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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

Apr 7, 2026
Apr 7, 2026
10 min
Ashley and Carter Carey, a mother-daughter agency team with Ashley Carter Travel, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at Travel Experts’ Summit 5 on an AmaWaterways cruise on the Danube. They detail how they got in the travel business, why they became members of Travel Experts, and how they plan to grow their business even more using their host agency’s resources and Virtuoso affiliation. For more information, visit www.ashleycareytravel.com or www.travel-xperts.com.

Apr 6, 2026
Apr 6, 2026
10 min
Michele Palma, executive vice president of sales for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report an update on her luxury river cruise line at last month’s ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam. Palma talks about her line’s newest ships, and innovative itineraries, as well as how travel advisors should be selling Uniworld today. For more information, visit www.uniworld.com.

Apr 5, 2026
Apr 5, 2026
10 min
Mark Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his brand-new Norwegian Luna, the opportunity he sees in taking over as brand leader, and what prepared him for this new role overseeing a major cruise line. Kazlauskas also details what he likes about the ship, the brand overall and what he hopes to achieve. For more information, visit www.ncl.com.

Apr 2, 2026
Apr 2, 2026
15 min
Andrea Kruse, CEO and co-founder of VIVA Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month's ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam about her relatively young but growing river cruise brand. Launched in late 2018, VIVA Cruises will have 10 ships carrying no more than 190 guests each, sailing throughout Europe by mid-2026. Headquartered in Düsseldorf, the cruise line is owned by Scylla AG, a major builder of river ships. And now it's firmly targeting the U.S. river cruise market for growth. For more information, visit www.viva-cruises.com.

Apr 2, 2026
Apr 2, 2026
17 min
Steve Spivak, vice president-global sales and reservations for Tauck, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam about the growth of his upscale river cruise fleet. With two news ships in France and more to come, Tauck has become a major force in luxury river cruising, in tandem with its growth as a major bespoke tour operator. For more information, visit www.tauck.com.

Apr 2, 2026
Apr 2, 2026
15 min
Mika White, co-founder of Tourism Exchange Japan, talks with James Shillinglaw of insider Travel Report about Japan Travel Trade Portal, a new B2B platform that is launching to help travel advisors to make reservations in hard-to-book regional Japan accommodations and experiences. These are in lesser-known regions of the country in off-the-beaten-track destinations that can open the “real” Japan for American travelers. For more information, visit https://japantraveltradeportal.jp/?lang=en.

Apr 1, 2026
Apr 1, 2026
26 min
Violet Manners, CEO and founder of HeritageXplore, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her boutique company that offers tours and stays at some of Britain’s family-owned castles and great houses. And Lady Manners, also known as Viscountess Garnock, should know all about that—she grew up and got married in a castle owned by her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Rutland. For more information, visit https://www.heritagexplore.com.

Mar 31, 2026
Mar 31, 2026
9 min
Marcus Leskovar, president-North America for Amadeus River Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam about his 40-plus-year-old luxury river cruise line, which for many was again the “find “of the Expo. Leskovar details the new ships, innovative itineraries and family ownership that make Amadeus one of great river cruise lines of Europe. For more information, visit www.amadeus-rivercruises.com.

Mar 31, 2026
Mar 31, 2026
12 min
Jennifer Halboth, CEO-Americas for Riverside Luxury Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam about how her upscale river cruise company continues to innovate, develop new itineraries and provide a real luxury experience for guests. Halboth details plans for her three-ship fleet and tells us what the future holds for Riverside. For more information, visit www.riverside-cruises.com.

Mar 30, 2026
Mar 30, 2026
11 min
Travel Experts’ Heather McIntyre, director of technology and finance, and Claire Canady, director of operations, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Summit on the Danube about how the other members of the host agency’s team support more than 700 travel advisors around the country. McIntrye and Canady break down how Travel Experts helps its members succeed in selling even more luxury travel. For more information, visit www.travel-xperts.com.

Mar 30, 2026
Mar 30, 2026
11 min
Travel Experts’ Susan Farrell, president and owner, Sharon Fake, executive director, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what their host agency does to stay so successful in the luxury travel market. Speaking during Travel Experts’ Summit onboard three AmaWaterways river ships on the Danube, Farrell and Fake talk about the long history of their host agency, its affiliation with Virtuoso, its monthly fee structure and the training and support their staff offers affiliated advisors. For more information, visit www.travel-xperts.com.

