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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
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.
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Heather Kindred, vice president-business development and education for Nexion Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how Nexion trains and educates newbie travel advisors and more experienced advisors. For newbies, Kindred uses Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, a program that introduces the travel advisor profession, and one that is available to all potential advisors. For more information, visit www.nexion.com or www.travelleadersoftomorrow.com.
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about why his expedition cruise line is changing its name from Hurtigruten Expeditions to just HX. At the same time Hurtigruten Norway, the line’s Norwegian coastal voyages unit, will become just Hurtigruten, the name its long been known as in Europe (see related story in this issue of Insider Travel Report). For more information, visit www.hurtigruten.com.
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Frank A. Del Rio, who was named president of Oceania Cruises last December, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Vista, the line's first new ship in 12 years, future ships and existing ship upgrades. He also details Oceania's place in the industry and how it offers understated elegance in the upper premium category. Del Rio also discusses Oceania's Simply More all-inclusive packages, which include free Wi-Fi on two devices per guest starting in October, as well as the future of Vista, which will feature a world cruise in 2026. For more information, visit www.OceaniaCruises.com.
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Dr. Ernest Hillaire, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investment, culture, creative industry and information for St. Lucia talks with Dawn Barclay of Insider Travel Report at ASTA's second annual Caribbean Showcase about tourism on his island, including post-COVID visitor growth, increasing airlift, and new and soon-to-open accommodations. For more information, visit www.stlucia.org.
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Amor Vidal-Morrell, reservations and specialty sales manager for Air Tahiti Nui, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the 25 year history of her airline, its new fleet, including new types of aircraft and seat classes. Vidal-Morrell also describes the airline's partnerships with the Tahitian Tourist Board and Paul Gauguin Cruises. For more information, visit www.AirTahitiNui.com.
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Claire Maguire of Cruise Planners, Martha Rhodes of Brownell and Ron Dawick of Sea Courses talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about what they will tell their clients about the cruising in Tahiti on M/S Paul Gauguin on its 25th anniversary, including her food, features, amenities and activities. All three advisors do agree on one thing: This a cruise for people who never thought they would cruise. For more information, visit www.PGCruises.com.
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Zane Kerby, president and CEO for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with Dawn Barclay of Insider Travel Report about ASTA Caribbean Showcase, held late last month at Beaches Turks & Caicos. Kerby details the range of speakers, including seven Caribbean tourism ministers, special education sessions and more that have quickly made this ASTA Showcase an essential event for those travel advisors selling the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.asta.org.
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
Gaelle Pichon, cruise director for Paul Gauguin Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how she enriches the voyages for her guests with the help of her seven Tahitian performers/ambassadors, a troupe called Le Gauguin and La Gauguin. Together, they bring the culture and traditions of the islands organically onto the ship. Pichon also details Gauguin’s guest speaker program, which included on this cruise a lecture by actor Bruce McGill, whose more than 60-year career has included “Animal House” and Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.” For more information, visit www.PGCruises.com.
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
Kurt Macher, general manager of the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard in London, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about his quickly famed property located high above the city. With luxurious rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar in the sky, and even a spa, the Shangri-La offers a spectacular place to stay with magnificent views and wonderful service. For more information, www.shangri-la.com/en/london/shangrila.
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
While cruise ships visit many ports of call, there are some that clearly are cruise hubs, where many ships visit. Melanie Schinkel, Aussie specialist program team leader for Tourism Australia, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about what there is to see and do at her port, where to dine, where to tour and how to set up special shore excursions so your clients may explore the the surrounding region. For more information, visit tourism.australia.com.
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
With the original ship used in the television show "The Love Boat," Princess Cruises has reinvented itself since COVID, embracing its legacy and forged ahead with new ships, Itineraries, products, services, activities, destinations and travel advisor support. Learn what you need to know about Princess in order to sell it well. Carmen Roig , vice president sales for Princess Cruises talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report. For more information, visit www.OneSourceCruises.com, www.PrincessPartners.com and www.Princess.com.
