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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
Jul 8, 2022
Jul 8, 2022
10 min
Craig Squire, owner of Ochre Restaurant, Modern Australian, in Cairns, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how Australian cuisine has evolved to make the country one of the world's great foodie destinations. Ochre, part of a new wave of great Australian restaurants, was one of the places visited by last month's Down Under Answers travel advisor fam trip. For more information, visit https://ochrerestaurant.com.au.
Jul 7, 2022
Jul 7, 2022
10 min
Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland in Australia, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report during a visit to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Olsen describes a region that encompasses the famed Great Barrier Reef, rainforests, indigenous tourism attractions, the Outback and lively cities like Cairns. For more information, visit https://tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au.
Jul 7, 2022
Jul 7, 2022
15 min
Ginger Taggart, vice president-IHG global marketing and brand management, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about IHG's relatively new voco hotel brand, first introduced in 2018 just before the pandemic. The brand now has more than 30 properties worldwide, including two in New York and even more to come. Taggart details why IHG launched the brand, who the target guests are, what makes for a voco hotel. For more information, visit www.ihg.com/voco/hotels.
Jul 6, 2022
Jul 6, 2022
10 min
Taryn Agius, owner of Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how to experience Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on one of her two boats—Ocean Freedom. Agius provided travel advisors on a Down Under Answers fam trip with a unique diving and snorkeling excursion just off the coast of Cairns. For more information, visit www.cairnspremierreefislandtours.com.
Jul 6, 2022
Jul 6, 2022
26 min
Michael Edwards, managing director of Explore Worldwide, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his global adventure travel company with 40 years of experience offering more than 500 trips in 120 countries. Edwards details new U.K., wildlife and food tours, as well as solar eclipse tours, which will be taking place across North America this year. For more information, visit www.exploreworldwide.com.
Jul 5, 2022
Jul 5, 2022
15 min
Jeff Adam, vice president of Down Under Answers, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about a fam trip the two traveled on last month to Cairns and Brisbane in Queensland with a group of travel advisors. Adam details the fam trip, which covered everything from the Great Barrier Reef to the rainforests to the city of Brisbane and Tangalooma Island Resort. This is the kick off to a series of videos chronicling that trip. For more information, visit www.downunderanswers.com.
Jul 5, 2022
Jul 5, 2022
15 min
Joel Freyberg, vice president of the Doyle Collection and managing director of the Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington, D.C., talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the changes he’s made to his luxury hotel since he arrived a little more than four years ago. These included a complete refurbishment of the rooms and suites, launching a new bar, The Doyle, and a new restaurant, The Pembroke, plus all the small amenities available to guests that Freyberg is known for. For more information, visit www.thedupontcirclehotel.com or www.doylecollection.com.
Jul 4, 2022
Jul 4, 2022
19 min
Antonio Bignone, managing director and co-founder of Serras Hotel Barcelona and the Serras Hotel Collection, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his five-star luxury boutique property, which is just a five-minute taxi ride from the cruise port and was the location of Picasso’s first art studio. Bignone gives us a complete tour, showcasing the views of Barcelona Harbor from the rooftop bar and restaurant. For more information, visit www.serrashotel.com.
Jul 4, 2022
Jul 4, 2022
22 min
Virginia Irurita, founder and executive partner of Made for Spain & Portugal, a luxury destination management company specializing in custom private journeys in Spain and Portugal, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how a tour of Barcelona is possible for someone with impaired mobility. Irurita’s company has safely put a wheelchair on a hot air balloon, so it was comparatively easy for them to assemble a wheelchair, a chauffeured Mercedes, and an art historian to guide us on a visit to Barcelona’s Gothic quarter, Picasso's museum, Gaudi's apartments and La Sagrada Familia. Irurita also talks about what's new and hot in Spain and Portugal. For more information, visit www.madeforspainandportugal.com.
Jul 1, 2022
Jul 1, 2022
22 min
Ernest White II, television producer and travel TV host, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his travel docu-series "Fly Brother with Ernest White II" on PBS stations, Create TV, PBS.org, and Revry, as well as his "Fly Brother Radio Show." White tells how he slowly created his media company and presence while circumnavigating the globe six times, and more recently surviving COVID with the rest of the travel industry. For more information, visit www.flybrother.net or www.flybrother.com.
