River cruising is one of the fastest-growing verticals for many travel agencies. In this episode, listeners will hear from Hank Schrader, who owns Dream Destinations with his wife, Anne, about their success in the space — all thanks to blogging.

This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways. 

Further resources

Hank Schrader's website, blog and email

Mentioned in this episode:
Jamie’s projecttrackingnew travel advisors
TravelAge West’s Trendsetter Awards
Emma’s reels on river cruise lines’ dating profiles: part one and part two
Hank’s Travel Weekly article

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

River cruising is one of the fastest-growing verticals for many travel agencies. In this episode, listeners will hear from Hank Schrader, who owns Dream Destinations with his wife, Anne, about their success in the space &mdash; all thanks to blogging.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://advisors.amawaterways.com/agent-login">AmaWaterways</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
Hank Schrader's <a href="https://www.dreamdestinations.com/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.dreamdestinations.com/blog">blog</a> and <a href="mailto:hschrader@visitdd.com">email</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Jamie&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Meet-the-advisor-class-of-2024">project</a> <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Revisiting-the-advisor-class-of-2024">tracking</a> <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Revisiting-the-advisor-class-of-2024-Part-2">new travel advisors</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">TravelAge West&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/wave-awards/trendsetters">Trendsetter Awards</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Emma&rsquo;s reels on river cruise lines&rsquo; dating profiles: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHTvOT8PydG/?img_index=1">part one</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHWLPK8t_Bu/?img_index=1">part two</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Hank&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Articles/How-to-choose-the-right-river-cruise-line">Travel Weekly article</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners’ questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more — as long as it’s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at travelweekly.com/podcasts.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:

Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors’ 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.

Emma Weissmann brings more than a decade of reporting and editing experience to her role as Features Editor at Travel Weekly, where she covers destinations and retail travel and contributes to social media, podcast and multimedia initiatives. Before joining Travel Weekly, Emma served as Editor-in-Chief of AGENTatHOME and Executive Editor of TravelAge West and hosted the Humans of Travel podcast. She also helped create and produce the Future Leaders in Travel event for early-career travel advisors.


Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners&rsquo; questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more &mdash; as long as it&rsquo;s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at <a href="http://travelweekly.com/podcasts">travelweekly.com/podcasts</a>.
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:
Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors&rsquo; 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.
Emma Weissmann brings more than a decade of reporting and editing experience to her role as Features Editor at Travel Weekly, where she covers destinations and retail travel and contributes to social media, podcast and multimedia initiatives. Before joining Travel Weekly, Emma served as Editor-in-Chief of AGENTatHOME and Executive Editor of TravelAge West and hosted the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts/Humans-of-travel">Humans of Travel</a> podcast. She also helped create and produce the Future Leaders in Travel event for early-career travel advisors.
<hr>
 Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: <a href="https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop">https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop</a> License: <a href="https://filmmusic.io/standard-license">https://filmmusic.io/standard-license</a>
<hr>
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Trade Secrets Podcast

Trade Secrets

Honest to blog: How one agency turned blogging into river cruise gold (feat. Hank Schrader)

This week on Trade Secrets, Kimberly Wilson Wetty discusses her transition from being the longtime co-owner and co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) to her newest venture, Keep Wondering Why. Wetty reflects honestly on the decision to sell VWT – which was first acquired by another family-owned business before transitioning to ownership by Chase Travel Group – and making the choice to branch out on her own. This episode also delves into Wetty’s passion for ensuring that all travelers feel welcomed and respected.

This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International. https://www.travelinsured.com/

Further resources

Kimberly Wilson Wetty on LinkedIn

Keep Wondering Why on the web, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook

Mentioned in this episode:
Valerie Wilson on Humans of Travel
Wilson Wetty’s LinkedIn posts
 Breaking the glass
Don’t crush the butterfly