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Liz Coleman, vice president of sales for Paul Gauguin Cruises in the U.S., talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the 25th anniversary of the Paul Gauguin, her upgrades, as well as how to sell the ship and to what type of guest. Coleman goes over promotions for guests and for travel advisors, including special training programs. She also reveals plans for three new longer voyages of 14-, 16-, and 20-nights that will delve into Oceania, Indonesia and Melanesia as the ship moves to dry-dock for maintenance and still more upgrades in 2025. For more information, visit www.PGCruises.com.
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Don Cortusi, founder of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours, talks with James Shillinglaw about his latest food tours in Las Vegas, expanding beyond downtown Vegas to the Strip and beyond. Cortusi is cutting deals with more top restaurants, some that aren’t easy to access, to give his guests the opportunity to taste some of the best food in town. For more information, visit www.lipsmackingfoodietours.com.
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Captain Michel Quioc, skipper of the M/S Paul Gauguin, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his start as a lowly ship’s mate 20 years ago, the 25th anniversary of has well-known ship, how the vessel has been upgraded, and how she is benefiting by being a part of Ponant’s luxury fleet since 2019. Quioc also reveals how the Gauguin offers her medical team and facilities to the people of Tahiti, especially the remote islands, and how the people of Tahiti miss the ship every two years when she is in dry-dock. For more information, visit www.PGCruises.com.
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Paul Barry, CEO of Avanti Destinations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his FIT operator’s new South Pacific programs, specifically to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Barry explains why Avanti is expanding beyond Europe, South America, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa to offer tailor-made products in the South Pacific, including suggested itineraries—and Avanti only works thought travel advisors. For more information, as well as how to access special webinars on the new South Pacific program, visit book.AvantiDestinations.com and www.avantidestinations.com.
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Ships are getting larger and more intricate, with even more stateroom categories, dining options, activities, new technology and even dedicated island or beach destinations that guests can visit. This panel of major cruise line executives takes a look at the new products, services, activities and destinations that make for modern cruising today. If you can think it, they are offering it on these grand palaces at sea, whether it’s on a mega-ship or a medium-sized vessel. This panel of cruise experts tells you what’s new on modern larger or medium-size cruise ships and how to sell it. Panelists are John Diorio, vice president-North America sales, Virgin Voyages and Anthony Meloro, director, business development support trade & host travel partner relations for Royal Caribbean. For more information, visit www.VirginVoyages.com and www.RCCL.com.
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 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 Tim Burch, Central Regional sales director, Atlas Ocean Voyages; Tim Amm, expedition director, Silversea; and Ellen McIlvaine, vice president of sales for Ponant. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com, www.silversea.com, and www.ponant.com.
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Jason Miller and Andre Sustelo, principals in Accomplished, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about their host agency’s new name, brand and program for independent contractors. Accomplished is one of the hot new Virtuoso-member host agencies making waves in the market. For more information, visit www.travelaccomplished.com.
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Kelly Messina, senior director of leisure sales for the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how your clients can still find ticket and packages for the much-in-demand F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, including what Vegas is doing to host the race. For more information, visit www.lvcca.com or www.visitlasvegas.com.
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Sam Jones, director of sales and marketing for Nobu London Portman Square, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about the latest at his luxury hotel (which Insider stayed at last year). Jones details the sleek accommodations, service and amenities—and of course the famed Nobu restaurant. For more information, visit www.nobulondonportmansquare.com.
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Seth Wayne, owner of Sail with Seth, a Nexion affiliated travel agency, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how he switched careers from being a local TV weatherman and then a Holland America ambassador to become a travel advisor selling cruises. Wayne, a relatively new Nexion advisors, explains how his host agency gave him the tools to succeed and thrive in his new profession. For more information, visit www.sailwithseth.com or www.nexion.com.
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
James Shillinglaw moderates a panel of experts on how river cruising is expanding its reach to attract new markets, engage a more active customer, develop new destinations, and offer longer cruises. This panel examines the latest new products and services, as well as the newest destinations on the rivers of the world. They also tell you how your clients can visit familiar rivers in a completely new way They detail how you can better sell river cruising to a new generation of customers. Panelists include Alex Pinelo, senior vice president-sales for AmaWaterways; Angela Composto, vice president, marketing for American Queen Voyages; Jennifer Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises; John Dennis, vice president of sales and marketing for Viva Cruises; and Michael DaCosta, general manager-North America for CroisiEurope. For more information, visit www.AmaWaterways.com, www.AQVoyages.com, www.Riverside-Cruises.com, www.Viva-Cruises.com and www.CroisiEurope.com.
