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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
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of Los Cabos Tourism Board, and Hermann Elger, executive vice president and general manager of travel, entertainment and health security at Sharecare talk with James Shillinglaw about Los Cabos’ decision to partner with Sharecare, the digital health company that works with destinations, hotels and other travel companies, to become the world’s first Verified travel destination. To achieve this designation, Los Cabos successfully led an effort to make Sharecare health security verification with Forbes Travel Guide a universal standard among the region’s hotels and resorts to ensure travelers have more confidence in visiting the destination amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.visitloscabos.travel, partner.forbestravelguide.com or www.sharecare.com.
Monday Apr 05, 2021
Monday Apr 05, 2021
Fernando Flores, vice president of Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how Universal Orlando is operating today under COVID-19 protocols. It turns out, based on our own visit, too, that guests are back enjoying the three parks, discovering new attractions and a new hotel, and adapting quite nicely to the “new” way of traveling in Florida. For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com, www.UniversalPartnerCommunity.com or click on Universal Travel Advisors.
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Rodney Bailey, vice president of hotel operations for American Queen Steamboat Company, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what guests can expect to get onboard the brand new American Countess paddlewheeler on the Mississippi, including dining, accommodations, public areas, entertainment, excursions and a whole lot more. For more information, visit www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com.
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Phil Whitney, vice president-sales and marketing at New York Cruise Lines, parent of Circle Line, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the April 1 return of day cruises around New York City, with three different itineraries to choose from and more on the way. For more information, email pwhitney@nycl.com or visit www.circleline.com.
Wednesday Mar 31, 2021
Wednesday Mar 31, 2021
Kari Tarnowski, American Queen Steamboat Company’s new senior vice president of marketing, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report aboard the new American Countess, the newest riverboat to join the American Queen fleet on the Mississippi. Tarnowski, a veteran of ocean cruise lines, talks about her first impressions of the new riverboat, the main features of American Countess, and how it will be marketed to travel advisors and their clients. For more information, visit www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com.
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
Jay Stein, CEO of Dream Hotel Group, which includes Dream Hotels, Time Hotels, Unscripted Hotels and The Chatwal, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his company's new hotel openings in Memphis, Cleveland, Dallas, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Palm Springs, Doha and Guadalupe, as well as his current take on the recovery of the hotel industry. For more information, visit www.DreamHotelGroup.com.
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Monday Mar 29, 2021
John Waggoner, CEO and founder of American Queen Steamboat Company, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his brand new American Countess, the newest paddlewheeler on the Missississppi, during the riverboat’s inaugural cruise. Waggoner details how the American Countess was built, its accommodations, dining, activities, excursions and COVID-19 protocols as one of the first vessels back in business as we emerge from the pandemic. For more information, visit www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com.
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Ericka Nelson, general manager of the Kimpton Epic Hotel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her luxury high-rise property in the heart of Miami’s Brickell downtown district, which comes complete with large suites with spectacular views, a gourmet seafood restaurant, a large spa and a pool complex. It’s a very different kind of Kimpton catering to upscale business travelers and leisure guests interested in shopping, dining and nightlife. For more information, visit www.epichotel.com.
Thursday Mar 25, 2021
Thursday Mar 25, 2021
Mohan Koka, general manager of the Kimpton Surfcomber, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his newly renovated hotel, set in two classic Art Deco buildings on the beach. From new dining options (check out the empanadas) to a refurbished pool area, this hotel has been returned to its former glory and now caters to a wide variety of guests with its South Beach chic. For more information, visit www.surfcomber.com.
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Manager Sai Jones and Executive Chef Oscar Noborikawa, formerly of Nobu for 10 years, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Ke-Uh, a new Asian fusion restaurant at Acqualina Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., including its sushi and other exquisite dishes. Book this in advance for your clients staying at Acqualina.Book this in advance for your clients staying at Acqualina. For more information, click on Ke-Uh Restaurant or visit www.acqualina.com.