Jul 1, 2022
Jul 1, 2022
13 min
Ivan Eskildsen, minister of tourism for Panama, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his country is developing a strategy to feature indigenous and sustainable tourism beyond the beaches and the bustle of Panama City. Interviewed at the recent Travel Leaders Network EDGE conference, Eskildsen describes how Panama is trying to highlight its culture and people for travelers. For more information, visit www.tourismpanama.com.
Jun 30, 2022
Jun 30, 2022
7 min
Cindy Tyo of North Dakota’s Travel Travel, the recipient of the Travel Leaders Network’s Associate of the Year Award for 2022, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her award and her travel agency. The award honors the top travel agency among hundreds of Travel Leaders Network associate member locations nationwide. For more information, visit www.travelleaders.com.
Jun 30, 2022
Jun 30, 2022
10 min
Guenter Steinbrunner, Windstar Cruises' fleet hotel general manager, and Richard Maier, the hotel general manager of Star Pride, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the similarities and differences between the three original Wind class ships and the three renovated Star class vessels, as well as the differences between the original Star class suites and those in the new inserted section as a result of the $250 million dollar upgrade and stretch. For more information, visit AdvisorHub.WinstarCruises.com or www.windstarcruises.com.
Jun 29, 2022
Jun 29, 2022
13 min
Peter Tobler, director of food and beverage for Windstar Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the changes he has implemented on all six of the lines ships and in each of the restaurants based on what he has learned from sailing since cruising resumed. Tobler observes there's a trend toward plant-based foods, and foods without sugar, oil or salt (SOS). For more information, visit www.windstarcruises.com.
Jun 29, 2022
Jun 29, 2022
15 min
Sara Butruff of Minnesota’s Galaxy Travel talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about getting the Golden Legacy Award, the agency group's highest honor given to a travel advisor who exhibits outstanding professionalism and commitment to both Travel Leaders and to the travel industry as a whole. The award, which Butruff received last month at Travel Leaders' EDGE conference, honors an associate whose career achievements best exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and highest quality standards of the franchise system. For more information, visit www.travelleaders.com.
Jun 28, 2022
Jun 28, 2022
8 min
Nikolina Brnjac, Croatia’s minister of tourism, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her country is faring this summer, just a year after Croatia became literally the first European country to open its borders to U.S. travelers. Brnjac details the newest tourism campaigns being launched by Croatia and highlights the destinations that every traveler should experience for themselves. For more information, visit www.croatia.hr.
Jun 28, 2022
Jun 28, 2022
8 min
Alex Jackson, director of programming at M Social in Times Square, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the innovative programs he has created at this lifestyle boutique hotel on the north end of the square, just a short walk to all the major attractions in midtown Manhattan. For example, for national "sexual wellness" month and through September, the hotel teamed with female-run Dame products to offer guests a healthy adult play kit as an in-room amenity. For more information, click on M Social Times Square.
Jun 27, 2022
Jun 27, 2022
38 min
How are destinations approaching the luxury market? And how are they working with travel advisors to help them plan and book their clients’ luxury vacations. In this panel from our Virtual Roadshow series, you’ll hear from four global destinations that are focused on the luxury market, including Fort Lauderdale, Israel, Thailand and Rwanda. Panelists include Caitlan Etchevers, senior business development manager for Visit Lauderdale; Yael Golan, consul and director, southern region USA for the Israel Ministry of Tourism; Pintida Harnpanpongse, public relations manager, New York office for the Tourism Authority of Thailand; and Mandi Stefanak, director North America for Visit Rwanda.
Jun 27, 2022
Jun 27, 2022
24 min
Chris Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises, takes Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report on a tour of Star Pride, the sixth and final Windstar ship to resume sailing and the third to be completely renovated. Having been stretched an additional 80 feet as part of a $250 million dollar Star class upgrade, Star Pride has 50 new cabins, a new pool deck, two new restaurants, and a larger spa and fitness area, as well as newly renovated crew areas. For more information, visit AdvisorHub.WinstarCruises.com or www.windstarcruises.com.
Jun 24, 2022
Jun 24, 2022
22 min
Lindsey Epperly, founder and CEO of Jetset World Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her new “teams” concept has helped train and mentor her independent contractors, and grown her Virtuoso-affiliated agency’s business. Epperly has written for Insider before and we have also posted her training videos, so this Is the first of a series of interviews with her on how you can improve your agency’s business practices and become more profitable. For more information on Epperly’s agency, visit www.jetsetworldtravel.com.
