Newly Created Role Responds to Continued Growing Demand for Quality Education
FRAMINGHAM, MA, March 16, 2026 — The Travel Institute announces the appointment of Stacey Cabell, CTIE, founder and former owner of Starstuff Travel, to lead the development of its curricula and to ensure the education leader’s programming remains aligned with the evolving needs of today’s travel professionals.
“Stacey brings a powerful combination of real-world agency leadership and a deep commitment to advisor education,” said Guida Botelho, CTIE, vice president for The Travel Institute. “Her experience in utilizing education to build and lead a high-performing agency gives her unique insight into what today’s advisors need. As we continue strengthening our programs and elevating professional standards across the industry, Stacey’s passion and leadership will be instrumental in shaping The Travel Institute’s next generation of content.”
A seasoned entrepreneur and education leader, Cabell founded Starstuff Travel in 2013, growing the full-service travel agency to more than 100 independent contractors and achieving multi-million-dollar annual sales over the last 10+ years before selling in 2025. Managing all backend operations, compliance, and supplier partnerships, Cabell credits her agency’s success, in part, to the comprehensive, multi-stage educational programs she created, focusing on industry knowledge, professional growth, soft skills, and modern sales practices for advisors. The appointment of Cabell, who is experienced in education from new-to-the-industry to advanced leadership to niche specialization and more, underscores The Travel Institute’s focus on delivering high-impact, scalable learning experiences for travel professionals at all stages of their careers.
“It’s a perfect match,” Cabell shared. “The Travel Institute excels at delivering high-impact, scalable learning, and I’m eager to contribute my expertise in instructional design and business acumen to its already powerful programming. Together, we’ll enable travel professionals everywhere to achieve greater success.”
In the newly created role of senior learning & development manager reporting to Botelho, Cabell now oversees the team, including both internal staff and external contributors responsible for the end-to-end learning experience including content development, quality assurance, learning design, and student engagement. For Botelho, Cabell’s real-world expertise in retail travel will “undoubtedly further cement our position as the education ‘gold standard’ for travel professionals at all stages of their careers.”
Cabell has long been a champion of The Travel Institute’s mission to advance industry professionalism and is a graduate of both its CTA and CTIE programs; she is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and New York University’s Tisch Hospitality & Industry Essentials. A recognized industry speaker and writer for major platforms such as Travel Pulse, Cabell has also served as a mentor for The Travel Institute’s Professional Educators Program, PEP.
Industry surveys indicate quality education is a key driver of success for individual advisors and the travel industry at large. In The Travel Institute’s Changing Face of Travel Agents survey, data consistently indicates a high correlation between high-quality certification and financial performance, most recently with 81% of its certified graduates reporting measurable business growth after earning their credentials.
“At The Travel Institute, we are committed to advancing professional growth across the travel industry,” said Taylor Ruecking, president of The Travel Institute. “As the marketplace evolves, we listen closely to advisors and partners and translate that insight into education that is current, practical, and forward-looking. By continually strengthening our teams and modernizing our programs, we ensure travel professionals are equipped to succeed today and lead with confidence into what’s next.”
Learn more about educational options for travel professionals at The Travel Institute.
ABOUT THE TRAVEL INSTITUTE
A collaborative industry effort created in 1964, The Travel Institute has continuously evolved to maintain its role as the global leader and industry’s recognized gold standard in travel industry education and certification. Dedicated solely to advancing the professionalism of both agents and industry leaders in support of individual and industry success, The Travel Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, independent organization operating exclusively for educational purposes to meet the ever-changing needs of travel agents. Working with leaders throughout the industry to create and deliver relevant and rigorous coursework and proctored, closed-book testing to ensure graduates demonstrate the highest standards of expertise and service, The Travel Institute has more than 31,000 Certified Travel Associate, CTA©; Certified Travel Counselor, CTC©; and Certified Travel Industry Executive, CTIE© graduates. It also administers the Travel Agent Proficiency, or TAP©, test to confirm students new to the industry demonstrate a mastery of travel industry basics. Countless individuals, agency owners and managers, and educational institutions utilize The Travel Institute’s award-winning TRIPKITSM introductory program and CTA as their learning tools of choice. A trusted partner to industry suppliers and educational institutions, The Travel Institute is also the approved provider of travel industry civilian occupation training for U.S. military and has trained hundreds of thousands through various courses, webinars, and other online content through its Education Hub. Throughout North America, many successful agents and high-profile leaders credit their success to The Travel Institute’s affordable and accessible educational resources. Learn more.