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Manager Jason Rodriguez and Chef Claudio Sandri of Il Mulino New York at Acqualina Resort talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the fine Italian cuisine at this famed restaurant in Sunny Isles Beach in Florida. They tell you what to eat, where to eat and how to reserve in advance for this popular dining experience. For more information, visit www.ilmulino.com/miami or www.acqualina.com.
Monday Mar 22, 2021
Monday Mar 22, 2021
Mauro Pinho, director of sales and marketing for Acqualina Resort and Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., talks with James Shillinglaw about this famed luxury property two years after Insider visited it. Pinho describes how Acqualina got through the pandemic, what's new (including a new pan-Asian restaurant), the dining, famously large suites, pristine beachfront and pools and spa. For more information, visit www.aqualina.com.
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Steve Born, chief marketing officer for the Globus family of brands, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Choice Touring by Globus, a revolution in escorted touring offering a selection of included excursions at key points during the tour program. Born details how this new form of touring works and why it may be such a popular product for you to sell to your clients. For more information, visit www.globusjourneys.com.
Thursday Mar 18, 2021
Thursday Mar 18, 2021
Jack Anderson, interim president and CEO of Crystal Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw about what lies ahead for his luxury line, the launch of cruises this July in the Bahamas only, the challenges Crystal has faced during the pandemic, the issue travel advisors and customers had over refunds, Crystal’s parent Genting Hong Kong, plans for future deployments for oceangoing ships, river ships and expedition vessels. It’s everything you want to hear from the Crystal’s chief. For more information, visit www.crystalcruises.com.
Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
Martin Oester, sales and marketing manager-North America for Swiss Travel System, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the new Excellence Program, which provides e-learning for travel advisors interested in getting their clients around Switzerland seamlessly, efficiently and on time. The course modules cover everything from passenger trains to famed mountain trains, from yellow postal buses to lake steamers and cable cars and more. It all makes a visit to Switzerland a highly comfortable, efficient and luxurious experience. For more information, visit www.mystsnet.com/elearning.
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Paula Carroll, sales and marketing director of the famed Ashford Castle in Cong, Ireland, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report on International Women’s Day about her 33-year career selling one of the most luxurious properties in the world, the crown jewel of Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Carroll details how she got to the castle and why she fell in love with it and decided to spend her entire career at the property, as well as how attitudes toward women in executive positions have changed over the course of her career. For more information on Ashford Castle, visit www.ashfordcastle.com.
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Andy Hogg, founder of The Bushcamp Company, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his unique lodges in a Zambia national park, what the requirements are for entering the country and just what kind of value experiences guests can have on a Bushcamp trip. For more information, visit www.bushcampcompany.com.
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Angie Licea, president the Global Travel Collection, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what bookings her luxury travel agency group, owned by Internova Travel Group, is seeing; how it is emerging from the pandemic; how its new branding is working, and how the group is growing in independent advisors even during the downturn. For more information, visit www.globaltravelcollection.com.
Thursday Mar 11, 2021
Thursday Mar 11, 2021
Stephanie Turner, CTC, president and CEO of St. Louis-based Brentwood Travel and her daughter, Stacey Acree, executive vice president, CTA, talk with James Shillinglaw about how their agency has been passed down through three generations as it grew into one of the region’s most successful travel retailers. They reveal the secrets of how they have made the switch, including great training and education from The Travel Institute and how to keep a family business going for decades. For more information, visit www.brentwoodtravel.com.
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Capt. Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his small-ship cruise line will most likely be one of the only companies sailing in Alaska this summer, after Canada banned cruising until February 2022. Blanchard details UnCruise’s plans for fleet deployment and itineraries, what bookings are looking like so far, what COVID-19 protocols his line is following when it starts, and much more, For more information, visit www.uncruise.com.
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
David Zipkin, co-founder and vice president of Tradewind Aviation, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his small aircraft private charter and shuttle service operation to exclusive destinations like St. Barts, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and more. Even better, Tradewind works with travel advisors to serve their higher end clients with an affordable flight service—and commissions them as well. For more information, visit www.flytradewind.com.