Jun 24, 2022
Jun 24, 2022
44 min
There are now more luxury cruise options for your clients than ever before. In this panel from our Virtual Roadshow series, you’ll find out what top luxury cruise lines have planned now and in the future as well as how they view the luxury travel market. Panelists include Steve Smotrys, vice president, sales and trade relations for Seabourn; Eric Schmit, director of business development for Regent Seven Seas Cruises; Jennifer Suarez, associate vice president national accounts for Celebrity; Kathy Lu, business relationship leader southeast for Explora Journeys; Tricia Wolf, vice president sales for Oceania Cruises; and Marcus Kenny, director, business development and agency sales, the Americas for Silversea.
Jun 23, 2022
Jun 23, 2022
43 min
Airline expert Bill McGee, now with the American Economic Liberties Project, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the recent spate of airline flight cancellations and delays and why they are happening so frequently now. The bad news is this situation is not going to be solved anytime soon and you guessed it, the airlines themselves are largely to blame. For more information on McGee's consumer advocacy group, visit www.economicliberties.us.
Jun 23, 2022
Jun 23, 2022
42 min
There is a whole lot more luxury travel to be sold in such categories as expedition cruising, packaged vacations and even airlines. In this panel from our Virtual Roadshow series, you’ll hear from two new luxury expedition cruise lines, a luxury focused wholesaler and tour operator, and one of the highest rated airlines in the world. Panelists include Paul Girouard, director of leisure sales for Atlas Ocean Voyages; Alex Pinelo, senior vice president of sales for AmaWaterways; Lori Sheller, vice president of sales and marketing North America for Swan Hellenic; Amy Comparato, senior brand director for Journese; and Catherine Meenan, regional manager North America for Qatar Airways.
Jun 22, 2022
Jun 22, 2022
9 min
Zane Kerby, president and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about ASTA’s plans for Legislative Day (June 22) when travel advisors head to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to promote legislation that will help their businesses. Kerby also details some encouraging results from ASTA’s most recent surveys about the market for travel today and talks about the recent challenges faced by airlines. For more information, visit www.asta.org.
Jun 22, 2022
Jun 22, 2022
13 min
John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Travel Leaders Network conference in Aurora, Colo., about the prospects for recovery in all segments of the travel business. Lovell’s encouraging message is that pent-up demand after the pandemic will encourage travelers to book cruises, hotels, resorts, tours and more in top destinations despite rising inflation and fears of recession. For more information, visit www.travelleaders.com.
Jun 21, 2022
Jun 21, 2022
43 min
There are literally thousands of hotels and resorts that cater to the luxury market around the world. But how can you select the right property for your luxury client. In this panel from our Virtual Roadshow series, you’ll hear how Karisma Hotels & Resorts, Atlantis Paradise Island and Elite Island Resorts deliver luxury experiences to their guests. Panelists include Francisco Rello, director of retail sales for Karisma Hotels & Resorts; Megan Prieto, director of leisure sales for Atlantis Paradise Island; and Jessica Berman, director oftravel agent sales for Elite Island Resorts.
Jun 21, 2022
Jun 21, 2022
24 min
Roger Block, president of Travel Leaders Network (TLN), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s TLN Edge conference in Aurora, Colo., about what his giant travel agency group is up to today as we emerge from the pandemic, including new training programs, augmented marketing delivering leads and a proposed new dedicated res system for all TLN agencies and advisors. For more information, visit www.travelleaders.com.
Jun 20, 2022
Jun 20, 2022
37 min
The Caribbean, Bermuda and Latin America offer many options for your luxury travel clients. But how to do specific destinations in the region cater to luxury travelers and how do they work with travel advisors. In this panel from our Virtual Roadshow series, hear from Peru, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Dominica about how they approach the luxury market. Panelists include Cynthia Herrera, market specialist from PromPeru; Earlston Dill, manager travel industry sales for the Bermuda Tourism Authority; Daniel Taugher, national sales manager for the Cayman Islands Tourism Authority; and Jerry Grymek, team representative for Discover Dominica.