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the new Norwegian Viva, the second Prima class ship launched by the cruise line. Herrera talks about what this new ship means to NCL, his team’s strategic vision for the line, the factors contributing to the record sales, the thought behind the renovation of Norwegian Joy and much more. For more information, visit www.NorwegianCentral.com and www.NCL.com.
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Stefano Baratelli, general manager of the Eden Roc Cap Cana, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about his luxury property in the Dominican Republic. Baratelli details the accommodations, Relais & Chateaux dining and activities available at Eden Roc Cap Cana, as well as what’s new at the resort. For more information, visit www.edenroccapcana.com
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at Nexion’s CoNexion conference aboard Celebrity Equinox about how her host agency members are selling, new programs and more. Friedman, who also is chair of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) explains why this just might be the best time to be a travel advisor ever. For more information, visit www.nexion.com.
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Nelson Martins, general manager of the new Norwegian Viva, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how his new ship caters to guests with a wide range of accommodations and services, including high-end suites and special solo cabins. Martins tells you how to select the right accommodations that work best for your clients. For more information, visit www.ncl.com or www.NorwegianCentral.com.
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Stephen Arthur, director of leisure sales for Timbers Resorts, talks with James Shillinglaw of insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about his upscale resort collection as well as the trends he’s seeing in the hotel market post-pandemic in rates, hotel policies and guest preferences. For more information on Timbers Resorts, visit www.timbersresorts.com.
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Marco Montagnani, general manager of the Grand Hotel Victoria on Lake Como, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month's Virtuoso Travel Week about his luxury property built on the architectural structure of an ancient convent. As one of then ewest five-star hotels in Lake Como, the 81-room Grand Hotel Victoria, which is part of the R Collection, has a unique lakefront location in Menaggio, beautiful gardens and a 12,900-square-foot spa, swimming pool, and breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. For more information, visit www.grandhotelvictoria.it or www.rcollectionhotels.it.
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Wes Cort, vice president of food and beverage operations for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the wide variety of dining and drinking venues which inventively cut waste to be as sustainable as possible on the Norwegian Viva, and what your clients can expect to experience when they book the ship. For more information, visit www.ncl.com.
Monday Sep 04, 2023
Monday Sep 04, 2023
David Zipkin, founder of Tradewind, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about where his growing scheduled and private charter airline is flying today, including service to Nantucket, Newport, Boston, Martha's Vineyard, Stowe, British Virgin Islands, Nevis Anguilla, St. Barths, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Thomas, Bahamas, Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Key West, Miami and more. For more information, visit www.flytradewind.com.
Monday Sep 04, 2023
Monday Sep 04, 2023
Mark Kansley, senior vice president-hotel operations for Norwegian Cruise Line, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about what your clients will find on the new Norwegian Viva in rooms and suites, dining, how it differs from Norwegian Prima, and much more. Discover what this brilliant new vessel has to offer. For more information, visit www.ncl.com and www.NorwegianCentral.com.
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Amanda Elder, chief marketing officer for Kempinski Hotels & Resorts, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about the newest luxury hotels and resorts in the Kempinski network. Kempinski hotels have always reflected their surroundings, so these new properties are a perfect fit for the destinations in which they are located. For more information, visit www.kempinski.com.
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Friday Sep 01, 2023
John Chernesky, senior vice president-sales for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the new Norwegian Viva, the second ship in the Prima Class, and how you should sell all the great new features and experiences onboard to your clients. For more information, visit www.ncl.com.
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Gilberto Salcedo, vice president of tourism for ProColombia, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about the growth of tourism numbers to his country, what travelers should experience in terms of sustainable tourism, how ProColombia is marketing travel and next year’s introduction by AmaWaterways of river cruising on the Magdalena River. For more information, visit https://colombia.travel/en.
