Scott Wismont (Photo Credit: Scott Wismont)
Travel Advisor Success Stories focus on veteran advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Scott Wismont, founder of Rainbow Getaways, a member of Ensemble Travel Group.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
My background is in business. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and an MBA in international business, earned in 2018.
I got into travel somewhat unexpectedly when an opportunity came along to join a host agency that was just getting started. I had deep knowledge of the cruise industry, and the timing was right.
What started as an opportunity quickly became a calling. I realized early on that I wanted to work with members of the LGBTQ+ community to plan vacations to destinations they otherwise wouldn’t consider.
In 2020, when the industry paused, I used that time to rebrand and launch Rainbow Getaways as a full-service travel concierge for LGBTQ+ travelers and allies.
By 2022, I brought on my first independent contractor advisor, and Rainbow Getaways evolved from a travel agency into the Rainbow Getaways Travel Network (RBGTN), a host agency built specifically for advisors who want to run real businesses rooted in inclusive travel.
How did you build your business over the years?
Through intentional decisions and a willingness to keep raising the bar. I spent my early years as an advisor learning the business, building supplier relationships and refining how I served clients.
Along the way, I worked with host agencies that ultimately didn’t align with my long-term vision or work ethic. Those experiences gave me clarity. If I wanted a host agency that truly matched my values and empowered serious advisors to grow, I’d need to build it myself.
So I did. I built RBGTN as a boutique network with real infrastructure, partnering with organizations like Ensemble Travel Group, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA); IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association; and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce to give our advisors access and credibility without sacrificing their brand or autonomy.
Growth has been intentional and selective. We’re not trying to be the biggest host agency. We’re building a network where the right advisors can do meaningful work with real support. That means investing in tools, compliance systems, structured onboarding and thought leadership rather than chasing volume.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
I’d say it comes down to three things: a willingness to say no, a commitment to relationships over transactions, and treating this like a business from day one.
Saying no is underrated in this industry. Not every traveler is the right fit, not every host agency deserves your loyalty and not every opportunity is worth pursuing. Being selective about who I work with, both as clients and as advisors in the network, has been one of the most important decisions I’ve made.
On the relationship side, the best compliment I’ve ever received from a traveler was that working with me was like working with an old friend. That connection is what I’m always building toward. I don’t want to plan one trip. I want to be their travel advisor for life.
And running this as a business, not a hobby, means investing in systems, compliance, insurance and infrastructure even when it’s not glamorous. My business education gave me that foundation, and that discipline is what separates advisors who last from those who don’t.
What have your greatest challenges been?
The biggest challenge has been finding the right environment to grow in before building my own. Early in my career, I worked with host agencies that weren't aligned with my long-term vision or the standards I believed advisors and their clients deserved. Rather than settle, I chose to build something that reflected the values I couldn’t find elsewhere. That decision wasn’t easy, but it was the right one.
Beyond that, building a selective network in an industry that often measures success by headcount has required patience. Turning down advisors who aren’t the right fit, maintaining high compliance standards and prioritizing quality over growth aren’t always easy decisions in the short term. But they’re the right ones for the long term.
What are your greatest accomplishments?
Being named to TravelPulse’s inaugural 40 Under 40 list was a significant moment. For me, it represented recognition not just of professional achievement, but of the work I’ve put into advocating for inclusive travel and building a network that takes it seriously.
RBGTN was also recognized with the Travel Weekly’s 2025 Magellan Award for Most Inclusive Travel Network and the LUXlife Travel & Tourism Award for Most Inclusive Travel Experiences Host Agency.
Our work has been featured in national trade publications, and I’m proud of the role I’ve played in building Tern from the ground up, spending dozens of hours sharing workflows, providing feedback on beta features and offering strategic insights that helped shape the platform.
But the accomplishment I’m most proud of is the network itself: building a host agency where inclusive travel is treated as professional competency, where advisors are held to real standards and where the right people can build something meaningful. That’s the work that matters most.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
First, understand that this is a business, not a lifestyle. Loving travel is not a business plan. You need to know what market you’re going to serve, how you’re going to acquire clients beyond friends and family and what makes you uniquely qualified to serve them. If you can’t answer those questions clearly, you’re not ready.
Second, be honest about the timeline. This business typically takes three to four years to reach profitability. The first six months should be focused almost entirely on education and building your foundation. If someone is promising you quick money or a shortcut, they’re selling you something.
Third, invest in compliance and professionalism from the start. Get your E&O insurance. Understand your legal obligations. Build systems that protect your clients and your business. The advisors who skip this work don’t last.
Fourth, get involved with your local ASTA chapter. The connections you build with other advisors, suppliers and industry leaders in your own community are invaluable. It’s one of the best ways to learn, stay informed and build a professional network that supports your growth.
I serve on my local ASTA chapter board, and the relationships and knowledge I’ve gained from that involvement have made a real difference in how I run my business.
And finally, choose your host carefully. Not every host agency is built the same and not every one will challenge you to be better. Find one whose values align with yours, sets real standards and will tell you the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. That relationship will shape the trajectory of your business.
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