Welcome back to The Travel Advisor Life! In Episode 7, host Amy Westerman, Founder of Curated Travel Collection, explores five common myths that can quietly hold travel advisors back from building successful businesses.
From believing they’re not good at sales to worrying that following up will annoy clients, Amy explains how these limiting beliefs can influence decisions and prevent advisors from taking opportunities.
Drawing from her own experiences and conversations with hundreds of travel advisors, Amy shares real examples of thoughtful follow-ups that led to bookings, explains why advisors don’t need to know everything before selling a destination, and highlights the importance of community.
She also reminds listeners that comparing themselves to others isn’t fair and that a slow year doesn’t mean failure.
The message is simple: Question the stories holding you back and take the next step anyway.
In This Episode:
[00:01] The Myths Advisors Believe About Themselves
Amy introduces five limiting beliefs that can prevent travel advisors from growing.
[00:50] How Self-Doubt Shapes Decisions
Why the stories advisors tell themselves influence client follow-ups, sales opportunities, and confidence.
[01:43] Myth #1: “I’m Not a Salesperson”
Amy explains why selling isn’t about being pushy. It’s about helping clients make confident decisions.
[02:33] Selling Is Serving
Your clients already want the trip. Your role is to guide them, reduce stress, and help make it happen.
[03:26] Myth #2: “Following Up Means I’m Bothering People”
Amy explains why unanswered emails don’t always mean rejection and why thoughtful follow-ups matter.
[04:19] Following Up With Value
A Costa Rica family vacation example shows how sharing useful information can lead to a booking.
[05:12] Personal Recommendations Make a Difference
How river cruise insights and resort updates helped advisors reconnect with clients.
[06:10] Leaning on Your Advisor Community
Why sharing knowledge and experiences with fellow advisors strengthens client relationships.
[06:59] Myth #3: “I Need to Know Everything Before I Can Sell It”
Clients don’t expect you to know everything. They need someone who can find reliable answers.
[07:50] Confidence Comes From Experience
Amy explains why professionalism means learning, researching, and building relationships.
[08:47] Myth #4: “Everyone Else Has It Figured Out”
Social media shows the highlights, not the cancellations, slow weeks, and challenges behind them.
[09:35] Myth #5: “If I Had a Slow Year, I’m Failing”
Amy reflects on seasons when family and life required her business to take a backseat.
[10:24] The Fear Behind These Myths
Amy explains how limiting beliefs can disguise fear and prevent advisors from taking action.
[11:15] Challenge One Myth This Week
Identify one belief, question whether it’s true, and take one small action to prove it wrong.
[12:03] Stay Connected
Amy invites listeners to share feedback, suggest topics, and explore the travel advisor lifestyle.
Why This Matters
Success as a travel advisor isn’t just about destinations, suppliers, or sales skills. It’s also about the beliefs that shape your decisions.
You don’t need to be a traditional salesperson to serve clients well. You don’t need every answer before booking a trip. And you don’t need to compare your progress to someone else’s highlight reel.
As Amy explains, “You’re not selling, you’re serving.”
Thoughtful follow-ups build trust. Community provides support and knowledge. And slower business seasons don’t erase everything you’ve accomplished.
A slow year is not the end of your story. It’s a chapter.
The advisors who grow aren’t necessarily the ones without fear. They’re the ones who recognize limiting beliefs, challenge them, and keep moving forward.
Action Steps for Listeners
- Identify which of the five myths resonates with you most.
- Ask yourself: Is this actually true, or is it just familiar?
- Reframe selling as helping clients make confident decisions.
- Follow up with valuable information instead of simply checking in.
- Lean on your advisor community for knowledge and support.
- Stop comparing your journey to someone else’s highlights.
- Remember that slow seasons don’t mean failure.
- Take one small action this week that challenges a limiting belief.
Resources & Links
Curious about life as a travel advisor?
https://curatedtravelprofessionals.com
Curated Travel Collection
https://curatedtravelcollection.com
Subscribe & Stay Connected
If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Travel Advisor Life, leave a rating or review, and share it with a fellow advisor who needs encouragement.
Remember: Travel is simply the vehicle. The life you build is the destination.
