Travel has this magical way of shaking the dust off your brain. One minute you’re staring at your own navel, the next you’re wide‑eyed, curious, and remembering there’s a whole world out there that doesn’t revolve around your to‑do list. When I was a teenager, I was obsessed with Reader’s Digest—mainly the humour pages. I clipped the best bits and glued them into a scrapbook like some people collect stamps. Eventually my business Filofax became the grown‑up version: part diary, part comedy notebook, part “what on earth just happened on that fam trip” log. One day, a few colleagues got hold of it. They decided my observations were far too funny to stay hidden in the leather binder. Their laughter ended up nudging me into a sales manager role… which then opened the door to becoming the UK director for a major travel consortium. All from a Filofax full of travel‑fuelled nonsense. Proof that in this industry, curiosity—and a good sense of humour—can take you a very long way.

I’ve spoken with more travel professionals across more situations than most people ever will. Conferences, trade shows, webinars, airport lounges, casual conversations—every corner of the industry. And there’s a pattern I can’t ignore anymore: Most of them are boring. Even the energetic, outgoing ones somehow manage to make me drift off. The reason is straight forward: They all sound like a sales brochure. Not a memorable one either—more like the generic kind you find in a hotel lobby rack, full of interchangeable phrases that could describe any destination, any company, any person. A Bit of My Background Before anyone thinks this is just cynicism, here’s the context. I spent about ten years as the director of a highly successful travel company in London. My work focused heavily on Spain, Turkey, and Southern Africa—three regions I know deeply, not just as products but as lived experiences. I’ve seen how powerful authentic storytelling can be, and I’ve also seen how quickly canned marketing language kills genuine interest. Why So Many Professionals Sound the Same The U.S. travel industry leans hard into polished, “professional” language. The problem is that this language has been recycled so many times it’s lost all meaning. Words like exclusive, unforgettable, tailored, and bucket‑list get tossed around until they become white noise. Strip away the branding, and most pitches are indistinguishable. The Fix: Find Your Own Voice Finding your voice isn’t about volume or enthusiasm. It’s about being unmistakably yourself. It’s the difference between: “We create customized, immersive travel experiences across the globe…” and "The first time I watched the sun rise over the Drakensberg, I understood why people fall in love with Southern Africa. That’s the kind of moment I help people find.” One is marketing. The other is human. How to Break Out of Brochure‑Speak - Tell the truth, not the tagline. What do you genuinely love about the places you send people? - Use real language. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend at a backyard barbecue, don’t say it to a client. - Share moments, not features. People remember stories, not bullet points. - Let your quirks show. Your voice is the only thing your competitors can’t copy. - Aim for connection, not perfection. Travel is emotional. Your communication should be too.

When you travel, what usually feels best for you? ◯ Just one bag ◯ One bag + carry-on ◯ Carry-on + checked bag There’s no “right” answer here. Some people value speed and flexibility. Others value comfort and having options. What matters most is how you like to move through airports and destinations. If you want, comment why you chose yours that context helps others who feel unsure about what they “should” be doing.

Quick gut check 👀When it comes to drink packages on a cruise, what do you usually do? This is one of those decisions people either: - Overthink for weeks 😅 - Or don’t think about at all No right or wrong — just curious how you approach it. Vote below 👇 and feel free to share your reasoning in the comments if you want. Poll options: - 🍹 I usually get the drink package — less to think about - 🤔 It depends on the itinerary / trip vibe - 💳 I skip it and just pay as I go (If you’ve changed your mind on this over time, that counts too.)

Look Guys, I must apologize. For the last 3 days I have been absent. I promise not to do that again!!. I have been overwhelmed with mandatory OT at my job, my car is parked for what I hope is only another week(ongoing car issues involving someone attempting to steal it and damaged it) and if you are ADHD you know that overwhelm can knock you down- Ironic because that's what I am here to help you with in the travel arena!. I am back with renewed spirit and at the very least.. you should know what is going on. After all my goal here is not to just spew out my knowledge and be the only one posting or to only offer you trips. So I am here and I would love to hear your wins for this week so i can live vicariously through you! Seriously this would mean so much to me. If you need a one -on -one. I have 30 min slots opened up on Sundays, Weds, and Thursdays. Simply DM me if you need any thing, have recommendations, or just want to talk about anything... I am here for you!!. In the meantime... Please share your wins!!