sales for the Globus Family of Brands, left Ukraine at 18 years old with limited English skills and just $35 in his pocket. That risk surely paid off; after beginning his career in travel as an agent for Escape Travel, he steadily rose into leadership roles, including 20 years with Liberty Travel and GoGo Vacations before joining the Globus Family of Brands.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Arushanyan shares more about his career trajectory, reflects on what sets Globus apart in the tour operator space and speaks to the evolution of touring. He also reflects on recent challenges (including during the COVID-19 pandemic), offers insight into the supplier-advisor relationship and shares why agents are central to the company’s success.

This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Globus Family of Brands

Globus Family Partners (Travel Agent Portal)

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.

TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Archy Arushanyan, senior director of national field sales for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globusjourneys.com/">Globus Family of Brands</a>, left Ukraine at 18 years old with limited English skills and just $35 in his pocket. That risk surely paid off; after beginning his career in travel as an agent for Escape Travel, he steadily rose into leadership roles, including 20 years with Liberty Travel and GoGo Vacations before joining the Globus Family of Brands.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Arushanyan shares more about his career trajectory, reflects on what sets Globus apart in the tour operator space and speaks to the evolution of touring. He also reflects on recent challenges (including during the COVID-19 pandemic), offers insight into the supplier-advisor relationship and shares why agents are central to the company&rsquo;s success.
This episode is sponsored by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.globusjourneys.com/">Globus Family of Brands</a>.
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
<a href="https://www.globusjourneys.com/">Globus Family of Brands</a>
<a href="https://agents.globusfamily.com/login/">Globus Family Partners (Travel Agent Portal)</a>
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOST&nbsp;
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME. TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.&nbsp;
<hr>
ABOUT THE SHOW&nbsp;
TravelAge West&rsquo;s award-winning podcast, &ldquo;Humans of Travel,&rdquo; features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry&rsquo;s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

Humans in the Hot Seat: Sarah Little, Senior Vice President of Business Development for ASTA, on Becoming a Ship Godmother

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