Matt Solomon (Source: Matt Solomon)
Travel Advisor Success Stories focus on accomplished advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Matt Solomon, chief operating officer of The TravelWell Group, an affiliate of Global Travel Collection.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
After spending 10 years in the real estate industry, I was ready for a new challenge and reached out to my own travel advisor, Jonny Drubel, in 2022, to explore whether there might be an opportunity to work together.
The timing aligned perfectly, as after more than five years as a highly successful solo advisor, Jonny was beginning to build out a team. I learned directly from him as my mentor, and we gradually built out something bigger together over the past four years.
How did you build your business?
Having spent my entire career in commission-based sales, I already had a strong foundation in lead generation, relationship building and client service. When I transitioned into travel, I leaned into the network of high-net-worth clients and friends who already knew and trusted me from my years in real estate, and introduced them to this new chapter focused on luxury travel.
I also made a conscious effort to put myself out there through social media, networking events, industry relationships and plenty of phone calls sharing the news of my career change.
One of the things I love most about this industry is that travel is an incredibly natural conversation starter. Everywhere you go, people want to talk about where they’ve been, where they’re headed next and the experiences they’re dreaming about.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
I truly believe that a genuine passion for travel is essential to succeeding in this business, especially when you have the opportunity to personally experience the products and destinations you recommend.
Travelers today have endless access to information online, but what elevates a good advisor to a great one is the ability to provide insight rooted in firsthand experience and authenticity. I’ve now visited more than 55 countries, take multiple cruises each year, and make a point of personally experiencing the airlines, cabins, hotels and destinations my clients are booking.
While that level of travel is certainly an investment, it allows me to advise clients with a much deeper understanding of the experience they can expect, which ultimately builds trust and credibility.
What have been your greatest challenges?
Commission-based sales will always come with highs and lows, regardless of the industry, and travel is especially sensitive to world events and changing global conditions. One of the biggest challenges is learning how to stay adaptable, resilient and steady through that unpredictability.
At the same time, I think that’s also what makes this business so dynamic and rewarding. No two days are ever the same, and there is always a new challenge to solve, whether it’s navigating complex logistics, managing unexpected disruptions or simply finding creative ways to elevate a client’s experience.
Fortunately, being part of a collaborative team like The Travelwell Group means we’re able to support one another through those moments, and having the backing of Global Travel Collection gives us an incredible foundation and network of resources.
What are your greatest accomplishments?
The growth trajectory of my career over the past four years is something I’m incredibly proud of. I started as an independent contractor focused on building my book of business one trip at a time, and today I serve as chief operating officer of The Travelwell Group, a top-producing team of nine within Global Travel Collection.
What means the most to me is that the success hasn’t just been personal – it’s been about helping build a strong team culture, supporting the growth of our advisors, and delivering an exceptional level of service to the discerning clients who trust us with both their time and financial investment. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve built at The Travelwell Group, and I truly believe we’re only getting started.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
My advice to anyone entering the industry is to honestly evaluate whether you have three key ingredients: the resilience required for commission-based sales, a genuine passion for travel, and access to a network of clients who travel frequently and value elevated experiences.
Product knowledge can always be learned and sales skills can be developed over time, but having at least two of those three elements is incredibly important for long-term success.
I would also strongly encourage new advisors to join a team or work within an office environment whenever possible, especially early on. The exposure to experienced advisors, shared knowledge, mentorship and camaraderie is invaluable, and it can dramatically accelerate both your learning curve and your growth in the industry.
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