Last updated: 12:45 PM ET, Tue October 27, 2026
Kristin Hancock.
Bio
Kristin Hancock started selling travel because of her love for travel. She began as an independent contractor in 2020, grew her business to $1 million in sales, and discovered a passion for not only advising clients, but collaborating with peers and mentoring other advisors. In 2023, she founded Bright Life Travel and has thoughtfully and intentionally grown the agency to a team of nine advisors.
Hancock is proud of her sales and marketing efforts, but the work she's most passionate about is helping elevate the role of the travel advisor.
Beyond her agency, she serves on the ASTA Utah Chapter board, helping bring local advisors together through education, connection, and professional support. Hancock also volunteers as an ASTA mentor, meeting every other week with two mentees to help them develop the confidence, skills, and support systems needed to build successful businesses.
She has participated inGTM three times and Future Leaders in Travel twice, and was selected for this year’s European Travel Forum in Poland.
She seeks to elevate the advisor profession and measures success not only with sales, recognition, or growth but by whether clients are cared for well and advisors feel capable, supported and connected.
Hancock is 37 years old.
"Being named to TravelPulse’s 40 Under 40 is incredibly meaningful because it feels like recognition not only of what I’ve built, but of how I’ve chosen to build it. Intentionally and steadily," said Hancock. "I’ve always believed there’s room in this industry for ambition and growth without sacrificing quality, integrity, collaboration, or a life outside of work."
"I’m proud of the travel company we’ve created and the experiences we help families have, but I’m equally proud of the opportunity I’ve had to mentor other advisors, try hard to raise the standard of professionalism in our industry, and help create a community where people feel supported and empowered," she added. "To be included alongside so many talented professionals is both an honor and a reminder that there is still so much more I want to contribute to this industry."
Industry References
"I have had the opportunity to work with Kristin for several years through my Business Development Role with Delta Vacations, and during that time, I have watched her continue to grow both her business and her role within the travel industry. Kristin is incredibly hardworking and persistent, and when she sets a goal for herself or her agency, she puts in the work to make it happen," said Andrea Brawley, Business Development Manager, Delta Vacations.
"That work is clearly paying off. Bright Life Travel Co. currently has more than $400,000 in 2026 departing revenue with Delta Vacations alone, an increase of approximately 170% over the prior year. Even more impressive to me is that this growth has come while Kristin has continued building and leading a team of advisors and expanding the reach of her agency. Kristin’s impact goes beyond her own business. She is passionate about leadership and mentorship and genuinely wants other travel advisors to succeed. She continues to invest in her own education while also sharing what she has learned with others, participating in industry boards and mentorship opportunities, and supporting the advisors on her team," added Brawley.
"Kristin and I met years ago at an agency event and I was fascinated with her from the moment she said hello. She has a natural ability to make strangers feel like friends," said Brittney Tromanhauser, Avery Travel Group. "I’ve watched from the sidelines as she has built Bright Life Travel from the ground up, hired ICs, trained and nurtured them, and given them a host agency that most beginning agents wouldn’t even know to dream of. The way she has built her team is inspirational. She not only leads them and teaches them, but she’s constantly present and attempting to create a host agency like she never had.
"Kristin is selfless and determined. She’s a hard-working, self-motivated go-getter who is building the agency she always was looking for in the travel industry but never found," said Tromanhauser.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
