In the race to automate everything, the travel industry has hit a crossroads.
You’ve seen the “instant itineraries” generated by AI.
The pace is often “fast” and “efficient,” but at the cost of being soulless and devoid of any personalization.
For travel coaches, the goal isn’t just to get a client from Point A to Point B; it’s about the transformation that happens in between.
As Sahara Rose De Vore, founder of the Travel Coach Network, recently discussed with Annie Peza, founder of Pinerary, there is a growing hunger for something AI simply cannot provide: The story behind the itinerary.
If you are looking for a way to help your clients plan trips that feel like a “vibrant tapestry” rather than a robotic data dump, it’s time to look at Pinerary.
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.
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The Problem with “Robotic” Travel Planning
We’ve all been there: spending hours sifting through Google results and Instagram tags, only to feel more overwhelmed than when we started.
While AI can spit out a list of “Top 10 Things to Do in Lisbon,” it can’t tell your client:
- How it felt to watch the sunrise over Sintra.
- The specific “vibe” of a local cafe that helped a solo traveler feel less alone.
- The ethical nuances of a wildlife encounter.
Annie Peza founded Pinerary because she realized that her best travel experiences didn’t come from a search engine; they came from a friend who had been there, someone who shared her values and saw the world through a similar lens.
Why Pinerary is the Solution
Pinerary is being described as the “Spotify of Travel,” but instead of music playlists, you are curating and sharing “Pineraries.”
These are rich, colorful records of actual human journeys.
Here is why this tool is a game-changer for your coaching practice:
1. Authentic and Human Proof
AI hallucinates; humans remember.
Every itinerary on Pinerary is tied to a real person.
When your client follows a Pinery, they aren’t following a calculated prediction; they are following in the footsteps of a fellow traveler who has actually breathed that air and walked those streets.
This is an incredible way for you to share your itineraries with clients in a way that’s accessible and engaging.
2. Planning by “Vibe” Over Logic
Travel is deeply emotional.
Pinerary allows users to search by 32 different “vibes.”
This aligns perfectly with coaching niches like:
- The Burnout Recovery Trip: Searching for “Peaceful” or “Nature” vibes.
- The Empty Nester Reinvention: Looking for “Cultural Immersion” or “Creative” sparks.
- The Healing Journey: Finding itineraries tagged with “Solo” or “Spirituality.”
3. A Digital Library for Your Coaching Practice
As a travel coach, you can use Pinerary as a dynamic catalog.
Instead of sending a client a static PDF or a cookie-cutter list, you can share a library of real stories.
“You can actually catalog all of the experiences that your clients have had so you have them to share with potential clients… it’s a great way to spark ideas and conversation.”
— Annie Peza
How to Integrate Pinerary Into Your Coaching
Here are a few ideas we discussed as far as ways you can use Pinerary as a travel coach.
- Showcase Your Own Travels
Toggle the “Travel Pro” switch on your profile to build authority. Let your clients see how you move through the world. - Curate “Vibe Lists”
Create a collection of Pineries specifically for your niche (e.g., “The Best Solo Healing Journeys in Costa Rica”). - Encourage Client Storytelling
Have your clients use Pinerary to “journal” their trip through the app’s Trip Advisor and Google API integrations. It turns their itinerary into a digital keepsake.
The Future of Travel is Human
As Sahara Rose De Vore noted during the interview, the companies that stay true to the emotional, human-centric approach are the ones that will thrive in the long run.
AI is a tool, and it can be helpful… but it isn’t a traveler.
It doesn’t have a soul, it doesn’t understand human needs, and it certainly doesn’t have a story.
By using Pinerary, you are giving your clients permission to stop “searching” and start connecting.
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.