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
Trey Byus, chief expedition officer for Lindblad Expeditions, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the upcoming Antarctica season starting this November, including the new ships Lindblad will deploy, the different itineraries, what guests should expect to experience on their cruise, and how to determine the right Antarctic cruise for your clients. For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Dana Young, president and CEO of Visit Florida, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the virtual Florida Huddle 2021, its high attendance numbers, as well as Florida Huddle 2022, scheduled live in Tampa, Jan. 24-26, 2022. Young says her state is perfect for pandemic safety with its wide open spaces and venues that take advantage of it. Watch for upcoming live interviews from key hotels and attractions in Florida from Insider Travel Report. For more information, visit www.visitflorida.com.
Friday Mar 05, 2021
Friday Mar 05, 2021
Ira Bloom, CEO of ÀNI Private Resorts, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his unique collection of four small boutique properties suitable for family and group takeovers. These luxury resorts, located in Anguilla, Dominican Republic, Thailand and Sri Lanka, just might be the perfect accommodations for those seeking safe and isolated properties in the age of COVID. For more information, visit www.aniprivateresorts.
Friday Mar 05, 2021
Friday Mar 05, 2021
Pam Knudsen, senior director of compliance and an expert on lodging and travel with consulting firm Avalara's lodging tax division, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how the pandemic has affected hotels and resorts around the country, how it has changed their operation and the experience they offer to guests. Knudsen also details what Americans will now require in a hotel stay, as well as the effect on rates and occupancies, and what the “new normal” might be for lodging. For more information on Knudsen’s firm, visit www.avalara.com.
Thursday Mar 04, 2021
Thursday Mar 04, 2021
Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report talks with Heather Solish of Heather Solish Travel, Ania Wroblewska of Polished Traveler, Jennifer Anderson of Reserve Travel and Jackie Cittone Magid of Inviato Travel about how these four friends decided to pool their resources and knowledge to be more efficient and productive in preparation for a travel rebound by forming Worlds Away Travel, a New York-based independent luxury travel agency affiliated with host agency Travel Edge. For more information, visit www.worldsawaytravel.com.
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Sir Patrick McLoughlin, chairman of VisitBritain, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about when Americans will be able to travel to the U.K., what the impact of the pandemic has been on tourism in Britain, how the U.K. hopes to recover, and how soon Britain can bring back tourism to 2019 levels in the future. For more information, visit www.visitbritain.com.
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Mario Mathieu, senior vice president of business development, design and construction for Karisma Hotels & Resorts, and Dolores López Lira chairman of Grupo Lomas talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about their unique new family-focused Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, set to debut in July in Mexico. They detail what the property will look like, its rooms and suites, dining options, pools, and immersive opportunities to engage with Nickelodeon characters. For more information, visit www.karismahotels.com.
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Jon Grutzner, president of Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold U.S.A., talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about a new just released survey of luxury travelers that offers encouraging news for the business. The survey shows luxury travelers are getting ready to travel, how they want to travel and where they want to go as we emerge from the pandemic. Grutzner also talks about the luxury tours and experiences that Luxury Gold has to meet their needs. For more information, visit www.luxurygold.com.
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Fausto Cornejo, manager of Sacha Lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what guests can experience at this exotic retreat located near the Napo River, a tributary to the Amazon. From comfortable cabins with full amenities to gourmet regional cuisine, from hikes in the tropical humid forest to canoe rides into the jungle, from wildlife viewing towers to a canopy walk, Sacha Lodge delivers the ultimate Amazon experience. For more information, visit www.sachalodge.com.
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Naturalist guide Chris of the Sacha Lodge talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what guests can experience at this unique property in the tropical humid forest near the Napo River, a tributary to the Amazon. Chris describes the journey to the resort; the daily excursions to find exotic wildlife, birds, flora and fauna; and the canopy bridge and viewing towers where guests can see the jungle from above. For more information, visit www.sachalodge.com.
Sunday Feb 28, 2021
Sunday Feb 28, 2021
Brian King, president-Caribbean and Latin America for Marriott International, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Marriott’s recent agreement with Sunwing Travel Group’s Blue Diamond Resorts to add 19 all-inclusive resorts totaling 7,000 rooms to its system, a deal that has suddenly turned the mega-hotel company into a power in the all-inclusive market. For more information, visit www.marriott.com.
