In the 23rd annual A-List, presented is a directory of the most influential trip specialists in the world, vetted by the editors at Travel + Leisure. “A travel advisor can turn your trip into a seamless, tailored experience. With insider knowledge and trusted contacts, they craft itineraries that match your interests and handle all logistics, saving you time and stress. From exclusive perks to real-time problem-solving, they ensure your journey is smooth and memorable, leaving you free to enjoy the adventure.” - Angela Adto Tepper, Founder of AZA Luxury Travel

When it comes to luxury travel, my go-to piece of luggage is the Rimowa Original Cabin – a flawless blend of style, durability, and functionality for carry-on essentials. For longer journeys, I trust the Rimowa Aluminum Trunk for checked luggage – offering unmatched protection, expansive space, and a timelessly sophisticated aesthetic. I also adore my Cuyana Leather Weekender Bag, which only gets more beautiful with age, effortlessly combining minimalist elegance with spacious functionality. – Angela Adto Tepper, Founder, AZA Luxury Travel

Build Personal Relationships - One key thing a new grad or job seeker should know about the Travel and Hospitality industry is that it’s deeply rooted in personal relationships and emotional intelligence. It’s not just about the logistics of booking flights or managing hotel reservations—it’s about understanding the needs and desires of clients and creating experiences that resonate on a personal level. The industry thrives on exceptional customer service, and those who succeed are often the ones who can anticipate client needs, think on their feet, and adapt to changing circumstances with a positive, can-do attitude. So, beyond any technical skills or qualifications, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, a passion for travel, and a willingness to go above and beyond for clients will set you apart when applying for roles in this space. – Angela Adto Tepper, Founder, AZA Luxury Travel

Gold Medal Travel - Angela Adto Tepper is the founder of New York-based AZA Luxury Travel specializing in France, Italy, and Portugal. Want a two-month vacation across seven European countries with private wine tours, helicopter transfers, yacht charters, a balloon ride, and a Sting concert? She’s your gal. This summer she’s designed a program for a family coming to Paris from Hawaii for the Olympics that will include Michelin-starred restaurants, carefully curated shopping guides in the fashion districts, and private tours of the Louvre. The family will also be attending basketball, wrestling, and volleyball games at the Olympics. “Planning for the Paris 2024 Olympics has been an exhilarating experience,” says Adto Tepper. “Paris presents a wealth of opportunities for luxury travelers to indulge in during the Olympics. The energy and excitement surrounding the Games make this a truly unique and special event to be a part of.” The booking process starts by discussing a client’s preferences and requirements to create a tailored itinerary.

A week-long trip during the Olympics—similar to her Hawaiian client’s plans—starts at about $100,000.

Tailoring business models for unique industry needs involves understanding and anticipating client preferences, and offering personalized and bespoke services that cater to individual tastes. At my boutique luxury travel agency, I prioritize building strong relationships with premium partners to ensure exclusive access and VIP experiences for clients. Leveraging technology for seamless booking processes and personalized itineraries enhances the client experience. Additionally, continuous training and development of staff ensure that they remain knowledgeable about the latest luxury trends and destinations. – Angela Tepper, Luxury Travel Consultant, Travel Edge

If you're ready to move into the industry, it's worth taking stock of your skills first. For example, Tepper said people with event-planning experience might transition well into travel advising since itinerary planning and familiarity with booking platforms are part of the job. She added that soft skills, like interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, would also come in handy.

Tepper recommended contacting an advisor before switching over. "If you're considering the career change, one of the best things you can do is secure a reputable mentor," she said. "A mentor can offer invaluable guidance, accelerating professional growth and enhancing skill development, leading to greater success and higher earnings."

"To maintain the quality of our personalized work, we occasionally have to turn away a client," Tepper said. "Not every client is the right fit for our service. This selectivity ensures that we can devote the necessary time and attention to crafting great experiences for everyone while upholding the high standards we have put in place."

"[Music] is such a joyful, exciting thing for people to plan travel around so I'm not surprised by it," Angela Adto Tepper, of AZA Luxury Travel in New York, part of Travel Edge Network, told TMR. "Song is transcendent and can transport you back to a certain time in your life, so people get nostalgic about that."

