In this episode of Bliss to Abundance, Kelli Hayes Smith and Cyndi Williams dive into one of the biggest cultural moments of the year—Taylor Swift’s engagement—and what it teaches us about marketing in the travel industry.

We talk about why authenticity is everything when weaving trends into your brand, and how understanding your ideal client shapes the way you show up in the market. From the power of SEO and local marketing strategies to building trust as a travel advisor, this conversation is packed with insights to help you grow your travel business.

You’ll also hear our take on why “travel agent” still matters for SEO, how Disney continues to be a niche with staying power, and why training the next generation of advisors is critical for the industry’s future.

Whether you’re dreaming up your next big marketing move or looking for clarity in your branding, this episode will inspire you to lean into what’s real for you and to rise with confidence in your business.

✨ Takeaways:

• Pop culture moments like Taylor Swift’s engagement can fuel your marketing strategy.

• Authenticity and brand voice matter more than trends.

• Knowing your ideal client changes everything.

• Travel agents should embrace the word “agent” for SEO visibility.

• Local marketing is a game-changer for trust and growth.

• Disney is still a powerful niche opportunity.

• Training and certification keep our industry strong.

Join Kelli Hayes Smith and Cyndi Williams as they share fresh insights from two major travel industry events—the Star of the Seas preview and Sandals St. Vincent. This episode dives into why industry events are more than just beautiful destinations; they’re opportunities to learn, create powerful content, and connect with clients on a deeper level.

From confidence in content creation to understanding your ideal client, we’ll break down the strategies travel advisors need to market with clarity and impact. Plus, hear about a new Royal Caribbean scholarship opportunity that can open doors for aspiring travel professionals.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your travel experiences into a thriving business strategy, this episode is your roadmap.

Episode Summary:
In this honest and inspiring episode, Cyndi Williams and Kelli Hayes Smith open up about the why and how behind their latest rebrand. From the early days of hot pink logos and "Cartoon Cyndi" to a full brand glow-up for Wanderlust Campus™ and Tripsy, they share real behind-the-scenes moments, mindset shifts, and what it means to build a brand that evolves with you.

Whether you’re in the early stages of building your business or feeling like your branding no longer reflects your growth, this conversation is packed with advice, encouragement, and a few good laughs (plus a cameo by... coffee creamer?).

In This Episode:

• How the Wanderlust brand began—and why it had to change

• Why branding is more than just logos and fonts

• What to do when your business (or you!) outgrow your brand

• The connection between branding, ideal clients, and aligned growth

• Personal stories of courage, pivoting, and stepping into your next season

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Wanderlust Campus™ Account → wanderlust-ceo.com

• Wander Beyond Retreat – Almost Sold Out!

• Follow on IG: @wanderlustceo, @careersonvacation

Host agencies are hiring, but can’t find qualified travel advisors. In this eye-opening episode, Kelli and Cyndi dive into the Travel Weekly article that sparked a deeper conversation about burnout, barriers to entry, and the disconnect between advisor expectations and host agency realities.

We’re sharing:

• Why over 60% of agencies report hiring struggles

• How undertrained ICs are slowing growth and causing burnout

• The difference between hobbyists and business owners

• Real stats from our vetted host partners about graduate success

• How boutique agencies can protect their growth (and their sanity)

• Why now is the time to invest in real training and certification

This episode is a must-listen for travel advisors, host agency leaders, and anyone passionate about the future of the travel industry.

🔗 Book your FREE goal mapping session
🎟️ Grab your seat for the Wander Beyond Retreat

Episode Description:

In this bonus episode of the Bliss to Abundance Podcast, Kelli Hayes Smith chats with Royal Caribbean’s Anthony Meloro about the Ovation of the Seas — one of Royal’s most versatile and elegant ships.

They explore:

• What makes Ovation stand out in the fleet

• Why it’s perfect for Alaska and short Mexico itineraries

• Ideal client profiles and how to qualify effectively

• Group travel opportunities, including Royal Celebrations

• How to increase commissions through strategic bookings

This is a must-listen for advisors looking to elevate their cruise game and deliver unforgettable experiences for their clients.

🎧 Listen in and start dreaming about whales, glass walls, and Tiki bars at sea.

🔗 Learn more at wanderlustcampus.com

In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith and Cyndi Williams unpack one of the biggest questions in the travel business today: Where should you invest to grow sustainably?

Whether you're just getting started or scaling your agency, this conversation dives into how to make smart, strategic investments—from education to tech to marketing.

