It’s a religion

James Ferrara doesn’t dabble in subscription models, he swears by them.
For him, the appeal is obvious: predictability for the business and accessibility for the customer.

So when InteleTravel transitioned from a high annual fee to a monthly subscription model, the results were nothing short of transformational.

“We went from putting thousands into business… to over a million. The subscription made it affordable, accessible, and flexible. People were no longer priced out of starting their own travel business.”

InteleTravel became more than a platform. It became a launchpad.
For aspiring travel entrepreneurs, the subscription fee was cheaper than a Starbucks habit. It came with enterprise-level support, including marketing tech, supplier deals, AI research tools, education, and a billion-dollar agency infrastructure behind it.

The Travel Club vs. The Travel Agent

But Ferrara is quick to draw a distinction. Vacation clubs are about saving money. InteleTravel’s model is about making it.

“It’s two different doorways into the same house,” he says. “Both are rooted in community and human connection, but one is about earning income, and the other is about enjoying perks.”

Still, Ferrara sees a future where the two overlap.
Independent travel agents, powered by tech and motivated by ownership, could easily serve as trusted distributors of club memberships.

“That kind of hybrid? That’s where things get exciting.”

AI Is Not the Enemy — It’s the Amplifier

Ferrara doesn’t fear AI. He uses it. But he’s crystal clear on what it can’t do.

“AI isn’t curious. And travel requires curiosity.”

At InteleTravel, AI is used to supercharge research, compare inventory, and speed up bookings. But the final connection, the part where someone understands your vibe, your family, your preferences—that still belongs to a human being.

“Our advisors win because they’re tech-empowered and human-led. That combination? It’s unbeatable.”

A Membership Sales Engine That Actually Works

Ferrara also pulls back the curtain on what has become one of InteleTravel’s most successful business moves: outsourcing their advisor recruitment to a direct-selling partner.

“We tried everything, Google Ads, TV spots, radio. Nothing came close to what this partner delivered.”

Operating on a clean, corporate network marketing model, the partner helped drive thousands of new advisors every month. Year-over-year, InteleTravel’s membership grows at a steady 15–20%—but travel sales? They’re jumping 40–70%.

It’s proof that when subscription meets the right distribution model, scale follows.

Generations Are Changing, and So Is Travel Loyalty

In Ferrara’s early years, baby boomers dominated travel spending. But also resisted using travel advisors.
Now? Millennials and Gen Z are flipping that script.

“They see using a travel advisor as a flex. It saves them time, gets them access, and helps them travel better.”

Younger travelers are more experience-driven, more likely to work remotely, and more interested in meaningful, bucket-list-style trips. That wanderlust, paired with the accessibility of remote business ownership, is fueling a boom in travel entrepreneurship and advisory services

No Tourists Allowed

If you haven’t heard it yet, Ferrara co-hosts the podcast No Tourists Allowed.

The mission? Help people travel deeper, smarter, and with more intention.

“We don’t want you snapping selfies on the same street as everyone else,” he says. “We want you to see the world, not just skim it.”