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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
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Peter Johnson, manager of market development for Tourism Nova Scotia, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Nova Scotia's seven diverse regions and more than 8,000 miles of coastline, making it "Canada's Ocean Playground." Johnson covers new coastal adventures, historic and cultural sites, accommodations, and three culinary "trails" to follow for lovers of lobster, chowder and wine, beer and liquor. For more information, visit www.NovaScotia.com/Travel-Trade.
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Karin Schreiber, Manatoba’s account manager for Germany and the U.K., talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the Canadian province that is absolutely the center of the country. In the south, guests can see bison, while the north is the polar bear capital of the world and a place to see the Northern Lights 300 nights a year. Schreiber details new products, attractions and hotels, including other accommodation options like glamping and houseboating. For more information, email kmuir@travelmanitoba.com or visit www.travelmanitoba.com.
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Ruben Rodriguez, president-U.S.A for MSC Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about MSC Euribia, MSC’s brand new flagship, which just completed the first carbon net zero emissions cruise in history. The LNG-powered ship was christened last week by Sophia Loren, who has now named 20 MSC ships. Rodriquez details the many new features of this extraordinary vessel, which is positioned as one of the most sustainable cruise ships at sea. For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report onboard sister line MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia about the status of Explora I, the new luxury ship being christened in early ship. Ungerer talks about why his company is focusing on delivering a luxury lifestyle experience (as opposed to just a cruise) and details how the vessel is going to introduce new accommodation options, new dining experiences, innovative excursions and much more. For more information, visit www.explorajourneys.com.
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Flora Gassier, market development specialist for New Brunswick, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about why she decided to move from such beautiful French locales as Marseille and Martinque to settle in New Brunswick. Gassier describes new lodging options and new experiences, including the Lumina night walk, as well as walking the seafloor when the tide goes out at Hopewell Rocks, and much more. For more information, email Flora.Gassier@GNB.ca or visit www.TourismNewBrunswick.ca.
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Peter McCann, general manager of the Merrion, talks with Benjamin Bass of Insider Travel Report about the history of this five-star luxury hotel in the heart of Dublin. McCann details recent renovations to the property, including a new spa, a two-star Michelin Restaurant overseen by Chef Patrick Guilbaud, and a world-class art collection and outreach to support new artists. For more information, visit www.MerrionHotel.com.
Friday Jun 09, 2023
Friday Jun 09, 2023
Joe Cloete, chief executive officer of Shamwari Private Game Reserve in Eastern Cape, South Africa, talks with Insider Travel Report’s David Cogswell about the history and mission of Shamwari, its struggle to survive the COVID lockdown, its efforts to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers, and its plans for the future. For more information, visit www.shamwari.com.
Friday Jun 09, 2023
Friday Jun 09, 2023
Tannis Gaffney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Travel Alberta, shows Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report two videos depicting the inclusion and welcoming nature of her province. Gaffney explains how Travel Alberta is a destination management organization, and discusses how it markets, invests in route development and how it plans new products. For more information, email info@TravelAlberta.com or visit www.TravelAlberta.com.
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Jerry Mpufane, president of North America and global creative leader for South African Tourism, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report about the attendance at this year's Indaba, the annual leisure trade show owned by South African Tourism, with the specific objective of creating market access for African tourism products. Mpufane also discusses the return of airlift and the development of the North American market. For more information, visit www.indaba-southafrica.co.za and www.southafrica.net.
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about sponsoring Rendez Vous Canada 2023, and how it supports Canada’s effort to be competitive globally in tourism by bringing together qualified buyers and sellers. Potter explains how travel advisors can apply to become a buyer and attend the show in the future. For more information, visit www.RendezvousCanada.ca.
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Will Jones, brand manager for Student Universe, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about a new survey his student travel agency giant commissioned showing the impact of youth travel, where the younger generations want to go, and what they want to do. Not surprisingly student travel is a giant market that is now fully emerging after the pandemic. To read the full report, click on the State of Student and Youth Travel. For more information, visit www.studentuniverse.com.
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Deborah Yager Fleming, chief operating officer and co-owner of Acqualina Resort & Residences in Sunny Isles, Fla., talks with James Shillinglaw about how her luxury resort has been updated with new décor for all suites, a new Greek restaurant, an adult pool area and a whole lot more. For more information, visit www.acqualinaresort.com.
