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Insider Travel Report assists travel advisors by discussing the changing travel landscape with a line-up of special guests VIP guests, the movers and shakers...
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Henley Vazquez, co-founder of New York-based Fora Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about how her innovative and brand new host agency, now 200 advisors strong, is on the fast-track to growth. Vazquez details the many new programs just introduced by Virtuoso-affiliated Fora, including a new Fora X unit for top sellers, a leads program, a CRM program and much more. For more information, visit www.foratravel.com.
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Ken Young, rooms division manager for Margaritaville Beach Resort Ambergris Caye in Belize, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report a tour of this newly opened property on the Belizean coast, including the 55 suites, main restaurant, pools and spa. The Margaritaville is not an all-inclusive but your clients can buy a daily “chef’s table” option if they don’t want to head into town for local fare. The resort also wants guests to get out and explore the famed reef in Belize, plus the coastline and local communities. For more information, visit www.karismahotels.com.
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, the new CEO of Collette, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about taking over from her father Dan Sullivan Jr. and her plans for 106-year-old tour operator, which is in midst of a growth spurt with new destinations (visiting all seven continents), adding new travel advisor programs and new client rewards program. For more information, visit www.collette.com or www.gocollette.com.
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Frank Maduro, president of Premier Worldwide Marketing, representative of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the official opening of the Margaritaville Beach Resort Ambergris Caye in Belize. This newest entry in the Jimmy Buffet-inspired resort chain is actually not an all-inclusive property (though an inclusive option can be added on a daily basis). The resort puts the focus squarely on exploring Belize, including its famed reef and colorful communities. For more information, visit www.karismahotels.com.
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Peter McNamee, general manager of Motto by Hilton Times Square, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his brand new hotel, one of the first in Hilton's new lifestyle brand. McNamee talks about his property's location right in the middle of the Broadway district, the modern and efficient room product, the familiar service provided by the staff, and what's to come, including a new restaurant and bar. For more information, visit www.mottobyhilton.com or www.hilton.com.
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Friday Oct 20, 2023
James Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his decision to position his cruise brand as an all-inclusive yachting hybrid, combining luxury with expedition experiences. The goal is to satisfy the many new types of guests who have entered the market after the pandemic travel pause, especially those who are more active. Rodriguez reviews Atlas’ first three ships, the vessels to come and new itineraries. For more information, visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Jacki Marks, executive vice president of Apple Leisure Group, talks with Olivia Liveng of Insider Travel Report about ALG Vacations’ new line of products offering packaged programs in Europe. In this case, Liveng traveled with Marks on a combination city stay and island experience in Greece, featuring a hotel stay in Athens and an all-inclusive vacation at Dreams Corfu Resort & Spa. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com.
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, talks with James Shillinglaw about Los Cabos’ new wellness ambassador, Diana Flores, who just happens to be an all-star quarterback for a woman’s professional flag football team. Flores will promote wellness tourism in Los Cabos along with all the great attributes the destination has to offer. For more information, visit www.visitloscabos.com.
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Carmen Roig, vice president of sales for Princess Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her favorite features on the new Discovery Princess, most especially the 360 dining experience, a gourmet dinner in a wrap-around IMAX-like theater. which now can be purchased by suite guests. For more information, visit www.princess.com.
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Varsha Aurora, senior research analyst for Skift, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the marketing research group’s new report on luxury travel and the prospects for the future. Aurora reveals that luxury trave continues to strong, with only a few blips on the horizon. Discover what Skift sees as the future for the luxury market. For more information, click on Skift Luxury Report or visit www.skift.com.
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
David Levine and Ryan Warshaw, co-owners of Epic Jaunts, an independent agency affiliate of the Avoya Network, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how they met while working at Best Buy and found a common interest in travel, which led them to seek out ways to switch careers and become travel advisors. Other than old-fashioned hard work, the partners cite Avoya's support and technology as the reason for their success to the tune of $5 million in sales in their first year. For more information, visit www.AvoyaNetwork.com.
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Seth Borko, senior research analyst for Skift, the travel industry news, market research and marketing services website, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month's Skift Global Forum about a new Skift survey focused on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on travel. Borko says AI will definitely change how people travel, but that travel advisors don't have any reason to fear it. For more information, visit https://skift.com.
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Steve Hirsham, senior vice president of sales for the Avoya Network, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the rapid growth of Avoya’s independent affiliates (IAs) and how they are seeing record-setting bookings. Hirsham also discusses Avoya's education and training program, supplier partnerships, fees and commission split changes, including Avoya’s new Elite 100 program. For more information, visit www.AvoyaNetwork.com.
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Airline impresario David Neeleman, founder and CEO of fledging Breeze Airways, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Skift Global Forum, where he spoke about his innovative airline. Neeleman, who founded JetBlue and Brazil’s Azul, and revived TAP Air Portugal, has created a new point-to-point carrier to serve underserved communities around the U.S. with brand new smaller aircraft—and he tells us he’s ready to grow internationally as well. For more information, visit www.flybreeze.com.
