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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
Jun 14, 2021
Jun 14, 2021
23 min
John Diorio, associate vice president-North American sales for Virgin Voyages, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his brand new cruise line will work intimately with its First Mates (Virgin Voyages’ name for travel advisors), including programs to train them how to sell the revolutionary cruise product, commission policy, fam cruise opportunities and the keys to selling the Virgin Voyages cruise experience. This is the first in a five-part series on Virgin Voyages, which will debut this September with the new Scarlet Lady. For more information, visit www.firstmates.com or www.virginvoyages.com.
Jun 11, 2021
Jun 11, 2021
7 min
Chef Brendan Monts, who heads up the kitchen onboard Wilderness Legacy, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about all the great dining choices on UnCruise Adventures’ Alaska sailings, including a selection of three or four main courses for breakfast, lunch and dinner and some fabulous desserts. Monts also previews the dining selections available each day during a breakfast briefing. The surprisingly good food gets guests stoked to take on Alaska during their daily adventures in Alaska. For more information, visit www.uncruise.com.
Jun 10, 2021
Jun 10, 2021
11 min
Bobby DeMarinis, head expedition guide onboard UnCruise Expeditions’ Wilderness Legacy, talks with James Shillinglaw about the incredibly wide variety of adventures that guests can experience on their small ship Alaska cruise, everything from “bushwacking’” to kayaking, as well as the wildlife, natural surroundings and guides themselves that make the sailing so special. For more information, visit www.uncruise.com.
Jun 9, 2021
Jun 9, 2021
7 min
UnCruise Adventures Expedition Leader Jessica Skiba, known onboard as “Skiba,” talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the expeditions and shore excursions available onboard Wilderness Legacy on its Alaska cruise. These range from the aggressive “bushwacking” hikes up mountains with no trails to all-day kayaking trips, from nature hikes to skiff rides, from light kayaking to paddleboarding. Guests can find any level of adventure they want with UnCruise. For more information, visit www.uncruise.com.
Jun 8, 2021
Jun 8, 2021
17 min
Capt. Doug Coughenour of UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Legacy talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his classic 86-guest vessel, which began plying the waters of Alaska once again last month. Capt. Coughenour talks about his ship’s accommodations, public areas, dining and adventure excursions during this up-close-and-personal sailing to explore Glacier Bay National Park and much more in Alaska. For more information, visit www.uncruise.com.
Jun 7, 2021
Jun 7, 2021
8 min
Capt. Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about one of the first Alaska cruises this year onboard the 86-guest Wilderness Adventurer. Blanchard talks about the mix of adventure, wildlife, scenic beauty and history you get on an UnCruise sailing. This is the first of six videos focused on the cruise we experienced on Wilderness Adventurer last month. For more information, visit www.uncruise.com.
Jun 4, 2021
Jun 4, 2021
28 min
Dan Austin, founder and CEO of Austin Adventures, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his family-owned adventure travel company with decades of experience, extensive access to the U.S. National Parks, and the ability to create custom luxury itineraries with hot air balloon rides and helicopter mountain top dinners. Austin used the pandemic to double-down and find, hire and train top unemployed guides to be ready for the resumption of travel. A Virtuoso member and a staunch supporter of travel advisors, he was one of the first suppliers to create an early commission program. For more information, email dan@austinadventures.com or visit www.austinadventures.com.
Jun 3, 2021
Jun 3, 2021
25 min
Andy Uttley, director of sales for JacTravel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his destination management company specializing in Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland can help your clients get the best travel experiences as Britain opens up to travel post-pandemic. For more information on JacTravel, call 800-472-5508 or visit www.jactravel.com.
Jun 2, 2021
Jun 2, 2021
12 min
Nils Bergmann, general manager of the Kimpton Goodland in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., talks with Darley Newman, producer and TV travel show host, reporting for Insider Travel Report, about his art deco hotel just two blocks from the beach. Built in the 1950s and registered as a historic building, the hotel features Kimpton boutique touches, including a yoga mat in each room, plush robes, bikes, umbrellas and a pet friendly environment. For more information, visit www.goodlandhotelftlauderdale.com.
Jun 1, 2021
Jun 1, 2021
10 min
Laura Schofield, general manager of the Conrad Washington D.C., talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her two-year-old luxury hotel featuring a clean, modern design, a popular rooftop bar and spacious and open suites. Schofield details how the hotel got through the pandemic and is poised for a travel resurgence. For more information, visit https://conradwashingtondc.com.
