There is a common misconception that often follows the mention of “travel coaching.”
Many people assume that if you’re in the travel industry, your primary goal is to sell a trip, book a hotel, or earn a commission on a flight.
But at The Travel Coach Network, we know that travel coaching is about something much deeper.
It’s not about the transaction; it’s about the transformation.
While travel agents focus on the logistics (the where and the how), travel coaches focus on the person (the why and the what next).
If you’ve been wondering how this actually looks in practice (or, how you can integrate coaching into your own travel business), it helps to understand that there isn’t just one way to do it. In fact, there are three distinct approaches to travel coaching.
About the Author: Sahara Rose DeVore
Hi, I’m Sahara Rose DeVore
I’m a world traveler turned entrepreneur, and the founder of The Travel Coach Network and the first ICF-accredited Travel Coach Certification Program™.
After solo traveling to 84+ countries and building a purpose-driven travel business, I now empower fellow wanderers and wanderlusters to turn their passion for travel into meaningful, impactful careers.
My work has been featured in 175+ media outlets including Forbes, CNN Travel, and Condé Nast Traveller.
Learn more about me and The Travel Coach Network when you click here.
Free Economy Class TCN Membership: Learn About Travel Coaching
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The Economy Class Membership for the Travel Coach Network includes:
– Travel Coaching 101 Masterclass
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1. The Intentional Traveler: Enhancing the Journey
The first approach is for those who already have a plane ticket in hand or a destination in mind.
These clients know they want to go, but they want their experience to mean something more than just a series of photos for Instagram.
As a travel coach, you help these travelers move from passive tourists to intentional explorers.
By coaching them on how they travel, who they travel with, and how they spend their time, you empower them to make decisions that align with their values.
The goal here is emotional ROI: ensuring they return home feeling rejuvenated, connected, or inspired… whatever outcome they were truly seeking.
2. The Solution-Seeker: Travel as a Tool for Healing
The second approach is about using travel as a catalyst for change.
Many people facing life’s biggest challenges (burnout, grief, or a career crossroads), don’t immediately think of travel as a “solution.” They see it as an escape or a luxury they don’t have time for.
A travel coach acts as a guide for these individuals, showing them how a change of environment can be a powerful avenue for recovery.
Whether it’s navigating the grieving process through a solo journey or finding clarity in the wake of professional overwhelm, this approach uses travel as a deliberate tool for healing and purpose.
3. The “Elements” of Travel: Bringing the World Home
Perhaps the most misunderstood approach is the one that doesn’t involve a passport at all.
Travel is more than a destination; it is a collection of “elements” – nature, human connection, learning new skills, and stepping out of your comfort zone.
You don’t always need to get on a plane to experience the benefits of travel.
Sahara Rose DeVore, Travel Coach Network
This approach involves implementing these elements into a client’s everyday life.
It might look like:
- A Staycation to reset a home environment.
- Cultural Immersion through local community volunteering or trying new cuisines.
- Nature Therapy to lower stress levels and find balance.
For example, a wellness coach might help a client find balance not by sending them to Bali, but by encouraging them to explore a neighboring city or practice reflection in a local park. It’s about the mindset of exploration, applied wherever you are.
A Growing Global Community
The beauty of these three approaches is that they allow for incredible diversity within our field.
It’s exactly why the Travel Coach Network is home to a global community of experts from all walks of life… including life coaches, health and wellness practitioners, travel advisors, retreat leaders, and even medical experts.
We aren’t just changing how people travel; we are changing how they live by using travel as the bridge.
Are you ready to be part of this shift?
If you’re curious about how to bring more intention, emotion, and meaning into the travel space, we’d love to help you get started.
Download our Free Beginner’s Guide to Travel Coaching here and take the first step toward a more meaningful career in travel.
Listen to the Travel Coach Network Podcast
If you love listening to, learning about, and discussing topics like these in the travel industry, then you’ll love this show!
You can find it on any major podcast player.
Free Resources for Future Travel Coaches
Check out these other free resources for aspiring travel coaches:
- Listen to the Travel Coach Network Podcast
This is the perfect way to learn all about travel coaching, no matter where you are in your business journey. - Access the FREE, Economy Class of the TCN Membership
This includes a free masterclass and workbook to help you learn more about travel coaching! - Join the FREE Travel Coach Community Facebook Group
Be around inspiring and aspiring travel coaches who are just as passionate about travel as you. - Connect with the Travel Coach Network on Instagram
Have a quick question? Send us a DM! You’ll hear from me or a member of my team quickly.