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trade Secrets, Kimberly Wilson Wetty discusses her transition from being the longtime co-owner and co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) to her newest venture, Keep Wondering Why. Wetty reflects honestly on the decision to sell VWT &ndash; which was first acquired by another family-owned business before transitioning to ownership by Chase Travel Group &ndash; and making the choice to branch out on her own. This episode also delves into Wetty&rsquo;s passion for ensuring that all travelers feel welcomed and respected.
This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">https://www.travelinsured.com/</a>
<hr>
Further resources
Kimberly Wilson Wetty on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlywilsonwetty/">LinkedIn</a>
Keep Wondering Why on the <a href="https://kwwinc.com/">web</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/kwwinspireyourwhy/">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kwwinspireyourwhy">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kwwinspireyourwhy">Facebook</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Valerie Wilson on <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts/Humans-of-Travel/Humans-of-Travel-Valerie-Wilson">Humans of Travel</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Wilson Wetty&rsquo;s LinkedIn posts</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kimberlywilsonwetty_generationalreadiness-kww-luxuryconsultant-activity-7458174394717155328-eZZz?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAABLWrEwBipYMyaXk4AKT1tuR_Omwhg5mtS8">Breaking the glass</a></li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kimberlywilsonwetty_keepwonderingwhy-familybusiness-generationalreadiness-activity-7483581639252430848-UFYh?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAABLWrEwBipYMyaXk4AKT1tuR_Omwhg5mtS8">Don&rsquo;t crush the butterfly</a></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Breaking the glass:” From family-owned Valerie Wilson Travel to a new homegrown initiative (feat: Kimberly Wilson Wetty)

Inspired by a listener question from travel advisor Megan Vatnsdal, owner of Onyx & Evergreen Travel, Trade Secrets explores what’s going on with travel agency bookings. Join co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada in conversation with Cruise Planners’ Michelle Fee and Oasis Travel Network’s Ryan Ranahan, who offer a birds-eye view of what their advisors are experiencing right now, for the rest of the year and even into 2027 and 2028.

This episode was sponsored by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.

Further resources

Cruise Planners

Oasis Travel Network

Ryan Ranahan on LinkedIn

Need advice?

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspired by a listener question from travel advisor Megan Vatnsdal, owner of Onyx &amp; Evergreen Travel, Trade Secrets explores what&rsquo;s going on with travel agency bookings. Join co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada in conversation with Cruise Planners&rsquo; Michelle Fee and Oasis Travel Network&rsquo;s Ryan Ranahan, who offer a birds-eye view of what their advisors are experiencing right now, for the rest of the year and even into 2027 and 2028.
This episode was sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.expeditions.com/">National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions</a>.
<hr>
Further resources
<a href="https://www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com/">Cruise Planners</a>
<a href="https://www.oasistravelnetwork.com">Oasis Travel Network</a>
Ryan Ranahan on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-ranahan-3b57988/">LinkedIn</a>
<hr>
Need advice?
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are travel bookings slowing down right now? (feat. Michelle Fee and Ryan Ranahan)

The world of entertainment travel can be similar to both luxury leisure and corporate travel, but don’t be fooled: it’s really a beast of its own. This week on Trade Secrets, delve into the world of entertainment travel and everything it entails, from multimillion-dollar contracts and high security clearances to catering to multi-page hotel riders and booking transfers for dogs. Co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada are joined by MD Travel Services’ Michael Dovey, Travel Princess Inc.’s Wendy Nyi-Baylock and ALTx Collective’s Corey Slee, all advisors under Global Travel Collection’s entertainment division. This episode was recorded during GTC’s Arrive conference in Austin in June.

This episode was sponsored by National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions. 

Further resources

ALTx Collective on Instagram

Wendy Nyi-Baylock and Travel Princess Inc. on Instagram

MD Travel Services on the web and Instagram

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world of entertainment travel can be similar to both luxury leisure and corporate travel, but don&rsquo;t be fooled: it&rsquo;s really a beast of its own. This week on Trade Secrets, delve into the world of entertainment travel and everything it entails, from multimillion-dollar contracts and high security clearances to catering to multi-page hotel riders and booking transfers for dogs. Co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada are joined by MD Travel Services&rsquo; Michael Dovey, Travel Princess Inc.&rsquo;s Wendy Nyi-Baylock and ALTx Collective&rsquo;s Corey Slee, all advisors under Global Travel Collection&rsquo;s entertainment division. This episode was recorded during GTC&rsquo;s Arrive conference in Austin in June.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.expeditions.com/">National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/altxcollective">ALTx Collective</a> on Instagram
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/travelprincess212/">Wendy Nyi-Baylock</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/travelprincessinc">Travel Princess Inc.</a> on Instagram
MD Travel Services <a href="https://www.mdtravelservices.com/">on the web</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mdtravelltd/">Instagram</a>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Honest to blog: How one agency turned blogging into river cruise gold (feat. Hank Schrader)

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