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Insider Travel Report assists travel advisors by discussing the changing travel landscape with a line-up of special guests VIP guests, the movers and shakers...
Episodes
Friday Nov 19, 2021
Friday Nov 19, 2021
Leslie Horn and Jennifer Martin, co-owners of Nashville Luxury Travel in Brentwood, Tenn., talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about how they have dealt with pandemic to remain top producers in host agency Travel Experts with very high-end clients. Horn and Martin talk about what the future holds for their luxury travel agency and what bookings look like for 2022, and how Travel Experts' recent Summit helped them. For more information, visit www.nashvilleluxurytravel.com and www.travel-experts.com.
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Ann Chamberlin, vice president of sales for Scenic USA, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the restart of the company’s river cruises and expedition sailings. With two brands, the luxury Scenic and the premium Emerald, Scenic has all the bases cover to offer great experiences on rivers and oceans—and there are more ships to come. Chamberlin was interviewed during host agency Travel Experts’ Summit aboard Scenic Jasper and Scenic Opal, sailing on the Rhine and the rivers of Holland and Belgium. For more information, visit www.scenicusa.com.
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Wednesday Nov 17, 2021
Susan Farrell, owner of Travel Experts, and Heather McIntyre, manager-technology and finance, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about their luxury host agency, one of the first hosts in the business, during its in-person conference aboard two Scenic Cruises river ships in Amsterdam. They talk about how the agency, a Virtuoso member, got through the pandemic and how it helped its travel advisor members survive. They also talk about what’s booking well right now and what business looks like heading into 2022. For more information, visit www.travel-xperts.com.
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how Celebrity has set out to prove that luxury doesn't have to be pretentious or small, it just has to be comfortable, sustainable and inclusive. Lutoff-Perlo also talks about the sweet spot Celebrity now occupies between premium and ultra-luxury cruise products for a broader market that is beginning to skew younger. For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com.
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
Mark Conroy, managing director-the Americas for Silversea Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the luxury cruise line’s fleet, plans for future ships, how to sell luxury versus luxury expedition, new World Cruises, new videos promoting the line, and a lot more. Conroy offers a comprehensive look at one of the world’s top luxury lines as part of an Insider Travel Report webinar, which was held Nov. 15. This interview summarizes his presentation. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Richard Faim, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how ships in his company's fleet are returning to normal, specifically Celebrity Apex during its recent inaugural voyage from Fort Lauderdale. Fain discusses how current bookings are outpacing 2019, how 2022 will be a transitional year and why 2023 should be unbelievable.Fain also names a few of his favorite upgrades from Celebrity Edge to Apex. This interview took place before Royal Caribbean announced that Fain would step down as CEO but remain as chairman effective Jan. 3, 2022. For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com and www.royalcaribbean.com.
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Amanda Kelly, owner of Live Well Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel about how she sells Australia today. Kelly is not just an Aussie Specialist, she's an Aussie Ambassador, having visited the country a number of times and taking the Aussie Specialist course. She also talks about new Aussie Specialist course and how it can help you sell Australia. For more information, visit www.lwtravel.org or www.aussiespecialist.com.
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Michael Gigl, region manager for U.S.A. and Australia for the Austrian Tourist Board, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report during the recent Virtuoso Symposium in Vienna. Gigl talks about how Vienna finally hosted Virtuoso after the event was postponed twice because of the pandemic and how Americans can travel to the country today. For more information, visit www.austria.info.
Thursday Nov 11, 2021
Thursday Nov 11, 2021
Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how his cruise line plans to deploy its fleet, putting all 11 ships back in service by April 2022. Antorcha also reveals what's new and special about the seventh Rotterdam, as well as the new "Kids Cruise Free" promotion and how travel advisors can get involved. For more information, visit www.goHAL.com.
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Yi Ding, business and growth manager for Eurail, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Eurail's desire to support travel advisors who already sell Europe, and would like to also sell what she calls the "low hanging fruit" of a single mobile pass, good for rail and ferry travel in 33 European countries. Eurail also offers a dedicated boarding team to assist advisors who would like to integrate their websites with Eurail for realtime inventory and selling. For more information, visit www.eurail.com/en/about-us/become-our-partner.
