Join host Dan Christian on the Travel Trends Podcast as he sits down with a true visionary in travel tech, Mauricio Prieto. From founding the powerhouse eDreams to curating the influential Travel Tech Essentialist newsletter, Mauricio shares his remarkable journey. Tune in to hear about his pivotal move from consulting to travel, the groundbreaking creation of eDreams in Barcelona, and how they weathered the dot-com storm to build a trusted global brand. Plus, discover the story behind his must-read newsletter, his unique content strategy, and his take on the wider travel tech ecosystem.

Join Dan Christian, host of the Travel Trends Podcast as he welcomes Craig Dodge, the esteemed Director at the Phare Circus in Cambodia, for an engaging discussion on the inspiring evolution of the Phare Circus and the dramatic changes in Cambodia's tourism industry. Prepare to explore the core of the Phare Circus's origins as a humanitarian effort offering therapy through art to Cambodian refugees and its transformation into a beacon of hope for artists, understand the nuances of navigating a global pandemic while running a nonprofit social enterprise in Cambodia, and gain valuable perspectives on the resilience of Cambodians, the silver linings of the pandemic, lesser-known gems of Siem Reap beyond Angkor Park, the rise of sustainable travel, and the importance of meaningful travel choices.

Take a listen as our host Dan Christian welcomes Samantha Hardcastle, the visionary Founder behind The Storied Experience, for an engaging discussion on the powerful role of storytelling in both travel and business. Prepare to explore the core of crafting compelling narratives by starting with the 'why' and harnessing empathy, understand the groundbreaking features of Samantha's new App, Reverie, which guides people through the storytelling process, and gain valuable perspectives on how stories bridge cultural divides, the connection between food experiences and empathy, influential travel writers, and the transformative nature of travel and its profound inspiration.

Samantha shares the importance of starting with the 'why' and harnessing empathy to create engaging tales. We highlight her new groundbreaking App, Reverie, which beautifully guides people through the storytelling process. Discover how stories have the power to bridge cultural divides and connect us on a deeper level.

In this insightful episode of the Travel Trends Podcast, host Dan Christian welcomes Charaf El Mansouri, the esteemed CEO & Founder of DHARMA, for an engaging discussion on building a successful startup while creating meaningful connections. Prepare to explore the core of Charaf's inspiring journey from Morocco through Washington and London to Abu Dhabi, understand the birth, growth, and vision of his unique platform, DHARMA, inspired by insights from Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens, and gain valuable perspectives on DHARMA's philosophy, business model, the power of storytelling and shared experiences in travel, the challenges of fundraising, the 'Why over Where' travel market, and the role of a founder in a growing startup, including managing ego and fostering personal growth.

Welcome to the world of luxury hospitality! Our host, Dan Christian sat down with Jonathan Raggett, the esteemed CEO of Red Carnation Hotels, for an engaging discussion on the world of luxury hospitality and the journey of this prestigious brand since 1995. Prepare to explore the core of Red Carnation Hotels' evolution, including the founding and instrumental roles of the Tollman family, understand the nuances of Jonathan's inspiring journey from school to the top rank at Red Carnation Hotels, and gain valuable perspectives on effective leadership, resilience, team spirit, his role as chairman of the Master Innholders Conference, and his observations on the future of hospitality and travel, including the rise in generational travel and increased length of stays post-pandemic.

‘LIVE from Vegas’ with the Travel Trends Podcast, featuring highlights from the Travel Tech Day at Virtuoso's 2023 Travel Week, with esteemed industry experts Shane O’Flaherty from Microsoft, Stuart Greif from Forbes Travel Guides, and Carlos Garcia from Trip Ventures, for an engaging discussion on how social platforms, AI, and even travel photos are shaping the future of travel. Prepare to explore the core of innovative startups and the growing synergy between technology and travel, understand the nuances of how companies like Dharma are revolutionizing travel experiences and the essential role of a strong social media strategy (including the impact of influencers like Mr Beast), and gain valuable perspectives on the future of travel through the lens of startups like Tango and Legends utilizing AI and geo-location analysis, emerging trends highlighted by startups like Lucia and Kind Traveller, the contributions of female executives, purpose-driven travel, and Deloitte's predictions for the consumer industry.  

