Today we’d like to introduce you to Maribel DeAnda.
Hi Maribel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into the travel industry wasn’t something I originally planned. Looking back, though, many of the things I love most about travel were showing up long before I ever became a travel advisor. I’ve always been drawn to design, architecture, hospitality, culture, and the details that go into creating an experience. Whether it’s planning a special event, helping someone find the perfect gift, or bringing a vision to life, I’ve always enjoyed understanding what matters to people and making it happen.
My career began in the service industry as a waitress before moving into retail and jewelry sales, where I learned that the best service isn’t about selling something—it’s about listening, building trust, and understanding what someone truly wants. Later, while working at the White-Pool House Museum in Odessa and pursuing real estate, a colleague and close friend who had traveled extensively around the world encouraged me to consider the travel industry. Through countless conversations about destinations, cultures, and travel experiences, I realized that travel brought together everything I loved: people, relationships, hospitality, design, storytelling, and creating meaningful experiences.
Travel has always been a part of my life. Growing up, many of our trips were road trips spent visiting family in small towns throughout Texas and New Mexico and along the Texas-Mexico border. Having family ties near the border gave me an early appreciation for the ways culture, history, language, food, and traditions shape a place and influence how people experience the world. Those trips taught me that some of the most memorable travel experiences happen beyond the major attractions. Today, when my own family travels, we still seek out local restaurants, museums, historic sites, neighborhoods, and the places that give a destination its character and story.Over the last three years as a travel advisor, I’ve come to appreciate how much happens behind the scenes. Attending Virtuoso Travel Week and meeting face-to-face with suppliers from around the world reinforced just how important relationships are in this industry. The ability to pick up the phone, call the right person, and create something extraordinary for a client can completely transform a travel experience.
As someone from West Texas, I wanted to bring that level of service home. The people here work incredibly hard for their vacations, often saving for months or years to take a special trip. I believe travel should feel personal, thoughtful, and well cared for. More than anything, I believe travel changes people. It broadens our perspective, introduces us to new ways of seeing the world, and gives us stories we’ll carry long after the euphoria of a trip wears off. Helping create those experiences is what I love most about what I do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Like any business, there have been plenty of learning curves along the way. Travel is one of those industries that looks simple from the outside, but there’s an incredible amount of work happening behind the scenes that most people never see.
Planning and booking travel for someone else is very different from planning your own vacation. As a travel advisor, you’re responsible for understanding your clients, travel destinations, hotels, suppliers, policies, logistics, and countless details that can impact a client’s experience. You’re not just booking a trip; you’re helping someone invest their time, money, and trust in an experience they may have been dreaming about for years.At the same time, those challenges have helped shape my business. They’ve pushed me to become more knowledgeable, more selective about the partners I work with, and more intentional about the experiences I create for my clients. Looking back, every obstacle has ultimately made me a better advisor and a stronger advocate for the travelers who trust me with their vacations.
We’ve been impressed with Jet-Setter Routes , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I specialize in personalized travel planning, helping clients navigate the overwhelming number of options to find experiences that truly fit their travel style.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. Travel is often tied to some of life’s most important moments; family vacations, anniversaries, milestone celebrations, reunions, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Knowing that clients trust me with those memories is something I never take for granted.
What sets me apart is that I approach travel planning as both a responsibility and a craft. What I offer is guidance, firsthand knowledge, trusted relationships, and a commitment to creating experiences that feel intentional and meaningful. I spend a great deal of time behind the scenes researching, learning, building industry relationships, and staying informed so that my clients can travel with confidence. For me, success isn’t measured by the quantity of trips I book. It’s measured by the quality of experiences my clients have when they arrive.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Integrity
Pricing:
- Reserved- Complimentary
- Curated Journey – Starting at $347
- Signature Journey – Starting at $797
- Collective Journey – Starting at $897
- Signature Reserve – Yearly Retainer
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jet-setterroutes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traveladvisormari/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JetSetterRoutes