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Phil Cappelli, the new chief sales officer for the Avoya Network, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his career highlights, starting as a supervisor in the reservations department for Tauck, moving on later to become president of Insight Vacations, and most recently serving as senior vice president for Signature Travel Network. Cappelli explains he joined Avoya specifically because of the host agency’s technology, which he calls “the best in class.” For more information, visit www.AvoyaNetwork.com.
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Robert Martinez, director-Apple Leisure Group & Hyatt Inclusive Collection communications, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM North America about Hyatt’s rapidly expanding collection of all-inclusive resorts. With Hyatt’s purchase of Apple Leisure Group nearly three years ago, it acquired all the resorts under the AMResorts brand, turning Hyatt into the largest operator of all-inclusive properties in the world. Martinez details how Hyatt has expanded its all-inclusive collection even more—and well beyond Mexico and the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com or www.hyattinclusivecollection.com.
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
John Cox, director of arts and culture at Baha Mar, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his Bahamas resort’s unique program for the arts. Cox, a famed local artist, took on the role of director for the arts at the resort and has built a formidable program that includes a large art gallery of local art and arts program for guests, as well as hosting the upcoming Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival at Baha Mar on Oct. 27-29. For more information, visit www.bahamar.com or https://bahamar.com/bahamas-culinary-arts-festival.
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Jeff Anderson, co-CEO of Avoya Network, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the gro wth in Avoya's independent affiliates due to its proprietary technology as well as its training programs. Anderson says new members tend to be new-to-travel and either older and looking for a second career or young and looking to start a lifelong career. He also discusses Avoya's new take on fees and commissions and more. For more information, visit www.AvoyaNetwork.com or www.AvoyaTravel.com.
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Magdalena Ciocea, travel trade manager for Up at the O2, and Aleš Kosejk, head of business development for Visit Greenwich, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the many things to do in Greenwich, a 600-year-old world heritage site, 15 minutes southeast of central London on the river Thames. Greenwich is the home of the Royal Observatory, responsible for keeping track of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and Up at the O2, a 90-minute walk up a slow incline until guests are at the top of the outdoor platform with a spectacular view of London. For more information, email magdalena.ciocea@upattheo2.co.uk or visit www.UpatTheO2.co.uk and www.visitgreenwich.org.uk.
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Katie Johnson, vice president & global brand leader for the Independent Collections & Residences of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM North America in the Bahamas about the growth of Hyatt’s group of independent lifestyle and boutique hotels, including properties in The Unbound Collection, Destination by Hyatt and JdV by Hyatt. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com.
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Graeme Bowie, head of sales and commercial for Rabbie's, a small group tour company based in Edinburgh, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the company’s 30-year history and what makes Rabbie's different: Rabbie's owns all its vehicles, all the driver guides are trained to the same high standard and all are full time employees. This gives Rabbie's complete control over its products in Scotland, England, Ireland and other countries in Europe. For more information, visit www.rabbies.com.
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Donald Adam, chief commercial officer of the Goldywnn, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his boutique Bahamas resort located just down the beach from Baha Mar on Nassau. With innovative dining concepts, designer rooms and a dedicated art collection, this brand new beachfront property offers the perfect escape for your clients. For more information, visit www.goldwynnresorts.com.
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Ewan Frost-Pennington, who inherited the responsibility of running Muncaster Castle, which has been owned by his family since 1208, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how he is transitioning the castle from being a day trip for visitors to an international destination. Located just two hours from Manchester, this “proper castle” has 147 rooms, 77 acres of gardens and 30 birds of prey. The special dinners with his family in the main hall are catered for groups using a “formality index,” so guests know whether to wear sneakers or evening attire. For more information, visit www.muncaster.co.uk.
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar in the Bahamas, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his property got to host the ILTM North America luxury travel show last month, something it will continue to do for the next few years. Davis also describes how his massive three hotel resort—which includes a Grand Hyatt, an SLS, a Rosewood and a major conference facility—has evolved since it opened in 2015 to include a water park, new dining outlets and even an arts program. For more information, visit www.bahamar.com.
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Emma Gordon, senior marketing manager for Manchester, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the explosion of accommodations and entertainment venues in her city in the north of England. From 2022 to 2024, more than 4,000 new rooms will have been added to the city’s inventory, 400 of which will be new rooms in the hotel being built as part of Etihad Stadium, home of the English Premier League football champions Manchester City. Gordon also details other new arenas, food halls, museums and festivals, as well as the new commissionable Manchester City Pass. For more information, visit www.VisitManchester.com.
