Podcast Interview Summary: Becky Lukovic on Luxury Travel
This podcast features Mark Murphy from Traveltube.com interviewing Becky Lukovic, a luxury travel advisor with My Bella Travel who has been in the industry for approximately 24 years.
Key Highlights:
Getting Started in Travel
* Began her career around 9/11 after helping friends and family plan trips as a backpacker.
* Started with online travel school and initially joined a host agency, eventually moving to Travel Experts about 10 years ago.
* Travel Experts operates on a 100% commission model with a monthly fee (approximately $580/month or ~$7,500 annually) rather than commission splits.
Business Model & Clientele
* 60-70% of clients are luxury travelers, with the remainder in the "high premium" category.
* Growing demographic: solo women travelers and small groups of women (40s-70s) who travel together.
* Planning fees: $125 per adult for cruises; $450-$700 for custom FIT trips; $1,900/year subscription option for unlimited planning and concierge services.
Luxury Travel Insights
* Virtuoso membership and preferred partner relationships are crucial, providing clients with perks like daily breakfast, hotel credits, and personal connections with hotel management.
* The value proposition isn't just amenities—it's the personal relationships that ensure clients are recognized and well-cared for.
Hot Destinations & Products
* Japan remains extremely popular (though expensive due to demand).
* Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand) seeing strong interest.
* Recently experienced Viking Explorer cruises, comparing them favorably to Seabourn and Silversea for their hotel-like feel, inclusive pricing, and quality service.
Industry Philosophy
* Strong believer in "community over competition" among travel advisors.
* Advocates for elevating the profession beyond "card mills" and MLM models.
* Emphasizes that professional travel advising requires deep expertise, not just a hobby for free travel.
* Created "Caio Bella" (women's travel club) and "Caio Amici" (adventure travel for everyone) to build community through local events in Atlanta.
Cruise Preferences
* Focuses on premium and luxury lines that provide high traveler satisfaction.
* Particularly interested in expedition ships and smaller luxury vessels (20-cabin boats on rivers/Amazon).
* Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection gaining strong traction.
Personal Approach
* Shifted from budget backpacking in her 20s to understanding that luxury travel can offer deeper cultural connections through private guides and authentic experiences.
* Believes luxury travelers deserve products that "wow" rather than are just "fine".
* Advocates for travel advisors to take personal trips separate from FAM trips for self-care.
The interview provides valuable insights into building a successful luxury travel advisory business, the importance of professional networks, and evolving trends in high-end travel.