Mar 29, 2026
Mar 29, 2026
6 min
Riviera Travel’s Matt Luscombe, group CEO, and Stuart Milan. president-North America, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam about how their U.K.-based tour operator and river cruise line has made significant strides in its effort to attract more U.S. customers for its European river cruises. Luscombe and Milan cite their new ships, unique itineraries, pricing, focus on the solo market, travel advisor programs and premium positioning as key reasons why more U.S. travelers are choosing Riviera. For more information, visit www.rivieratravel.com.
All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our Youtube channel (youtube.com/insidertravelreport), and as podcasts with the same title on: Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, TuneIn + Alexa, Podbean, iHeartRadio, Google, Amazon Music/Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict, and iTunes Apple Podcasts, which supports Overcast, Pocket Cast, Castro and Castbox.

Mar 27, 2026
Mar 27, 2026
10 min
Robert-Jan Woltering, managing director of De L'Europe hotel, takes James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report on a tour of his historic Amsterdam luxury property owned by the Heineken family. For Dutch-native Woltering, it’s a return home to manage a hotel he long wanted to oversee. His 100-plus key hotel is now literally two properties in one, with a historic offering classic rooms and a modern wing with designer suites. The hotel also has three dining options, including a two-star Michelin restaurant, three bars and a large spa. For more information, visit www.deleurope.com.

Mar 26, 2026
Mar 26, 2026
15 min
Ken Muskat, president of Scenic Group U.S.A. and LATAM, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam about how Scenic is expanding its river cruise offerings for both its brands, Scenic Cruises & Tours and Emerald Waterways, in Europe and Southeast Asia. And yes, he also reveals the latest in Scenic Group’s luxury yacht sailings for both the Scenic and Emerald brands. For more information, visit www.scenicusa.com or www.emeraldcruises.com.

Mar 25, 2026
Mar 25, 2026
26 min
Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam about what her river cruise line offers guests today. Hoffee details the rivers and the destinations Avalon features with some of the most innovative and comfortable ships in Europe. For more information, visit www.avalonwaterways.com.

Mar 25, 2026
Mar 25, 2026
9 min
Chaz Dunwoody, director of sales at Regal Wings, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his company, which specializes om premium economy, business, and first-class airfare. Regal Wings offers net fares, commissionable published fares, and white-glove concierge service as a B2B premium travel booking service. For more information, visit www.regalwings.com.

Mar 24, 2026
Mar 24, 2026
19 min
Francisco Betancourt, founder & CEO of Vive France, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his relatively new destination management company based in Paris. A former hotelier, Betancourt now describes himself as a French experience provider, handling hotel bookings, transfers, events, groups and tailormade experiences for clients. For more information, email francisco@vive-travel.com or visit www.vive-travel.com.

Mar 24, 2026
Mar 24, 2026
17 min
Alex Pinelo, chief sales officer for AmaWaterways, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA River Cruise Expo on the newly christened AmaSofia. Pinelo reveals the river cruise company’s big plans for new ships, new itineraries and new destinations. He also details how AmaWaterways will continue to sell through travel advisors. For more information, visit www.amawaterways.com.

Mar 24, 2026
Mar 24, 2026
16 min
Melissa Backus, vice president of supplier engagement at ALG Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about rising demand for culturally immersive, experiential travel, the growth of Indo-Pacific and emerging European destinations, and how ALGV equips advisors with tools, training, and support to confidently sell new markets. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com.

Mar 23, 2026
Mar 23, 2026
12 min
Leila Krešić-Jurić, director of North America for the Croatian National Tourist Office, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Internova’s Focus on Destinations event about how film tourism is driving significant visitor demand and tourism spending, alongside new nonstop United Airlines service from Newark to Split and Dubrovnik. She also discusses Croatia’s strategy to attract higher-value travelers, expand itineraries beyond Dubrovnik and Split, and provide advisors with training programs to support customized travel experiences. For more information, visit www.croatia.hr and www.Internova.com.

Mar 23, 2026
Mar 23, 2026
8 min
Katina Athanasiou, senior vice president-sales & service for Celebrity Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA River Cruise Expo about Celebrity River Cruises, the premium ocean line’s new river cruise brand. Celebrity was the title sponsor of this year’s expo and used the event to showcase its plans to build 20 river ships designed to sail the Rhine and Danube. With innovative design, carrying 172 guests, and multiple restaurants , these new ships promise to be some of those most revolutionary on the rivers of Europe when the first on makes its debut in late 2027. For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com/river.