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Cate Caruso, owner of True Places Travels, a Virtuoso affiliate in Vancouver, Wash., talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how she found her way into a life of travel, as well as her new appreciation of expedition cruising with Lindblad Expeditions and its generational family learning programs. She also explains the differences between Lindblad other expedition cruise lines. For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Maria Elena Rossi, director of marketing and promotion for ENIT (the Italian National Tourist Board), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the requirements for visiting Italy right now, what’s open and what’s not around the country, and specifically how such top cities as Florence and Rome are welcoming visitors. She also discusses how to use those cities as hubs to explore the regions nearby. For more information, visit www.italiantourism.com.
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Gina Gabbard, chief sales officer, and Lesa Bain, vice president of sales for North America for Lindblad Expeditions, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about new destinations, new itineraries, new ships, new partnerships, family programs, pre-booking advantages, back-to-back trip discounts, and the new Expedition 360 online training platform. For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with Jen of Disney’s Contemporary Resort about how the first hotel built at Walt Disney World is getting a major update in its rooms, public areas and restaurants as Disney World and the Contemporary itself celebrate 50 years. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Matthew Upchurch, chairman and CEO of Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his luxury travel network celebrated the anniversary of its rebranding in 2000 in Vienna last week, how Virtuoso has worked to help its members through the pandemic, and what the future holds for luxury travel. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
Luxury keeps getting redefined—and now we have the new age of post-pandemic cruising that will redefine it again. We examine the new features, amenities and health and safety standards of true luxury cruising and what luxury travelers can book today. How can they make the right choice when selecting a cruise vacation? Moderated by James Shillinglaw, editor-In-chief of Insider Travel Report and including Steve Smotrys, senior vice president-sales & sarketing, Seabourn; Randall Soy, former executive vice president, sales & marketing, Regent Seven Seas Cruises; Barbara Muckerman, chief marketing officer, Silversea Cruises; Bob Lepisto, president of SeaDream Yacht Club; and Carmen Roig, senior vice president, marketing & sales, Crystal Cruises. This discussion was originally posted as part of our Virtual Vacation Events-New Age of Luxury virtual show.
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
Emerson Hankamer, president of Vacations To Go, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Travel Leaders Network EDGE conference about how his mega-agency, a top seller of cruises, got through the last 20 months with help from Travel Leaders and major cruise lines. Vacations To Go also switched its focus to sell more all-inclusive resorts and other travel products. For more information, visit www.vacationstogo.com, www.travelleaders.com or www.travelleadersnetwork.com.
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Ian Cambata, president of Travel Leaders 365, part of Greaves Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw about how his company just won Travel Leaders Network’s Golden Legacy Award. Greaves includes a travel management company focusing on corporate travel, a 24-hour travel support unit and an upscale destination management company specializing in travel to India. For more information, visit www.travelleaders365.com or www.greavestravel.com.
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Mark Spillane, director-sales and marketing for Crystal Expedition Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the new Crystal Endeavor, including what it features in terms of accommodations, public areas and dining, and where it’s going this year and into 2022 and how you can book it for your clients. For more information, visit www.crystalcruises.com.
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Disney entertainment director Rowan (and a very special) guest give James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report the lowdown on all the incredible entertainment, shows and parades being rolled out for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Dave Hershberger, owner of Prestige Travel in Cincinnati, and immediate past chair of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his agency has dealt with the business downturn due to pandemic, turning to resources developed by ASTA and his consortium Travel Leaders Network (TLN). Hershberger even won an award at TLN’s recent EDGE conference for how he used the group’s resources to get through the COVID-19 period. For more information, visit www.travelleaders.com, www.travelleadersnetwork.com or www.prestige-travel.com.
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Jack Anderson, who has now moved from interim president to permanent president of Crystal Cruises in order to keep his promises to travel advisors and guests, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report on the new expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor, about the reasons for the sale of Crystal Esprit and parent company Genting’s successful debt restructuring. Anderson also reveals Genting’s commitment to Crystal by keeping the order in place for another oceangoing ship, as well as a sister expedition ship for Endeavor. For more information, visit www.crystalcruises.com.
