Carol McKee on Building Successful Travel Groups Without the Headaches

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith Calloway welcomes back Carol McKee of McKee Travel for a practical conversation about one of the biggest growth opportunities for travel advisors: group travel. From destination weddings and milestone celebrations to hosted tours and educational conferences, Carol shares the lessons she's learned after planning groups of all shapes and sizes, and why success starts long before you ever collect the first deposit.Together, Meredith and Carol discuss how to identify the right type of group for your network, why understanding the group leader is just as important as understanding the destination, and how to avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the best ideas. They also explore destination wedding logistics, choosing the right suppliers, setting clear expectations with clients, understanding financial responsibilities, and why advisors don't need to travel with every group they organize.Throughout the conversation, Carol emphasizes the importance of preparation: researching suppliers before opportunities arise, learning the policies that matter, and using slower seasons to build the knowledge that leads to future bookings. She also shares why not every group inquiry will become a booking—and how every experience, successful or not, becomes an opportunity to grow. Whether you're planning your first group or looking to expand an established business, this episode offers practical advice that will help you approach group travel with greater confidence and a stronger strategy.📖 Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/GTN-freechapter🎓 Travel Business University: https://tinyurl.com/yz462bhx-🔗 Carol's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckeetravel🖥️ Carol's Website: https://www.mckeetravel.com/