Mar 23, 2026
Mar 23, 2026
9 min
Peter Vlitas, executive vice president of partner relations at Internova Travel Group, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Internova’s recent Focus on Destinations event in Manhattan about current airline performance, rising airfare trends and how global conflicts, fuel costs and capacity constraints are impacting travel. He also discusses how airlines are working more closely with travel advisors, the growing role of NDC and how AI will support advisors in booking and servicing clients. For more information, visit www.internova.com.

Mar 19, 2026
Mar 19, 2026
10 min
Stephen McGillivray, chief partner marketing officer at Internova Travel Group, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Internova’s Focus on Destinations event in Manhattan about how the company uses advisor-submitted customer data and advanced segmentation to deliver targeted marketing for suppliers. McGillivray explains how Internova markets directly to consumers on behalf of travel advisors, drives higher ROI through data-driven campaigns and outlines key tools including lead generation, social media automation and upcoming AI-powered solutions. For more information, visit www.internova.com.

Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
19 min
Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her luxury wholesaler’s new agreement with Preferred Hotels & Resorts to dramatically expand luxury hotel offerings in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Classic also has added Kempinski Hotels & Resorts to its portfolio and continues to feature dedicated sales to hotels in the Hilton chain and more. Krueger also describes how Classic is celebrating major anniversaries selling Europe, Tahiti, Costa Rica and more. For more information, visit www.classicvacations.com.

Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
8 min
In this exclusive interview, Bob Salmon, vice president of sales for Victory Cruise Lines, outlines how the enhanced Agent Resource Center, MyVictory Pro agent certification program, and brand-new TA Booking Portal are making it easier than ever for travel advisors to market, book and manage Victory voyages. For more information, visit agents.victorycruiselines.com.

Mar 17, 2026
Mar 17, 2026
11 min
Carmen Roig, vice president of sales and trade marketing at Princess Cruises, speaks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the launch of the Sphere Class ships, Princess’ eight‑ship Alaska deployment, and how expanded Caribbean offerings and onboard innovations are helping advisors personalize vacations and close more sales. For more information, visit www.PrincessPartners.com.

Mar 17, 2026
Mar 17, 2026
7 min
Zane Kerby, president and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the fifth ASTA River Cruise Expo, held in Amsterdam last week. Kerby talks about what went into making the expo a success, with 1,600 advisors and suppliers,16 river ships, general sessions and advisor training sessions. For more information about the ASTA River Cruise Expo 2027 or to register, visit https://site.pheedloop.com/event/rce2027/home. For more information about ASTA and other ASTA events, visit www.asta.org.

Mar 16, 2026
Mar 16, 2026
17 min
Virginia March, owner of March Travel Group of Dream Vacations, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about receiving the Opal Award recognizing outstanding female travel advisors during Women’s History Month. She also discusses her transition from a 25-year career as a public library director into the travel industry, building a Dream Vacations franchise with her husband and mentoring advisors while supporting military families in Jacksonville, N.C. For more information, visit www.dreamvacationsfranchise.com.

Mar 15, 2026
Mar 15, 2026
6 min
Michelle Buttigieg, Malta Tourism Authority representative for North America, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Delta Air Line’s new seasonal nonstop service from New York JFK to Malta starting June 7 and what that means for travel advisors and tour operators. She also discusses Malta’s growing appeal as archaeologists continue pushing the island’s history back beyond 8,000 years, meaning visitors can keep discovering even more Malta. For more information, visit www.visitmalta.com.

Mar 12, 2026
Mar 12, 2026
16 min
Amanda Frasier, president-standards and ratings for Forbes Travel Guide, talks with James Shillinglaw about what we missed at last month’s Forbes Summit in Monte Carlo. The Summit proved to be a combination think tank and star-rating awards celebration for top luxury suppliers, including hotels, resorts, cruise lines, spas and more. Frasier also details how Forbes decides on who gets how many stars and much more. For more information, visit www.forbestravelguide.com.

Mar 11, 2026
Mar 11, 2026
22 min
Chuck Palmer, manager-Americas for Dream Yacht Worldwide, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his charter company offering yachts around the world where you can book your clients on their own private vacation and get commission. Palmer talks about the kinds of boats Dream Yacht offers in some of the poshest marinas in exotic islands and harbors. For more information, www.dreamyachtcharter.com.

