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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
Dec 15, 2021
Dec 15, 2021
3 min
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.
Dec 14, 2021
Dec 14, 2021
8 min
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.
Dec 14, 2021
Dec 14, 2021
5 min
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
Dec 13, 2021
Dec 13, 2021
12 min
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.
Dec 13, 2021
Dec 13, 2021
13 min
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.
Dec 10, 2021
Dec 10, 2021
12 min
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.
Dec 9, 2021
Dec 9, 2021
17 min
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.
Dec 8, 2021
Dec 8, 2021
32 min
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.
Dec 7, 2021
Dec 7, 2021
14 min
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.
Dec 7, 2021
Dec 7, 2021
5 min
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.
Dec 6, 2021
Dec 6, 2021
20 min
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.
Dec 6, 2021
Dec 6, 2021
10 min
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.
Dec 3, 2021
Dec 3, 2021
16 min
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.
Dec 2, 2021
Dec 2, 2021
12 min
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.
Dec 1, 2021
Dec 1, 2021
17 min
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.
Nov 30, 2021
Nov 30, 2021
21 min
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.
Nov 30, 2021
Nov 30, 2021
19 min
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.
Nov 29, 2021
Nov 29, 2021
13 min
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.
Nov 29, 2021
Nov 29, 2021
19 min
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.
Nov 26, 2021
Nov 26, 2021
35 min
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.
Nov 26, 2021
Nov 26, 2021
9 min
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.
Nov 25, 2021
Nov 25, 2021
28 min
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.
Nov 25, 2021
Nov 25, 2021
4 min
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.
Nov 24, 2021
Nov 24, 2021
3 min
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.
Nov 24, 2021
Nov 24, 2021
17 min
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.
Nov 23, 2021
Nov 23, 2021
17 min
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.
Nov 23, 2021
Nov 23, 2021
13 min
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.
Nov 22, 2021
Nov 22, 2021
17 min
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.
Nov 22, 2021
Nov 22, 2021
24 min
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.
Nov 22, 2021
Nov 22, 2021
12 min
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.
Nov 21, 2021
Nov 21, 2021
41 min
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.
Nov 21, 2021
Nov 21, 2021
9 min
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.
Nov 19, 2021
Nov 19, 2021
9 min
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.
Nov 19, 2021
Nov 19, 2021
18 min
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.
Nov 17, 2021
Nov 17, 2021
11 min
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.
Nov 17, 2021
Nov 17, 2021
17 min
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.
Nov 16, 2021
Nov 16, 2021
5 min
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.
Nov 16, 2021
Nov 16, 2021
52 min
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.
Nov 15, 2021
Nov 15, 2021
6 min
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.
Nov 12, 2021
Nov 12, 2021
8 min
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.
Nov 12, 2021
Nov 12, 2021
11 min
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.
Nov 11, 2021
Nov 11, 2021
18 min
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.
Nov 10, 2021
Nov 10, 2021
15 min
Nov 10, 2021
Nov 10, 2021
15 min
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.
Nov 9, 2021
Nov 9, 2021
10 min
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.
Nov 8, 2021
Nov 8, 2021
30 min
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.
Nov 8, 2021
Nov 8, 2021
14 min
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.
Nov 4, 2021
Nov 4, 2021
8 min
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.
Nov 4, 2021
Nov 4, 2021
18 min
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.
Nov 3, 2021
Nov 3, 2021
46 min
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.