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.

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!!

Meet @Adan Garza III 👋Adan brings a thoughtful, lived-in approach to travel — less about quantity, more about culture, experience, and capturing the moment. When he travels, he shows up fully… and yes, documents it properly 📸 Adan has been actively contributing across conversations from solo travel reflections to destination polls — sharing real experiences (including international travel) and adding depth to the discussion. That kind of presence helps shape the tone of this community. This group isn’t about rushing trips or chasing checklists. It’s about traveling in ways that actually mean something, and Adan embodies that spirit well. Adan, glad you’re here and appreciate you showing up the way you do. For the group: Do you travel more for the experience itself, the people you meet, or the memories you bring home? Welcome aboard ✨(And yes photos absolutely count as souvenirs 😄)

Meet @Mary Lyn Richardson 👋Mary Lyn is a retired graphic artist, which usually means she sees the world a little differently — noticing details, design, and the stories behind places, not just the landmarks. One Step Away Travelers is a space for people who enjoy travel as a form of expression and exploration, whether that shows up as photos, sketches, memories, or simply a quieter way of experiencing new places. Mary Lyn, we’re glad you’re here. When you’re ready, the pinned Start Here post will help you get oriented, but there’s no rush. For the group: Do you travel more for inspiration, relaxation, or discovery? Welcome aboard ✨(Creative eyes are always welcome here 😄)

Never Have I Ever: Travel Edition 🌍😏Alright travelers… time to confess. We’re trying something fun today: Never Have I Ever – Travel Edition. No pressure, no prizes, just stories, laughs, and the kind of travel chaos we can all relate to. I love games like this because they show how people actually travel — not the Instagram version. Some of you are seasoned globe-trotters. Some of you are “I triple-check the gate number” travelers. And some of you are quietly reading this thinking, I have stories I will never admit in public. 😅 I’ll go first: ✅ I have traveled somewhere mainly because the flight was cheap ❌ I have never blamed “bad Wi-Fi” to exit a travel situation ✅ I have pretended I knew what a landmark was when someone mentioned it ❌ I have always packed perfectly for a trip ✅ I have absolutely nodded along on public transit hoping I was going the right way Okay… your turn. Drop your own “Never Have I Ever – Travel Edition” below 👇Keep it light, funny, mildly incriminating, and travel-related. No judgment. No fact-checking. Just stories that remind us why travel is always a little unpredictable — and way more fun because of it. 🧳😂