The Four Essential Truths About Travel for Entrepreneurs

Get ready, adventurers! In today’s Travel Tuesday blog post, “Four Truths About Travel,” I’m sharing my personal journey. I’ve uncovered some incredible truths through my years of exploring the globe. Join me as I reveal how travel has transformed my life and it can do the same for you! 🌍✨✈️

My name is Bill Garner, and I am from Birmingham, Alabama. I wear many hats – an educator, a football coach, and a co-founder of Bigtime Ministries. My career in education and ministry isn’t just a job; it’s a calling that deeply resonates with my core. Yet, about a decade ago, I found myself in a financial bind that many of you might relate to. The endless cycle of living paycheck to paycheck was constant. As a result, month after month, I faced the daunting reality of having “more month than money.”

The Crossroads

The financial strain was a wake-up call, pushing me to a crucial crossroads. I could either abandon my calling for a higher-paying job, which was unthinkable. Or I could embark on a journey to find a side hustle that aligned with my passions and promised financial liberation. The choice was clear. I ventured into the entrepreneurial world, seeking a permanent solution.

Exploring Entrepreneurial Horizons

My journey into entrepreneurialism began with an eager search for ways to make money online. Initially, I joined several businesses, hopeful they were the right path. While these early ventures provided valuable learning experiences, I wasn’t super excited about the product offerings. This ultimately contributed to my efforts falling short in both businesses.

I first dipped my toes into the home-based business arena with a health and wellness company.  I didn’t have a genuine passion for health and wellness when I started that business.  So, needless to say, I struggled to sell products I was not taking myself. I didn’t have much success in my first endeavor. As a side note, I have developed a deeper appreciation of health and wellness as I have gotten older.  My mind has definitely shifted in this area.

My second journey into the online marketing world was a personal development platform. I believe in personal and professional development as an educator, so I thought this would be an easy sell.

I discovered very quickly that most people buy what they want and need. But most often, they will not buy what they should have. With the availability of personal development material via YouTube, Rumble, and social media, convincing people to spend $200 per month for video courses was a hard sell. So, that company eventually went out of business.

When that company shut down, I faced a barrage of new opportunities via the vultures who began circling on my Facebook page. I listened to several offers, but none resonated with me. The idea of making additional income sounded amazing, but I struggled to find a solution that I could get truly excited about. Then, I had a eureka moment: travel.

Turning Travel into Prosperity

I loved to travel. It was a product that excited me and something I could share with others. This decision has been a God-send, a game-changer. Embracing travel as my business has supplemented my income and allowed me to explore more in the past five years than in the first forty years of my life.

I’ve been blessed to meet people worldwide. Our travel community has opened doors for new friendships and business connections. In essence, this community has become an extended family. We travel the globe together, build community, network, talk business, and care for one another.

As a travelpreneur, I’ve learned much about this 9 trillion dollar industry. I’m not here to tell you that I know everything, but I can tell you this is a business I believe in.

If you take COVID out of the equation, travel is an industry that has continued to grow over the past 20 years. In fact, once the world started reopening, the demand for hotels, resorts, and cruises has accelerated exponentially, even in this economy where so many are struggling.

As the industry continues to grow and expand, there are estimates that travel will exceed 15 trillion in revenue in the next 10 years. So, it’s definitely an expanding business with plenty of room for growth for entrepreneurial-minded individuals wanting to capitalize on this trend in the market. This is where fortunes are made.

Unveiling the Truths of Travel

In this post, “The Four Essential Truths About Travel for Entrepreneurs,” I aim to help you better understand how the travel industry works, expose some common myths, avoid unnecessary spending, and maximize your dollars to get the best vacations. Additionally, I’ll show you how to capitalize on the $9 trillion travel industry to create a secondary source of income. So, let’s dive into these truths and discover how you can turn your passion for travel into a rewarding and profitable lifestyle.

1.  You Should Never Pay Retail

Like many, I used to book my travels through popular platforms, convinced I was snagging the best deals. Little did I know I was merely scratching the surface of what’s possible. The realization hit me hard – these platforms, dominated by giants like Booking Holdings and Expedia Group, often offer only retail prices.

A whole world of travel beyond these retail giants is waiting to be explored. These online booking engines don’t offer net rates, which are typically lower prices available only to those in the travel industry or through exclusive memberships. Instead, customers pay retail, unaware of the substantial savings they could achieve through alternative avenues. By exploring other options, I discovered how to access these net rates, dramatically reducing my travel expenses and opening up a world of luxurious possibilities previously thought unattainable.

2. You Don’t Need to Book with a Travel Agent

The internet has revolutionized travel booking, making it accessible and personalized. In the past 20 years, the market share of travel agencies has drastically declined, with a drop of nearly 60% as more travelers prefer the convenience of click-and-order services. As a result, once the gatekeepers of exclusive deals and intricate itineraries, travel agents now struggle against the tide of digital booking platforms that offer ease and immediacy. I discovered that curated trip programs could offer the best of both worlds without the retail markup.

3. Avoid the Timeshare Trap

Initially, timeshares seemed like a smart investment for someone with a zest for travel. However, the deeper I delved, the clearer the drawbacks became – from steep initial costs and escalating maintenance fees to the lack of flexibility and a challenging resale market. Timeshare presentations are incredibly pressure-filled, often leaving attendees feeling coerced into making a hasty decision. In fact, studies show that in 2024, nearly 70% of timeshare owners regret their purchase, and a staggering 85% are actively seeking ways to get out of their timeshares.

It dawned on me that the evolving landscape of travel club memberships offers much more freedom and value. Unlike the rigid structure of timeshares, travel club memberships provide curated experiences. This allows members to choose when and where to travel without being tied to ongoing fees and difficult resale processes. These memberships are affordable and often come without the burden of long-term contracts. The best travel memberships offer flexibility, personalized itineraries, and exclusive deals, making them a smarter and more financially sensible choice for modern travelers.

4. Unlock Income Opportunities Without Becoming a Travel Agent

The most groundbreaking realization was that one doesn’t need to be a traditional travel agent to earn in the travel industry. Affiliate programs, especially within travel clubs, have opened a new horizon for me. They provided a way to access incredible travel deals and a platform to generate income by sharing this opportunity with others.

A New Chapter

As we navigate through the waves of inflation and the evolving economic landscape, secondary income streams have become more crucial than ever. The resurgence of the travel industry post-COVID offers a fertile ground for both saving and earning. It’s an exhilarating time to be part of an industry on the brink of expanding from 9 trillion to an anticipated 15 trillion in the next decade.

If you’re ready to travel more, save money on your trips, and earn additional income in this booming market, join our amazing community. Avoid the pitfalls of timeshares and paying excessive retail prices—discover how to get maximum value and unforgettable vacations. We even have options for affiliates who don’t want to have to recruit or build teams. Our community could be your one-stop shop on your journey to TRAVEL, SHARE, and EARN.

Opt-in now for more information and start your journey toward financial freedom and endless adventures!

Let’s make 2024 a year of new adventures and financial freedom together.

Bill

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