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Emile Langenhoven, general manager of the Lanzerac Hotel & Spa, talks with Angela Hughes of Insider Travel Report about his South African farm, which was founded in 1692 and slowly became focused on wine. Just a 45-minute drive from Cape Town, this property became a 53-room luxury boutique hotel in 1959 and known to European travelers. But Americans are just finding out about it. For more information, visit www.lanzerac.co.za.
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Stephen Nase, director of marketing for North America for Visit Wales, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the unprecedented amount of films produced in Wales, including Harry Potter, James Bond, Doctor Who, Sex Education, Game of Thrones: House of Dragons and Welcome to Wrexham. Nase breaks his country into four regions and goes over new distilleries, what’s happening at the National Botanic Garden, the Museum of Speed, the Royal Mint and more. With 870 miles of coastlines and many areas declared certified dark skies, Wales is able to showcase wildlife and the cosmos. For more information, visit . www.VisitWales.com.
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Susana Ramíerz Horta, vice president of sales and marketing for Tafer Hotels & Resorts, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her Mexican company with properties in the beach destinations of Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun. Horta describes each property, the activities, dining, wellness and amenities offered, and whether they are designed for families or adults only. She also offers a unique selling point where guests can choose either an all-inclusive plan or a European plan for just the room with no extras, or mix the two plans strategically. For more information, email Susana.Ramirez@TaferResorts.com or visit www.TaferResorts.com.
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
The fact that expedition cruising has grown enormously over just the last five years, should come as no surprise. Even during the pandemic, cruise lines were launching new expedition vessels that sailed to ever more remote destinations—and we’re not just talking about Antarctica and the Arctic. There are expedition cruises to remote islands, fantastic new places and even familiar ports that deserve a new take. But how can you figure out which expedition your clients should go on. This panel of expedition experts tells you how. Panelists include Chris Hanna, Quark Expeditions national accounts and business development manager for North America; Kelly Predmesky, director key accounts East for Swan Hellenic; and Franklin Braeckman, Antarctic program manager for Oceanwide Expeditions. For more information, visit www.quarkexpeditions.com, www.swanhellenic.com and www.oceanwide-expeditions.com
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Keith Campbell, Visit Scotland's market development manager for North America, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the latest offerings in Scotland, including new agritourism farm tours, e-bike tours, walking tours, group museum tours in Glasgow, film tourism, new distilleries and two new Virgin hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow. For more information, visit www.VisitScotland.com.
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Rafat Ali, founder and CEO of Skift and Skift Global Forum, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at New York’s Jacob Javits Center last week about his annual conference focused on travel technology and travel marketing, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. Ali’s annual event attracts many of the travel world’s top executives in hotels, online travel, tours, cruises, transportation, travel marketing and more, making it essential for those who want to be up to date and in the know about the latest thinking and trends. For more information, visit www.skift.com.
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Sheelagh Wylie, chief marketing officer for the Americas for VisitBritain, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about a test marketing campaign used to promote Britain to “experience seekers.” Mini-campaigns with travel partners re-targeted that messaging in smaller affordable co-op campaigns, which helped convince travelers to book with travel advisors. Co-op partners include Hilton Hotels, West Midlands Growth Company, Visit Wales, Visit Brighton and Visit Kent, among others. Wylie also highlights what's new and noteworthy this year in Britain, with an emphasis on film tourism and air lift. For more information, visit www.VisitBritain.com or www.VisitBritain.org.
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Simon Mayle, event director for the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) North America talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the trade show, which brought together nearly 1,000 luxury suppliers and buyers (travel advisors) at Baha Mar in the Bahamas for the first time. ILTM North America had been held in Mayakoba on the Riviera Maya since it began in 2012. The consensus among attendees was that this was the best show yet, with more meetings, more interaction and a much easier facility to get around. For more information, visit www.itlm.com.
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Laurence Cotton, riverlorian (river historian) on American Empress, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the program of talks, guided river tours and special experiences he delivers onboard this classic paddle wheeler sailing the Columbia and Snake rivers. One tip: Read up on the Lewis and Clark’s epic trip in the early 1800s. For more information on American Queen Voyages, visit www.AQVoyages.com
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Paul Gauger, VisitBritain's new executive vice president-Americas, Australia & New Zealand, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his country’s plans to grow the number of visitors from the regions he oversees and make Britain a welcoming place for all. For more information, visit www.VisitBritain.com or www.VisitBritain.org.
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Greg Pendzick, cruise director on American Queen Voyages’ American Empress, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the wide variety of entertainment onboard his river cruise ship sailing the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Penzick doubles as the chief entertainer, singing in different styles, including Broadway and beyond, accompanied by a great band every night. But Pendzick also develops great programming for guests every day, from trivia games to bingo and more. For more information, visit www.AQVoyages.com.
