TRENZ Unpacked: Inside the Mind of a US Luxury Travel Advisor
In this episode of TRENZ Unpacked , Michelle chats with Sarah Johnson from Paper Ink and Passports Travel, a US-based Virtuoso travel advisor who specialises in high-end, experience-led itineraries for curious and well-travelled clients. Sarah shares what luxury travel really means in 2026 - and why it’s less about thread counts and more about access, uniqueness, and trusted relationships. She explains how advisors work with DMCs and vetted suppliers, what helps a New Zealand experience stand out in an itinerary, and why orientation experiences like food tours and cultural walks can be incredibly powerful for first-time visitors. They also explore where New Zealand sits in the competitive landscape right now (spoiler: Europe is hot for US travellers), what advisors are hoping to discover at TRENZ, and how operators can make the most of their appointments - especially when meeting luxury buyers for the first time. Packed with practical tips on pitching, follow-up, and building genuine relationships, this episode is essential listening for operators preparing for TRENZ or wanting to better understand how Virtuoso-level advisors select experiences for their clients. ______________________________________________ Powered by https://www.destinatenz.com If you, or someone you work with has a great tourism story to share, and would like to come onto the show, please get in touch! This is an independent podcast by tourism strategist Michelle Caldwell. We are absolutely dedicated to bringing you the best tourism business stories and sharing marketing tips and strategies to your ears each week! The best way you can support The Tourism Chat Show is by subscribing, leaving a (rave!) review, (five star!) rating and spreading the word on social media with your friends, family, and colleagues- we love you for that! 🥰 Today's Guest Sarah Johnson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahelisabethjohnson/ Paper Ink and Passports Travel - https://www.paperinkandpassports.com/ For more info on TRENZ: https://www.trenz.co.nz/ Resources and Links to connect with us: Love the show? You can support us by buying a coffee ☕️ here — https://www.buymeacoffee.com/DestinateNZ Share you thoughts and say hi to us on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetourismchatshow Michelle Caldwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellekcaldwell/ Website: www.destinatenz.com If you'd like to advertise or feature on the show, please check out our media kit - https://www.destinatenz.com/podcast