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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 Dec 29, 2021
Wednesday Dec 29, 2021
Jerry Tschudy, regional food and beverage director for Club Med North America, talks with Olivia Liveng of Insider Travel Report about how Club Med Quebec limits importation of supplies and works with local Canadian food producers to create the resort’s cuisine. For more information, visit www.clubmed.ca/r/quebec-charlevoix.
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Joseph Quilio, the general manager of the NOPSI Hotel in New Orleans, talks with Darley Newman about the hotel that originally housed the New Orleans Public Service Incorporated (NOPSI), which was the power station for the city. Quilio discusses how centrally located the hotel is from the French Quarter and the waterfront, things to do nearby, the hotel's room types, food and beverage offerings, including a "Beignet flight." For more information, visit www.nopsihotel.com.
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Carolina Alboreda, resident manager of Club Med's Exclusive Collection, talks with Olivia Liveng of Insider Travel Report about the planned renovation to turn the Club Med Val d'Isère ski resort into a full Exclusive Collection property. For more information, visit www.clubmed.us/r/val-d-isere.
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys, the luxury sister line to MSC Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the recent ILTM Cannes luxury travel show about how he’s positioning his company as a complete upscale experience not a cruise. The first of four vessels will make its debut in 2023, with itineraries in the Mediterranean blending renowned destinations with less-traveled ports. Ungerer also details Explora Journeys’ extremely friendly commission policies, no NCFs and more for travel advisors. For more information, visit www.explorajourneys.com.
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Pete Callaro, senior vice president of brand and product marketing for Carnival Cruise Line, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Carnival’s new “Funderstruck” marketing campaign, which will debut on Christmas Day on national TV during NBA games and continue on through New Year’s Eve celebration on ABC and beyond into 2022. Callaro also tells you how you can use this new campaign to sell more Carnival cruises to your clients. For more information, visit www.carnival.com.
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO of Silversea, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ILTM Cannes luxury travel conference about his line’s plan for Silver Nova, a revolutionary vessel set for delivery in summer 2023 that will be the first hybrid luxury cruise ship free of local emissions at port, positioning Silversea at the forefront of sustainable cruising for years to come. For more information, visit www.silversea.com/lp-silver-nova.html.
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Grant Campbell, general manager of Nobu Portman Square, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his year-old London luxury property, which comes with a signature Nobu restaurant, completely renovated rooms and suites, and refurbished public areas, including a great spa and health club. For more information, visit https://london-portman.nobuhotels.com.
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Bob Lepisto, president of SeaDream Yacht Club, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his luxury cruise line dealt with a guest who tested positive on SeaDream II earlier this month, what protocols the line followed and how the cruise eventually proceeded as planned after a day of quarantine. For more information, visit www.seadream.com.
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Barbara Muckermann, chief commercial officer for Silversea Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her luxury cruise line’s new promotional Port-to-Port fares providing travel advisors with additional options to tailor a more personalized program for their clients. These new fares provide guests with increased flexibility, additional savings and limited-time reduced deposit of 15 percent. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Charles Oak, director of The Londoner, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his luxury boutique hotel, which comes complete with elaborate accommodations; great new dining outlets, bars and a tavern; a spa and fitness center; and a location that can’t be beat on Leicester Square near the West End theater district. For more information, visit www.thelondoner.com.
Monday Dec 20, 2021
Monday Dec 20, 2021
Don Habets, hotel director on Scarlet Lady, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the accommodations, dining options, entertainment, activities and much more in this comprehensive video showcasing Virgin Voyages’ new ship for adults only. For more information, visit www.virginvoyages.com.
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Brian Riply, chief revenue officer for Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa in Colorado, talks with Darley Newman of Insider Travel Report about what makes this type of vacation unique, including the room configurations, the amenities and what type of guest would be the best fit. Devil's Thumb was originally a hot spot for groups and business conferences, but the pandemic has led to a rise in FIT, family and leisure travel. For more information, visit www.devilsthumbranch.com.
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Friday Dec 17, 2021
Lilly Ajarova, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how Uganda gives visitors value for money more than any other country in Africa, starting with extending the "Big Five" animals everyone wants to see (lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant and the African buffalo) by two more, because Uganda also offers chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. For more information, visit www.visituganda.com, and coming soon, www.exploreuganda.com.