Mar 10, 2026
Mar 10, 2026
18 min
Ron Fenska, vice president and head of North America for RateHawk, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his B2B travel booking platform designed for travel advisors and tour operators. An online booking tool that aggregates hotel, flight, transfer, and car rental inventory from hundreds of suppliers worldwide, RateHawk can give travel professionals access to a wide range of travel products all in one place. And now the company is targeting growth in North America. For more information, visit www.ratehawk.com.

Mar 9, 2026
Mar 9, 2026
34 min
Natalya Leahy, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her first year on the job, which resulted in record financial results, new products and itineraries, and the renewal of the company’s partnership with National Geographic. Leahy details where Lindblad, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in business, will explore next and why expedition cruising and adventure tours have become so popular. For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.

Mar 8, 2026
Mar 8, 2026
14 min
Eileen Ross, an InteleTravel ambassador advisor, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Quest, the InteleTravel national conference at the Hard Rock Resort in Punta Cana, about how she discovered the host agency and built her travel business over the past decade. She also discusses helping develop InteleTravel’s ambassador program, which trains and mentors new advisors, along with the company’s broader education programs and new opportunities from acquisitions including Major Travel, MGME and Tickitto. For more information, visit www.inteletravel.com.

Mar 6, 2026
Mar 6, 2026
13 min
Jamie Tarr, owner of Jamie’s Vacation Experience and an InteleTravel ambassador advisor, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Quest, InteleTravel's national conference at the Hard Rock Resort in Punta Cana, about how she discovered the host agency during the pandemic and built up her travel business over the past five years. She also discusses InteleTravel’s training and advisor support and new opportunities from acquisitions including Major Travel, MGME and Tickitto. For more information, visit www.inteletravel.com.

Mar 4, 2026
Mar 4, 2026
11 min
Dana Lattouf, founder and CEO of Tickitto, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report the InteleTravel national conference in Punta Cana, about how her InteleTravel-owned global ticketing infrastructure platform connects travel advisors to more than 90,000 concerts, sports and entertainment events worldwide. She also discusses how Tickitto integrates event inventory directly into travel booking systems and how travel advisors can add event tickets to client itineraries through white-label tools and API connections. For more information, visit www.tickitto.com or www.inteletravel.com.

Mar 3, 2026
Mar 3, 2026
26 min
Tara Minson, president of InteleTravel, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the host agency's $1.5 billion in global travel sales, its 140,000 advisors worldwide, and how commission payouts and long-term career growth define its business model. She also discusses global expansion into the U.K., Ireland, the U.A.E. and Germany; acquisitions including Major Travel, MGME and Tickitto; and technology investments to support advisor success. For more information, visit www.inteletravel.com.

Mar 2, 2026
Mar 2, 2026
11 min
Kim Andreello, vice president of corporate development and strategy for InteleTravel and president of BusinessTravel.com, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at the host agency’s conference in the Dominican Republic about Inteletravel’s new corporate travel platform enabling independent travel advisors to book and manage business travel year round. Andreello also explains revenue potential, platform tools, referral opportunities, and how BusinessTravel.com integrates with InteleTravel’s broader portfolio, which includes Tickitto, MGME and Major Travel. For more information, visit www.inteletravel.com.

Mar 2, 2026
Mar 2, 2026
14 min
Gary Sadler, executive vice president of sales and industry relations for Unique Vacations, sales representative for Sandals and Beaches, shares how guests can head to Jamaica with confidence as Sandals and Beaches resorts are open and being renovated. He notes strong demand for the highly anticipated opening of Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks & Caicos on March 1, 2026, and a $1 billion Beaches 2.0 expansion designed for today’s multi-generational traveler. Sadler also highlights the growing value of travel advisors, with Sandals paying industry-leading commissions, a new TAPortal and support from dedicated business development managers. For more information, visit www.taportal.sandals.com.

Mar 1, 2026
Mar 1, 2026
13 min
James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report gives you a complete tour of Salterra Resort & Spa, a member of the Luxury Collection, which opened a year ago in South Caicos. He showcases the public rooms, the accommodations, the dining, the pools, the beach, and the activities that guests can experience at this 100-key resort. For more information, visit www.salterra.com.

