Travel Creator Yazan Koudsi (@zizotravels) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a career as an LGBTQ+ travel influencer with over 3 million followers. In this episode, Yazan shares his approach to creating content for LGBTQ+ travelers, including his number one priority: "The first thing LGBTQ+ people care about is safety." Host Ross Borden explores Yazan's evolution from posting travel photos as a flight attendant to becoming a sought-after travel advisor for major platforms, diving into his content strategy for hotels, his experience with tourism boards, and his memorable encounter with a U.S. state that wanted him to "keep it low key" regarding his identity. Yazan offers candid insights about platform monetization, revealing that Facebook surprisingly outpays both TikTok and Instagram for video views. Whether you're interested in travel content creation or seeking authentic perspectives on global destinations, this conversation delivers valuable insights on building a career while maintaining authenticity in an ever-changing social media landscape.
To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com
00:00 - Introduction to Yazan Koudsi
01:02 - Living in Puerto Rico and Travel Lifestyle
02:17 - From Flight Attendant to Travel Creator
03:32 - Middle Eastern Roots and 80 Countries Traveled
04:43 - Working as a Travel Advisor
06:04 - TikTok as a Search Engine
07:07 - Hotel Partnerships and Collaboration Strategy
10:28 - LGBTQ+ Travel Safety and Representation
12:08 - Brand Partnerships Gone Wrong
13:09 - Gay-Friendly Destinations and Puerto Rico
15:22 - Top Destinations for Queer Travelers
16:49 - The Business of Being a Creator
18:34 - Facebook vs TikTok Monetization
21:02 - Authentic Content and Platform Differences
22:08 - Overcoming Creator Burnout and Comparison
23:05 - Three Countries for Life Question
24:56 - Where to Find Yazan Online
