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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
Nov 17, 2022
Nov 17, 2022
11 min
Asta Lassesen, CEO of Hurtigruten Expeditions, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her cruise line, which just may be the first expedition-focused line in the business today, having been formed in Norway. Lassesen talks about the ships, the itineraries and what’s new for 2023. For more information, visit www.hurtigruten.com.
Nov 17, 2022
Nov 17, 2022
8 min
Eli Ashear, founder and managing partner for Embark Beyond, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the beginnings of his innovative luxury host travel agency, a Virtuoso member, and how it ended up having one of the most original first conferences in the business at Baha Mar in the Bahamas earlier this month. For more information, visit www.embarkbeyond.com.
Nov 16, 2022
Nov 16, 2022
14 min
Julie Danzinger, founder and managing partner of Embark Beyond, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her luxury host agency’s first Embark Immersion conference ever at Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Instead of a series of supplier presentations, Embark Beyond opted for larger group “think” interactive events addressing the challenges that travel advisors face in selling and marketing travel products to luxury clients. For more information, visit www.embarkbeyond.com.
Nov 16, 2022
Nov 16, 2022
9 min
Jonnie Torres, director of sales and marketing at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her spectacular resort, which features a wide range of accommodations, multiple restaurants, a black sand beach and even a cliff diving show in the evening. It’s a great property to book either direct or through luxury wholesaler Journese. For more information, click on Sheraton Maui or visit www.journese.com.
Nov 15, 2022
Nov 15, 2022
9 min
Jack Ezon, founder and managing partner of Embark Beyond, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his innovative, Virtuoso-affiliated host travel agency survived and evolved during the pandemic and why its first conference, Embark Immersion, at Baha Mar in the Bahamas earlier this month was so very different from other agency events. Embark Beyond s again pushed the envelope in creating an event that was unique in its delivery and truly reflected the goal to work hard, play hard. For more information, visit www.embarkbeyond.com.
Nov 15, 2022
Nov 15, 2022
13 min
Mike Kass, general manager of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa Kaanapali, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his luxury resort on the beach of one of the most coveted islands in the world. Kass details the newly renovated tower, revamped rooms, new dining, new poolscape and much more that combine to make this a definite bookable option for your clients heading to Maui. You can book the hotel with Marriott International or through a package purchased through luxury wholesaler Journese, which last month hosted a group of top-selling travel advisors at the Westin Maui. For more information, visit www.westinmaui.com or www.journese.com.
Nov 14, 2022
Nov 14, 2022
31 min
Michelle Fee, founder and CEO of Cruise Planners, talks to James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what her innovative host agency franchisor has developed and is planning for its members on the technology, marketing and training fronts. Cruise Planners is holding its annual travel conference this week aboard the new Norwegian Prima. For more information, visit www.cruiseplanners.com or www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com.
Nov 14, 2022
Nov 14, 2022
11 min
Nicole Mazza, chief marketing officer, and Kathryn Mazza-Burney, executive vice president of sales and service, for TRAVELSAVERS, NEST and The Affluent Traveler talk with Dawn Barclay of Insider Travel Report about the new programs and services their agency groups now offer to members. Interviewed at parent American Marketing Group’s biennial conference in Las Vegas last month, the Mazza sisters detail what’s new and innovative for their family own agency marketing organization, which caters to traditional agencies, home-based advisors and luxury travel specialists. For more information, visit www.travelsavers.com, www.jointhenext.com and www.theaffluenttraveler.com.
Nov 11, 2022
Nov 11, 2022
12 min
Angela Vento, general manager of the Wailea Beach Resort, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report a tour of her luxury property, one of the best hotels in Maui. Vento details the accommodations, dining, pools and beaches of the fabulous resort, which you can book through Journese, the luxury wholesaler. For more information, visit www.waileabeachresort.com or www.journese.com.
Nov 11, 2022
Nov 11, 2022
11 min
Silvia Ferret, director of marketing and public relations for Fairmont Mayakoba, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the luxury property's newly renovated beach club which is broken into four parts that represent the earth, sky, water and air, plus renovations, new restaurants, travel advisor programs and a whole lot more. For more information, visit www.fairmont.com/mayakoba.