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Cinzia Amadeo, senior vice president of global marketing for Silversea, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report aboard the line’s new Silver Nova, a unique new entry into the luxury cruise market. Amadeo details how her company is marketing the new ship and offers suggestions on how you should market it as well. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Jerry Mpfune, president-North America & Global Creative Leader for South African Tourism South African Tourism, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his country’s many attractions and experiences for travelers. Mpfune details the latest tourism numbers, new airlift to the South Africa, new accommodations and much more. For more information, visit www.southafrica.net.
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Melissa DaSilva, president of TTC Tour Brands, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about her company’s many brands—including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, Brendan Vacations, Contiki and Costsaver. Da Silva details how these brand differ and how they fit together for a complete set of tour experiences that you can sell to your clients. For more information, visit www.ttc.com.
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Andrea Tonet, vice president of product strategy for Silversea, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his luxury cruise line conceived and completed the revolutionary Silver Nova. Tonet details how Silversea developed the ship’s design, culinary program, rooms and suites, entertainment and activities. It all adds up to a unique new luxury experience at sea. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Silversea’s Joe Leon, head of sales for the Americas, and Peter Shanks, managing director-U.K., Ireland, Middle East and Africa, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the key selling points of y previous cruise ship. From the position of the pool and the stack on the top decks to the spacious new interiors, Silver Nova sets out to reinvent the luxury cruise ship. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider their brand new Silver Nova, which has a unique asymmetrical design unlike anTravel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Helen McCabe-Young, senior vice president of marketing for Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about how the luxury travel network is marketing the benefits of both its travel advisor members and preferred partners, using a series of dedicated So Virtuoso videos, a revamped Virtuoso magazine, new digital marketing and much more. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Adam Sachs, director of Silversea’s S.A.L.T. (Sea Air Land Taste) program, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how S.A.L.T. now has more space and more resources onboard the new Silver Nova, with venues designed for the program specifically. There’s a dedicated S.A.L.T. kitchen with meals served reflecting the destinations visited by the ship; a S.A.L.T. Bar, with drinks reflecting those destinations; and a S.A.L.T. lab, which offers a cooking school focused on local fare, which doubles as a S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table at night offering an elaborate tasting menu. Plus there are S.A.L.T. excursions to wineries, markets and restaurants at most of the destinations visited by the ship. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Friday Aug 25, 2023
David Kolner, executive vice president of Virtuoso, the luxury travel network for top travel advisors and partners, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about the size of the network, the market for luxury travel, how Virtuoso members are feeling about their business prospects, how Virtuoso advisors and partners are viewed by clients, and Virtuoso benefits that members value you most and more. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Gilad Berenstein, a member of Virtuoso’s board and TK, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the state of travel technology today, particularly the technology that is beig used and can be applied to the travel trade. Berenstein led a special conference on technology at Virtuoso Travel Week earlier this month were top tech companies served on panels and gave talks about their products, and even technology companies from outside travel participated. From AI to back office systems to itinerary developers and more, it’s once again a whole new world out there. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Roberto Bruzzone, senior vice president of marine operations for Silversea, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Silver Nova, the luxury cruise line’s revolutionary new, 728-guest vessel. Bruzzone explains why Silver Nova’s unique asymmetrical design provides more space on the top decks and in the interiors. You may be tempted, as we were, to move the ship’s stack and pool to the center, but you soon get used to a whole new boutique hotel form of cruising. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-owner of AmaWaterways, and Lisa McCarl, owner of Millersville, Md.-based McCarl Travel, an Inteletravel affiliate talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about an upcoming new specialty river cruise focused on plant-based travel. This culinary specialty is a growing trend for many clients who rely on plant-based food for their health. For more information, visit www.amawaterways.com or email iisa.mccarl@gmail.com.
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Barbara Muckermann, president of Silversea, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report onboard the new Silver Nova, the 728-guest ship that features a unique asymmetrical design. This new design provides more room on the top decks and the interiors of the ship. Muckermann details these innovations for this groundbreaking new vessel. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.