May 31, 2021
May 31, 2021
26 min
Robin Tauck, new chairman of Tourism Cares, and Greg Takehara, CEO, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about their non-profit sustainable travel organization’s new branding campaign and its new effort to get more members, including travel agencies, travel advisors and other travel professionals. The goal is to better support the evolving needs of travelers and the destinations they visit around the world. To become a Tourism Cares member, visit www.tourismcares.org/professional-membership. To find out more about Tourism Cares, visit www.tourismcares.org.
May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021
17 min
Quentin Desurmont, president of Traveller Made, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his luxury consortia and its eighth annual Essence of Luxury conference, virtual for the second year in a row next week, May 31 through June 4 , set to explore every facet of emotion and how it affects luxury products, services and travel, and how travel "designers" can understand and support the emotions of the ultra-rich. Luxury travel advisors who aren't just booking expensive air and hotels and want to join can email membership@travellermade.com or visit www.travellermade.com.
May 27, 2021
May 27, 2021
31 min
Gavin Landry, VisitBritain’s executive vice president and director of the Americas, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Britain's pandemic emergence, of course, but then about what's new across the Pond, specifically screen tourism based on Bridgerton and the new James Bond film, as well as new hotels, experiences, and an overview of travel advisor support tools. For more information, visit, www.VisitBritain.com.
May 26, 2021
May 26, 2021
8 min
Jackie Friedman, president and CEO of Nexion Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what travel advisors, especially host agencies and independent contractors, need to survive the next eight months until their commission income is restored. For more information, visit www.nexion.com.
May 26, 2021
May 26, 2021
21 min
David Harris, president and CEO of Ensemble Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report after ASTA Legislative Day about the state of his travel agency cooperative, how it is lobbying with ASTA for measures that would restore income to its travel agency members, how things are progressing both in the U.S. and Canada to get more relief for agencies and travel in general. For more information, visit www.ensembletravel.com.
May 25, 2021
May 25, 2021
20 min
Paula Twidale, senior vice president of travel for the American Automobile Association (AAA), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the organization's annual Memorial Day travel forecast, dark last year due to the pandemic, but back again and hopeful this year, with 37 million set to travel this weekend and 90 percent of those by car (34 million). Twidale's advice is to book early to avoid the possible scarcity caused by an explosion of demand against a slow ramp up, as well as a lack of semi-conductor chips needed for new rental car fleets. For more information, visit www.aaa.com.
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
10 min
Eben Peck, executive vice president-advocacy for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week's ASTA Legislative Day about what ASTA is seeking from Congress, including support for the SAVE Act, which would help agencies financially; the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act (which actually passed last week after this interview) restarting cruises to the state; and additional measure that would provide another round of Paycheck Protection Plan funds and unemployment benefits for independent contractors. For more information, visit www.asta.org.
May 21, 2021
May 21, 2021
8 min
Zane Kerby, president and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report on ASTA Legislative Day about what the Society wants Congress to do to help travel agencies and travel advisors survive the next eight months until their income returns. Key to that recovery is the SAVE Act, which if passed would help agencies recover a high percentage of their income, but also such legislation as the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, which would allow large cruise ships to sail directly to Alaska ports without stopping in a foreign port. ASTA received good news on that front yesterday when the U.S. House passed its version of the bill and the measure was sent to President Biden for his signature. For more information, visit www.asta.org.
May 20, 2021
May 20, 2021
45 min
Filippos Venetopoulos, the third generation CEO of Variety Cruises, talks to James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his small ship cruise line is capitalizing on the opening of travel to Greece by offering new itineraries in the region and beyond. Venetopoulos also talks about how Variety has expanded beyond the Med to destinations like Seychelles, French Polynesia, the Suez Canal, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Dubai and the Rivers of West Africa. For more information, visit www.varietycruises.com.
May 19, 2021
May 19, 2021
23 min
Elizabeth Fettes, chief sales and marketing officer for Premier Worldwide Marketing (Karisma Hotels & Resorts) talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Karisma’s new Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, set to make its debut this fall. This second all-inclusive Margaritaville resort, after the first one opened in Riviera Cancun in Mexico last summer, offers luxury villas, private pools and multiple upscale dining options, while reflecting the Jimmy Buffet relaxed luxury vibe. For more information, visit www.karismahotels.com.