Nov 10, 2022
Nov 10, 2022
9 min
Andrew Rogers, veteran general manager of The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua, Maui, talks with James Shillinglaw of insider Travel Report about his famed resort, which has undergone a complete renovation and features an unparalleled golf course, pool complex and beaches designed to satisfy the most demanding luxury client. It's all part of our series of Maui resorts that you can book through Journese. For more information, click on Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua or visit www.journese.com.
Nov 10, 2022
Nov 10, 2022
7 min
Dana Staniunas, director of recreation at the Massanutten Resort, talks with Taya Collins of Insider Travel Report about the year round amenities and activities available at this expansive luxury resort. For more information, visit www.massresort.com.
Nov 9, 2022
Nov 9, 2022
9 min
Jonathan Feiler, group wine director for Ocean House Collection, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how he developed the wine programs for both Ocean House in Watch Hill, R.I., and the Weekapaug Inn in Westerly, R.I. This Culinary Institute of America graduate is now overseeing these programs at both Relais & Chateaux properties, which have some of the best wine cellars around. For more information, visit www.oceanhouseri.com or www.weekapauginn.com.
Nov 9, 2022
Nov 9, 2022
9 min
Andrew Brooks, executive chef at the Weekapaug Inn in Westerly, R.I., chats with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the dining options available at this sister property to Ocean House just down the road. Brooks talks about his culinary philosophy focused on local ingredients and farm-to-table fare and how he’s developed his menu in what is his second stint at the inn. One thing’s for certain, you clients aren’t going to go hungry when they stay at the Weekapaug. For more information, visit www.weekapauginn.com.
Nov 9, 2022
Nov 9, 2022
6 min
Bernold Schroeder, CEO of Kempinski Hotels, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his company's 150th anniversary and its 80 international hotels with 20 in the pipeline. Schroeder also showcases his newest hotels, the David in Tel Aviv and the brand's first hotel in North America, the Grand Hotel Cancun by Kempinski opening on Dec. 15, 2022. He also discusses a new Kempinski website upgrade and loyalty program. For more information, visit www.Kempinski.com.
Nov 8, 2022
Nov 8, 2022
12 min
Dant Hirsch, president and managing director of the Ocean House Collection, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this group of boutique properties in Rhode Island centered around Ocean House, the quintessential luxury beachfront hotel. Hirsch, now a little more than a year on the job, talks about the history of Ocean House and his vision for the collection. For more information, visit www.oceanhouseri.com or www.ohmcollection.com.
Nov 8, 2022
Nov 8, 2022
12 min
Daniel Abrashoff, general manager of the Weekapaug Inn in Rhode Island, sister property to Ocean House, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what his boutique property offers to guests, including great dining, charming accommodations, and a relaxed ambience the makes the property the classic New England inn. For more information, visit www.weekapauginn.com.
Nov 7, 2022
Nov 7, 2022
14 min
Beks Ndlovu, a Zimbabwean professional safari guide and founder of African Bush Camps (ABC), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his company, one of the only black-owned safari operators. Ndlovu details the 18 lodges ABC runs in Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, all of which offer major safari experiences, as well as how he got started in the business. For more information, visit www.africanbushcamps.com.
Nov 7, 2022
Nov 7, 2022
4 min
Wolfgang Gaertner, head of international marketing for German state of Saxony, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what’s new and old in Dresden and Leipzig, the historic cities of this region, including how Dresden’s old has been restored to its former state, and how Leipzig has become a hip city for millennials, while remaining a center for classical music. For more information, visit www.VisitSaxony.com.
Nov 4, 2022
Nov 4, 2022
13 min
Bastian Germer, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton NOMAD, give James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report a tour of this brilliant addition to the New York City hotel scene. Germer reveals the vast range of accommodations, new inventive dining options and what arguably might be the best rooftop bar in a city with many rooftop bars. More to the point, Germer highlights what the hotel has in spades—some of the best views of Manhattan period. For more information, click on The Ritz-Carlton NOMAD.
Nov 4, 2022
Nov 4, 2022
9 min
Philipp Reutener hotel director for Swan Hellenic’s new SH Vega, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his new luxury expedition ship and what it offers guests. Reutener details the accommodations, dining options, public areas and décor of this elegant new vessel, which will offer Antarctic cruises and expedition sailings around the world. For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.com.