Feb 26, 2026
Feb 26, 2026
8 min
Anna Nash, president-global for Explora Journeys, and Chris Austin, president-North America, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the launch of their new ad campaign that seeks to redefine the very notion what a luxury hotel experience can be on the oceans. Nash and Austin reveal the extension of Explora Journey’s “ocean state of mind” theme in a cinematic global campaign designed to challenge traditional cruise conventions. For more information, visit www.explorajourneys.com.

Feb 25, 2026
Feb 25, 2026
6 min
Joe Plant, director of adventures, and Anna Zuke, director of conservation and experiences at the year-old Salterra Resort & Spa on South Caicos in the Turks & Caicos, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the experiences they offer guests, from families to couples to singles. From boat trips around the island to go exploring, diving and fishing to pickle ball, ocean kayaking and more, guests can find adventure and more at Salterra. For more information, visit www.salterra.com.

Feb 25, 2026
Feb 25, 2026
6 min
Frank Chantoiseau, general manager of Rock House, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his luxury resort on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos. Part of Grace Bay Resorts, Rock House offers a series of villas and apartments, a high-end restaurant, and an infinity pool with perched on the highest on the island. There’s access to an intimate beach and pier, as well as all the activities that have made Turks & Caicos such an exclusive resort destination. For more information, visit https://rockhouse.gracebayresorts.com

Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
12 min
How can you get your clients to keep track of their luggage to their expedition cruise or adventure tour destinations so they don’t lose it? Blue Ribbon Bags offers a way keep track of bags and equipment to these destinations. Plus, you can get a commission for arranging such services. James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with Jordan Levine, business development manager for Blue Ribbon Bags. For more information, visit www.blueribbonbags.com.

Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
17 min
Duncan Greenfield-Turk, owner of Global Travel Moments, talks with James Shillinglaw about how he achieved success as part of Global Travel Collection by focusing on the LGBTQ+ market to multiple destinations. U.K.-based Greenfield-Turk sells multiple destinations to and has been named to the Travel + Leisure A-List and Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists—and he’s done that less than 10 years after he become a travel advisor. For more information, visit www.globaltravelmoments.com or www.globaltravelcollection.com.

Feb 22, 2026
Feb 22, 2026
22 min
Marc Murphy, director of sales at Marival Resorts, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how a top resort group can deliver an adventure travel experience with specialized tours and activities for guests based in one of its resorts Marival, which caters to couples, singles and families. For more information or to see the Mexican resorts Marival has to offer in Riviera Nayarit and Punta de Mita, visit www.marivalresorts.com.

Feb 22, 2026
Feb 22, 2026
16 min
Paul Barry, CEO of Avanti Destinations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his FIT specialist tour operator remains focused on selling only through travel advisors. Barry also details the programs Avanti has for advisors, including destination training and education, including a new Europe reference guide. Avanti sell customized FIT packages and group travel to Europe, Asia, Central America, South America, North Africa and the Middle East, and the South Pacific, with more to come. For more information or to access travel advisor bookings, visit https://book.avantidestinations.com.

Feb 19, 2026
Feb 19, 2026
10 min
Chiara Giorgi, director of Seatrade Cruise Global, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her massive cruise show and conference taking place April 13-16 in Miami Beach. What once was an event just for cruise executives, ports of call and cruise industry suppliers (think ship engines and ship builders) has now become a place to learn all about cruising, from big ship to expedition to luxury and more, as well as getting a chance to hear from the four top cruise CEOs in the business. And there’s even a special trade day just for you. For more information, visit www.seatradecruisevents.com.

Feb 19, 2026
Feb 19, 2026
1hr 46 sec
Top polar expedition cruise executives tell you what differentiates their cruise products and how to sell them to your clients. They detail the polar products, the non-polar sailings, the target clients, and the trends in adventure and expedition travel. A panel moderated by James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report includes Kris Enderson, vice president-sales for Aurora Expeditions; Steve Smotrys, senior vice president-sales for HX Expeditions; Toto Vermue, sales account manager for Oceanwide Expeditions; and Kelly Predmesky, director of national accounts for Swan Hellenic.

Feb 19, 2026
Feb 19, 2026
20 min
Doni Belau, founder of Girl’s Guide to the World, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her women-only boutique tour provider. Belau details the destinations, the small groups and the experiences that make Girl’s Guide stand out in the growing market for women-only tours. For more information, visit www.girlsguidetotheworld.com.
