Bringing twenty years of experience across the travel industry, Michael’s role as Director of Global Products encapsulates his wide array of hospitality expertise.
Michael began his career in travel while studying Travel & Tourism Management before working for cruise lines. It was during these formative years that he quickly discovered that the industry offered exactly what he was looking for: a career built around people, places, culture, and connection. From there, he went on to work on property at hotels and ultimately with a tour operator before working with a tourism board and ultimately moving into sales and marketing for some of the world’s leading ultra-luxury resort collections. Most recently, Michael spent seven years with Kerzner International, representing One&Only Resorts, Atlantis, SIRO, and Rare Finds, ultimately serving as Senior Director, Commercial across the portfolio.
Michael’s passion for travel started well before his career did. Michael’s father was a Social Studies and Geography teacher—and, much to his chagrin, also his sixth-grade teacher. While having his dad as his teacher fueled his teenage embarrassment, ultimately, his father’s stories and respect for other cultures led Michael to develop a deep-rooted curiosity that still shapes how he sees the world today. At SmartFlyer, he brings his global perspective, relationship-first approach, and a genuine passion for helping advisors connect their clients with the right places, people, and experiences around the world. Today, Michael lives outside New York City by the beach in New Jersey with his husband, their dog Häns, and—while not his choice—their thirty-four quail.
South Africa will always hold a special place for me. My husband and I got engaged in the winelands, and every time I return to South Africa, I’m reminded why it’s one of those destinations that gets under your skin. The food, the landscapes, the people, the art, the wine, the wildlife…it has everything I love about travel in one place.
Typically, I begin by obsessing over the idea of the trip, diving down wormholes of trusted reviews and identifying potential Instagram vs. reality disasters. As I’m a visual and geographical person, I plot everything into a Google Map to help with logistics and itinerary flow, but I try not to over-plan every minute. I like to find the right balance between being prepared and leaving room for surprise. I avoid lines at all costs, and always try to leave a full day to enjoy the pool, beach, or ambiance at the accommodations. Some of the best parts of a trip are the places you wander into by accident, and characters you connect with along the way.
Keep up with the places that deserve more than a bookmark, but a check-in.