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Gavin Landry, international director of VisitBritain, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Destination Britain in San Francisco about his recent promotion overseeing Britain's markets around the world. Landry's goal is to create one global team that follows a single strategy uniting Britain's partners in media, trade, commerce and diplomacy to promote the destination. He also provides Britain's current visitor numbers and details its efforts to get more film tourism. For more information, visit www.VisitBritain.org or www.VisitBritain.com.
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Nick de Bois, chairman of VisitBritain, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his three-pronged approach to increasing the number of U.S. visitors to Britain even more by focusing on inclusivity, sustainability and accessibility. For more information, visit www.visitbritain.org or www.visitbritain.com.
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Terry Lunder, veteran hotel director on American Empress talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his paddle wheel river cruise vessel provides great accommodations, locally influenced dining and popular entertainment while sailing the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest. For more information on American Queen Voyages, visit www.AQVoyages.com.
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Captain Corey Mussey talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his American Empress, the paddle wheel vessel owned by American Queen Voyages that’s sailing on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Capt. Mussey describes the ship and its features, the challenges of navigating the Colombia River, and why he thinks the river is one of the most beautiful in the world to sail. For more information, visit www.aqvoyages.com.
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Kevin Clark, general manager of Sandals Royal Curacao, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his year-old luxury all-inclusive resort set on a magnificent beachfront on the island of Curacao. Clark, a veteran Sandals team member, describes the accommodations, dining and activities for guests, as well as why his Sandals, the first in the Dutch Caribbean, is one of the chain’s state-of-the-art properties. For more information, visit www.sandals.com.
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tanya Nicole Swann, resort sales manager for Beaches Turks & Caicos, talks with Dawn Barclay of Insider Travel Report about her family resort complex, site of this year’s ASTA Caribbean Showcase. Swann details all the wonderful facilities, playgrounds, pools, special activities and accommodations for families and multi-generational groups, along with a special program devoted specifically to kids with autism. For more information, visit www.beaches.com.
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Kevin Clark, general manager of Sandals Royal Curacao, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his year-old luxury all-inclusive resort set on a magnificent beachfront on the island of Curacao. Clark, a veteran Sandals team member, describes the accommodations, dining and activities for guests, as well as why his Sandals, the first in the Dutch Caribbean, is one of the chain’s state-of-the-art properties. For more information, visit www.sandals.com.
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Frits van der Werff, the new senior vice president-guest experiences for American Queen Voyages, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what his company in terms of experiences aboard the American Empress, including locally influenced cuisine, very comfortable accommodations, entertainment and more. American Empress cruises the Colombia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest, a very different but equally engaging river cruise offering great scenery, important U.S. history and great dining. For more information, visit www.aqvoyages.com.
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Ruisandro Cjintje, minister of economics and tourism for Curacao, talks with Dawn Barclay of Insider Travel Report at ASTA's second annual Caribbean Showcase about how the island is experiencing a boom in tourism by refocusing its marketing on the North American market. Cjintje also describes how Curacao is growing reef back, increasing airlift, and new and soon-to-open resorts. For more information, visit www.curacao.com.
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Josephine Connolly, minister of tourism, environment, heritage and culture for Turks & Caicos Islands, talks with Dawn Barclay of Insider Travel Report at ASTA's second annual Caribbean Showcase about her island's tourism, including post-COVID growth and the transformation of the tourism office into a destination management organization. For more information, visit www.visittci.com.
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Jeff and Cindy Coggin, owners of Coggin Travels, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how they built their Nexion-affiliated agency into a specialist in wine travel groups, often on European river cruises. Jeff, a former car rental executive, joined Cindy’s agency and proceeded to get a Level 2 Award in Wine designation. Now they focus on putting together wine travel groups that they lead themselves. For more information, visit www.coggintravels.com or www.nexion.com.
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Christie Bartlett, owner of DayDream Cruise & Travel in Round Rock, Texas, a member of Nexion Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how she was named a Nexion Ambassador at the CoNexion conference last month. Bartlett was selected by Nexion members and staff nominations for the way she embraces Nexion’s programs and tools, is a top seller of travel, consistently books and supports Nexion’s preferred partners, regularly attends Nexion events, and is an active advocate for travel and travel advisors. For more information, visit www.nexion.com or www.daydreamcruise.com.
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Ian Gooding-Edghill, minister of tourism and transportation for Barbados, talks with Dawn Barclay of Insider Travel Report at ASTA's second annual Caribbean Showcase, about all that's new and different for his island's tourism, including post-COVID growth, increasing airlift, and new and soon-to-be-opening accommodations. For more information, visit www.visitbarbados.org.
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Henry Charles Fernandez, minister of tourism and foreign affairs for Antigua & Barbuda, talks with Dawn Barclay of Insider Travel Report at last month's ASTA Caribbean Showcase about his island's tourism, including post-COVID growth, increasing airlift, and new and soon-to-be-opening accommodations. For more information, visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com.