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wes Springer, owner of Paths Less Travelled, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his niche tour operation focused on travel beyond Prague in the Czech Republic to the small cities and towns of the rest of the country. Springer, whose wife is from the Czech Republic, began his company to focus on the beers and wines of the country. For more information, visit https://pathslesstravelled.com.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Shawn Tubman, senior vice president of sales for Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the newly released 2025-s6 Voyages Collection, which features more ports, more new ports and more overnights than ever before. Tubman is holding a webinar today (June 6) at 2 p.m. EDT to provide details of the new Voyage Collection. Sign up at www.rssc.com/agent. Tubman also talks about trends in the luxury market, why world cruises and other longer sailings are so popular, and the upcoming launch of Seven Seas Grandeur this November. For more information or to register for the webinar, visit www.rssc.com/agent.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Michaela Claudino, director of CzechTourism in New York, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Moravia, the Czech region famed for its great wines but also its castles, countryside and even a huge cave where you can take a boat through the grotto. And it’s all just an hour from Vienna, making this the most accessible region in the Czech Republic. For more information, visit www.visitczechia.com.
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Michaela Claudino, director of CzechTourism in New York, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the many attractions of Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic after Prague. From a thriving restaurant and bar scene to a major castle and many architectural landmarks, Brno is a city that your clients will enjoy throughout. Claudino gives a tour of Brno, a place she knows well since she’s a native of the city. For more information, visit www.visitczechia.com.
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Yves LaLumiere, president and CEO of Tourisme Montreal, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the many high-end hotels, great restaurants, museums and other attractions that make Montreal a luxury destination. Indeed, last month the city hosted Virtuoso’s Symposium, the annual gathering of top luxury travel agency owners and suppliers who are members of the luxury travel network. For more information on Tourisme Montreal, visit www.mtl.org.
Friday Jun 02, 2023
Friday Jun 02, 2023
Jason Van Esso, founder of Crewfare, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his relatively new travel agency that provides a white level travel service for major entertainment events. Van Esso had previously developed STFU & Party, a travel agency specializing in student travel, but now he’s working to corner the market on travel for concerts and major events with Crewfare. For more information, visit www.crewfare.com.
Friday Jun 02, 2023
Friday Jun 02, 2023
Marketa Bdinkova, general manager of Hotel Passage in Brno, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her property in the heart of Brno in the Czech Republic, which was initially built in 1928 as a designer hotel, but has not been completely refurbished. It features more 100 designer rooms, a top restaurant and an amazing great hall for major events. For more information, visit www.hotelpassage.eu.
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Adam Vodicka, founder of the Hotel Anybody, gives James Shillinglaw a tour of his mini-boutique hotel in Brno, Czech Republic. What’s so different about the Anyone? It’s designed to let couples rediscover romance in one of its themed rooms, from a James Bond-themed suite to a La Dolce Vita room to a Barbarella suite (think space helmets on a round bed). For more information on this quirky, fun and yes, romantic property, visit www.anybody.cz.
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Jason Van Esso, founder of Crewfare, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his relatively new travel agency that provides a white level travel service for major entertainment events. Van Esso had previously developed STFU & Party, a travel agency specializing in student travel, but now he’s working to corner the market on travel for concerts and major events with Crewfare. For more information, visit www.crewfare.com.
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Cara Wallace, chief marketing officer of Royal Caribbean International, talks with Dawn Barclay of Insider Travel Report about Icon of the Seas, which is 80 percent complete at the shipyard in in Turku, Finland. Wallace details the ship’s target market, expansive size, pricing, new inclusions on board, and how travel advisors can best promote it to their clients. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com/icon-of-the-seas.
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Jana Krausova, a licensed guide in Olomouc, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report a tour of this historic town whose massive walls contain Hapsburg palaces, scenic squares and a very different kind of town clock. It’s also a university town with lots of cool bars and restaurants. To contact Krausnova email jana.krausova@vilaprimavesi.cz. For more information on travel in Czechia, visit www.visitczechia.com.
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Roberto Moscara, general manager of the Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his hotel, which is well-located next to the Convention Center and an entertainment complex. With a great selection o restaurants, a casino, a popl and a spa, the refurbished property, which earlier this month hosted the ASTA Global Conference, is the perfect place to combine a business and leisure trip. It’s close to Old San Jan but also right across the street from the convention center. For more information, click on Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort.
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Adolf Perez, Carnival Cruise Line’s senior vice president of global sales and trade marketing, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Carnival’s new program and contest to help travel advisors develop better business plans. In multiple events around the country, Carnival will feature experts in small business planning so advisors can create their own business plans, which in turn will be judged by a panel from Carnival, ASTA and CLIA, with a top prize of $5,000. To register, travel advisors should visit www.GoCCL.com.
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Angela Hughes, owner of Trips & Ships Travel in Winter Garden, Fla., talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about where her luxury travel business is today now that we’ve fully emerged from the COVID era. Hughes, who is one of the top advisors in the Travel Leaders Network, details what’s selling well, her top destinations and how she’s grown her luxury travel program for other advisors. For more information, visit www.tripsandships.com or www.travelleaders.com.
