Beyond the Guidebook with Lisa Pagotto
- Pri Mills
- Mar 12
- 2 min read
Lisa Pagotto is not your average travel industry professional. With a career spanning retail travel agencies, wholesale product development, sales, marketing, and tour leading, Lisa has worn nearly every hat in the travel industry. Now, as the founder of Crooked Compass, she leverages her deep expertise to craft immersive, eye-opening travel experiences that shatter cultural stigmas and introduce travellers to hidden gems around the globe.
Lisa recently shared her inspiring journey, perspectives on the future of travel, and a surprising personal tidbit that adds a delightful layer to her already captivating persona.
Can you start by introducing yourself? Tell us a bit about your background and your role in the travel industry.
I'm Lisa, and my career in travel spans over various industry sectors—beginning as a retail travel agent, then progressing into wholesale, product development, sales, marketing, and tour leading. Now, as founder of Crooked Compass and Crooked Compass by Air, my focus is on creating immersive, authentic travel experiences that challenge perceptions and promote deeper cultural understanding.
What inspired you to get into the travel industry, and what keeps your passion alive?
Travel fascinated me from a young age, and my first significant exposure to a completely new culture was when I visited Tunisia at 21 with my Nana. Her annual visits and intriguing stories inspired me deeply, but I had hesitated to explore alone until she took me. This transformative journey ignited my desire to unveil the overlooked and underrepresented aspects of destinations worldwide. Knowing that travel can profoundly shift perspectives and connect people keeps my passion thriving.
What was one travel experience that profoundly shaped you?
At age 21, my Nana took me to Tunisia, a destination she'd frequented since my childhood. Experiencing it firsthand transformed my outlook. Everything from the bustling markets with vibrant street scenes, humorous and confronting visuals—from colourful, funny products to fresh, visceral local markets—sparked intense curiosity rather than apprehension. The rich street food encouraged me to embrace new flavours boldly. Those ten days forever reshaped how I viewed the world.
Where do you think travel agents should focus their attention moving forward?
Hyper-personalisation and adaptability are key. Travellers now expect tailored experiences that reflect their unique interests and preferences. The rapid pace of geopolitical changes and fluctuating travel conditions makes duty-of-care more crucial than ever. Agents need to anticipate and navigate these complexities expertly, crafting bespoke itineraries and leaning on specialist knowledge to guide travellers safely and meaningfully.
What's a fun or surprising fact about you?
I'm an absolute crazy cat lady! Wherever my travels take me, you'll find me befriending cats and kittens. Travel adventures are undoubtedly better with a feline companion along the way!
Lisa's passion, foresight, and quirky personal charm remind us why meaningful travel experiences matter more than ever. In an evolving world, her vision encourages us to step outside the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary.
Lisa's passion, foresight, and quirky personal charm remind us why meaningful travel experiences matter more than ever. In an evolving world, her vision encourages us to step outside the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary.
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