2025 Next Gen: Andrew Moran

Andrew Moran is one of the 2025 Next Gens, as nominated by Groups Today readers for making a difference in the industry with his fresh, progressive perspective.

Andrew Moran is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of student travel, inspired by his own life-changing educational trip.

"My first experience with the group travel industry was as a student on a high school band trip to Italy, organized by the company I now work for," said Moran, who works as Senior Director of Sales & Travel Design at Music Travel Consultants. "At the time, I had never left the country or traveled on that scale. Journeying to the other side of the world, meeting others, sharing our musical talents, and connecting in that way was remarkable and eye-opening. It was incredibly humbling."

While pursuing his music education degree, Moran joined Music Travel Consultants as a Tour Director, and after graduation, was offered a full-time role.

"The choice was easy, as it allowed me to give back to the field that had given me so much in a unique way. Working for a tour operator that specializes in performing arts travel keeps me closely connected to this field and provides constant opportunities to support organizations I deeply care about," Moran shared. "Every day, my work connects back to that first trip I took as a student, and I love that I now get to create similar experiences for other groups and lead an incredible team of Travel Designers and Trip Developers who do the same."

Moran has also spent over a decade teaching, serving and volunteering in music education, and is fascinated by the travel industry's simultaneous resilience and agility.

"After the pandemic brought everything to a halt, we're now seeing more innovation than ever in every corner of the industry," he said. "Suppliers are expanding offerings for all types of groups, making experiences more immersive, while educators are seeking unique, tailored experiences for their students. As student tour operators, we stand at the intersection of these two, connecting educators and suppliers to create bespoke, life-changing opportunities for the next generation. What an awesome responsibility we carry."

Moran is also excited about how the industry can expand the walls of the classroom before a trip even begins.

"Could immersive virtual reality enable a student government group to sit in on a legislative session, then meet 'face-to-face' with their congressperson to ask questions about the process before they travel to Washington? What possibilities could future technologies bring to communities who currently face barriers to travel?"

Moran is deeply passionate about making travel accessible to as many young people as possible.

"Despite travel costs at an all-time high, I believe it's more important than ever for today's young people—our best ambassadors—to have the chance to see the world," Moran said. "I'm committed to doing everything I can to ensure they have access to these transformative experiences."

His accomplishments and favorite moments are aplenty, though a few stand out—one being working with a band set to march in the Presidential Inaugural Parade.

"Just two days before departure, the President of the Inaugural Committee called to see if we could arrive in Washington a full day earlier than planned; the group was offered a last-minute, private performance during the Committee's pep rally to kick off the week's events, with members of the incoming administration in attendance," Moran said.

He jumped into action.

"I called the band director—a good friend—right away to see if we could make it happen," Moran recalled. "Chaperones would need an extra day off work, we'd have to secure additional hotel rooms in Washington during Inauguration Week, arrange extra meals and activities, and send coach drivers in a matter of hours to ensure the proper rest for DOT compliance—not to mention the funding. It was daunting."

Moran and his incredible team acted quickly—dispatching the coach drivers in advance of final funding approval; squaring away the hotel; and working through the night with vendor partners to ensure meals and activities for 200 people.

"In the end, the group left a full 24 hours early, with around 28 hours' notice," Moran said. "It was an unforgettable experience for students, staff, chaperones and the entire community—a true example of what's possible when we push ourselves outside of our comfort zone."

Committed to providing students with impactful experiences, Moran continues to works to elevate student travel standards, creating lasting opportunities for the next generation that reflect those that shaped his own journey. He believes the future of student group travel is incredibly bright, and is eager to support its growth and impact.

"I've been fortunate to work alongside many wonderful colleagues who have generously contributed their time and talent to organizations like the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) and the SYTA Youth Foundation (SYF), serving in various capacities from volunteering to holding elected positions. I aspire to follow their example and support these organizations' missions," he shared.

Moran also recently collaborated with a CVB, exploring their attractions and evaluating them for potential performance programs.

"We then invited representatives from these attractions to present on how they can welcome performance groups," he said. "I truly enjoyed this consulting work, as it helps the industry better support teachers and students."

Passionate about advocating for highest standards in service and hospitality in student travel, Moran is also striving to provide truly exceptional experiences for directors, students and their families—now and in the future.

"A book that profoundly changed my perspective on this topic is 'Unreasonable Hospitality' by Will Guidara. I genuinely appreciate the message it conveys and recommend it to anyone in the industry. As Will would say, 'No one who ever changed the game did so by being reasonable.'"

Andrew Moran is one of the 2025 Next Gens, as nominated by Groups Today readers for making a difference in the industry with his fresh, progressive perspective. Click here to see the January/February feature.

Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.

Photos courtesy of Josh Burnett.