As a complete newcomer to the travel industry, coming from a background with zero experience in travel or hospitality, I was a bit intimidated when I decided to start my own travel business. Joining Anchor Travel Experts has been an absolute game-changer. I had to learn an entirely new set of skills from scratch—everything from booking systems to client management—and the owner, Kristi, has been incredible. She's always available to answer my questions, provide guidance, or point me in the right direction, which has made the learning curve so much more manageable. What I love most is the sense of community here. Our team of agents is spread out across the country, but we make it a point to connect virtually once a month on Teams. These meetings are super helpful for sharing tips, discussing trends, and just building that camaraderie that keeps things fun and collaborative. I never feel like I'm out on my own, flailing around trying to figure things out—there's always support when I need it. At the same time, Anchor Travel Experts truly respects that this is my business. Kristi encourages and supports me to grow and develop it according to my own vision, without micromanaging or imposing her ideas. It's the perfect balance of independence and backing. If you're looking for a host agency that offers genuine support while letting you run your show, I highly recommend Anchor Travel Experts. It's been empowering and exciting!

After nine years as a stay-at-home mom—and with a prior career in a completely unrelated field—I decided to jump headfirst into the travel industry. Before making that leap, I spent several months researching host agencies, and that process ultimately led me to Gifted Travel Network. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an exceptional company. What initially drew me to GTN was a podcast by Meredith Calloway, where she spoke candidly about how being a travel advisor should be a profitable business, not a hobby. She shared lessons from her early career and explained how she intentionally built an agency and culture that teaches advisors to think like entrepreneurs from the very beginning. That message deeply resonated with me. While I knew I loved travel and would thrive in many aspects of this career, the business and entrepreneurial side felt intimidating—and GTN addressed that head-on. As I continued my research and learned more about the Travel MBA program and the long-term mentorship offered beyond it, I knew GTN was the right fit. So far, it has exceeded my expectations in every way. The Travel MBA program truly set me up for success—from Jumpstart week, to building a brand, to learning how to confidently and professionally plan complex trips for clients. I have done more business in my first year than I ever anticipated, and I attribute that directly to the education, resources, and connections GTN provides. Because of GTN’s global partnerships and incredible advisor community, I now have the confidence to say “yes” to nearly any destination—China, Japan, Italy, France, and beyond—knowing I have trusted partners and fellow advisors willing to share their expertise. It’s an incredibly supportive environment, and while I work independently and run my own business, I truly feel like I’m part of something bigger. Lastly, the support staff at GTN is outstanding. Their responsiveness, professionalism, and genuine care make an enormous difference and reinforce why choosing Gifted Travel Network was the best decision I could have made.