(This is a short clip of the full podcast available 3/18/2025)

Jen's Expert Recommendations

As a travel professional and owner of Divine Destinations, Maki shared some of her top recommendations for destinations and travel experiences that are generating exceptional customer satisfaction:

Emerging Caribbean Destinations

"I would say some of the newer Caribbean islands, that maybe Americans haven't really thought much about, (other than maybe they stop for a day or two on a cruise) such as the ABC Islands, and specifically Curaçao, have been very, very popular," Maki explained. These less-frequented destinations offer unique experiences beyond the typical Caribbean vacation.

European River Cruises

Seasonal experiences like Christmas market cruises have been particularly successful. "I was just on a Christmas market cruise back in December," Maki shared, noting how these cruises connect travelers with iconic European traditions and stories that many Americans associate with Christmas celebrations.

African Safari and Beach Combinations

Living in Mauritius has inspired Maki to create specialized itineraries combining African safaris with relaxing beach stays. "One of my personal favorites, of course, are the Big Five safaris. So that's something that I'm definitely going to be featuring a lot more this year, now that I am here in destination...having people do the Big Five safari, and then coming over to Mauritius for a beach vacation in the end."

This combination leverages Maki's unique position as an expat in Mauritius, allowing her to craft experiences that blend adventure with tropical relaxation in a way that might not be as accessible to travel professionals based in the United States.