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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
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Beth Butzlaff, senior vice president of global partner relations at Ensemble, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about why she decided to join this travel agency consortium, which was acquired less than three years ago by Navigatr and is being completely revamped with new technology, new marketing, new training and more. Butzlaff says she was intrigued by the prospect of rebuilding a preferred partner program with cruise lines, hotels and resorts, tour operators, destination management companies and more so that Ensemble agencies can grow their travel sales and have more travel options for their clients. For more information, visit http://ensembletravel.com.
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Tillmann Blaschke, CEO of the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the history of Meissen, focusing on 313 years of porcelain manufacturing, including details about raw materials, craftsmanship and the intricate production process. Only 33 miles from Dresden, Meissen is a charming part of Saxony that you can get to by car or a quick train ride. For more information, visit www.VisitSaxony.com and www.Meissen.com.
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Eyal Carlin, tourism commissioner-North America for the Israel Ministry of Tourism, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about just what he and his team are doing in the wake of the tragic attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, and the subsequent war between Israel and Hamas. What does a country do without tourism and how can Israel promote a country at war? Carlin details how he sees tourism to Israel emerging after the conflict and what the future hopefully holds for Israel. For more information, visit www.israel.travel.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Nadiya Makarenko, senior vice president of Travel Edge Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the Ensemble Horizons conference in Las Vegas earlier this month about how her luxury agency, one of the largest in Ensemble has grown over the past year and what the future holds. Like Ensemble, Travel Edge is also owned by Navigatr and it has helped spur technology innovation through the Ensemble network. For more information, visit www.traveledgenetwork.com or http://ensembletravel.com.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Anja Bauermeister, head of tourism information, and Birgit Wöste, head of the culture and tourism department for Torgau in Germany, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about town’s religious and historical significance, from Martin Luther to the meeting of U.S. and Soviet armies at the end of World War II. For more information, visit www.VisitSaxony.com and www.TIC-Torgau.de.
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Dana Marschner, international PR and sales manager for the Leipzig Tourism and Marketing Company, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Leipzig's status as an underrated city in Germany. Visitors can follow a music trail connecting places frequented by Bach and Mendelssohn, or see where more than 70,000 citizens gathered on Oct. 9, 1989 for a peaceful demonstration that contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the eventual reunification of Germany. For more information, visit www.VisitSaxony.com and www.Leipzig.Travel.
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Anne Scully, partner of travel advisor development at Embark Beyond, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Embark Immersion conference at the NIZUC Resort and Spa in Cancun. Scully, a veteran luxury travel advisor, tells us again why she joined Embark and why she believes it continues to be one of the most innovative hosts in the industry. For more information, visit www.embarkbeyond.com.
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Julie Danziger, co-founder and managing partner of Embark Beyond, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the Embark Immersion conference at the NIZUC Resort and Spa in Cancun about how her host agency has grown in just four years. She also details how the second Immersion event differs from other host agency conferences. Embark represents a new wave of luxury host agencies making a major impact on the market. For more information, visit www.embarkbeyond.com.
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Seema Prakash, tour guide and founder of Seema Dresden, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Dresden's accessibility by plane, train and automobile and its scenic, historic and cultural attractions, and why it’s an essential city to visit in Germany. For more information, visit www.VisitSaxony.com and www.Dresden.de/en.
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Jack Ezon, founder and managing partner of Embark Beyond, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at Embark Immersion, his host agency’s second annual conference held earlier this month at NIZUC Resort & Spa in Cancun. Ezon details how his innovative and out-of-box host agency has grown over the past year, how its Immersion event is breaking the mold of traditional host agency conferences, and how luxury travel itself is evolving, requiring luxury advisors to change as well. For more information, visit www.embarkbeyond.com.
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Ensemble’s Michael Johnson, president, and Kristina Boyce, senior vice president-operations, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at least week’s Ensemble Horizons conference in Las Vegas about what their travel agency consortium has accomplished over the past year, less than three years after it was acquired by Navigatr Group, and what’s to come for 2024 and beyond. They detail the number of agency members, the new programs and the new strategy for Ensemble as it regains its momentum. For more information, visit https://ensembletravel.com.