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Jana Markova, a licensed guide furnished by Czech Tourism, gives James Shillinglaw a quick tour of Prague, including the famed Prague Castle, cathedral, Lesser Town, Charles Bridge, Jewish quarter and much more. Rediscover Prague as it is today, a vibrant city of history, culture, dining and much more. For more information, visit www.visitczechia.com or www.absolutelyprague.com.
Monday May 29, 2023
Monday May 29, 2023
David Crooks, senior vice president of product and operations for World Travel Holdings, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the recent EDGE conference about why his cruise-selling powerhouse was selected as Travel Leaders Network's Affiliate of the Year. Crooks details how World Travel Holdings, parent of such agencies as Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, as well as many other travel brands, are growing their business (owned by Brad and Jeff Tolkin) to new heights after the pandemic. For more information, visit www.worldtravelholdings.com or www.travelleadersnetwork.com.
Monday May 29, 2023
Monday May 29, 2023
Petr Vanicek, sales executive-luxury leisure for the Andaz Prague, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report a tour of this modern yet historic hotel, located in the city's old sugar palace. Opened in 2022, the property features spacious suites and rooms, a fantastic restaurant, and unique art elements throughout the public areas. Andaz Prague, has just the right location and ambiance to deliver a luxurious but comfortable stay for your clients in this captivating city. For more information, visit www.andazprague.com.
Friday May 26, 2023
Friday May 26, 2023
Jan Korta, director of sales and marketing for the Aria Hotel in Prague’s Lesser Town, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his unique boutique property located just below Prague Castle and steps from the famed Charles Bridge. Korta details how each suite in the hotel has a musical theme ranging from classical to jazz and beyond. He also showcases the hotel’s great restaurant and its rooftop. For more information, visit www.ariahotel.net.
Friday May 26, 2023
Friday May 26, 2023
Neelie Kruse, CTC, owner of Cary Travel Express in Cary, Ill., talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how she has stuck with MAST Travel Network to help build her business. Kruse, one of MAST’s top advisors, explains how the agency cooperative delivers the services, support and networking she needs to keep her brick-and-mortar agency on top in sales for the network. For more information, visit www.carytravelexpress.com or www.mvptravel.com.
Friday May 26, 2023
Friday May 26, 2023
Dave Hershberger, owner of Prestige Travel in Cincinnati, last month won Travel Leaders Network 2023 Golden Legacy associate award, which recognizes outstanding professionalism and commitment both to the network and to the travel industry. In this interview, Hershberger talks about how his agency has grown over the years and how he got so involved with ASTA, for which he served as chairman, and with Travel Leaders itself. For more information, visit www.prestige-travel.com or www.travelleadersnetwork.com.
Thursday May 25, 2023
Thursday May 25, 2023
Jenny Cagle, owner of Elm Grove Travel in Elm Grove, Wis., talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the recent MAST Travel Network conference in Las Vegas about how she has used support and programs from MAST to grow her agency's business to become one of the top sellers in the network. For more information, visit www.mvptravel.com or www.elkgrovetravel.com.
Thursday May 25, 2023
Thursday May 25, 2023
Richard Aquino, vice president and head of sales at Allianz Partners USA, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the recent American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Global Travel Convention in San Juan about the newest technology being introduced by the giant travel insurance firm—a digital brochure portal for insurance programs. Aquino also talks about the latest trends, including a survey in travel to Europe and much more. For more information, visit www.allianztravelinsurance.com
Thursday May 25, 2023
Thursday May 25, 2023
Adnan-Daniel Al Dabbas, hotel manager at the Mozart Prague, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his historic hotel located next to the Vltava River with views of the famed Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Al Dabbas describes the many categories of rooms this former palace, including some opulent suites (one named after Mozart). He also details food and beverage options and other amenities. For more information, visit www.themozart.com.
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Jan Herget, CEO of Czech Tourism, now newly renamed Visit Czechia, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the annual trade event for Czech tour operators and suppliers in Brno last month. Herget details why the Czech Republic changed its name for tourism marketing, how the country’s tourism infrastructure is improving, and why visitors should now venture far beyond Prague to such places as Brno and Moravia to explore Czechia’s tourism riches. For more information, visit www.visitczechia.com.
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Diane Petrus, president of The Travel Institute, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how the organization is going to celebrate its upcoming 60th anniversary with even more programs, training and resources for travel advisors and other travel professionals. For more information, email petras@thetravelinstitute.com or visit www.thetravelintitute.org.
