With over sixteen years of tourism industry experience in diverse roles and a Masters in Sustainable Tourism, Joshua's background includes success in product creation, sales strategy, policy development, trade relationships and marketing integration. His entrepreneurial spirit and proven strategic vision combined with a comprehensive understanding of global tourism offers a unique perspective on the industry.

Background​

After graduating with a bachelors degree in Public Relations & Marketing from Miami University of Ohio, Joshua Smith began his career with the international consortia Virtuoso in Seattle, WA in 2007. As manager of preferred tour operators, Joshua elevated his portfolio within the luxury leisure network through marketing and educational programs. Understanding the need for a collective strategy, he began managing the tourism board relationships, developing integration marketing campaigns with over 40 governments.

In 2010, Joshua left and co-founded 45 Degrees Marketing, a representation company promoting international ground operators to the US trade industry. Through this brand, he consulted with other companies including Travel Marketing Worldwide, managing the Middle Eastern portfolio and served as the U.S. office for Asia Reps, a German-based company with a collection of luxury properties across Asia. 

​In 2012, Joshua sold 45 Degrees Marketing and began working with TRAVCOA, a World Leader in Luxury Travel for over 50 years, as Independent Journeys Product Manager. Focusing on operational efficacy and destination development, Joshua created an expansive portfolio of over 140 tours in more than 70 countries eventually becoming Associate Director of Private Travel, managing the team of Custom & Private Journey Planners.

In February 2013, Joshua launched Millennials in Travel, a career development and networking organization for young professionals in the travel industry as a side business due to industry demand. As CEO and Director of Strategic Development, Joshua created a network of eleven domestic chapters comprised of 2,200+ members in just 18 months, while securing a trademark for the brand. With monthly events, educational programs and global alliances, Millennials in Travel has become the premier organization for future leaders of the travel industry.

During this time, Joshua joined the board of the United States Tour Operators Association, the National Tour Association's Young Professionals Advisory Board and began speaking at numerous industry events on millennial travel trends. ​In August 2013, Joshua was named on the hot list of "Rising Stars" by travAlliancemedia. Because of the success in developing Millennials in Travel, Joshua was featured on the December 2014 cover "Millennials Rising" of Travel Agent Magazine.

Joshua left Travcoa in 2016 and launched a boutique travel agency called Global Citizen Journeys. As a Travel Advisor, he focused on creating immersive travel experiences across the globe. He continued consulting with travel technology companies such as Dipp, a design platform utilizing artificial intelligence, and entertainment productions on filming locations and relationships. In May 2018, Joshua began a role with South African Tourism as the Trade Relations Manager for the West Coast in an effort to understand government policy and was responsible for the promotion of the beautiful country of South Africa. Simultaneously, he launched JLS Properties, a rental real estate company focused on the student market in Oxford, OH.

In October 2019, Joshua returned to the private sector, joining Goway Travel as Tourism Partnerships Manager, working with government tourism boards on six continents through cooperative marketing campaigns and trade engagement activities. Joshua is a frequent organizer and panelist at industry conferences and events including the New York Times Travel Show and Travel & Adventure Show series, as well as a resource for other organizations focused on the millennial generation, sustainable tourism and working with tourism boards.

​In 2021, Joshua completed his Sustainable Tourism masters degree with Arizona State University and expanded his rental real estate portfolio to include a boutique hotel in Cape Town, South Africa called DigiNomad Retreats, exclusively designed for the digital nomad. He continues to focus on the growth of Millennials in Travel as well as his travel agency and consulting business. Joshua currently lives a nomadic lifestyle floating between properties in Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Cape Town, while continuing to travel extensively. Outside of tourism, Joshua is a certified yoga instructor through CorePower Yoga, is pursuing various PADI diving certifications and enjoys cooking with the many spices he's collected in his travels.