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Leslie Tillem, an advisor with Eltee/Tzell Travel, part of Global Travel Collection, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the support she gets from GTC and how it all led to her staring on a new NBC TV show “The Extra Mile” promoting the value of travel advisors. Tillem talks about the success of her luxury travel agency as part of GTC and what the future holds for the travel profession. For more information, visit www.globaltravelcollection.com.
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with Kristjan Staničić, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, and Karmen Novarlič, head of department of business communication for the Slovenian Tourist Board about their joint campaign that positions Croatia and Slovenia as attractive year-round destinations. The campaign culminated last month with a special event for travel advisors attending the Elevate 2023 Conference by Global Travel Collection, held in New York City Oct. 22- 25. Almost 40 hospitality partners, including hotels, tour operators, attractions and destinations, attended to represent the excellence that Croatia and Slovenia have to offer. For more information visit https://croatia.hror www.slovenia.info.
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Global Travel Collection’s Lisa Schmidt, vice president-advisor success, and Maggie Stein, senior director of leisure, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about GTC’s new dedicated program to boost the success—and profits—of its member travel advisors. For more information, visit www.globaltravelcollection.com.
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Jane Poynter, co-founder and CEO of Space Perspective, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her world's first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company, which is on mission to make transformative space travel accessible to more people than ever before. The company’s Spaceship Neptune flies to a maximum altitude of about 100,000 feet pulled gently upward by a 650-foot-tall balloon filled with buoyant hydrogen. Passengers need little training or experience—and best of all Space Perspective is selling its six-hour trips through travel advisors for a price of $125,000 per person. For more information, visit www.spaceperspective.com.
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Sonia Davies, CEO of luxury tour operator Scott Dunn, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her company that started with ski trips in the Alps and has become a global brand with offices in London, Singapore, San Diego, and a new office in Manhattan. Davies explains what makes a Scott Dunn tour different, including a focus on customization, tailoring everything from scratch, and offering insider access through their many international partnerships. For more information, visit www.ScottDunn.com.
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Curtis Parris, managing director of corporate, entertainment and luxury Leisure travel at The Parris Group of Protravel International, a member of Global Travel Collection (GTC), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the benefits of being part of GTC, the Internova Travel-owned group that focuses on luxury travel. Parris details his own career as a travel advisor and tells us how he ended up starring in a new NBC show “The Extra Mile Club.” For more information, email Curtis.Pariss@globaltravelcollection.com or visit www.globaltravelcollection.com.
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Christian Leibl-Cote, executive vice president of global sales for Collete, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the relationship between Collette and adventure booking platform TourRadar—and how travel advisors can benefit from that relationship. Leibl-Cote also discusses what’s new and exciting at Collette. For more information, visit www.TourRadar.com and www.Collette.com.
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Global Travel Collection’s Jason Oshiokpekhai, managing director, and Charae Foust, senior vice president-advisor success and partner relations, talk with James Shillinglaw about their new dedicated program to boost the success—and profits—of travel advisors belonging to GTC agencies around the world. For more information, visit www.globaltravelcollection.com.
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Albert Herrera, executive vice president-partner relations for Internova Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about all the major hotel, cruise and onsite tour programs he oversees so that Internova travel advisors can have a full portfolio of luxury travel products to sell to their clients. Herrera spoke at Global Travel Collection’s first Elevate conference of luxury travel advisors, where he introduced a new Curated Hotels & Resorts Collection. For more information, visit www.internovatravel.com or www.globaltravelcollection.com.
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
TourRadar’s Julia Müller, product manager, and Clemens Grave, director of product, show Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report exactly how their online adventure booking tool can be used to benefit all travel advisors. They reveal the newest features of the booking tool, including secure payments that can be split between members of a group, customizable itineraries, seamless communication with operators, the ability to negotiate commission levels and much more. For more information, visit www.TourRadar.com/agents and www.TourRadar.com.
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Travis Pittman, co-founder and CEO of TourRadar, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the fundamental human need for adventure, how guided tours facilitate personal growth, and how TourRadar simplifies the travel booking process with live availability and real-time pricing. For more information, visit www.TourRadar.com.
