Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Hughes.
Hi Angela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Angela Hughes started her journey in the travel industry at the age of 14, working at her dad’s travel agency. She began with basic tasks like filing brochures and later advanced to ticket delivery, often joking that it was like child labor at a young age. Angela went on to major in Travel and Tourism in Geography and completed a master’s degree in the same field. She spent several years teaching as an adjunct professor at BYU in Travel and Tourism and Geography, further solidifying her expertise and passion for the industry. Her early exposure to the travel business and educational background laid the foundation for her successful career as a travel advisor and entrepreneur.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Angela Hughes’ journey in the travel industry has not been without its challenges. While she has built a successful career and business, there have been significant struggles along the way:
Balancing Family and Work: One of Angela’s greatest challenges has been balancing her life while raising four children, giving back through her family’s humanitarian programs, and managing her demanding lifestyle as an overachiever. She has always prioritized her family and relationships, believing that personal success should not come at the expense of home life.
Career Uncertainty and Burnout: Angela nearly left the travel industry three times due to stress, boredom, and frustration with clients. These moments of doubt tested her commitment to the field and required deep reflection to push forward. However, the COVID-19 pandemic became a pivotal moment for her, opening up new opportunities for creativity and growth.
Navigating Loss and Personal Hardships: Angela has faced personal hardships, including the loss of her father, which occurred on the same day she was scheduled to deliver a keynote speech virtually. These moments required immense strength and resilience to continue leading her business and supporting her clients and team.
Business Challenges: Angela’s journey included the challenge of rebranding her company during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trips & Ships Luxury Travel was restructured from its original brand, Trips Inc., in 2019, and a new brand was built in 2020 to address the luxury market. This transition required significant effort, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
Client and Industry Frustrations: At times, Angela has faced frustrations with the demands of clients and the challenges of maintaining client satisfaction. She has also dealt with issues related to business operations, such as navigating commission structures and maintaining partnerships with key travel partners.
Despite these struggles, Angela has remained resilient and has continued to grow her business and contribute to the travel industry. She credits her consistent efforts, innovative mindset, and dedication to mentoring new travel advisors for her continued success.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Angela Hughes is the CEO of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel and founder of Luxury Travel University, which are widely known for their expertise in curating high-end travel experiences and training future travel advisors. Here’s what sets Angela and her business apart and what readers should know:
1. About the Business and Specialization
Trips & Ships Luxury Travel is a premier host agency that specializes in luxury and bespoke travel experiences. The agency is dedicated to curating unforgettable, personalized itineraries that cater to discerning travelers seeking unique, high-touch experiences around the world. The company is known for its strong emphasis on luxury cruises, safaris, river cruises, and multi-generational travel, among other specialized services.
Luxury Travel University serves as both a private consulting and training program that helps advisors, suppliers, and hospitality groups scale and grow their businesses. It functions as an educational platform for advisors affiliated with Trips & Ships, providing continuous training and professional development.
2. What Sets the Business Apart
Deep Industry Knowledge and Experience: Angela Hughes has nearly four decades of experience in the travel industry, having started at her father’s travel agency at a young age and later teaching as an adjunct professor at BYU. This extensive background brings an unmatched level of insight and understanding of the luxury market.
Personalized Approach: The agency is known for offering highly customized travel experiences. Angela and her team focus on building meaningful relationships with clients and suppliers to ensure that every journey is tailored to perfection.
Strong Partnerships: Trips & Ships Luxury Travel maintains strong relationships with top-tier luxury cruise lines, hotels, and safari suppliers, such as Silversea, Tauck, Windstar Cruises, AmaWaterways, Regent Seven Seas, and Four Seasons, ensuring access to exclusive benefits and VIP treatment for their clients.
Educational Impact:
Through Luxury Travel University, Angela has trained and inspired thousands of new travel advisors. Her training programs are designed to provide practical business development tools, marketing resources, and advanced sales strategies to elevate advisors’ success.
Humanitarian Values:
Angela’s brand is distinguished by its deep commitment to giving back. Through her nonprofit, Color My World, Angela has led humanitarian volunteer trips focused on improving conditions in third-world countries. These programs highlight her belief in sustainable, responsible travel and giving back to communities worldwide.
3. Most Proud Moments and Achievements
Angela is proud of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel’s transformation during COVID-19, when the brand was restructured and reimagined to cater specifically to the luxury market. The company’s rapid growth to a team of over 100 skilled luxury advisors.
Angela’s personal accomplishments include winning the 2024 Luxury Travel Influencer of the Year Award by Travel Leaders and multiple Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for training and social media marketing through Luxury Travel University. These accolades reflect her dedication to innovation and excellence in the travel industry.
4. What Readers Should Know About the Brand
Readers should know that Trips & Ships Luxury Travel isn’t just about creating incredible trips; it’s about forging lasting relationships and experiences that resonate deeply with travelers. The agency’s offerings are comprehensive, including bespoke itineraries, exclusive hotel bookings, private guided tours, and group travel arrangements for alumni, incentive, and luxury market clients. The agency’s support structure, with continuous training through Luxury Travel University, ensures advisors are equipped to deliver unparalleled service.
Ultimately, Angela Hughes wants her clients and industry peers to recognize that Trips & Ships Luxury Travel is synonymous with expertise, quality, and a passion for elevating the travel experience. The agency’s unwavering commitment to luxury, personalization, and responsible travel makes it a standout in the industry.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that I feel is most important to my success is consistency. Being consistent in showing up every day as both a travel advisor and a business owner has been the cornerstone of my achievements. It’s about consistently delivering high standards, nurturing relationships, and staying committed to growth, even during challenging times.
This consistency helps build trust with clients, partners, and team members and ensures that progress continues, regardless of external circumstances. Coupled with my passion for innovation and my strong entrepreneurial mindset, maintaining this steady approach has driven long-term success and resilience in my career and business ventures.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tripsandships.com
www.luxuryhostagency.com
www.luxurytraveluniversity.com - Instagram: @tripsandships
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.hughes.165685
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-hughes-1675081/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@luxurytraveluniversity366