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Disney Imagineer Ben talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom has been transformed for Disney World’s 50th anniversary. From new lighting to new colors, the castle has been completely reimagined to celebrate this major milestone for Disney’s theme park. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Scott Wiseman, senior vice president for Apple Leisure Group Vacations (ALG Vacations), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the recent Ascend conference in Cancun about how ALG Vacations has addressed travel advisor complaints and made major changes to improve service and response time for its many vacation brands. ALG Vacations accomplished all this over the past year during the pandemic after integrating its brands. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com or www.appleleisuregroup.com.
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Sandy Lovick and Dave Lovick of Minnesota’s Market Square Travel, a mother and son team and winners of Travel Leaders Network’s Associate of Year award, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about why they were selected as the franchise delivering excellence in service and representing the Travel Leaders brand, how they worked through the pandemic period. As four-time winners of the award, Sandy and Dave also detail what Travel Leaders programs and services they used to bring their business back. For more information, visit www.travelleaders.com, www.travelleadersnetwork.com.
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Statia, resident Disney artist and historian at Walt Disney World, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about the history of Disney World and how it developed into the largest theme park complex in the world. Statia also details how Walt Disney’s planning and direction resulted in today’s Disney World, which is celebrating its 50thanniversary this year. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
Heather Nelson, head of international sales for Radisson Hotel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the Radisson Collection, a new generation of high-end properties that gives Radisson an entry into the luxury market in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa with some famed hotels. For more information, visit www.radissoncollection.com.
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
Disney Imagineers Katrina at Dstew talk with James Shillinglaw of insider Travel Report about how they developed the new “Enchantment” nighttime fireworks and light spectacular centered around Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom them park. It’s all part of the 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
Thursday Oct 28, 2021
Jackie Marks, executive vice president of ALG Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the Ascend conference in Cancun earlier this month about all the tools and policy changes the wholesaler has made to address travel advisor concerns. Marks shows how ALG Vacations used the pandemic period to improve service, develop new programs, and help travel advisors book more packaged vacations. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com.
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Daniel Matiasch and Marta Forstein, owners of the 1908 Lisboa hotel, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this nearly new property located in a newly hip area of Lisbon. The areas features lots of cool new restaurants and bars—though the hotel’s own restaurant, Infame, specializes in new wave Portuguese fusion cuisine that can’t be beat. The hotel also is full of fascinating and colorful art throughout. For more information, visit www.1908lisboahotel.com.
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Ray Snisky, president and CEO of Apple Leisure Group Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Ascend conference in Cancun about how his wholesaler giant has used the pandemic period to resolve many of the challenges it faced with the travel advisors who sell its vacation products, including faster call response time and upgrades in group travel. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com or www.appleleisuregroup.com.
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Roger Block, president of Travel Leaders Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s EDGE conference about the state of his travel agency group and its members, how Travel Leaders has helped its members get through the pandemic crisis, and what sales look like for the rest of this year and into 2022 and beyond. For more information, visit www.travelleaders.com or www.travelleadersnetwork.com.
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Alejandro Reynal, CEO of Apple Leisure Group (ALG), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the recent Ascend conference in Cancun about how his company will operate under Hyatt Hotels & Resorts’ ownership, how ALG has emerged from the pandemic and how it has made critical changes to improve its service to travel advisors. For more information, visit www.appleleisuregroup.com or www.algvacations.com.
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Ashley Levine, Disney imagineer overseeing the new Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this major new attraction, set to debut next year at Disney’s EPCOT. The new thrill ride will be one of the largest “dark” coasters in the world with much more included—a major innovation in theme park technology. And it’s all part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at Travel Leaders Network’s recent EDGE conference in Orlando about how Travel Leaders has emerged from the pandemic, how it has helped its travel agency members, and the prospects for a full recovery for travel and travel advisors. For more information, visit www.travelleaders.com.