May 18, 2021
May 18, 2021
12 min
Peter Yeung, managing director of the Walker Tribeca, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his almost brand new hotel located in one of New York City's trendiest and most happening neighborhoods. Veteran hotelier Yeung reveals that the hotel actually opened in late 2019 and remained open throughout the pandemic. But now it's getting ready for its real introduction to the New York scene with a new rooftop bar (the name revealed in this video) opening May 21, a new restaurant helmed by a James Beard award-winning chef and a basement speakeasy. For more information, visit www.walkerhotels.com.
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
38 min
Shady Ghoneem, managing partner-development, and Saeed Ali, managing partner-sales of marketing, for Genovic Boutiques talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about hotel development in the Arab states of the Gulf and the Maldives. Despite nearby regional unrest and the pandemic, the area continues to see a major influx of luxury hotels. And that growth will only continue as Saudi Arabia grows its tourism infrastructure and Dubai hosts the World Expo this fall. For more information on Genovic Boutiques, visit www.genovicboutiques.com.
May 14, 2021
May 14, 2021
40 min
Andrea Zito, CEO of Swan Hellenic Limited, talks with James Shillinglaw about his new expedition cruise line with a famed name. Zito details his line’s plans to launch a new ship, Swan Hellenic Minerva, later this year and two more nearly identical vessels in subsequent years, and why his company bought the Swan Hellenic name to focus on expedition cruising. For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.com.
May 13, 2021
May 13, 2021
25 min
Katina Athanasiou, chief sales officer for Norwegian Cruise Line, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the many new features of Norwegian Prima, the first of a new class of ships that Norwegian is introducing next summer. Norwegian Prima will introduce several groundbreaking features in design, including more spacious public spaces, staterooms and suites; a larger redesigned Haven now in the ship’s stern; a upgraded dining and entertainment district now called Ocean Boulevard; and much more. For more information, visit www.ncl.com.
May 12, 2021
May 12, 2021
38 min
James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with Brian Leibman, president and CEO of Frosch, Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel, Kimberly Wetty Wilson, co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel, and Lara Leibman, executive vice president of Frosch about the mega-travel agency deal that has quickly transformed the market. This next generation of travel leaders, following in the footsteps of the two agencies founders, Richard Leibman and Valerie Ann Wilson, are focused on building the best combined agency, operating under two brands, for high-end corporate travel and luxury leisure travel. For more information, visit www.frosch.com or www.valeriewilsontravel.com.
May 11, 2021
May 11, 2021
20 min
Jim St. John, president of Precise Hospitality and managing agent for Iconic Santorini, talks with James Shillinglaw about his truly “iconic” hotel set high on the mountain overlooking this classic Greek island. The property houses guests in luxury caves with private pools, provides great locally influenced Greek cuisine and connects them to essential island experiences. Designed for couples, this is the perfect place for honeymoons and romantic getaways. For more information, visit www.iconicsantorini.com.
May 10, 2021
May 10, 2021
14 min
Grecia Lopez, general manager, and Diego Velasquez, island ambassador, of Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, and their nearly brand new luxury all-inclusive resort on the Riviera Maya. From great rooms and suites to fine dining and more casual fare, from quiet pools and a spa to hammocks and comfortable chairs to watch the sea, this resort exudes all the laid back qualities of a Jimmy Buffet-influenced property for singles, couples and families. For more information, click on Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun.
May 7, 2021
May 7, 2021
21 min
James Shillinglaw of insider Travel Report talks with veteran travel attorney Jeff Miller, who is also our Travel Law Insider columnist, about one of his favorite topics—the airlines. Miller talks about the financial health of airlines, well supported by the government; airline onboard protocols during the pandemic; fare rules and booking policies during the COVID-19 crisis; and the relationship between airlines and travel agencies. Miller is a travel industry attorney based in Maryland and a full-time faculty member in the College of Business, Hospitality Management Program at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla. You can reach him by emailing jrmiller486@gmail.com.
May 6, 2021
May 6, 2021
46 min
In a talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, Mark Conroy, managing director of Silversea Cruises, talks about how his line is planning to restart cruising out of Greece with its new ship, Silver Moon. Conroy also details other restart plans in the Galapagos and Antarctica, and even the prospects for cruising out of U.S. ports and other Mediterranean ports. He talks about the steps required to get a cruise ship operating again, why World Cruises are booking so well and much more. For more information, visit www.silversea.com.
