Humans of Travel

Hosted by TravelAge West - Hosted by Chelsee Lowe

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100

Latest episode

Nov 2026

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EN-US

About the show

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.

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60 recent

November 2, 20267 min

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetter RacQuelle Major-Holland (Best Use of Social Media)

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S. The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories: Best Targeted Marketing Idea Best Group Booking Effort Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40 Saving the Day Best Use of Social Media This episode features RacQuelle Major-Holland of Major Adventures Travel , also known as MH Family Adventures on social media. Major-Holland was nominated in the Best Use of Social Media category. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Major Adventures Travel MH Family Adventures on YouTube Group Cruises With Major Adventures Travels TravelAge West Wave Awards TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November 2, 20266 min

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetter Jared Hanel (Best Group Booking Effort)

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S. The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories: Best Targeted Marketing Idea Best Group Booking Effort Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40 Saving the Day Best Use of Social Media This episode features Jared Hanel of Travel With Alan at Direct Travel . Hanel was nominated in the Best Group Booking Effort category. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Jared Hanel via Virtuoso Travel With Alan TravelAge West Wave Awards TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November 2, 20266 min

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetter Amy Leon (Saving the Day)

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S. The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories: Best Targeted Marketing Idea Best Group Booking Effort Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40 Saving the Day Best Use of Social Media This episode features Amy Leon of Adventures by Amy . Leon was nominated in the Saving the Day category. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Adventures by Amy on Facebook Adventures by Amy on Instagram TravelAge West Wave Awards TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 19, 202629 min

Matias Lira on the Power of Professional Drive and the Launch of Abercrombie & Kent by Crystal Cruises

On this episode of Humans of Travel, Matias Lira, senior vice president of trade sales, the Americas, at Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group and Crystal Cruises , discusses his path from cruise ship bellboy to top sales executive. A “horrible student” but long determined to climb the proverbial professional ladder, the Miami native credits his mother for helping him understand the value of a dollar and the hard work required to earn one. As a young adult, Lira even delivered bread in the Florida Keys to establish his financial independence. In the second half of the show, Lira highlights the new Abercrombie & Kent x Crystal Cruises product — an exclusive cruise offering that blends the deep land tour expertise of Abercrombie & Kent with the luxury cruise experience of Crystal. The first Abercrombie & Kent x Crystal Cruises trip departed this past summer and received much praise from guests, about 60% of whom were new to both brands, Lira notes. Listen in to learn more. This episode is sponsored by Oceania Cruises . Enjoying Humans of Travel? Follow the podcast! Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts Listen and follow on Spotify RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Abercrombie & Kent Crystal Cruises Abercrombie & Kent x Crystal Cruises A&K x Crystal Cruises: Europe’s Atlantic Shores A&K x Crystal Cruises: An Epic Voyage Around South East Asia A&K x Crystal Cruises: Autumn in New York and Canada From TravelAge West: These Are the Trends Driving Luxury Travel, According to Abercrombie and Kent Travel Group From TravelAge West: Preview: Crystal’s Crystal Grace ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 5, 202633 min

Janet Wygert on 40 Years at Carnival, Baseball and Supporting Travel Advisors

On this episode of Humans of Travel, Janet Wygert joins host Chelsee Lowe to discuss her nearly 40-year career with Carnival Cruise Line , her life as a wife and mother and her love of the Milwaukee Brewers. Serendipitously, the foundation of Wygert’s career was laid in college, when a cruise line recruited students from her Midwestern university to lead onboard children’s programming during school breaks. After graduating college, Wygert moved to Miami, applied for a job at Carnival and joined the inside sales team. Today, she is senior vice president of sales and trade marketing, where she spends her days forging strong relationships with travel advisors and developing innovative ways to help them build their businesses. Listen in to hear more. This episode is sponsored by Oceania Cruises . RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Carnival Cruise Line Funnel Faves Celebration Key From TravelAge West: Getting to Know Janet Wygert, Carnival’s New SVP of Sales and Trade Marketing From TravelAge West: Preview: Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 21, 20266 min

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetters Kieran and Sherri Murry (Best Targeted Marketing Idea)

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S. The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories: Best Targeted Marketing Idea Best Group Booking Effort Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40 Saving the Day Best Use of Social Media This episode features Kieran and Sherri Murry of Ignite-U Travel by Dream Vacations . The duo was nominated in the Best Targeted Marketing Idea category. Episode sponsor: Travel Insured International RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Ignite-U Travel by Dream Vacations Ignite-U Travel on Facebook TravelAge West Wave Awards TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 21, 20267 min

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetter Jackie Matthews (Best Group Booking Effort)

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S. The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories: Best Targeted Marketing Idea Best Group Booking Effort Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40 Saving the Day Best Use of Social Media This episode features Jackie Matthews of Adventure Awaits World Travel, who was nominated in the Best Group Booking Effort category. Episode sponsor: Travel Insured International RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Adventure Awaits World Travel Viking TravelAge West Wave Awards TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 7, 202638 min

Live From Future Leaders in Travel: Business Wisdom From Sales Experts Joe Leon, Marc-Antoine Kamel and Mickey McBride

In this live episode of Humans of Travel, host Chelsee Lowe talks smart business growth with Joe Leon, vice president of sales, the Americas for Silversea; Marc-Antoine Kamel, national director, Canada, for Norwegian Cruise Line; and Mickey McBride, vice president of sales for Avoya Travel. The trio attended Future Leaders in Travel in Mexico’s Riviera Maya last month to share their career paths and impart business wisdom to both travel advisors and fellow suppliers in the audience. The panel discussion covers tackling professional and personal curveballs, taking risks, finding mentors, building confidence, dedicating time each day to business development, leveraging personal networks and much more. Listen in for practical and applicable ideas from three great business minds. This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International . RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Future Leaders in Travel Silversea Norwegian Cruise Line Avoya Travel Lomas Hospitality El Dorado Royale Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 24, 202630 min

Marcus Williams of Impressive Travels On Group Travel, Being Consistent and Overpacking in the Name of Fashion

Marcus Williams is the owner of Houston-based travel agency Impressive Travels . After spending years in the medical world, Williams was inspired to pivot to the travel industry after his own destination wedding in Jamaica — seeing the joy his family and friends experienced abroad made him want to build similar vacations for others, and to educate people on the feasibility of travel. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Williams talks about group trips — including a recent Crop Over experience he hosted in Barbados — as well as how consistency, professional boundaries and ongoing education have helped him scale his business. Williams explains how firsthand destination knowledge and daily social media posts drive his success, with about 60% of business coming from social media. He also talks about balancing growing professional demands with family life, his love of fashion, how he prides himself on knowing where to send clients for a good time (clubs, hookah bars) in destination and a new HipHop Party Boat product he’s building in partnership with Renny Travel in the Dominican Republic. This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International . RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Impressive Travels Impressive Travels on Instagram Impressive Travels on Facebook Impressive Travels on TikTok Global Travel Marketplace Events Renny Travel and HipHop Party Boat ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 10, 20268 min

Humans in the Hot Seat: TravelAge West Trendsetter Hope Reynolds (Best Targeted Marketing Idea)

Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S. The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories: Best Targeted Marketing Idea Best Group Booking Effort Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40 Saving the Day Best Use of Social Media This episode features Hope Reynolds of Timeless Travel Collective , who was nominated in the Best Targeted Marketing Idea category. Episode sponsor: Travel Insured International RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Timeless Travel Collective Timeless Travel Collective on Instagram TravelAge West Wave Awards TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards ABOUT YOUR HOST Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base. The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.