You'll hear real talk about financial awareness, red flags in the industry, and how to evaluate opportunities that actually move the needle. They also share how Wander Beyond Retreat was built to offer real ROI—not just hype.

💡 Key Takeaways

• You don’t need to invest in everything—but you do need a plan.

• Knowing your numbers helps you make better decisions.

• The right education can shortcut years of trial and error.

• Not all conferences or trainings are worth the hype—evaluate ROI carefully.

• Marketing is evolving—organic alone isn’t enough anymore.

• Watch out for flashy marketing with no substance.

• Prioritize mentorship and strategy before scaling with tech.

• Tech should support your systems—not overwhelm them.

• Paid marketing isn’t optional if you want to grow.

• Mistakes are part of the journey—but so is learning from them.

🎧 Sound Bites

• “You don’t have to buy everything to be successful.”

• “Organic reach isn’t dead—but it’s not enough.”

• “We don’t just want you to feel good—we want you to grow.”

• “Strategy comes before automation.”

• “Wander Beyond was designed to give you real ROI, not just inspiration.”

  ⏱️ Episode Chapters

  00:00 – Kicking off the conversation on smart investments03:03 – What new agents really need to spend on first05:53 – How knowing your financials builds confidence08:40 – What to look for in courses, programs, and events11:39 – Red flags in industry marketing14:26 – Building an intentional investment strategy21:55 – Why so many agents get stuck in the marketing phase24:48 – How to avoid wasted spend on paid advertising28:06 – Lessons learned from marketing mistakes30:45 – Tech tools vs. tech overwhelm: finding the balance32:53 – The power of mentorship and coaching at the right time35:34 – Vetting tools, tech, and marketing partners36:26 – What makes Wander Beyond Retreat a strategic investment

🎧 New Podcast Description

This week’s episode is inspired by a powerful leadership conversation inside Wanderlust Campus — and it’s one travel professionals can’t afford to miss.

Kelli is joined by Cyndi Williams and the brilliant Jamie Santillo of Adventures by Jamie (and Wanderlust Campus coaching team!), who shares how her travel agency is seeing over 60% year-over-year growth.

Think travel sales are down? Think again. We’re pulling back the curtain on real sales data, industry shifts, and the exact strategies that are helping top-performing travel advisors not just survive — but scale.

We cover:

• 📈 Why some advisors are growing while others are struggling

• 💡 The marketing mistakes costing you clients

• 🌍 The rise of international and rail travel

• 🔄 The secret to creating repeat business

• 🤝 Why training in silos is holding the industry back

• 💬 The difference between traffic and conversion — and why you are the product

Plus, we’re inviting you to a free Wanderlust Campus Open House where you can ask your biggest questions and see what it’s really like behind the curtain.

🎟️ Register for the Open House: https://wanderlust-ceo.com/open-houses/
🧭 Get Your Free Wanderlust Campus Account: www.wanderlust-ceo.com
📲 Follow Jamie: www.instagram.com/adventuresbyjamie

Episode Description:

This week’s travel headlines are big—and we’re unpacking them all. Kelli Hayes Smith and Cyndi Williams dive into the stories making waves in the travel advisor world, from a real overboard incident on Disney Dream to the busiest travel week in 15 years, AI trip planning tools, and shocking Facebook account deletions.

In this episode:

• [00:01] Disney Dream incident: how to handle tough conversations with clients

• [06:43] TSA & AAA numbers confirm the biggest travel surge in 15 years

• [08:47] Niching, flexibility, and riding the travel trend waves

• [10:43] Loyalty marketing strategies to increase repeat clients

• [14:52] Flight cancellations, crisis management & advisor visibility

• [18:40] Why training programs matter (and most are falling short)

• [26:58] Google’s AI Trip Planner: threat or opportunity?

• [33:56] Using AI as a tool—not a replacement—for real service

• [37:11] “We Called It”: Facebook accounts being deleted for mass content

• [46:00] The exact policies Meta is cracking down on

• [52:26] Final reminders for Wander Beyond and our July 3rd payment plan deadline

🎟️ Get your Wander Beyond ticket: Join us October 2–3 at the Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World. Four-payment plans end July 3rd!

🎓 Access our free trainings + global calendar: Sign up for your free account at Wanderlust Campus.

💬 Have questions? DM us on Instagram or Facebook!

Follow Cyndi on Instagram

Follow Kelli on Instagram