In April, I marked 29 years living in Santa Monica. In that time, I’ve enjoyed careers in public and government affairs, corporate philanthropy, manufacturing, journalism, and now, travel. I’ve been a travel agent and advisor for 14 months now. My budding travel business is called “Todd’s Global Getaways,” and I have become a certified Hawaiian Islands Travel Specialist.
Many folks in town know me as a former Rent Board Commissioner, Heal the Bay Board Member, SMRR Steering Committee Member, Downtown Santa Monica Board Member, or, from 2021-2024, the Publisher of Westside Voice.
I really thought journalism was my new calling when I decided to enroll at UCLA Extension in COVID-ravaged 2020 for a certificate in journalism. I believed I could match my issues background with journalism, so I spent a year building a news outlet, which became Westside Voice. For 32 months, we delivered news. But in the competitive environment of local journalism, we had to shutter Westside Voice at the end of 2024.
For the last year and a half, with much appreciation to Damien Newton, I’ve been able to cover the Santa Monica City Council for this publication. But that role is ending as Santa Monica Next enters a new chapter.
I spent the first four months of 2025 seeking a new full time role in journalism while writing twice a month for Santa Monica Next. Nothing broke in my favor. Then I saw an ad for one of the AI applications that automatically applies for jobs for you. With nothing to lose, I filled out my experience and interests, and asked the program to only apply for jobs that aligned with at least 90% similarity to those experiences and interests.
Well, the AI really leaned into the other 10%, because I was hit up with offers to become everything from a home inspector to an AI “trainer.” I simply ignored those. But one interested party intrigued me. A woman named Fran in Indiana was looking to build her team of travel agents, who she would mentor in exchange for 10% of our earned commissions from booking travel.
Huh, I thought. I do love to travel. My wife Erin and I started our married lives together 21 years ago with a honeymoon in Australia, and since then have committed to international and domestic travel every year. Most recently, we enjoyed Germany and Denmark in 2023, and our beloved Kaua’i in 2024. This year, we’re going to South Korea for the first time. We’ll hit Hawai’i again next year, probably O’ahu.
Still unsure, I found myself having one of those moments … should I open up my arms to the sky and simply offer myself to the Universe? The answer, as you now all know, was yes.
I quickly earned a badge as an Australia Travel Specialist, but have focused far more time getting certified as a Hawaiian Islands Travel Specialist.* You want to game plan three islands in 14 days? I want to be who you’re talking about when you tell people, “I know a guy for that.”
I’m having a blast, learning a lot, and have come to realize that I’ve traded a lifetime of traditional job stress for the opportunity to create joy for people. In selling travel, I essentially sell joy. It feels really good to help clients plan unforgettable memories and get that well-deserved escape.
The internet has certainly made things easier, but it’s message that “you should just do it all yourself” doesn’t have to be true.
In fact, I want to share something that most people don’t realize about booking travel.
Hotels, resorts, VRBO, tours and excursions companies, guided tour companies, rental car companies, and vacation packages build a commission for a travel advisor directly into their pricing. So whether you book it yourself or not, you’re already paying for that service.
What that means in simple terms is this: You’re paying for a travel advisor either way… so you might as well have one working for you.
If you enjoy doing your own research, great. Keep doing it. I completely get it. But once you’ve landed on what you want, I can step in and handle the booking for you, make sure everything is set up correctly, and be there if anything needs attention along the way. Also, I stay with you all the way through the trip, even if it’s months away, and can trouble shoot issues if necessary on the days you are traveling.
It doesn’t change your plans, and it doesn’t cost you an extra penny. It just means you have someone in your corner instead of going it alone.
So if you have a trip coming up, even if you already know exactly what you want and what dates, I’d love the opportunity to help with the booking side of it. I LOVE advising, but there are no commissions found solely in “expert advice.”
And of course, if you ever want help planning from the start, I’m always here for that too. It doesn’t have to be Hawai’i.
Just remember: that multi-generational family trip? You know a guy. That romantic island getaway for you and your mate? You know a guy. That dream multi-stadium sports vacation? That birthday or anniversary milestone trip? That solo quest you’ve always promised yourself to take? And of course, Hawai’i?
You guessed it, friends. You know a guy!
Thank you for your consideration. It means a lot.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Contact me and let’s plan your next vacation!
Email: toddsglobalgetaways@gmail.com or call/text: 310-254-5190.
Follow my social media accounts here: https://linktr.ee/toddsglobalgetaways
P.S. *I have an exclusive Hawaiian Islands Travel Facebook Group that, if you’re a serious Hawai’i traveler, you can join starting here: https://toddsglobalgetaways.com/opt-in
I post valuable information three times a week, with Friday as a video segment.
Author
About The Author