Thursday Dec 16, 2021
Thursday Dec 16, 2021
Manuel Gonzales, director, and Jennifer Castro, brand ambassador, for Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report in the second part of a multi-part review of the all-inclusive property. In this episode, Gonzales and Castro describe the room types and how guests stock their mini bars at Joe Merchant's Coffee & Provisions shop. For more information, click on Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana.
Thursday Dec 16, 2021
Thursday Dec 16, 2021
Gilberto Salcedo, vice president of tourism for ProColombia, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about ProColumbia's relationship with Tourism Cares, the protocols guests must follow to visit the country, and Colombia's sustainability program to protect its status as the second most biodiverse country in the world. For more information, visit https://colombia.travel.
Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
Amélie Brouhard, vice president of marketing and sales-North America for Club Med, talks with Olivia Liveng of Insider Travel Report about Club Med's newly opened all-inclusive ski resort in Quebec, and its similarities and differences from the other Club Med ski resorts worldwide. The resort, which will be open all four seasons, will be joined by another ski resort in Utah next year. For more information, visit www.clubmed.com.
Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
Wednesday Dec 15, 2021
Marco Frank, trade and partnerships manager of North America for Flanders, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the Dutch-speaking northern portion of Belgium, a hidden gem known for its beer, chocolate, central location and status as having the most castles per square mile in Europe. Frank also discusses the latest requirements for travel. For more information, visit www.flandersmasters.com.
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Manuel Gonzales, director, and Jennifer Castro, brand ambassador, for the Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report in the first part of a multi-part review of the all-inclusive property. Gonzales and Castro describe the story behind the resort, the property's COVID-19 protocols, its restaurants and public spaces. Upcoming segments will highlight the rooms, entertainment, a deep-dive on the resort's culinary offerings with its executive chef, Frankely Castillo Blanco, and more. For more information, visit Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana.
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Matt Berna, managing director for Intrepid Travel for North America, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how guests are looking less for destinations than for themes since picking up new skills and hobbies while stuck at home, which explains why cooking and cycling trips are more popular than ever. For more information, visit Intrepid's Travel Agent Portal or www.intrepidtravel.com
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Terry Dale, president and CEO of the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his organization's annual survey of members on the state of travel and the deft handling of a single case of COVID at USTOA's annual conference in San Diego. For more information, visit www.ustoa.com.
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Josephine Connolly, minister of tourism for the Turks & Caicos, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her island nation handled the pandemic, tourism infrastructure in the islands, what tourism strategy Turks & Caicos will follow going forward as we emerge from the COVID-19 cruise. For more information, visit www.turksandcaicostourism.com.
Friday Dec 10, 2021
Friday Dec 10, 2021
Karen Whitt, vice president of sales and marketing at The Hartling Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about The Shore Club, one of her company's three luxury boutique resorts on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos. With spacious suites and large villas, The Shore Club is suitable for couples, families and groups. It also features three pools, a great location on Long Bay Beach, a spa and great dining options. For more information, visit www.theshoreclubtc.com or www.thehartlinggroup.com.
Thursday Dec 09, 2021
Thursday Dec 09, 2021
Stan Hartling, CEO of The Hartling Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how he built and grew his resort empire in the Turks & Caicos. That empire now includes The Shore Club on Long Bay Beach, The Palms Turks & Caicos, and The Sands at Grace Bay. Hartling also discusses how Turks & Caicos handled the pandemic, how it's working to bring travelers back, what the future holds for resort development in the islands. For more information, visit www.hartlinggroup.com.
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Dr. Eugene Delaune, MD, senior medical consultant for Allianz Travel Insurance, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the new Omicron variant of the COVID virus and what effect it’s having on travel. The surprise? This variant may have some benefits in the long run, but Dr. Delaune still urges everyone to get a vaccine, a booster, as well as good travel insurance, and keep on traveling. For more information on Allianz, visit www.allianztravelinsurance.com.
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Helen Giontsis, president of Kensington Tours, talks with James Shillinglaw about her upscale tour operator’s new programs for 2022, including a new Classical Collection for river cruises and a new Family Collection designed for multi-generational trips. Giontsis also talks about the benefits of working with Kensington, what destinations are trending for next year and how the company addressed the pandemic. For more information, visit www.kensingtontours.com.
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Oscar Regueiro Castro, general manager of the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his luxury hotel, which comes complete with a courtyard restaurant, a rooftop bar and grand accommodations, all located in the heart of Madrid. For more information, click on Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques.