Jun 17, 2022
Jun 17, 2022
15 min
John Giovanni Cacciutti, designer and owner of Private Paradise Villa, talks with Darley Newman, reporting for Insider Travel Report, about his seven-, eight-, nine- and 10-bedroom properties that multi-generational families and a groups can rent on Cozumel. They come complete with chefs, entertainment and more, at a cost per bedroom comparable to a hotel stay, but offering a completely private experience. For more information, visit www.privateparadisevilla.com.
Jun 16, 2022
Jun 16, 2022
10 min
Markus Laahanen, the new general manager at NIZUC Resort & Spa in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, talks with Darley Newman, reporting for Insider Travel Report, about his luxury resort with 274 rooms, suites and villas, 86 of which have their own pools. The property has five restaurants, a Kosher kitchen and is close to the Cancun airport, but not any other Cancun hotels. For more information, visit www.nizuc.com.
Jun 15, 2022
Jun 15, 2022
7 min
Ben Evers-Swindell, general manager-Americas for Air New Zealand, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how Air Zealand is emerging from the pandemic to serve the newly reopened country with new routes, including a brand new New York JFK-Auckland non-stop service. Evers-Swindell also details his airline’s product improvements across the fleet. For more information, visit www.airnewzealand.com.
Jun 14, 2022
Jun 14, 2022
6 min
Sarah Handley, Tourism New Zealand’s general manager, Americas and Europe, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the protocols U.S. visitors must follow to enter the newly reopened country, as well as new tourism strategies and marketing campaigns. Handley also details how travel advisors can get back to selling New Zealand’s popular attractions. For more information, visit www.newzealand.com or www.tourismnewzealand.com.
Jun 13, 2022
Jun 13, 2022
13 min
Steve Cohen, known as the millionaires’ magician for his boutique performances in luxury hotels, talks with James Shillinglaw of Inside Travel Report, about his long-running “Chamber Magic” show at the Lotte New York Palace in New York City. Cohen details how he got to be a magician and what his show includes—and he may even have a trick or two to whet your appetite for some very real magic. For more information, show schedules and tickets, visit www.chambermagic.com.
Jun 10, 2022
Jun 10, 2022
5 min
Chef Glynn Purnell, owner of his Michelin-starred restaurant Purnell’s in Birmingham, England, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his city is becoming a culinary capital, led by his own restaurant, a new wave of truly British cuisine that uses locally sourced ingredients. Indeed, food is yet another reason to visit Birmingham today. For more information, visit www.purnellsrestaurant.com.
Jun 9, 2022
Jun 9, 2022
6 min
Becky Frall, head of tourism for the West Midlands Growth Company, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the many attractions of her region in England, which includes the famed former industrial city of Birmingham with its canals, surrounding gardens and castles, cuisine and fine arts. For more information, visit www.wmgrowth.com or www.visitbirmingham.com.
Jun 8, 2022
Jun 8, 2022
12 min
Anton Moore, general manager of the Gansevoort Hotel in New York City, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the renovation of his luxury property, long considered to be the heart of Manhattan’s fashionable Meatpacking District. The hotel still has its famed rooftop bar and pool, but now has completely revamped rooms, public spaces and more. For more information, visit www.gansevoorthotelgroup.com.
Jun 7, 2022
Jun 7, 2022
17 min
Themba Khumalo, CEO of South African Tourism, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report about the metrics by which to judge whether Africa's Travel Indaba was a success. According to Khumalo, more than 22,000 meetings were scheduled and kept, and 120 new small businesses came to the conference for the first time. For more information, visit www.southafrica.net.
Jun 6, 2022
Jun 6, 2022
10 min
Jerry Mpufane, president of South African Tourism for North America, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report about how proud his country was to host Africa's Travel Indaba conference after having been delayed for three years, as well as the importance of tourism to his country that also welcomes inclusion and diversity. For more information, visit www.southafrica.net.
Jun 3, 2022
Jun 3, 2022
2 min
Javier Moreno, senior vice president for sales, services and events for Disney Destinations, talks with Jason Leppert of Insider Travel Report about why now is the best time for families to book a Walt Disney World vacation, as well as how travel advisors can learn about new incentives, programs, products and more. For more information, visit www.DisneyTravelAgents.com or www.disneyworld.com.