Nov 3, 2022
Nov 3, 2022
2 min
Scott Wiseman, senior vice president and general manager of Apple Leisure Group Vacations, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about sister company AMResorts’ intention to expand hotels and resorts in Europe, especially Greece and Croatia. For more information, visit www.AMResorts.com.
Nov 3, 2022
Nov 3, 2022
7 min
Todd Hamilton, senior vice president of sales at Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his cruise line's plan to compensate travel advisors on what were previously non-commissionable fares. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, advisors can get these commissions on new reservations made outside of final payment (120 days prior to sailing) on voyages departing May 1, 2023 and beyond. Hamilton also explains how travel advisors will need to submit a marketing plan through Norwegian Central by Dec. 31, 2022. For more information, visit www.ncl.com.
Nov 3, 2022
Nov 3, 2022
7 min
Valerie Wilson, chairman and founder of Valerie Wilson Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Swan Hellenic’s new SH Vega—and turns out she likes it a lot. From the décor to the accommodations to the dining, Wilson gives you a preview of one of the newest expedition cruise ships in the market today. She also reveals that she will be the godmother of Swan Hellenic’s next new ship, SH Diana, making its debut next summer. For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.com.
Nov 2, 2022
Nov 2, 2022
11 min
Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer for Royal Caribbean Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the “reveal” of Royal Caribbean’s new Icon of the Seas, set to make its debut in January 2024. Icon takes the best from the Oasis and Quantum classes, sprinkles in some features from Royal Caribbean’s private island, and adds whole new features to create a ship that’s firmly focused on delivering a great vacation for families. For more information, click on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.
Nov 2, 2022
Nov 2, 2022
10 min
Gordon Dirker, Swan Hellenic’s new vice president of sales, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report on the new SH Vega about his new company with a historic name and its plans for the expedition cruise market. Dirker details the features of the new ship and what plans he has in store to sell these brilliant new vessels through the travel agency trade. For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.com.
Nov 1, 2022
Nov 1, 2022
13 min
Nadiya Makarenko, senior vice president of host agency Travel Edge Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how this Toronto-based host agency has expanded dramatically over the past few years; the services it offers to travel advisor affiliates, including a turnkey ADX booking system; and how it’s now the largest agency in the newly acquired Ensemble consortium, which was purchased by its parent company, Navigatr, earlier this year. For more information, visit www.traveledgenetwork.com.
Nov 1, 2022
Nov 1, 2022
10 min
Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International’s senior vice president-sales, talks with James Shillinglaw at the “reveal” of Icon of the Seas, the cruise line’s newest and biggest ship to date. Freed talks about the vessel’s eight neighborhoods, including Surfside, located near the stern and designed to appeal to families with young children, and the AquaDome, a combination water theater and pool and lounge complex near the bow. Freed also details how the ship combines elements of the Oasis Class, Quantum Class and even Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at Coco Cay private island. For more information, visit www.cruisingpower.com and www.royalcaribbean.com/icon-of-the-seas/site.
Oct 31, 2022
Oct 31, 2022
3 min
Daniel Suarez, the number one driver for NASCAR’s Trackhouse Racing Team, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how he got into racing, how this season is shaping up, and how his team’s partnership with Princess Cruises has benefited Trackhouse and given Princess new visibility in one of the country’s most popular sports. For more information, visit www.princess.com or www.trackhouse.com.
Oct 31, 2022
Oct 31, 2022
6 min
John Padgett, president and CEO of Princess Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about why his premium cruise line decided to back the Trackhouse NASCAR racing team and give away free cruises when the team’s drivers win or place in the top 10. Padgett says the strategy is a way to open up new markets for cruising, just as the line’s sponsorship of CBS’s new “The Real Love Boat” gives cruising new visibility to a new generation of cruisers. For more information, visit www.princess.com or www.trackhouse.com.
Oct 31, 2022
Oct 31, 2022
22 min
Gavin Landry, executive vice president Americas for Visit Britain, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Great Britain's recovery, increasing air lift, its sustainability efforts, and what's fresh and new to do as part of the"See Things Differently" program, which includes sailing down the Thames in a hot tub. For more information, visit www.VisitBritain.com.