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Angie Licea, president of Global Travel Collection (GTC, talks with James Shillinglaw at Elevate, her group’s first combined conference taking over Virgin Hotels New York last week. Licea details how GTC, billed as the world’s largest collection of luxury travel agencies—including Protravel International, Tzell Travel Group, and Colletts Travel, as well as Andrew Harper, In the Know Experiences, All Star Travel Group and R. Crusoe & Son—are combining for education and training, preferred supplier meetings and more. For more information, visit www.globaltravelcollection.com.
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Juan Wolmarans, hotel manager of the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, talks with Angela Hughes of Insider Travel Report about this Red Carnation hotel's boutique luxury, scenic views, exceptional culinary offerings and unique helicopter landing facility. Located at the foot of Table Mountain, the hotel offers rejuvenation, personalized experiences and a unique taste of Cape Town's beauty, with the added allure of aerial arrivals. For more information, visit www.12apostleshotel.com.
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd., joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his luxury startup featuring innovative ships combined with great Four Seasons service. Pimentel, a veteran luxury cruise executive, says Four Season Yachts, set to debut in 2025, will be a true luxury product that the travel industry has never seen before. For more information, visit www.fourseasonsyachts.com.
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Bill McGee, senior fellow for aviation and travel for the American Economic Liberties Project, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about why the JetBlue-Spirit merger is not in the interests of consumers or travel advisors, because it will lead to higher fares and less service in communities around the country. McGee spoke with us from Boston where the trial begins in a federal court today (Oct. 31) pitting the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against JetBlue and Spirit in DOJ’s effort to prevent the combination. For more information, visit www.economicliberties.us.
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Nuria Torrero, acting general manager for Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this brand new luxury all-inclusive resort just a 40-minute boat ride from Cancun. Impression by Secret is positioned as a five-star property, the highest in Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, and this resort has it all—multiple dining venues with gourmet cuisine, a spa, and sumptuous and spacious accommodations overlooking the Caribbean. For more information, click on Impressions Isla Mujeres by Secrets.
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with representatives of the Northern Virginia Partnership—including Jennifer Sigal, director of communications for Visit Loudoun; Ali Morris, destination marketing manager for Fairfax County Virginia; and Caroline L. Secrest, communications manager for Visit Alexandria—about all the attractions, historical sites and places to stay in the region. From historic battlefields to national and state parks, from wonderful wineries to fine dining, from fascinating museums to landmark buildings, you can book a great vacation for your clients here. For more information, visit www.northernva.org.
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Melissa Hugo, hotel manager of Table Bay in Cape Town, talks with Angela Hughes of Insider Travel Report about the latest developments at the 26-year-old luxury resort. Since South Africa's recovery from COVID, the property has seen a 200 percent increase in visitors as compared to last year. The hotel boasts top-tier rooms and amenities, such as a superb spa, and is centrally located over a bustling wharf where guests can access shopping, dining and other activities. For more information, visit www.suninternational.com/table-bay.
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Jacki Marks, global head of trade brands for ALG Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ALG’s Ascend 2023 conference in Cancun about what the giant wholesaler, now owned by Hyatt, provides for advisors, including even more hotels and resorts, new destinations like Europe, and much easier ways to book and interact. For more information, visit www.ALGVacations.com.
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Alexandros Tsapakidis, regional commercial director for Hyatt Inclusive Collection in Greece, talks with Oliva Liveng of Insider Travel Report about the five-star Dreams Corfu Resort & Spa in Greece, including its amenities tailored for American travelers and their families. Zapatititis reviews the suite classes, infant care provisions and Corfu's cultural appeal as one of the very first all-inclusive properties offered in Greece by ALG Vacations. For more information, click on Dreams Corfu Resort & Spa or visit www.ALGVacations.com.
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Ray Snisky, group president-distribution for Apple Leisure Group, parent of ALG Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Ascend 2023 conference in Cancun about how his vacation company has found an owner with a common culture in Hyatt that has allowed it to grow and find great solutions for its travel advisor customers. With more hotels and resorts to sell around the world, plus new technology and programs that help advisors, ALG has finally come together to achieve record sales. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com.
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Christiann Basson, general manager of Kapama Private Game Reserve talks with Angela Hughes of Insider Travel Report about what his luxury South African property offers in terms of accommodations, comforts, game drives and the Big Five, all set on 15,000 hectares. For more information, visit www.Kapama.com.
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.