Jun 2, 2022
Jun 2, 2022
5 min
Edson, sous chef at Walt Disney World, talks with Jason Leppert of Insider Travel Report about the creative food being served during Disney's 50th anniversary celebration, including colorful 50th anniversary churros, the Hall of Presidents' "I Cannot Tell a Lie" shake, the Haunted Mansion's chilling chamber pops, and Fantasyland's "When Will My Life Begin" pasta, which resembles Rapunzel's long hair. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com.
Jun 1, 2022
Jun 1, 2022
4 min
Steve Spiegel, story editor executive at EPCOT, talks with Jason Leppert of Insider Travel Report about the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind thrill ride in the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion. As a writer, Spiegel helped develop the first storytelling rollercoaster, just the way Disney does it. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/epcot.
May 31, 2022
May 31, 2022
7 min
Zach, lead imagineer for Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, talks with Jason Leppert of Insider Travel Report about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the first high-tech roller coaster at EPCOT. Zach also reveals details of EPCOT's new World Celebration area, which is broken into neighborhoods, including World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/epcot.
May 30, 2022
May 30, 2022
16 min
Regina Charboneau, restaurateur and culinary educator, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her return to American Queen Voyages (AQV) as culinary ambassador initially focused on Southern cuisine. Born and raised in Natchez, Miss., Charboneau's first cooking jobs were actually in Alaska before she studied in Paris, so it is no stretch for her to create dishes like Alaskan King Crab chowder for Ocean Victory, AQV's new expedition ship in Alaska. For more information, visit www.AmericanQueenVoyages.com.
May 27, 2022
May 27, 2022
9 min
Bud Lehnhausen, expedition leader onboard Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Resolution, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report about the importance of being an expedition leader, second only to the captain of the vessel. Lehnhausen talks about the number of firsts achieved on this journey, including walking on fast ice early in the season and sailing through "sea smoke," the fog that emanates from the surface of the warmer water meeting the colder winter air, illuminated by the sun from a low angle. For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.
May 26, 2022
May 26, 2022
7 min
Joe Jiffo, vice president of sales for American Queen Voyages (AQV), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how to travel advisors can sell AQV's Alaska expeditions on the new Ocean Victory. Jiffo points out that guests will be able to participate with scientists' open research for California Polytechnic State University, as well as enjoy food overseen by AQV's culinary ambassador Regina Charboneau. For more information, email Joe.Jiffo@AQVoyages.com or visit www.AQVoyages.com.
May 25, 2022
May 25, 2022
37 min
David Harris, president and CEO of Ensemble Travel Group (soon to be chairman), and Michael Johnson of Navigatr (soon to be president of Ensemble) talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how this major travel agency group deal transpired and what their plans are for the future. Ensemble agency members voted 83 percent in favor of the acquisition and now the task is to relaunch the group with new technology provided by Navigatr and new strategies to create a great alternative for travel agencies around North America who want another option. For more information, visit ensembletravel.com or www.navigatr.com.
May 24, 2022
May 24, 2022
9 min
Heidi Norling, captain of the National Geographic Resolution, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report about how Resolution was purpose-built for expeditions. She is a Polar Class Five ship, with azipod propulsion, easy Zodiac deployment and a large high-tech bridge, always open to guests. For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.
May 23, 2022
May 23, 2022
21 min
John Waggoner, founder and chairman of American Queen Voyages (AQV), gives Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report a tour of Ocean Victory, AQV's new expedition ship, which just sailed its maiden voyage to Alaska. Waggoner highlights the mud room, Zodiacs, kayaks, two Jacuzzis, infinity pool, spa, gym and more. For more information, visit www.AmericanQueenVoyages.com.
May 20, 2022
May 20, 2022
16 min
Sven Lindblad, chairman of Lindblad Expeditions, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report about Lindblad's 10th and newest ship, National Geographic Resolution.Along with identical sister ship Endurance, Resolution was purpose-built for expedition cruises and reflects all that had been learned from decades of prior salings. Sven Lindblad also discusses the hiring of a new CEO, which has allowed him to deal less with the day-to-day running of his company and focus on new destinations and itineraries. For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.
May 19, 2022
May 19, 2022
14 min
Duncan Palmer, managing director of The Beaumont in London, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his luxury hotel was revamped and renovated during the pandemic while adhering to its art deco style. Now featuring a main restaurant with new decor, a tea room and a brand new bar, The Beaumont also is planning to add even more rooms and suites in an entirely new wing. For more information, visit www.thebeaumont.com.