Monday Dec 06, 2021
Monday Dec 06, 2021
Alex Sharpe, president and CEO of Signature Travel Network, talks with James Shillinglaw on Insider Travel Report about the state of the agency co-operative a month after the group’s annual conference in Las Vegas. Sharpe details the health of his agency network after a year of pandemic, what Signature has done to help its members survive and emerge ready to sell, what’s selling well for 2022 and beyond, and the programs Signature has launched to help its travel advisors better market themselves and serve their clients. For more information, visit www.signaturetravelnetwork.com.
Monday Dec 06, 2021
Monday Dec 06, 2021
Charles Morris, general manager of the Rosewood Villa Magna, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his brilliant new luxury hotel on a UNESCO-listed Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid. A relatively new but completely restored building houses attractive new rooms and suites, a great restaurant, an inner courtyard and spa, among other great features. It’s one of a series of luxury hotels recently opened or restored in the last year as part of Madrid’s hotel boom and tourism renaissance. For more information, visit www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/villa-magna.
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her river cruise line's innovative products for 2022 and beyond. These include a new Nile river cruise ship, the only river cruise in Venice, a 42-day river cruise odyssey, new "mystery" river cruise and much more. For more information, visit www.Uniworld.com.
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Hector Coronel, director of tourism for Madrid, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the rise of Madrid tourism both in Spain and in the rest of Europe. With numerous new hotels, a rising culinary scene, and great history and attractions, Madrid is finally poised to join the great capitals of Europe. For more information, visit www.esmadrid.com.
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Ken Muscat, chief operating officer of MSC Cruises USA, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the new MSC Seashore, which was just christened on Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, MSC's private island in the Bahamas. Muscat details the many features of this bold new ship, which will help build MSC Cruises' presence in the U.S. market. For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Mara Hargather of Hargather, Thaler & Associates, a Dream Vacations franchise and winner of the Bobbye Haupt Franchise of the Year Award, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about starting with Cruises, Inc., graduating to CruiseOne, becoming a Dream Vacations franchise, and then growing that agency even during the pandemic. Hargather also talks about travel trends, passing her 2019 booking levels already and her advice to other travel advisors at this time. For more information, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com and mhargarther.dreamvacations.com.
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales for Celebrity Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the new Celebrity Apex, how it is different from Celebrity Edge, why cruise ships are the safest places on Earth, as well as selling strategies and promotions that every travel advisor should know. For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com.
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International’s senior vice president-sales, trade support and services, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the new Odyssey of the Seas, the last of the Quantum ships, which perfects the dining, entertainment and accommodations concepts that marks the class. Freed also provides updates on Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. For more information, visit www.cruisingpower.com or www.royalcaribbean.com.
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Michelle Fee, founder and CEO of Cruise Planners, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her American Express representative host agency and franchisor is faring just weeks after its annual conference in Mexico. Fee details the multiple new programs, services and technologies Cruise Planners has developed to help its agency members and also provides the outlook for travel bookings for 2022 and beyond. For more information, visit www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com.
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Why have luxury travel advisors become even more important to luxury travel buyers as we emerge from the pandemic? How can consumers select the right luxury travel advisors to meet their needs? This panel will examine the intrinsic value travel advisors offer today to their luxury customers. Annie Fitzsimmons, luxury travel editor & advisor at AFAR moderates a panel that includes Anne Scully, a partner at Embark Beyond; Angie Licea, president of Global Travel Collection; Michael Johnson of Travel Edge; and Valerie Wilson, chairman of Valerie Wilson Travel. This discussion was originally posted as part of our Virtual Vacation Events-New Age of Luxury virtual show.
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer of World Travel Holdings, parent company of Dream Vacations, CruiseOne and Cruises, Inc., talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the national conference held aboard Celebrity Apex, how the group's membership made it through the pandemic, why Cruises, Inc. is being folded into the other two organizations, new programs including a “dating” service to help Cruises, Inc. associates find a host within the Dream Vacations/CruiseOne family, as well as her advice to travel advisors for the coming year. For more information, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com.