AZA Luxury Travel’s Angela Adto Tepper says her company has designed a whole Paris program for a family of financiers from Oahu, Hawaii, who are coming specifically to watch basketball and wrestling. “Paris presents a wealth of opportunities for luxury travelers to indulge in during the Olympics,” Adto Tepper says. “I have tailored an itinerary that includes Michelin-starred restaurants, guided curated shopping excursions in Parisian fashion districts and private tours to iconic sights like the Louvre.”

AZA Luxury Travel’s Angela Adto Tepper says her company has designed a whole Paris program for a family of financiers from Oahu, Hawaii, who are coming specifically to watch basketball and wrestling. “Paris presents a wealth of opportunities for luxury travelers to indulge in during the Olympics,” Adto Tepper says. “I have tailored an itinerary that includes Michelin-starred restaurants, guided curated shopping excursions in Parisian fashion districts and private tours to iconic sights like the Louvre.”

“I can’t recommend Singita enough, having just visited three of their outstanding properties recently in Zimbabwe, Sabi Sands, and Kruger National Park,” Tepper said. “While this is a family-friendly property, it’s a popular safari experience for our honeymooners. At Singita’s Kwitonda Lodge in Rwanda, they too accept families at the lodge, but the minimum age to trek with the gorillas is 15 years old.”

Angela Adto Tepper of AZA Luxury Travel creates highly produced Instagram video posts that include information about a destination or property with a compilation of pictures and videos, voiceover with subtitles and background music. The response from these posts has translated into a steady stream of travel itinerary requests and bookings.

Many experts we spoke with report that more families are opting to stay longer in one place for an immersive travel experience. “More than usual, families are staying in places longer. Instead of a 3-night stay, now it’s more like 4 or 5 nights,” says Angela Adto Tepper, founder of US-based AZA Luxury Travel (@azaluxurytravel), “there’s this element where they really want to immerse themselves in the culture and the experience.”

When one of her clients came down with COVID in France during the height of the pandemic when policies were constantly changing, Angela Adto Tepper of AZA Luxury Travel helped arrange a long car ride to Paris for her client with a contact with whom the advisor had previously worked. “The fact that neither of my clients spoke French complicated the situation,” she says. “But I was able to keep the lines of communication open with everyone involved until my client arrived back in Seattle.”

When it comes to vacations, sometimes it’s just better to pay one large bill. The best way to do that? An all-inclusive resort, of course. Take it one step further and make sure it’s an adult-only property — you’re golden.

“The number one benefit of an all-inclusive resort is the ‘getting-home-factor’ and not seeing extra charges on the credit card you didn’t account for on your vacation. It happens to the best of us!” Angela Adto Tepper, founder of AZA Luxury Travel, told the New York Post.

Nadiya Makarenko added that the inaugural group "truly represents the highest standards for our network - as well as for the industry." Angela Adto Tepper, AZA Luxury Travel, in New York is one of the 16 selected ambassadors.

“This group truly represents the highest standards for our network – as well as for the industry - offering clients their extensive knowledge and expertise about destinations and travel experiences around the globe combined with access to the best partners in the industry through our network’s longstanding relationships.”

Travel Edge's inaugural Champions group includes Angela Adto Tepper - AZA Luxury Travel (New York).

Travel Edge Network has launched a new Champions program that features a group of hand-selected advisors who will act as brand representatives and ambassadors for the luxury travel host agency network.

Travel Edge's inaugural Champions group includes Angela Adto Tepper - AZA Luxury Travel (New York).

The Magellan Awards honor the best in travel and salute the outstanding travel professionals behind it all, from design to marketing to services.

This year’s awards recognize a broad range of industry segments: Airlines and Airports; Cruise Lines; Destinations; Hospitality; Online Travel Services; Tour Operators; and Travel Advisors and Agencies.

Angela Adto Tepper, the founder of luxury brand AZA Luxury Travel, explains that the pandemic refocused people’s priorities; she's seeing groups plan bachelorette trips that focus more on bonding and spending time together, rather than just having wild and crazy nights out.