May 5, 2021
May 5, 2021
16 min
Robert-Jan Woltering, general manager of the Fairmont Mayakoba, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about plans to renovate his iconic luxury property, the first built in the four-resort Mayakoba complex. Many of those renovations will be complete by the time travel advisors stay at the resort for the annual ILTM-North America luxury travel show in September. For more information visit www.fairmont-mayakoba.com.
May 4, 2021
May 4, 2021
31 min
Stacy Small, owner of Elite Travel International in Maui, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how she downsized her Virtuoso-affiliated luxury travel agency, rejoined her first host agency and began life again as an independent contractor selling Hawaii and luxury travel. She also details other business ventures she explored during the pandemic and how she worked to change her workstyle and her lifestyle to find happiness and contentment in the new age of travel. For more information, visit www.elitetravelinternational.com.
May 3, 2021
May 3, 2021
33 min
Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his company’s new “Have It All” packages featuring included shore excursions, specialty dining, drinks and Wi-Fi. Antorcha also details Holland America’s fleet today, the upcoming new Rotterdam, and the prospects for cruising out of U.S. ports this year, including the Alaska season. For more information, visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Apr 30, 2021
Apr 30, 2021
20 min
Andy Levine, president of DuVine Cycling & Adventure Co., now part of Lindblad Expeditions, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his luxury biking tour company is in the right place at the right time for those clients seeking domestic vacations in off the beaten path places in style. For more information, visit www.duvine.com.
Apr 29, 2021
Apr 29, 2021
21 min
Jason van Esso, co-owner with Jonathan David of STFU & Party, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his new wave travel agency focused on group trips to such “party” destinations as Las Vegas, Miami, Bimini and beyond. Van Esso and his partner took an idea they had in college and transformed it into a business delivering nightlife, accommodations and transportation to some the hottest destinations for a new generation. For more information, visit www.stfuandparty.com.
Apr 28, 2021
Apr 28, 2021
28 min
Mark Snider co-owner and managing director of Little Gem Resorts, and Gwenn Snider, co-owner and create director of the company, talk with James Shillinglaw of insider Travel Report about Lovango Resort & Beach Club, their newest creation in the U.S.V.I, a private island luxury resort with a full-service beach club, restaurant, hilltop villa and more accommodations to come, including tents and treehouses. For more information, visit www.lovangovi.com or www.littlegemresorts.com.
Apr 27, 2021
Apr 27, 2021
13 min
Sabina Fluxà, vice chairman and CEO of Iberostar, and her sister Gloria Fluxà, vice chairman and chief sustainability officer, talk with James Shillinglaw about their hotel and resort company’s strong focus on their Waves of Change movement aimed at protecting the oceans and leading the way in sustainable travel. For more information, visit www.iberostar.com or www.iberostaragents.com.
Apr 26, 2021
Apr 26, 2021
26 min
Enrique Calderon, chief operating officer of Posadas, one of the largest hotel operators in Mexico, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about La Colección Resorts and its newest adults-only lifestyle resort, the first Live Aqua Beach Resort outside of Mexico in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, as well as upcoming projects and announcements for the brand. For more information, visit www.lacoleccionresorts.com.
Apr 23, 2021
Apr 23, 2021
22 min
Rocio Lancaster, Undersecretary of Tourism for the Mexican state of Jalisco, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the many tourism attractions of her destination, which includes such famed cities as Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Lancaster details new hotels, flights, major celebrations and events, how Jalisco has dealt with the pandemic, and a new campaign to show how it is LGBTQ+ friendly. For more information, visit https://visitjalisco.com.mx.
Apr 22, 2021
Apr 22, 2021
21 min
David Black, president of Sky-tours USA, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about his new tour operation selling through travel advisors. With a European parent, Sky-tours International, Sky-tours USA will leverage its relationships with top hotels and resorts to sell programs to the Caribbean, Mexico and beyond, offering lucrative incentives that travel advisors can take advantage of to satisfy their clients and profit from. For more information, visit www.sky-toursusa.com.
Apr 21, 2021
Apr 21, 2021
11 min
John Long, vice president of sales and marketing for Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report on location at Iberostar Bávaro in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. This property features five different resorts in one—including the luxury Iberostar Grand Bávaro Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Bávaro, Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites, Iberostar Dominicana and Iberostar Punta Cana. Over the past year during the pandemic Iberostar also introduced entirely new resort concepts (Coral Level) and completely renovated other sections of the resort (Iberostar Selection) so you can find just the right resort experience for your clients. For more information, visit www.iberostaragents.com or www.iberostar.com.
