Engagement also means advocacy.
I’ ve long been passionate about supporting our profession through American Society of Travel Advisors( ASTA). Serving as Past President of the ASTA Central Atlantic Chapter and now as an At-Large Member of the National Board of Directors has given me a deeper understanding of how legislative issues and industry policies directly affect our businesses. Having a seat at the table matters. Protecting and strengthening our profession ensures that we can continue to serve our clients with confidence and credibility.
Supporting our travel partners is another essential part of staying engaged.
Our relationships with cruise lines, Destination Management Companies( DMCs), hotels, and tourism boards are built over time and grounded in trust. When we invest in those partnerships, we gain insight, access, and the assurance that our clients will be well cared for throughout their journeys.
For me, being involved through Women of Travel Leaders Network, ASTA leadership, and partner engagement has played a significant role in growing my business. It keeps me informed, connected, and continually learning. Most importantly, it allows me to show up at a higher level for my clients.
This engagement builds something incredibly valuable: our network. And when we build our network, we build strength behind our business. We gain advocates who support us, trusted relationships that give us insight and access, and the kind of“ back pocket” knowledge that only comes from being present and involved. That collective power ultimately benefits the people who matter most – our clients.
ABOUT MELINDA
Melinda Fortunato is a passionate travel advisor in the Washington DC area with over 12 years of experience in the travel industry and a lifetime of travel experience as a military wife and child. She is the owner of Best Travel, a luxury travel agency that provides high touch service and custom travel planning. Melinda actively advocates for the travel advisor industry as a Champion for Women of Travel Leaders and At-Large Member on the ASTA Board of Directors.
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Melinda Fortunato, owner, Best Travel
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