Ready to gain valuable perspectives on Contiki’s adaption to new generations, inclusive marketing, shifts in consumer behaviour (including sustainability) and the transformative power of travel for young people? Well let us introduce you to Natasha Lawrence, the esteemed Commercial and Product Director at Contiki, for an engaging discussion on her fascinating career journey and unique perspectives on the resilience of the travel industry. Prepare to explore the core of Natasha's start in hospitality and her admiration for Red Carnation Hotels, understand the nuances of how Contiki and the Travel Corporation navigated the challenges of the pandemic through innovative strategies.

In this episode our host Dan Christian welcomes Bruce Rosard, the esteemed Co-Founder & CCO of Arival, for an engaging discussion on his remarkable life and career journey within the travel industry. Prepare to explore the core of Bruce's incredible path from a hot dog vendor at Veteran Stadium to a key leader in the tours, activities, and attractions sector, understand the nuances of his entrepreneurial ventures, including the birth and growth of his ski business, Moguls, and his pivotal roles at Phocuswright and the formation of Arival, and gain valuable perspectives on recent travel trends and the crucial role of reservation technology platforms for operators in the global travel industry.

In this insightful episode of the Travel Trends Podcast, host Dan Christian welcomes Pete Comeau, the esteemed Managing Director of Phocuswright, the world's largest travel research company, for an engaging discussion on the exciting transformations happening in travel events, media, and beyond. Prepare to explore the core of Pete's remarkable career and gain valuable insights into the broader travel industry, understand the innovative initiatives he's leading at Phocuswright to support early-stage startups, and gain valuable perspectives on Phocuswright's groundbreaking research projects, uncovering key market trends such as the power of generative AI in trip planning and the emergence of new travel destinations in a post-pandemic world.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Travel Trends Podcast! Join our host Dan Christian as he welcomes Rafat Ali, the esteemed CEO & Founder of Skift, for an engaging discussion on his riveting journey into the travel media industry and the trailblazing success of Skift. Prepare to explore the core of Rafat's personal and professional growth from a struggling graduate student to a global media entrepreneur, understand the nuances of Skift's unique voice, fresh approach to design and content, and its remote work culture emphasizing work-life balance, and gain valuable perspectives on current travel trends, the future of the industry, Skift's business models, and their global expansion plans, highlighting the inseparable link between travel and global issues.

In the final episode, we bring the curtain down on our successful debut season of Travel Trends. This time, podcast producer Zach Vanasse takes charge and interviews Dan Christian.

In this episode of the Travel Trends Podcast, our host Dan Christian introduces you to Kait Schneider, a rising star in the travel technology sector, now an established all-star at Plusgrade. Prepare to explore the core of Kait's remarkable growth story as an essential part of the successful startup sherpa°, understand the nuances of her experience scaling their Travel Restrictions product during the pandemic, and gain valuable perspectives on the travel trends she's observing across the airline and loyalty program industries in her current role at Plusgrade.

In this insightful episode of the Travel Trends Podcast, host Dan Christian welcomes Ian-Michael Farkas, the esteemed entrepreneur and growth catalyst, for an engaging discussion on hospitality, sustainability, and technology. Prepare to explore the core of the evolving landscape of hospitality tech, understand the nuances of global perspectives gained from Ian-Michael's experiences in Tel Aviv, Sydney, and Miami (currently based in Colombia), and gain valuable perspectives on the technology shaping the future of the industry, including AI, drawing from his work with Local Measure, SiteMinder, AWS, and his current role as GM for LATAM at NLX.ai.