Apr 20, 2021
Apr 20, 2021
35 min
Vanessa Famighetti, co-founder of Beyond the Nest with her partner Mary Fusillo, talks with James Shillinglaw about her start-up that creates guided retreats for empty nesters and empty nestees, combining wellness, learning seminars and unforgettable travel experiences—what could be the perfect formula for post-pandemic travel. For more information, visit www.beyondthenest.org.
Apr 19, 2021
Apr 19, 2021
13 min
Jon Makhmaltchi, founder of J. MAK Hospitality, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how he reacted to the pandemic crisis by taking his hospitality consulting business, where he helps hotels better connect with travel advisors, on the road in a customized van that he drives around the country. For more information, visit www.jmak.com.
Apr 16, 2021
Apr 16, 2021
41 min
Sven Lindblad, CEO and soon to be co-chair of Lindblad Expeditions, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his move to stop being CEO and take a more strategic role with the company and how Lindblad Expeditions is restarting cruises in Alaska and the Galapagos. Lindblad also reflects on the past, present and bright future for expedition cruising. For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.
Apr 15, 2021
Apr 15, 2021
25 min
Michelle Fee, founder and CEO of top cruise seller Cruise Planners, talks with James Shillinglaw about Florida’s lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control to get its conditional sail order preventing cruising out of U.S. ports overturned, Norwegian’s letter to the CDC asking it to reinstate cruising out of the U.S. by July 4, and even a White House meeting earlier this week to address the situation. The upshot: Fee says it looks promising that cruising will return this summer out of Florida and maybe later even in Alaska. For more information on Cruise Planners, visit www.cruiseplanners.com.
Apr 14, 2021
Apr 14, 2021
27 min
Jeff Miller, our Travel Law Insider columnist and a veteran travel attorney, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about whether big ship cruising will resume from U.S. ports this summer in the wake of Florida’s lawsuit against the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings letter to the CDC asking it to authorize cruise lines to resume sailing on July 4. Miller gives some no-holds-barred responses to what he sees as the futility of these efforts as well as when he sees cruising finally resuming again. You can reach him at jrmiller486@gmail.com.
Apr 13, 2021
Apr 13, 2021
33 min
David Giersdorf, founder and president of Global Voyages Group, and a veteran cruise executive, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his new book “Hard Ships, Navigating Your Company, Career and Life Through the Fog of Disruption,” why he wrote it, and how his career in cruising led him to write about the lessons in business he’s learned during his career. Giersdorf is offering a free download of the Kindle version of the book to all travel advisors as an expression of gratitude for their support over the years and in hopes and confidence, that there are strategies in this “disruption playbook” that will prove helpful and valuable to them. The five-day window for the free downloads will be Tuesday, April 13 through Saturday, April 17. For the free download, visit www.amazon.com/dp/B08XYTLSS2.
Apr 12, 2021
Apr 12, 2021
23 min
Mina Agnos, founder and president of Travelive, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about her luxury destination management company, which offers programs Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Spain and Italy—and just introduced Croatia. Travelive also is extremely well positioned to serve luxury travelers this year because most of its destinations are now open to travelers from the U.S. For more information, visit www.travelive.com.
Apr 8, 2021
Apr 8, 2021
38 min
Experienced hoteliers Jennie Hoffman, president and CEO of Illusso, and Sandy Chun, chief revenue officer, talk to James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about their new luxury hotel consulting firm and what it offers that makes it different. They also discuss what they think hotels need to do to get business back as we emerge from the pandemic, what is different today about marketing hotels, how travel advisors should work with hotels and much more. For more information, visit www.illusso.com.
Apr 8, 2021
Apr 8, 2021
28 min
Bill Roberson, CEO of INCA and operator of Integrity, the luxury yacht in the Galapagos, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about a very different way to cruise the iconic expedition destination. Roberson details the experience the yacht delivers, the target customer and the itinerary options, including a signature nine-day Galapagos Adventure. For more information, call 510-420-1550, email info@inca1.com or visit www.integritygalapagos.com.
Apr 7, 2021
Apr 7, 2021
19 min
Katina Athanasiou, chief sales officer for Norwegian Cruise Line, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the company's attempt to find a shortcut through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's Conditional Sailing Order to get cruising back by July, 4 plus new itineraries in Greece and the Caribbean starting late July, and new travel advisor incentive programs. For more information, visit www.ncl.com.