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
John Werner, CTC, president and chief operating officer of MAST Travel Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at MAST’s recent conference in Las Vegas about how his boutique travel agency cooperative keeps its membership base and provides essential services and products for advisors while competing against much larger groups. Werner details how MAST has grown beyond its Midwestern roots and what the secrets are to its success. For more information, visit www.mvptravel.com.
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Chef Sinisa Jevrosimov of Zori Timeless Hotel talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the gourmet food he cooks up at this boutique hotel, which began as a famed restaurant before recently adding four luxury villas. Chef Jevrosimov reveals his culinary influences and how he delivers Michelin-star quality food (he doesn’t have the Michelin star quite yet) on a beautiful island property located just off the island of Hvar in Croatia. It’s a destination restaurant in a spectacular destination. For more information, visit www.zori.hr.
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Fotoulla Damaskos, executive vice president-brand strategy and innovation at National Research Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about a new NRG Survey on artificial intelligence (AI) and what impact it will have on the travel industry. AI has main a major topic at almost every travel agency conference in the last few months, so we ask Damaskos just how it will affect travel advisors and their operations. For the complete survey, click on NRG AI Travel Survey.
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
Iva Tomlinovic, owner of Zori Timeless Hotel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her newly refurbished hotel in Palmižana on the island of Sveti Klement, just off the coast of the island of Hvar in Croatia. The property began as a well-known and awarded restaurant, frequented by the yachting crowd, but it has now added four luxury villas that feature pools, exquisite decor and highly comfortable accommodations. For more information, visit www.zori.hr.
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
Matthew Upchurch, chairman and CEO of luxury travel network Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week's Virtuoso Symposium in Montreal about how his organization has changed during the pandemic to meet the evolving needs of its travel advisors, preferred suppliers and luxury travel customers. Upchurch describes the strategies his group has followed and how it's recreating itself to reflect the new luxury market. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
Katie Williams, chief operating officer and co-founder of Tern, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her new company is working to build back office operating system for travel agencies. Williams says Tern looked at the technology in the travel ecosystem and found it to be fragmented and disparate. The company’s response was to begin building system that combines trip planning, CRM, task management, messaging, commission management and more for any size agency. For more information, visit www.tern.travel.
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
Ricarda Lindner, regional manage- the Americas and director of the foreign representatives office USA for Germany, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how travel to Germany has grown since the pandemic, as well as the many reasons why the country keeps being ranked first in the Nation Brands Index. For more information, visit www.germany.travel.
Thursday May 18, 2023
Thursday May 18, 2023
John Dennis, vice president of sales and marketing for Viva Cruises in North America, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about what makes his upscale all-inclusive European river ships different and how travel advisors can expect to get commissions starting at 15 percent and with no NCFs when they sell Viva. For more information, call 833-937-8482, email sales@US.Viva-Cruises.com or visit www.Viva-Cruises.com.
Thursday May 18, 2023
Thursday May 18, 2023
Edouard Jean, owner of Massive Travels in New York City, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA Global Convention in San Juan about why he started his travel agency and how he became so involved in the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). This year helped his New York City ASTA chapter win ASTA Chapter of the Year -Small Business Excellence honors as well as the ASTA President’s Travel Advisor Leadership Award. For more information, visit www.massivetravels.com or www.asta.org.
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Andrea Kruse, chief operating officer for Viva Cruises and parent company Scylla Group, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her all-inclusive river cruise company's newest ship Viva Two, with its unusual bar placement, midway between Deck 2 and 3. Kruse gives her insight on the ship’s revolutionary design and how Viva wants to approach the U.S. market. For more information, visit www.viva-cruises.com.
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Terika L. Haynes, owner of Dynamite Travel in Melbourne, Fla., talks to James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA Global Convention in San Juan about why the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) named her this year's ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year. Haynes, who is the first black woman to win the award, is a luxury travel advisor who has grown her business dramatically by appealing to a diverse group of clients. She's also become a major force in ASTA and serves as a role model for travel advisors everywhere. For more information, visit www.asta.org or www.sodynamite.com.
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Rita McClenny, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about a new partnership between Virginia Tourism, United Airlines and Saks Fifth Avenue. For two weeks, the store’s windows at the corner of 50th Street and Fifth Ave. were decorated to raise awareness of Virginia’s 15 exclusive Luxury Resort Collection properties. McClenny also discusses the state’s latest travel trends, hotels, attractions and more. For more information, visit www.Virginia.org/United and www.Virginia.org.
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Roger Block, president of Travel Leaders Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his agency members are doing so far in 2023 and how membership is growing. Block also details the latest new programs begun by Travel Leaders, including a new cruise booking system, an upgraded Intranet, a upcoming overall booking system and improvements to Travel Leaders’ Agent Profiler. For more information, visit www.travelleadersnetwork or www.travelleaders.com.