Friday Feb 26, 2021
Friday Feb 26, 2021
James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with the team at the Finch Bay Hotel, located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz in the Galapagos, about how guests can experience the islands in a different way. Featuring comfortable rooms, gourmet cuisine, a beach and a pool, this sustainable hotel, owned by Metropolitan Touring is perfect for those who want to relax post-cruise or who want a land-based way to explore the Galapagos islands, including its famed giant tortoises. For more information, visit www.finchbayhotel.com.
Thursday Feb 25, 2021
Thursday Feb 25, 2021
Maria del Carmen, expedition leader on Metropolitan Touring's Isabella II, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about one of the ship's four-day cruises in the Galapagos visiting Santa Cruz, Santiago, Rabida, Bartholome and Genovesa islands. In the course of the cruise, guests see many if not most of the exquisite wildlife in Galapagos, including sea lions, marine and land iguanas, Galapagos penguins, blue- and red-footed boobies and many other bird species. Plus they get to see the vastly different geology and plant life of these volcanic islands. This is the fourth of seven videos on a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. For more information, visit www.metropolitan-touring.com.
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
Dominic Hamilton, director of communications for Metropolitan Touring in Ecuador, talks about the trip his company planned for Insider Travel Report, including a tour of Quito, a four-day Galapagos cruise on Isabella II, a stay at Finch Bay Lodge on Santa Cruz, a stay at Mashpi Lodge in the cloud forest and more. For more information Metropolitan Touring, visit www.metropolitan-touring.com.
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president of sales, trade support and service, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how company’s new loan program countering the COVID-19 crisis for travel agencies selling Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silversea and Azamara. Freed details the interest-free loan, in which agencies can borrow as much as $250,000 depending on their Royal Caribbean sales, and how they can apply for the program. For more information and to sign up, visit www.cruisingpower.com.
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Klaus Fielsch, product manager for Metropolitan Touring, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about the many travel products his Quito-based tour operation offers in Ecuador and the Galapagos. As the first company to offer Galapagos cruises, Metropolitan has a fleet of three ships and long experience in guiding visitors around the islands. But the company also offers a hotel in the Galapagos, a luxury hotel in Quito and an acclaimed lodge in the cloud forest near the city. This is the second in a series of seven videos on Metropolitan Touring, Ecuador and the Galapagos. For more information, visit www.metropolitan-touring.com.
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Monday Feb 22, 2021
John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his recent interview with Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation, when cruise lines might restart operations as we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, the future of Alaska cruises this year, how cruise lines are adapting to the CDC’s framework for the resumption of cruising, what Travel Leaders bookings are looking like for cruises and other travel products, what destinations are booking well today, and how Travel Leaders is helping its agency members survive the pandemic. For more information on Travel Leaders, visit www.travelleaders.com.
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Francisco Dousdebés, corporate social responsibility manager for Metropolitan Touring, talks with James Shillinglaw about how his tour company addresses social responsibility and sustainable tourism for each of its cruise, tour and hotel products. Quito, Ecuador-based Metropolitan Touring is the pioneer in Galapagos cruises, but also offers tours throughout Ecuador and other South American countries. The company owns a luxury hotel in Quito, a hotel in the Galapagos and the Mashpi Lodge in the cloud forest near Quito—and reflect Metropolitan’s concern for sustainable tourism. This is the first of seven videos on Metropolitan Touring and its unique products in the Galapagos and Ecuador. For more information, visit www.metropolitan-touring.com.
Friday Feb 19, 2021
Friday Feb 19, 2021
Avril Graham, executive fashion and beauty editor at Harper's Bazaar, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her new travel TV show, Platinum Eye, where she takes viewers "backstage and behind the velvet rope" to learn about the finest destinations, designs and experiences in the world. The 10-part series will premiere Feb. 28, 2021 on A&E’s FYI Network. For more information and to see a preview, visit www.platinumeye.net/preview.
