Nadia “Sparkle” Henry

We all know that selling travel isn’t properly regulated; anyone can do it, with or without credentials. Because of that, people without formal training can sell trips; unfortunately, that can lead to some very disappointing experiences.

I’d like to share a real story about a woman named Sereena, one that went viral on TikTok.

She posted a video of herself looking disgusted during what she called a “luxury safari.” Her caption read: “POV: You spend over 36 hours in a car on a $5,000 trip to Tanzania with a well-known travel group.” She also said, “The actual WORST travel experience of my life! The itinerary was so poorly planned. Every location was 5-12 hours apart. They lied about where we’d stay and took us to places not even on the itinerary.”

The video has attracted more than 3 million views, 147,000 likes and 1,480 comments and has been shared more than 13,000 times. I reposted it with the caption, “Sis! Next time, Travel with Sparkle would NEVER!” and tagged her.

I also messaged her to express sympathy and to learn more about her experience. She told me she booked through a company referred to her by a friend who had traveled with the group before and had a positive experience. It was a bucket-list journey for her, to Kenya and Tanzania, including Zanzibar.

She described long drives between destinations, with some lasting almost seven hours. I looked over her itinerary and noticed no flights between key safari regions, just long, bumpy rides in safari vehicles. Most of the hotels were far from luxurious. This wasn’t the kind of trip you expect when you hear “luxury safari.”

Curious about the travel company she used, I looked at its website and Instagram posts. There were no affiliations with reputable travel organizations like ASTA, IATA, CLIA or certifications like Verified Travel Advisor (VTA), CTA or CTC displayed. There was no evidence of seller of travel licenses or of consortium membership, things professionals proudly display.

As travel experts, we know true advisors have deep destination knowledge, strong supplier relationships and ongoing training. Planning an Africa safari is incredibly complex and requires precise coordination, something this company clearly lacked.

So why would someone trust such an unqualified person with nearly $5,000 for a trip? Social media marketing and pretty websites often create the illusion of trust, worthiness and luxury. But anyone can sell travel with zero licensing or oversight. This is unlike real estate, where strict education, exams, licensing, ongoing training and regulatory enforcement protect consumers.

I believe the travel industry should adopt similar standards. ASTA is leading the way with the VTA program, setting a benchmark for professionalism and ethics. Becoming VTA certified shows credibility, builds client confidence, earns industry recognition and sets advisors apart.

As travel professionals, we must proudly and prominently display our credentials and educate clients — and potential clients — on their importance. This helps travelers make informed choices and ultimately find trusted, knowledgeable advisors who will craft exceptional trips.

Here’s what I always tell my clients: Just because someone has a great Instagram feed or a large following doesn’t mean they’re qualified to plan your trip. Beautiful marketing doesn’t always equal experience or reliability. Before you trust anyone with your hard-earned money and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences, it’s important to verify their credentials, industry affiliations and partnerships with reputable suppliers.

As a VTA-certified advisor, my job goes far beyond booking flights and hotels. I’m here to protect their investment, ensure a seamless travel experience and deliver a trip that exceeds their expectations.

Clients deserve more than an itinerary that looks pretty on paper or a computer screen. They deserve professional guidance, honest expertise and peace of mind.