468. Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell
Release Date: 03/18/2026
469. Empathy and Self-Awareness in Difficult Conversations, with Dayne Whitehurst
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with communication and leadership specialist Dayne Whitehurst, and author of “Empathy Impact: The Wild Effects of Kindness in Action”. She explains why communication is central to building collaborations, developing relationships, and driving sales. Dayne also explains how personal triggers can get in the way of our communications and provides strategies for identifying and pushing past those triggers. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dayne became an expert in communication and de-escalation How recognizing and addressing...
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468. Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Joshua Harrell, Chief Revenue Officer at WorldVia, joins me to discuss the evolution of travel advisors in the United States in a post-pandemic world. Joshua shares his insights on how content creation can help travel advisors build their businesses, and he offers some fantastic practical tips for sharing great content with your audience. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Joshua transitioned from a background in marketing and entrepreneurship into the travel advisor industry How the travel advisor profession has evolved to provide...
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467. Can AI Improve Visitor Experience? with Dan Flores
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, all about using AI in the travel industry. We discuss how conversational artificial intelligence can help drive revenue and operational efficiency, and Dan offers real examples of where this AI is being deployed and how it has had real impacts. We also talk about adoption rates of AI within the tourism industry, and Dan shares a framework for approaching this new technology in your organization. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dan Flores transitioned from a long career in tourism...
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466. Indigenous Tourism and Community Impact at Métis Crossing, with Juanita Marois
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Juanita Marois, CEO of Métis Crossing, shares her personal experience in developing a tourism destination tied to her roots as a Métis Indigenous person from Canada. She shares in detail how the destination engages visitors by sharing what makes them special, including the experiences Métis Crossing offers—from paddling down the North Saskatchewan River in voyageur canoes to wandering historic buffalo habitats, indulging in Indigenous cuisine, and soon, relaxing at a uniquely Métis-inspired wellness spa. We also talk about collaboration and how...
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465. Collaboration Drives Success in Small Town Destination Marketing, with Clare Marie Ritter
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Clare Marie Ritter, Motorcoach Coordinator at the historic Penn Wells Hotel and Lodge in rural Pennsylvania. She shares her experience positioning a smaller, less well-known destination. We talk about the foundations of successful collaborations and why building a supportive network has been crucial to her success. Clare brings vivid examples of successful collaborations, from multi-state itineraries to connecting with neighboring museums, that prove even “off the beaten path” destinations can thrive with teamwork and creative...
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464. Insights from the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno Part 2, with Nicole Mahoney
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with industry leaders from across the country at the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno, Nevada, to uncover what’s next for destinations, attractions, and travelers. You’ll hear from Josef Kruger of US Ghost Adventures, Aisha Jones of Mystic Seaport Museum, Jana Carter from Visit Annapolis, Kay Calzolari of Visit Winston Salem, Meredith Dollevoet from Cartersville Museum City, Jim Vozzella with 360Chicago, and Debra Tassone from Discover Long Island. Together, they share fresh insights on how storytelling, immersive...
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463. Group Travel Trends for 2026: Voices from the ABA Marketplace in Reno Part 1, with Nicole Mahoney
Destination On The Left
This episode of Destination on the Left is a special roadshow edition recorded live at the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno, Nevada. I’m joined by a fantastic group of industry leaders to hear first-hand how collaboration is playing a critical, mission-driven role in the future of group travel, moving beyond a “nice-to-have” and becoming essential for success. My guests discuss the economic impact of group travel and the importance of restoring cross-border connections between the U.S. and Canada, to creative regional itineraries, and share ideas for navigating the...
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462. How Tourism Fuels Economic Growth in Rural Livingston County, with Maureen Wheeler and Ashley Comeau
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Maureen Wheeler, Deputy Director of Livingston County Economic Development, and Tourism Director Ashley Comeau to discuss the strategic moves Maureen’s department made to bring tourism under the same roof as economic development. We talk about business retention and expansion, building robust small destinations, and why visitor spending is critical for rural areas. Ashley and Maureen also share more about the business plan contest designed to attract breweries, restaurants, and experiential businesses to the area, and how that...
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461. Using Tech to Create Exceptional Visitor Experiences, with Sondra Shannon
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Sondra Shannon, CEO of Gatemaster Tech. Sondra and I discuss the art and importance of creating exceptional visitor experiences and how technology can help attractions remove friction for guests, increase revenue, and stand out in a competitive landscape. She also shares why keeping guests informed leads to happier experiences and how, just by walking around their attraction, leaders can turn firsthand insights into an improved guest experience. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why removing friction from the guest journey is...
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460. Prioritizing Return on Experience (ROX), with Lisa Conarton
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Lisa Conarton, CEO of LC Elevated Hospitality, who shares compelling examples of what it means to be a leader in the hospitality and tourism industry. We discuss the importance of building trust, why collaboration is key to success, and the difference between ROI and ‘return on experience’ (ROX). Lisa also shares how people can be proactive rather than reactive and why understanding how to go with the flow is so important. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Lisa built her career path in hospitality and tourism, moving from...
info_outlineOn this episode of Destination on the Left, Joshua Harrell, Chief Revenue Officer at WorldVia, joins me to discuss the evolution of travel advisors in the United States in a post-pandemic world. Joshua shares his insights on how content creation can help travel advisors build their businesses, and he offers some fantastic practical tips for sharing great content with your audience.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How Joshua transitioned from a background in marketing and entrepreneurship into the travel advisor industry
- How the travel advisor profession has evolved to provide personalized value for travelers
- What content creation means for travel advisors and how becoming a content creator at any level can help build an audience and demonstrate expertise
- How Joshua encourages travel advisors to overcome the fear of content creation with his mantra: “get going, get smart, then get good”
- Why he advises advisors to align their business with personal passion and interests
- How collaboration between travel advisors and supplier partners leads to mutual business growth
- Marketing systems and foundational strategies Joshua recommends to help advisors streamline their marketing
The Modern Travel Advisor
Once upon a time, the idea of a travel agency conjured images of mall storefronts and swivel chairs. But today’s travel advisor is a totally different breed, part consultant, part marketer, and 100% expert.
Pre-2020, many Americans believed DIY online booking made travel advisors obsolete. But it was really the post-pandemic world that revealed just how valuable a travel professional can be. Whether unraveling complex travel restrictions or finding that off-the-beaten-path experience, advisors offer insider knowledge and advocacy that algorithms simply cannot replicate.
Building Authority and Community
Successful advisors aren’t just travel experts; they’re also storytellers, educators, and digital community builders, whether they do it by sending curated newsletters, going live on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, or sharing firsthand travel experiences on social channels.
Don’t be fooled into thinking only “influencers” can play the content game. Most successful travel advisors are content creators at some level. The key is helping potential clients see not just what you know, but how you think, your personality, experience, and specializations shining through. Start where you’re comfortable, learn as you go, and trust that consistency breeds improvement and audience growth. The perfect lighting or equipment can wait. What matters is showing up and sharing your expertise.
The Secret Sauce for Sustainable Growth
The real magic happens in collaboration. Joshua backs this up with real stories, discussing the power of reaching out to suppliers, account managers, and fellow advisors. Whether joining mastermind calls, exploring new product lines, or simply sharing best practices, these partnerships unlock opportunities you might never have considered.
He shares an example of an advisor who built a thriving business creating group trips for botanical societies, all sparked by a single phone conversation with a tour operator’s representative.
Resources:
- Website: https://worldviatravelnetwork.com/
- LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaharrell/
- LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldvia/
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