Oct 28, 2022
Oct 28, 2022
14 min
Jeff Willner, CEO and founder of Navigatr Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his acquisition of Ensemble, the former agency cooperative that is now a consortium wholly owned by Navigatr. Willner, who spoke with us last week during Ensemble’s conference in Miami, also talks about how he got into the travel agency business, how he’s grown his company from when it began as the Travel Edge agency in Toronto, then acquiring a number of agencies in the U.S., establishing a critical technology company and ultimately buying Ensemble. The goal, according to Willner, is to help make the travel advisor profession even more lucrative for those who decide to pursue it. For more information, visit www.navigatr.com or www.ensembletravel.com.
Oct 28, 2022
Oct 28, 2022
18 min
Oct 28, 2022
Oct 28, 2022
11 min
Jacki Marks, executive vice president of Apple Leisure Group Vacations (ALGV), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about ALG'Vs Ascend 2022 conference, which took place last week at Secrets The Vine Cancun. Marks likes gameshows, so in a lighting-round format she goes over every single upgrade or new program offered to travel advisors by ALGV this year, For more information, visit www.algvacations.com or www.appleleisuregroup.com.
Oct 27, 2022
Oct 27, 2022
25 min
Michael Johnson, the president of Ensemble, and David Harris, the group's executive chairman, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how the travel agency consortium came together in Miami last week to debut a new common booking tool, a new marketing strategy, a new logo and shortened name, new training and education, and much more just four months after it was sold to Toronto-based Navigatr. For more information, visit www.ensembletraveL.com.
Oct 27, 2022
Oct 27, 2022
10 min
Ray Snisky, president of Apple Leisure Group Vacations (ALGV), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the almost seamless acquisition by Hyatt Hotels and how both companies are benefiting, with Hyatt making huge investments into ALGV's technology that supports travel advisors. Snisky also discusses Hyatt and ALGV's enthusiasm for advisors and his own vow to never cut commissions. For more information, visit www.ALGVacations.com.
Oct 26, 2022
Oct 26, 2022
12 min
Rodrigo Esponda, director general and managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the changing profile of the Los Cabos visitor, who is younger, more affluent and looking for more outdoor and culinary experiences than previously believed. Esponda suggests travel advisors use the web tools provided to find out just how much in Los Cabos is commissionable beyond hotels, citing more than 200 restaurants as just the start. For more information, visit www.VisitLosCabos.travel.
Oct 26, 2022
Oct 26, 2022
4 min
Karen Henderson, sales and marketing manager of Visit Derry, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the ancient walled city that seems to have embraced Halloween as a unifying annual event since the unrest it faced back in the 1960s through 1970s. Henderson says it all began in a single pub about 30 years ago, and since then the city of 110,000 people swells to more than double around Halloween (not counting the dead), filling its hotels to capacity. As a result, Derry has been voted by the New York Times for having one of the six best Halloween celebrations in the world, even over Transylvania. For more information, visit www.VisitDerry.com.
Oct 25, 2022
Oct 25, 2022
22 min
Jen Halboth, CEO of Riverside Collection-Americas, talks with James Shillinglaw about her new company’s purchase of the former Crystal Mozart by Riverside Luxury Cruises, a German hospitality firm that is getting into river cruising. Halboth details her company’s plans to market the ship, one of the largest on the Danube, in North America through travel advisors, and why she left her old post at Globus for an opportunity to build a new company. For more information, visit www.riverside-cruises.com/en/.
Oct 25, 2022
Oct 25, 2022
14 min
Daniela Trava Albarran, general manager of Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her all-inclusive family resort, with clubs for kids and teens. The property which opened in 2013, is located 22 minutes from the airport in a secluded part of Puerto Morelos and is reminiscent of haciendas in the Yucatán peninsula. For more information, email reservations@GrandResidencesRivieraCancun.com or visit www.GrandResidencesRivieraCancun.com.
Oct 24, 2022
Oct 24, 2022
38 min
Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the focus of the upcoming Global Summit in Saudi Arabia, which comes less than a year after WTTC held a Summit in the Philippines. Simpson also describes how the WTTC acted to help get the global travel industry through the pandemic, how WTTC continues to focus on sustainable tourism, and how the group has successfully lobbied governments around the world to get them to recognize the importance of travel and tourism. For more information, visit www.wttc.org.