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
For this special Thanksgiving edition of Insider Video, Rudi Sodamin, consultant master chef at Holland America Line, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how a little Austrian boy helping his mother in the kitchen apprenticed his way across international restaurants until he found his way into the cruise business. He had his first culinary post aboard the Vistafjord and then on the Queen Elizabeth II for Cunard, before moving to Royal Caribbean and finally Holland America, where he formed the brand's Culinary Council. Chef Sodamin also talks about the opening of his third Rudi's Sel de Mer aboard the new Rotterdam and how he devised its menu. For more information, visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Disney representative Margorie, who helps oversees all things you and your clients can buy for Walt Disney World’s 50thanniversary, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about all the memorabilia available tied to the event. Discover how to buy merchandise that will provide memories of this significant park birthday. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Wednesday Nov 24, 2021
Wednesday Nov 24, 2021
Tom, a 27-year veteran cast member at Walt Disney World, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how he's seen the parks evolve over the time he’s worked for Disney as Disney World celebrates its 50th anniversary. He began in merchandising at Disney Hollywood Studios and now holds a post with the Disney Institute. Tom describes how Disney’s ability to tell stories with technology has really evolved, but still recognizes the timeless elements of being a cast member who can connect with guests. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Wednesday Nov 24, 2021
Wednesday Nov 24, 2021
Michael Smith, senior vice president of guest experience and product development for Holland America Line, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report on Rotterdam’s inaugural voyage about the difficulties involved in preparing for a resumption of travel, where the guest experience has changed the most, the differences between previous and the new Pinnacle class ships, and what’s new on the cruise line’s private island, Half Moon Cay. For more information, visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Brad Tolkin, co-CEO of World Travel Holdings, parent company of Dream Vacations, CruiseOne and Cruises, Inc., talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about what he sees as "a genie not going back in his bottle," the realization that people can work from anywhere and how that will affect travel for the long term. Tolkin also discusses why future cruise credits are a blessing, not a curse, and how important it is for travel advisors to express to their clients how safe travel has become. For more information, visit www.worldtravelholdings.com or www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com.
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Ryan Spear, president of Spear Travel Group in South Orange, N.J., talks with James Shillinglaw about how business is coming back after the pandemic and where he sees growth. He also describes how he got through the pandemic with assistance from his host agency. Travel Experts. For more information, visit www.speartravelgroup.com or www.travel-experts.com.
Monday Nov 22, 2021
Monday Nov 22, 2021
Claudio Zemp, director-Americas for Switzerland Tourism, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the recently completed Swiss Travel Mart, which was held in Interlaken last month. Zemp also provides the outlook for the number of Americans visiting Switzerland, what they must do to enter the country, and the latest marketing campaigns for promoting Switzerland. For more information, visit www.myswitzerland.com.
Monday Nov 22, 2021
Monday Nov 22, 2021
Juan Carlos Avila, Lindblad Expeditions leader; Celso Montalvo, naturalist and certified photo instructor; and naturalists Salvador Cazar and Africa Berdonce talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the typical cruise-tour offered by Lindblad in the Galapagos, this one on National Geographic II. For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.
Monday Nov 22, 2021
Monday Nov 22, 2021
June Chin-Ramsey, CEO of Context Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her tour company's unique tours hosted by scholars who provide an in-depth learning experience in top cities in countries around the world, including Italy, France, the U.K., the U.S. and beyond. Chin-Ramsey also provided an in-depth architectural tour of Midtown Manhattan as a sample of Context can do. For more information, visit www.contexttravel.com.
Sunday Nov 21, 2021
Sunday Nov 21, 2021
What can luxury travelers expect when arriving at a high-end hotel in the current situation and how has service delivery changed? How do hotels communicate what is open or what is not available at a hotel or resort at the moment? What are hotel policies on testing and local restrictions? We find out all that and more from this panel of luxury hotel experts. Moderated by Peter Bates, president of Strategic Vision Inc., the panel includes Chris Gabaldon, senior vice president-luxury brands for Marriott International; Anna Nash, chief marketing officer for Aman; Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide; and Helen Smith, chief customer experience officer for the Dorchester Collection. This discussion was originally posted as part of our Virtual Vacation Events-New Age of Luxury virtual show.
Sunday Nov 21, 2021
Sunday Nov 21, 2021
Caroline and Tony Labbé, owners of Labbé Travel in Jackson Hole, Wyo., talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the Travel Experts Summit about how they have gotten through the pandemic so far, how their host agency Travel Experts has helped them through this period, what bookings look like for next year, and how they successfully work together as a couple operating their agency. For more information, visit www.labbetravel.com and www.travel-xperts.com.
Friday Nov 19, 2021
Friday Nov 19, 2021
Brian Abel, Celebrity Cruises' senior vice president of hotel operations, gives Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report a tour of the new Celebrity Apex stateroom and suite categories while explaining the perks of those suites, including use of the Retreat Lounge, the Retreat Pool and the Retreat's private restaurant, Luminae. For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com.