Join us for an engaging discussion on luxury escapes in the “Down Under” region with our host Dan Christian and Fiona Dalton, the esteemed GM for Australia and New Zealand at Virtuoso. Prepare to explore the core of the latest travel trends emerging in Australia, understand the nuances of the strong resurgence of travel with a focus on luxurious experiences, and gain valuable perspectives from Fiona's impressive journey as a highly respected veteran in the travel industry, including her passion for mentorship and leadership roles at luxury brands like Uniworld River Cruises Australia and Virtuoso.

Join our host Dan Christian as he welcomes Gilad Berenstein, the esteemed VC & Founder, for an engaging discussion on the exceptional opportunities that AI presents for everyone in the travel industry. Prepare to explore the core of the transformative potential of AI within the travel sector, understand the nuances of how various travel companies are leveraging this game-changing technology (with examples including ChatGPT, OpenAI, Expedia, and Airbnb), and gain valuable perspectives on the future of travel through the lens of AI innovation, drawing from Gilad's experience with his AI Researcher father and his own AI startup, UTrip.  

Travel Trends Podcast, host Dan Christian welcomes Danny Guerrero from The Culturist Group, for an engaging discussion on exploring diversity in travel through a Pride perspective. Prepare to understand the core of why recognizing the needs of diverse travelers is crucial for propelling brands forward today, unravel the nuances of cultural relevance and belonging, particularly for LGBTQ+ and multicultural groups, and gain valuable perspectives on how businesses can establish authenticity and trust by valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Step inside the world of luxury as our host Dan Christian welcomes Vanessa Budah, the esteemed GM of The VIP Dubai and The VIP Global, for an engaging discussion on discovering Middle East opulence. Prepare to explore the core of Vanessa's travel background, starting in the stunning city of Sydney, Australia, understand the nuances of her decision to embrace an incredible opportunity in Dubai, and gain valuable perspectives on emerging trends among both travelers and influencers, gleaned from her extensive travels in the Middle East, including her recent trip to Egypt.

As an active user across TikTok and Instagram, Vanessa offers a unique and insightful perspective on current social media trends. And, in a riveting finish, witness Vanessa's impressive performance on our Trivia Challenge. Spoiler alert: She crushes it!

In this insightful episode of the Travel Trends Podcast, host Dan Christian welcomes Jason Sarracini, the esteemed Founder of Landsby, for an engaging discussion on his new media venture, Northern Soul, and building a brand during the pandemic. Prepare to explore the core of Jason's new media venture, Northern Soul, understand the nuances of building a brand during the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, and gain valuable perspectives on his plans to cultivate a unique voice within the Canadian tourism sector as the industry recovers.

Don't miss our Travel Trivia challenge, where Dan tests Jason with five interesting questions about Canada. Join us and explore the world of travel with this fascinating conversation!

Join us as we welcome Christian Wolters, the esteemed CMO of TourRadar, for an engaging discussion on post-pandemic travel trends and TourRadar's adaptation. Prepare to learn about the core of TourRadar's company culture, unravel the nuances of Christian's journey into the dynamic travel industry and his path to TourRadar, and gain valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of travel after the pandemic.

To wrap up the show, Dan challenges Christian to our Travel Trivia challenges, which is sure to give you a few laughs. Join us for this engaging conversation!

Welcome to Season 1 Episode 1 of the Travel Trends Podcast where our host Dan Christian welcomes Zach Vanasse, the esteemed founder of Dinosaur Trips, for an engaging discussion on adventures in paleontology and travel. Prepare to hear Zach's inspiring story and the motivations behind launching his innovative travel company, unravel the nuances of his extensive experience within the travel industry and the valuable advice he offers for aspiring entrepreneurs, and gain valuable perspectives on the latest travel trends through the unique lens of paleontological expeditions.

Stay tuned to learn about the latest travel trends from Zach's perspectives and listen in as we test his knowledge with our Travel Trivia challenge. (Hint - he's going to be looking for redemption in Season 2)