From “I Can Book Anything” to Profitable Niche: How to Turn Your Dream Trip Into a Clear Focus

Intro: Why Your “Dream Trip” Isn’t Enough

Many travel advisors can point to one standout trip—the itinerary that made them think, “THIS is what I’m meant to do.” That’s your Marquee Travel Win, and it’s powerful.

But a single great trip doesn’t automatically turn into a business model. If your marketing still says “I can book anything” and you’re fielding random, low‑fit inquiries, it’s time to turn that win into a profitable niche you can build around.

This article walks you through how to go from dream trip to niche you can clearly describe, test, and commit to for the next 90 days.

Step 1: Start With Your Marquee Travel Win

If you watched the earlier Travel Marketeering Live session, you’ve already outlined your Marquee Travel Win—the trip you’d proudly put your name in lights for.

To recap, ask yourself:

  • What type of trip have I planned—or want to plan—that I’m genuinely proud of?
  • Who was that traveler?
  • What transformation did they experience because of the trip?

This trip is your proof of concept. It shows you the kind of traveler you serve best and the kind of experience you’re uniquely good at delivering.

Step 2: Pull Out the Pattern Behind the Trip

Your niche isn’t the one itinerary. It’s the pattern behind that itinerary:

  • Who is this really for?
  • What category of trip are they trying to take?
  • Why does it matter so much to them?

For example:

  • An advisor realized her favorite work came from first‑time Africa safaris. Her best feedback, repeat bookings, and referrals were coming from these travelers.
  • When she looked closer, she saw a pattern: couples and families who wanted a life‑changing experience but were intimidated by the logistics, safety questions, and investment.

From there, she moved from “I can book anything” to a niche like:

“I help first‑time safari travelers plan life‑changing trips to East and Southern Africa.” It’s not a polished tagline yet—but it’s a clear niche statement she can build on.

Do this for your own Marquee Win:

  • Who’s the traveler (age, life stage, situation)?
  • What type of trip are they trying to take?
  • What outcome are they chasing—connection, confidence, a milestone memory, a reset?

Step 3: Check If Your Niche Is Vague or Focused

Many advisors stop at “I do Europe” or “I do cruises.” Those are categories, not niches.

A vague niche sounds like:

  • “I plan Europe trips.”
  • “I do cruises and all‑inclusive vacations.”

A focused niche sounds more like:

  • “I help food‑loving couples plan their first immersive Italy trip so they feel like locals, not tourists.”
  • “I help multi‑family and friend groups plan Alaska cruise + land experiences so everyone—from teens to grandparents—gets their bucket‑list moment without confusion.”

Ask yourself:

  • Can you picture one specific person when you say your niche out loud?
  • Would a past client instantly know who to refer to you?
  • Does it describe a before and after, not just destinations?

If you can’t answer “yes” to those, your niche is probably still fuzzy.

The Niche Clarity Map worksheet walks you through tightening this language step by step so you can see exactly where your message is vague and how to sharpen it.

Step 4: Test for Desirability, Viability, and Reach

Before you go all‑in on a niche, run it through three quick checks:

  1. Desirable – Are people already spending money here?
    • Are suppliers investing in this space?
    • Do you see consistent demand in the industry?
  2. Viable – Does it support your income goals?
    • What is a realistic “from” price for the kinds of trips you’d plan?
    • Do commissions and fees add up to the revenue you need?
  3. Reachable – Can you actually get in front of these people?
    • Are there online groups, local communities, or existing contacts where these travelers gather?

The safari advisor in our example passed all three tests: safaris are high‑value trips, supplier support and education are strong, and potential clients gather in interest‑based communities (wildlife, photography, bucket‑list travel).

Your niche doesn’t have to be perfect on day one, but it should be testable.

Step 5: Write Your Niche Statement

Once you’ve clarified your who/what/why and checked basic demand, you’re ready to write a niche statement.

Use this simple formula:

“I help [who] plan [type of trip] so they can [main outcome], without [big frustration].”

A few examples:

  • “I help food‑loving couples plan immersive Italy trips so they can feel like locals, not tourists, without spending weeks obsessing over blogs and forums.”
  • “I help overworked professionals plan wellness retreats and solo reset trips so they can actually unplug, without worrying about safety or logistics.”

Your statement doesn’t need to be perfect copywriting. It needs to be clear enough that:

  • The right person recognizes themselves.
  • You can confidently say it out loud.
  • It gives direction for your content and offers.

The Niche Clarity Map gives you space to draft, critique, and refine this statement until you’re confident saying it everywhere you show up.

Step 6: Commit for 90 Days Before You Pivot

It’s normal to evolve as your business and life evolve. Your niche today doesn’t have to be your niche forever.

What doesn’t work is changing direction every week.

Give yourself a 90‑day commitment:

  • Talk about this niche consistently in your content.
  • Build one or two simple offers that serve this niche.
  • Pay attention to what inquiries and feedback you get.

After 90 days, you’ll have real data: what’s working, what needs tuning, and whether you want to double down or adjust.

Where This Fits in the Thriving Travel Advisor Blueprint

Turning your dream trip into a niche is part of Step 1 of the Thriving Travel Advisor Blueprint and sets you up for every step that follows:

  • Step 2 – Become Known: Your content and visibility can revolve around one clear niche instead of being all over the place.
  • Step 3 – Trip‑Ready Signals: Your lead magnets and forms can speak directly to the traveler you’ve chosen.
  • Step 4 – Booking Pathway: Your consults and proposals can focus on solving one set of problems well.
  • Step 5 – Turn Up the Volume: Once something works, you do more of it—on purpose.

If you haven’t grabbed the Blueprint yet, start there.

Download the Niche Clarity Map & Blueprint

And if you want community support while you work this out, join the Travel Marketeers Private Facebook Group and share your niche for feedback.

Related Articles