Sometimes you just know in your gut that it’s time for a change — you might be feeling out of sorts, the weeks feel dreary or, if you’re anything like Asia Lantz, you’re shedding a tear or two on your way to work every day.
A former corporate beauty professional, Lantz hit the brakes on her full-time career in 2015 when the writing on the wall became too blatant to ignore. She was in search of something meaningful, embarking on a journey of self-discovery to figure out her next steps.
“At one point, I actually considered becoming a flight attendant,” Lantz recalled. “But then someone asked, ‘Why don’t you look into becoming a travel advisor?’ to which I replied at the time, ‘Wait … is that even still a job?’”
When Lantz discovered that becoming a travel advisor was, in fact, still very much a job, the pieces began to fall into place. She had a knack for meticulous planning thanks to her corporate career, loved organizing trips for friends and family and always managed to get the vacation plans out of the group chat — a skillset Lantz realized would be perfect for a career in the industry.
With the future finally in focus, Lantz joined Liberty Travel in New Jersey, launching what would soon become a rewarding new chapter in her professional life.
Oh, COVID
After learning the industry ropes from her mentor at Liberty Travel, Lantz transitioned to GOGO Vacations’ long-haul department in 2019, building out itineraries across Asia, Europe and the South Pacific.
“[The job] gave me behind-the-scenes access to how complex, multi-country trips really come together into one seamless itinerary,” said Lantz. “It helped me become really comfortable navigating the kind of trips that aren’t ‘one-click bookings.’”
It wasn’t long after Lantz found her footing at GOGO Vacations that the COVID-19 pandemic shut down her department. Combining that with her husband’s relocation to Arizona, Lantz took the opportunity to pursue a new endeavor and launched Travel with Asia in 2020.
“I launched Travel with Asia with the goal of offering concierge-level service, deep destination knowledge and a personal touch that makes planning feel effortless,” she said. “It’s a business rooted in care and connection, and in giving people the kind of experiences they’ll talk about for the rest of their lives.”
Hitting Her Stride
Between Lantz’s extensive travel experience — 27 countries and counting — and her global connections from GOGO Vacations, she’s found her sweet spot helping travelers plan bucket list trips and once-in-a-lifetime romantic getaways.
“I don’t just recommend things I’ve seen in a brochure. I plan and travel the same way my travelers do,” said Lantz. “No matter what I’m planning, I want it to feel effortless, intentional and unforgettable so my clients have the most incredible experience of their lives.”
This deep care and personal investment in each traveler’s trip didn’t go unnoticed by her peers. In fact, it’s the exact reason Lantz won ASTA’s 2025 Travel Advisor of the Year. For the dreamer who first fell in love with travel through books, didn’t fly first-class growing up and never envisioned a career in the industry, receiving the award can only be described as surreal.
“This award isn’t just about sales or numbers. It’s about care, connection and showing up with heart every single day,” said Lantz. “That’s what I’ve always tried to do. It feels like a giant sign from the universe that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, and I don’t take that lightly.”
Moving Forward
Riding this successful wave of momentum, Travel with Asia has plans to expand later this year. Lantz explained that she intends to launch an umbrella brand, adding a small group of advisors who specialize in areas outside of her own, including Disney, ocean cruises and Caribbean all-inclusives, while prioritizing the human-first experience.
Reflecting on her decade in the industry, Lantz knows her path to success wasn’t always easy and required a healthy dose of blood, sweat and (literal) tears to make happen. Now, as a travel pro, she attributes her career accomplishments to one core value: authenticity.
“You don’t need to be everything to everyone. Don’t hyperfocus on being the ‘ultimate professional,’” she said. “You don’t need to be perfect; you just need to be real.”
Originally appeared in the Fall 2025 issue of The Compass magazine
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