Thursday Feb 18, 2021
Thursday Feb 18, 2021
Fred Lounsberry, CEO of the Nassau-Paradise Island Promotion Board, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how the destination and the rest of the Bahamas is ready for vacationers, with nearly all major resorts reopened and a new property just months from opening. He also reviews the current entry requirements for the Bahamas, which include testing but no quarantine. For more information, visit www.nassauparadiseisland.com or www.bahamas.com.
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how to visit what she calls the safest islands in the Caribbean, including details on testing and the "Vacation in Place" program, which brings activities and culture to guests at sanctioned hotels, enriching them while they await approval to visit the islands on their own. For more information, visit www.stkittstourism.kn.
Tuesday Feb 16, 2021
Tuesday Feb 16, 2021
Sheila Folk, founder and owner of Travel Industry Solutions, talks with Angela Hughes, owner of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel and a correspondent for Insider Travel Report, about how her compliant contracts and ready-to-implement booking tools for travel agencies are a game changer in helping thousands of travel advisors and agency owners remain one step ahead through updated contracts and simple to use tools. For more information, visit www.travelindustrysolutions.com.
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Dr. Susanna Etti, Intrepid Travel’s environmental impact specialist, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about what it means for Intrepid to be a B Corporation that has globally adopted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, what it means to the travel industry for President Joseph Biden to have the U.S. rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, and how we can all decarbonize our businesses. For more information, visit www.intrepidtravel.com and www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/decarbonise-travel.
Thursday Feb 11, 2021
Thursday Feb 11, 2021
Dan Flannery, senior vice president and managing director of EDITION hotels, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how Marriott International and boutique hotel impresario Ian Schrager came up with the EDITION hotels that would be classified as both lifestyle and luxury at the same time, about where the hotels set records when boarders were closed during the pandemic, and the expansion from 11 to 18 hotels as EDITION will open in Rome, Madrid, Dubai, Reykjavik, Tampa, Mexico’s Riviera Maya at Kanai and its second property in Tokyo. For more information, visit www.editionhotels.com.
Thursday Feb 11, 2021
Thursday Feb 11, 2021
Bernard Munyanziza, owner and operater of Nziza Hospitality, talks with Angela Hughes, owner of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel and a correspondent for Insider Travel Report, about how his destination management company based in East Africa, specializing in East and South Africa, is able to cut the fat to put together upper-midrange, premium and luxury market bespoke customized itineraries that challenge the big ticket companies. For more information, visit www.nzizahospitality.com.
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
Florence Li, director-international markets and sales for Songtsam Hotels & Resorts and Songtsam Tours, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her company, which features exotic stays in Tibet. Begun more than 20 years ago by her father, Songtsam offers lodges, including a new one opening this month, and guided tour programs that provide guests with a serene and sustainable travel experience in the mountain paradise that is Tibet. For more information, visit www.songtsam.com.
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Chris Allison, head of commercial partnerships-Americas for Tourism Australia, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the status of Australia as a tourism destination right now during the pandemic, what Tourism Australia has been doing to promote a destination currently closed off to foreign visitors, and six trends Australia has identified that will make the country an attractive destination for travelers as we emerge from the crisis. For more information, visit www.AussieSpecialist.com, www.tourism.australia.com or www.australia.com.
Monday Feb 08, 2021
Monday Feb 08, 2021
Luis Villasenor, director general of Puerto Vallarta, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how this top Mexican leisure destination has adapted to the new pandemic regime, new hotels and resorts in Puerto Vallarta, top activities for visitors and what’s to come for this historic tourist attraction. For more information, visit www.visitpuertovallarta.com.
Thursday Feb 04, 2021
Thursday Feb 04, 2021
Rudi Schreiner, president & CEO, founder and co-owner of AmaWaterways; Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-owner; and Gary Murphy, senior vice president and co-owner, talk with James Shillinglaw about the trends driving bookings in the river cruise market for their luxury cruise line, when river cruising might begin again, new and renovated ships and much more. For more information, visit www.amawaterways.com.