Hello Advisor!
We have a lot of new readers this week. I want to welcome everyone to the Voyagr Insights Newsletter. Every 2 weeks, we send out a newsletter with an Industry News Roundup, Destination Trio, a Voyagr update, and more. The sections can change from week to week.
If you have any suggestions, want to be featured in an advisor spotlight (to give other advisors tips), or just want to say hi, reply to this email!
🗞️ Industry News Roundup
1. New restrictions and visa rule changes
A November update on travel restrictions details new or tightened rules affecting travelers from more than a dozen countries, along with a U.S. State Department policy requiring immigrant visa applicants to interview in their country of nationality or habitual residence starting November 1. These changes add new layers of complexity for certain international itineraries and long‑term relocation‑related travel.
Why It Matters:
Creates a timely reason to reach out to clients with 2026 international plans, review routes, and flag documentation issues early.
Gives you high‑value educational content (“here’s what’s changing and how we protect your trip”).
Reinforces your positioning as a risk manager and rules expert, not just a trip booker.
2. How advisors are using technology to grow
A recent FindAHostTravelAgency.com feature outlines how travel advisors are leaning into AI, automation, and modern booking tools to save time and deepen client relationships. Examples include using AI to draft itineraries and emails, employing automation for workflows and reminders, and leveraging specialized booking platforms to capture “small” bookings that previously would have been unprofitable.
Why it matters:
Offers practical tech categories (AI assistants, CRM automation, booking engines) you can audit in your own business.
Supports the message that tech is there to free you for high‑touch service, not replace your advisory role.
Pairs well with educational newsletter content about how your agency is investing in tools to better serve clients.
3. Carnival’s advisor‑centric growth thesis
An analyst piece explores how Carnival Corporation’s intensified focus on the travel advisor channel—through events like CruiseWorld, expanded trade support, and targeted incentives—could drive a new era of profitability and yield management for the cruise giant. The article argues that advisors remain key to filling higher‑yield cabins and complex itineraries, even as direct and online channels grow.
Why it matters:
Reinforces your value story to cruise clients: major lines see advisors as profit drivers, not a cost center.
Suggests ongoing or expanded advisor‑only promos, training, and co‑op marketing are likely to continue.
Gives you authoritative language for your newsletter about why booking cruises through an advisor benefits both clients and suppliers.
Black Friday Deals!
This article rounds up current Black Friday travel promotions—covering hotel companies, tour operators, and other suppliers—with details advisors can use to promote deals to clients.
Top 3 Deals Highlighted
Sandals Resorts & Beaches Resorts – Up to 65% off luxury stays and up to $2,000 resort credit at Sandals (through Dec. 2, 2025) for travel through 2027.
Royalton Luxury Resorts – Early launch of Black Friday sale across its portfolio (from Nov 6) with no blackout dates for stays through Dec 2026.
Nobu Hotel Chicago – Booking Nov 27–30, 2025, gives 35% off stays through Aug 2026.
🌍Destination Trio: Three unique destinations to recommend
Limerick, Ireland
Founded by Vikings in the 9th century, Limerick is one of Ireland's oldest cities but also one of its quirkiest, showcasing fine riverside walks, refreshed wharfs, and a vibrant foodie scene. This ancient city on the River Shannon features King John's Castle (one of Europe's best-preserved Norman fortresses), St. Mary's Cathedral, The Hunt Museum, and a wealth of Georgian architecture. Beyond the city, clients can explore the charming village of Adare, the stunning Clare Glens, and the 40km Limerick Greenway. Perfect for clients seeking authentic Irish culture without Dublin's crowds.
Best time: May - September for warmest weather and long daylight hours
Christchurch, New Zealand
Known as the "Garden City," Christchurch offers meticulously maintained botanical gardens, innovative urban regeneration following recent earthquakes, and serves as the perfect gateway to South Island adventures. This vibrant city provides easy access to nearby ski fields, whale watching in Kaikoura, wine country, and stunning Canterbury landscapes—all with excellent infrastructure and genuine Kiwi hospitality. Perfect for clients seeking outdoor adventures with urban sophistication.
Best time: January - February for the warmest weather and summer activities
Kyushu, Japan
Japan's third-largest island offers everything travelers love about Japan—cherry blossoms, hot springs, temples, incredible food—without the tourist crowds of Tokyo and Kyoto. From Fukuoka's vibrant yatai street food culture to Beppu's bubbling hot springs, Nagasaki's moving history, and active Sakurajima volcano, Kyushu delivers authentic Japanese experiences. The island is known for warm, humid summers and mild winters, making it easy to visit year-round with earlier cherry blossoms than the rest of Japan.
Best time: March - May and October - November for ideal weather and cherry blossoms or autumn colors
Travel Industry Black Friday
The 3rd Annual Travel Industry Black Friday Event from Rita Perez is now live. It features more than 20 Black Friday promotions tailored to travel advisors and agency owners — including deals from educators, tech companies, coaches, suppliers, and other industry partners. A Goody Bag of free resources is also available.
🗓️ Now – Dec 1, 2025
Event Page: https://travelindustryblackfriday.com
Goody Bag: https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/bfgoodybag/
If you’re looking for new tools or planning your business investments for 2025, this roundup is a helpful place to start.
Voyagr Update
We have decided that starting in January 2026, we will charge a monthly subscription fee for use of our platform. We will still have a free option available, but for certain features, there will be a $5.00 per month or $50.00 annually fee. For those of you who were early users on our platform, there will be no fee.
The above fee is for individual advisors who are not part of a host agency. If you are part of a host agency, we are charging the fee to your host agency.
Why are we doing this? Our original goal was to raise money from investors, but in the last few weeks, we have decided not to raise money and keep building. To do this and maintain the platform, we need to charge a fee.
Some of the features that are coming in the near future are:
Project Expedition Inventory Booking
Commission Tracking
Advanced Reporting
Proposal/Itinerary Builder
Client Intake Forms
External Commission Tracking (you can add external commissions to our commission tracking, but they will not be paid by us).
If you have any questions, you can email me at: [email protected]
If you or someone you know wants to sign up for Voyagr, you can do so here: https://voyagr.travel/create-account
Thanks for reading! Forward this to a colleague who could use these insights, and if you have tips to share with fellow advisors, reach out to be featured in an upcoming issue.
