Christina Royer (Photo Credit: Christina Royer)
Travel Advisor Success Stories focus on veteran advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Christina Royer, founder of Anew Travel.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
My journey into travel started with a passion for creating experiences that connect people – experiences that remind them how extraordinary the world truly is.
I began as an advisor focused on crafting high-value, custom itineraries and quickly realized that what clients desired wasn’t just a trip; it was confidence, trust and personalization. From those early days, I built my career around one guiding philosophy: travel smarter, with purpose and intention.
How did you build your business?
Anew Travel was born from both experience and resilience. After co-founding and later parting ways with a previous agency, I used that pivotal moment to redefine what a travel business could look like. I wanted to create a storefront host agency that blended community, mentorship and luxury with transparency and integrity.
Today, Anew Travel empowers 13 – and growing – independent contractors under our Smart Luxury brand, with sales exceeding half a million dollars per month.
We’ve built our foundation on relationships – locally through Missouri’s Kirkwood–Des Peres Chamber of Commerce and nationally through the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and now TRAVELSAVERS’ Affluent Traveler Collection.
Our growth has come from authenticity, mentorship and never compromising our standards.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
Authenticity and discernment. I lead with transparency and I listen to clients, partners and my team.
My success has come from combining heart with business strategy. Luxury isn’t about extravagance; it’s about thoughtful design and flawless execution.
I also believe in empowering others, whether it’s mentoring new advisors, advocating for our industry through ASTA, or representing small business owners within my community.
My curiosity and openness to new opportunities have landed me my biggest opportunity to date! I have now partnered with two production companies on an ongoing basis for all of their film productions while also assisting five other independent film projects around Missouri. When people ask me how I landed this, my answer is very simple: I answered the phone and followed up! Sometimes, it can be that simple, but you also have to be present.
What have been your greatest challenges?
Every success story begins with challenges. For me, it was navigating toxic business partnerships, managing rapid growth and learning to protect my peace without dimming my ambition. Those experiences taught me the power of boundaries, clear systems and trusting my instincts.
Building Anew Travel was not just about starting over – it was about rebuilding stronger, smarter, and more aligned with who I am as a leader and ensuring everyone around me had the same growth mindset.
What are your greatest accomplishments?
Launching Anew Travel from the ground up and watching it evolve into a thriving, respected host agency has been incredibly rewarding. Our induction into The Affluent Traveler Collection was a true milestone, validating our dedication to excellence and ‘smart luxury’ service.
Personally, I’m proud to serve as president of the Greater St. Louis ASTA Chapter and as a board member of the Kirkwood–Des Peres Chamber of Commerce.
I am a proud member of Travel ALLIES and have found my greatest travel mentors within this organization.
I’ve been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who and Top Executives, but the accomplishment that matters most is seeing my advisors succeed – because when they win, our entire industry rises.
What tips can you provide to advisors new to the industry?
Lead with integrity. It’s your greatest currency.
Find your niche and own it. Don’t try to be everything to everyone – luxury clients value specialization and expertise.
Build relationships, not transactions. The strongest businesses are built on trust and follow-through.
Invest in learning. Technology, Artificial Intelligence and supplier education are your allies, not your competition.
Protect your peace. This industry can be demanding – know your worth, charge for your time and create balance.
Protect your time and income. Too many advisors overcommit to fams and other trips, leaving little time for client care and business growth. Be selective and intentional with where you invest your time. Luxury isn’t about being everywhere – it’s about delivering excellence where it matters most.
Travel advising is more than selling vacations – it’s about storytelling, strategy and service. And when you lead with authenticity, you’ll never have to compete on price – because your value speaks for itself.
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