ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors

⏰ Register by THIS FRIDAY to book a ship accommodation or post-Expo sailing! ⏰ Are you looking to increase your river cruise business? Or are you already a river cruise pro and want to see the latest in river cruising and fleet offerings across several river cruise brands? If your answer is yes, make plans now to join us at this year's ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna, Austria, March 12-16. Due to expanded ship inventory for this very popular event, we still have a limited number of spots available to attend—but you'll want to act now, as two important deadlines are quickly approaching. Register today: https://bit.ly/rce25 Important Deadlines: 🗓 Friday, January 10: This is the deadline to register and book accommodations and/or a post-Expo sailing on ships with remaining space. (Cabins are available for new registrants only and excludes those who are already registered for the Expo and have previously made their cabin selections.) 🗓 Monday, February 3: This is the final day to register for the Expo. No registrations can be accepted after this date. For those who register after the January 10 accommodations/post-Expo sailings deadline, accommodations can still be made at our host hotel, the Hilton Vienna Waterfront, or elsewhere in the city. About the Expo: ASTA's River Cruise Expo provides travel advisors with a unique opportunity to experience the best of European river cruising. This includes: ☑️ The ability to tour 15 river cruise ships from 11 river cruise brands ☑️ Four days of meals on ships ☑️ Industry-leading educational content to supercharge your river cruise sales ☑️ A supplier trade show and several days of networking opportunities ☑️ A free Vienna Pass to explore more than 25 of Austria's most iconic sights and attractions 🌟 We also have a very limited number of VIP Admission spots available, which includes a VIP cocktail mixer and advanced access to make dining selections on ships during the Expo.

Join us for a partner webinar on Wednesday, January 22, at 2 p.m. ET with TravelXM for a Masterclass about one of the most prosperous and effective destinations in the world for nature, culture interaction, rainforest and beaches paradise—Costa Rica. During this webinar, you will increase your knowledge about Costa Rica’s multiple capabilities in travel success for Family Vacations, Couples Getaways, Group Escorted Travel, Corporate Retreats, FIT Generalized Customized itineraries, General Travel Values, safety and comfort. Register now: https://bit.ly/3W99ps0

"I never imagined becoming a travel advisor. For 19 years, I was a stay-at-home mom, or as I liked to call it, a “Domestic Engineer.” My husband traveled often, and I kept busy raising our daughters and planning annual trips for our family and friends. I loved organizing every detail, from activities to itineraries. But when my oldest daughter graduated, we planned a trip overseas for the first time—London and Paris. Suddenly, I realized how overwhelming it was to do it all myself. Through a friend, I met Shelly Phillips, a travel advisor. She planned the trip for us, and I was blown away. Every detail was perfect. A few years later, when my youngest daughter graduated, Shelly planned an even more amazing trip to Greece and Italy. For the first time, I saw what a great advisor could do—and how meaningful their role could be. When both girls graduated and moved out, Shelly suggested I try becoming a travel advisor myself. At first, I laughed it off. I was considering a part-time job at a bakery, but Shelly insisted, “No, you’d be great at this!” I decided to give it a try. I joined Shelly’s agency, Travel By That Girl, in September 2022, taking my time to learn the ropes under her mentorship. In March 2023, I attended ASTA’s River Cruise Expo, and it was a turning point for me. Seeing the investment ASTA makes in travel advisors and the industry was inspiring. I came back motivated to grow my business and set a goal to sell river cruises. This year, I achieved that goal, booking three cruises, which felt like a big success for someone just starting out. What I love most about being a travel advisor is the connections I make with people. On one of our group cruises, I met an 89-year-old woman who loved dancing as much as I do. Night after night, I’d find her on the dance floor, or she’d come looking for me to join her. On the last night, she asked, “Will you come dance with me?” That simple moment reminded me why I love this job—it’s about creating joy and helping people make memories they’ll never forget." -Lisa Sullivan, independent agent with Travel By That Girl, a Travel Leaders Network affiliate agency

Make this the year you take your business to the next level! Join us for the 2025 ASTA Travel Advisor Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 20-22. Don’t wait to register—secure your spot today! This is THE industry event to learn new and innovative ways to sell travel while gaining the insights and skills you need to effectively manage and grow your travel business. The conference features educational content in three distinct tracks—for professionals at all levels within the industry—and opportunities to connect with more than 200 travel suppliers who want to support your business. That's not all. You can also earn your ASTA Verified Travel Advisor certification onsite, joining an elite group of travel advisors and gaining more clients by being featured on ASTA’s new consumer search tool, VeriVacation. You don’t want to miss out on this conference. Learn more and register now: https://bit.ly/tac2025

Join us for a member webinar on Wednesday, January 8, at 2 p.m. ET with ASTA’s Vice President of Advocacy Jessica Klement for an overview of ASTA’s advocacy priorities in 2025. The new year welcomes a new Congress and new (but not new) Administration to the White House. What do these changes mean for travel agencies and travel advisors? How will your voice be heard among competing voices? Learn how you can become more involved and help ASTA achieve our advocacy goals. Register now: https://bit.ly/4gknwCN

Where will your travels take you in 2025? 🌍 A travel advisor can turn any bucket list dream into reality. From customizing private tours to perfecting every last detail - like your favorite wine waiting in your hotel room - they’ll ensure every moment of your journey is tailored just for you. Get more out of traveling in the new year with the expertise and care of a trusted expert! #traveladvisor #travelyoucantrust #2025travel

Before we step into a new year, here’s a reminder of why we evolved from the American Society of Travel Agents to the American Society of Travel ADVISORS ⤵️ 1. Travel advisors not only book travel, they cultivate an experiential itinerary geared towards your interests. 2. A travel advisor understands what you truly want to get out of each trip, even when you don’t. 3. They have access to benefits you can’t get otherwise - our industry is built on relationships. 4. The travel agency community specializes in those things you simply cannot find online. 5. Travel advisors are as important to your specific travel needs as an accountant is to your financial needs.

ASTA Verified Travel Advisors (VTAs) are part of a distinguished group known for their travel industry knowledge, ethics and professionalism. Enroll or recertify today: https://bit.ly/3VuM2YM

The future is looking bright for 2025 and beyond ✨

Happy holidays from ASTA.