Travel Creator Yazan Koudsi (@zizotravels) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a career as an LGBTQ+ travel influencer with over 3 million followers. In this episode, Yazan shares his approach to creating content for LGBTQ+ travelers, including his number one priority: "The first thing LGBTQ+ people care about is safety." Host Ross Borden explores Yazan's evolution from posting travel photos as a flight attendant to becoming a sought-after travel advisor for major platforms, diving into his content strategy for hotels, his experience with tourism boards, and his memorable encounter with a U.S. state that wanted him to "keep it low key" regarding his identity. Yazan offers candid insights about platform monetization, revealing that Facebook surprisingly outpays both TikTok and Instagram for video views. Whether you're interested in travel content creation or seeking authentic perspectives on global destinations, this conversation delivers valuable insights on building a career while maintaining authenticity in an ever-changing social media landscape. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Yazan Koudsi 01:02 - Living in Puerto Rico and Travel Lifestyle 02:17 - From Flight Attendant to Travel Creator 03:32 - Middle Eastern Roots and 80 Countries Traveled 04:43 - Working as a Travel Advisor 06:04 - TikTok as a Search Engine 07:07 - Hotel Partnerships and Collaboration Strategy 10:28 - LGBTQ+ Travel Safety and Representation 12:08 - Brand Partnerships Gone Wrong 13:09 - Gay-Friendly Destinations and Puerto Rico 15:22 - Top Destinations for Queer Travelers 16:49 - The Business of Being a Creator 18:34 - Facebook vs TikTok Monetization 21:02 - Authentic Content and Platform Differences 22:08 - Overcoming Creator Burnout and Comparison 23:05 - Three Countries for Life Question 24:56 - Where to Find Yazan Online