Shows
The Travel Business UnpackedFinding the Right Host for Your Travel Business with Shayna Zand from Host Agency ReviewsThis year, Meredith Calloway is kicking off The Travel Business Unpacked podcast with a conversation every travel advisor needs - whether you’re brand new, years in, or reconsidering your current setup. She’s joined by Shayna Zand, Managing Director of Host Agency Reviews, to break down what host agencies actually do, the most common misconceptions advisors still have, and how to choose the right “business home” for the long game.And if you’re actively exploring hosts—or just want to learn how to evaluate your options more strategically—Shayna gives a full preview of Host Week, Host Age...
2026-01-1948 min
The Lounge by TravefyWhat Host Agencies Wish Advisors Knew Before Joining with Shayna ZandChoosing a host agency can shape your entire travel business—but it’s often misunderstood.In this episode, we're joined by Shayna Zand from Host Agency Reviews to break down what host agencies are actually designed to do for advisors, and what they’re not.We unpack common misconceptions around fees and commission splits, why long-term success has more to do with fit and expectations than numbers on paper, and what truly separates advisors who thrive at a host agency from those who struggle, even within the same host.This episode is a must-l...
2026-01-1628 min
Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15Family travel? First year focus? Marketing activities?This week for the Friday 15, we've got a final in-house HAR special with the entire HAR crew, Shayna Zand, Abbey von Gohren, Rita Perez and Jenn Myers! So much to catch up on, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! What are a few things that families care about when they travel (other than the cost) that advisors can typically overlook or forget about?Having been a franchise owner, if you were advising a brand-new IC today, what would you tell them to focus on in their first year and what should they...
2025-12-1930 min
Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15Commission Splits? Selling Myself? Group Booking Contracts?Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Vacation Planners and Travel Planners International to host this week's Friday 15 to celebrate the beginning of the long weekend in the USA. You can check out their HAR profile HERE! Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !I am a huge fan of your podcasts and I look forward to listening to them each week. I have been in the industry for just over 2 years working part time while I build up my business. I am c...
2025-05-3020 min
Soul of Travel: Women's Wisdom and Mindful TravelSoul of Travel Celebrates IWTTFSend us a textIn this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful mashup showcasing wisdom from the Women in Travel CIC community about the International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum (IWTTF).Women in Travel CIC is a UK-based, award-winning social enterprise dedicated to fostering inclusion in the travel and tourism industry, by connecting underserved, diverse female and non-binary talent to employers and enterprising opportunities.Christine shares clips from:· Christina Lawford of Diamond Air International· Zina Bencheikh, Ma...
2025-05-2831 min
Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15Investing in my website? Do I really need an SEO strategy?Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Solstice Collective to host this week's Friday 15 to celebrate the beginning of the long weekend in the USA. You can check out their HAR profile HERE! Also, we have a veritable barrage of questions this week, which you can read below, and then come and join us at 12 pm CST for the podcast. Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !I mostly get new clients from referrals. What’s the value of investing in a professional webs...
2025-05-2318 min
Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15Group Travel Niches? Preferred Supplier Networks? Boutique Suppliers?Shayna Zand and Steph cohost with April Swales of Uniglobe Travel Center to host this week's Friday 15 to celebrate Travel Advisor Day/Month. You can check out their HAR profile HERE! You can scope out our questions below, then come and join us at 12 pm CST for the podcast! Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !1. I am thinking of getting into travel advising to share my love of animals. I have traveled to Kenya on a safari with a s...
2025-05-1622 min
Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15How To Trademark Your Agency? Interested in Multi-Gen Niche!Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Fora Travel to host this week's Friday 15 to celebrate the beginning of May. You can check out their HAR profile HERE! Also, we have a veritable barrage of questions this week, which you can read below, and then come and join us at 12 pm CST for the podcast. Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here:https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 !1. The name I wanted to move forward with is "Be Prepared Vacations." The focus is on Disney, so the "Be Pr...
2025-05-0916 min
Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15Meaningful Travel? Supporting Local Communities? Impact on Destinations?Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Cazavia Travel to host a special edition this week's Friday 15 to celebrate Earth Month. Cazavia’s host agency is Montecito Village Travel and you can check out their HAR profile HERE! Also, we have a veritable barrage of questions this week, which you can read below, and then come and join us 12 pm CST for the podcast. Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here!How can travel advisors influence client decisions without being pushy—especially when sustainability isn’t...
2025-04-2526 min
Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15Narrowing Niche? TA Discounts? Customer Support? Air/Car Rentals Worth Low Commissions?Shayna Zand and Steph join forces with Lori Speers to host this week's Friday 15. Lori's host agency is Levarte Travel and you can check out their HAR profile HERE! our co-host! Also, we have a veritable barrage of questions this week, which you can read below, and then come and join us 12 pm CST for the podcast. Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here!1. Why is it so hard to narrow down a host on a general niche (like Mexico AIs)? 2. What's...
2025-04-1823 min
Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15ID Number to Sell Travel? Newbie as a Sub-Agent? Transferring Clients?Our Managing Director Shayna Zand takes the helm this week at the Friday 15, with Connie Miller of Montecito Village Travel as our co-host! Check out Montecito's profile here and the questions below that Shayna and Conni will tackle this Friday at 12 pm CST.Don't forget that you can submit questions and sign up for reminders for the F15 here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 1. Do you really need an Identification number to be seen as a travel agency.. or can I essentially just book someone's trip for them? I’m not sure I want to find a h...
2025-04-1123 min
Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15When to LLC? How to Deal with Failure? Which Course To Take?In episode 195, we have a HAR Team special with Shayna Zand and Rita Perez! Here are the questions they’ll cover in this week’s episode! At what point should you LLC (so as to protect your assets), even if your income is not large yet? How do you deal with failure? I feel lost on which course to take. There seems to be the ASTA roadmap, This Accelerator course, and then the TRIPKIT course, which all seem to have rave reviews. But what's the difference?RESOURCES:➡️ Travel Agency Business Structures: How to Choose https://hos...
2025-02-1420 minSoul of Travel: Women's Wisdom and Mindful TravelAllyship, Inclusivity, and Women in Tourism Leadership with Shayna ZandSend us a textIn this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Shayna Zand.As WeTravel's Director of Partnerships & Enterprise Sales, Shayna Zand brings with her 12+ years in the tour operator space and working with various partners in the travel industry. She joined the team in May 2022 to build relationships with existing and new partners. She also is the Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors for Tourism Cares and is based in Toronto, Canada. She loves to travel and has had...
2024-11-131h 02
Strategic Travel Entrepreneur: Business Tips for Travel Agents/Advisors, Travel Agency Owners, and Travel Business OwnersEp 102 Tech Solutions for Travel AdvisorsSend Rita a text with your thoughts!The Travel Tech Audio Summit launched on 5/31 and I wanted to share some short snippets from the 30-40 minute long interviews. Listen in to hear incredible stories of entrepreneurship and learn about some of the amazing tech you as travel advisors, or even suppliers, can take advantage of.Special thank you to our Summit Featured Speakers:Irving Betesh, CEO and Founder at SionDavid Chait, CEO at TravefyDebby Corwin, Founder at T...
2023-06-0250 min