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Melanie Bronstein, marketing strategy manager for Disney’s Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about this new two-day experience for families and Star Wars enthusiasts. Galactic Starcruiser will make its debut in Disney’s Hollywood Studios as part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Yassim Doud, head of sustainability for Ponant, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel report about the brand new Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant's newest luxury expedition vessel, which features hybrid electric engines powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), a unique system that purifies water making it drinkable, no use of plastics in any part of the ship and much more. Together all these measures make the ship ready for cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic. For more information, visit www.ponant.com.
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Jared, the Disney Imagineer project manager for Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this special two-night adventure in Disney Hollywood Studios where guests can be part of the action and save the galaxy in an attraction that is perfect for families. It’s all part of the new attractions, experiences and shows making their debut as part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Jared, the Disney Imagineer project manager for Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this special two-night adventure in Disney Hollywood Studios where guests can be part of the action and save the galaxy in an attraction that is perfect for families. It’s all part of the new attractions, experiences and shows making their debut as part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Thursday Oct 21, 2021
Thursday Oct 21, 2021
Sachi, the Disney imaginer overseeing much of the design for Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Wish, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the opulent interiors of the new ship, which will make its debut in June 2022. Launching during Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the Disney Wish will be a bit larger than its predecessors but will still very much reflect the Disney ethos. For more information, visit www.disneycruises.com.
Thursday Oct 21, 2021
Thursday Oct 21, 2021
Florent Khury, hotel director for Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the lavish accommodations, onboard activities and sumptuous cuisine available onboard this luxury expedition ship that will focus on Antarctica and the Arctic. For more information, visit www.ponant.com.
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Heather, manager of the new Cirque du Soleil -Disney show “Drawn to Life,” talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the very first Cirque show to use Disney animation as its theme. The spectacular makes its debut on Nov. 18 in a dedicated theater at Disney Springs, replacing the former Cirque show La Nouba. It’s all part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. For more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/drawntolife or www.disneyworld.com/50.
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Jonathan Zakaria, expedition leader aboard Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the ship’s unique programs offered to Antarctica and the Arctic. Le Commandant Charcot will be able to venture into areas of Antarctica that few if any other ships can match. The ship also will be the only one to feature cruises to the North Pole next July—it already has made one trip to the Pole earlier this year. For more information, visit www.ponant.com.
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Joe Jiffo, vice president of sales for American Queen Voyages, formerly American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the company's new itineraries for river, Great Lakes, ocean and expedition; new programs designed to assist and incentivize travel advisors; and what "all-inclusive" truly means on an American Queen Voyages journey. For more information, visit www.aqvoyages.com.
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
What will you and your clients find to eat at Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration? Crystal Saunders, pastry chef at EPCOT, showcases some sweet treats in her talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report—nobody is going home hungry. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Frederic Jansen, global brand ambassador for Ponant, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the brand new 245-guest Le Commandant Charcot luxury expedition ship, which features the only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea and opulent accommodations, including four duplex suites. The ships PC2 classification also allows it to journey deeper into Antarctica and even cruise to the geographical North Pole, the only cruise ship capable of doing that (and it will do that four times next July). For more information, visit www.ponant.com.
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Geoff Gljiva, vice president of operations at Patina Restaurant Group, which manages the new Space 220 restaurant at Disney's EPCOT, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how Patina and Disney developed this first "restaurant in space," a simulated experience that takes diners 220 miles above the Earth to eat in a space station. It's all part of the new features being introduced at EPCOT as part of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/50.
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Captain Patrick Marcheseau, who helms Ponant's new Le Commandant Charcot, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his luxury expedition ship sailed to the geographic North Pole, the only passenger vessel to do so, even before it entered service. Capt. Marcheseau also details the many groundbreaking features of his new ship, including LNG-powered hybrid engines, the highest PC2 ice-class in the industry, and opulent amenities like the only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea. For more information, visit www.ponant.com.
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Monday Oct 18, 2021
John Waggoner, founder and chairman of American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Line, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the rebranding of his company as American Queen Voyages as it expanded beyond rivers to lakes, oceans and expedition cruising. Waggoner also recalls the history of his company, which began with one classic Mississippi paddlewheeler. For more information, visit www.aqvoyages.com.