Oct 24, 2022
Oct 24, 2022
9 min
Ginette Goulston-Lincoln, travel trade manager of Strawberry Field in Liverpool, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the Salvation Army property where John Lennon played as a child, which now offers a multimedia tribute to his legacy, as well a facility to support the people of Wilton, a suburb of city. For more information, visit www.StrawberryFieldLiverpool.com.
Oct 21, 2022
Oct 21, 2022
5 min
Oct 21, 2022
Oct 21, 2022
16 min
Hector Coronel, CEO of Madrid Destino, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how he was named to his post during the pandemic, and his plans for tourism economic recovery, which include new marketing campaigns and programs for travel advisors. Coronel also recaps what's new for the city's art, culinary, hotel and event scene. For more information, visit www.madrid-destino.com.
Oct 20, 2022
Oct 20, 2022
6 min
Lenny Faverey, doorman at the Omni Berkshire in New York City, has a special talent that’s become recognized on TikTok (Len.nythedoormanNYC) and national and local TV. A 30-year veteran of the Omni, he’s become a TikTok sensation for his dancing moves on the street as he greets guests and those passing by. He’s also been a contestant on NBC’s “Dancing with Myself,” using skills and moves he picked up during a lifetime of dancing at clubs around the city. Faverey talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his unexpected rise to fame. For more information, click on Omni Berkshire.
Oct 20, 2022
Oct 20, 2022
10 min
David Kanters, general manager of the Omni Berkshire, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his New York hotel has emerged from the pandemic with its veteran staff intact and plans to return to its former place as one of the city’s landmark properties and Omni’s signature hotel in Manhattan. We interviewed Omni’s previous GM prior to the COVID years, but not Kanters takes up the mantle to make the historic property deliver a classic stay for guests, with some of the best terraced suits in New York. For more information, click on Omni Berkshire.
Oct 19, 2022
Oct 19, 2022
9 min
Miguel Gonzalez Perret-Gentil, public relations and communications manager for the Mangrove Beach Resort, talks with Taya Collins of Insider Travel Report about his resort, a member of the Curio by Hilton collection. The property features two pools, a dozen food and beverage facilities, including a smoothie bar, a spa and hair salon, as well as an aqua park. For more information, click on Mangrove Beach Resort.
Oct 19, 2022
Oct 19, 2022
8 min
George Stanfield, managing director of the new Waldorf Astoria in Cancun, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his hotel’s rapidly approaching opening date on Nov. 1, 2022. The property has 173 rooms, three restaurants and two bars, all with oceanfront views, along with a 21-cabin spa and gym with personal trainers. For more information, visit www.WaldorfAstoria.com.
Oct 18, 2022
Oct 18, 2022
4 min
Freda Newton, MBE, managing director and founder of Lochness by Jacobite, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her lake cruise company, which features four heated boats with food service and bar, and operates commissionable roundtrip tours of the world-famous Loch Ness from Urquhart Castle. While Newton herself has not seen the Loch Ness monster, her guests have, and her crews have made sonar sightings even without the aid of the Highland Hot Chocolates, a possibly hallucinatory concoction made of milk, chocolate and whisky sold on the voyages. For more information, email trade@Jacobite.co.uk or visit www.jacobite.co.uk.
Oct 18, 2022
Oct 18, 2022
23 min
Paul Muir, president of the International Travel Show (ITS), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report (and chairman of ITS), about how ITS will deliver a critical look at "The Future of Travel" during an event being held in the Jacob Javits Center in New York City on Oct. 28-30. With keynote sessions, panels focused on top topics in the travel industry, and a major exhibition, this is the place to be on Oct. 28-30. The dedicated trade day on Oct. 28 will feature a morning of speakers and panels, followed by exclusive access for travel advisors to the exhibition floor. Over the next two days, advisors and travel consumers can learn from top travel experts and access the exhibition floor with nearly 200 travel suppliers and destinations on display. For more information, visit www.nyInternationalTravelShow.com. To register, visit www.nyinternationaltravelshow.com/trade-attendees.