In this episode, Melinda Fortunato, Travel Advisor and Owner of Best Travel, explains why she specialises in her clients rather than in destinations, and why the best supplier relationships are partnerships, not transactions.

Melinda grew up in a military family, lived in Korea, Antigua and Germany, and started Best Travel in 2014 after learning the trade at a brick-and-mortar agency. She talks about working with premium and luxury clients, from empty nesters to a two-week, fully immersive trip up the Croatian coast, and why she asks every client for a budget with airfare taken out.

She also gives her read on demand: travellers who book within 60 days or plan far too far ahead, more intentional spending, and clients who now arrive with an AI-built itinerary, or even find their advisor through ChatGPT.

As always, we finish with Melinda’s own travel favourites – an undiscovered gem, a favourite hotel, a favourite city, and what a perfect vacation looks like.

Key Topics:

A military childhood, living overseas, and the decision to become a travel advisor
Starting Best Travel in 2014, and what a brick-and-mortar agency taught her about fees and saying no
Why “virtual” is a better word than “home-based”, and the value of an industry village
The ideal client: the curious, well-funded empty nester
A two-week Croatia trip from Dubrovnik to Venice, with four days on a boat
Demand: last-minute bookings, very early planning, and more intentional spending
Asking for a budget with airfare removed
Clients arriving with AI itineraries, and why they still need an advisor they trust
A message to suppliers about respect and partnership
Why smaller events and advisor referrals work best

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Melinda Fortunato and Best Travel
00:16 - A military childhood and the route into travel
01:15 - How Best Travel began in 2014
01:50 - Going independent, and what a brick-and-mortar start teaches
04:09 - A typical client: the empty nester
05:04 - A memorable trip: two weeks in Croatia
06:18 - Demand and predictions: last-minute travel and intentional spending
08:29 - Clients arriving with AI itineraries
10:31 - Message to suppliers
11:52 - Best ways for suppliers to engage, and Journeys events
12:36 - Undiscovered gem: Tavira, Portugal
13:15 - Favourite hotel: Singer Palace Hotel Roma
13:58 - Favourite city: Seoul, and a return to Osan
15:26 - Melinda’s perfect vacation
16:21 - How to connect with Melinda
16:51 - Closing remarks

Links:

Season 3

Episode 21: Melinda Fortunato of Best Travel