What if you could launch an iconic luxury resort and achieve a five-star rating within its first year? Discover the secrets behind this incredible feat as we sit down with Tom Roelens, the Managing Director of Atlantis Dubai, live from the FTG Summit in Las Vegas. Tom's journey is nothing short of remarkable, from Michelin-starred kitchens in Belgium and France to earning his stripes at Cornell University and leading renowned properties with Four Seasons. We uncover his strategies for exceptional guest service, the pivotal role of his team, and how Atlantis Dubai achieved top honors from Forbes Travel Guide right out of the gate.

How does a background in hospitality and fashion production lead to revolutionizing the luxury hotel industry? Join us as we chat with Jason Lurie, the mastermind behind Jalen Designs, who has turned the world of hospitality uniform design on its head. From his beginnings making costumes for Disney and Marvel to an unexpected pivot into outfitting elite private members clubs, Jason's journey is a testament to innovation and adaptability. Discover how a chance meeting with Forbes Travel Guide opened the doors to a global luxury market and learn about the meticulous approach Jason takes to understand each hotel's unique regionality and history.

Ever wondered what it takes to earn the prestigious triple five-star Forbes Travel Guide rating? In this episode, we sit down with Mark Langevin, General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman, who provides an insider’s perspective on elevating resort standards to this elite level. Mark discusses the essential role of teamwork and the relentless pursuit of excellence, emphasizing how 900 dedicated 'ladies and gentlemen' contributed to this remarkable achievement. He shares the joy of celebrating this milestone with his team and the continuous commitment to maintaining these high standards.

Imagine transforming every hotel stay into an unforgettable experience with just the right linens. That's exactly what Filippo Arnaboldi, CEO of Frette, shares with us on this episode. Filippo takes us on a journey through Frette's remarkable history since its inception in 1860, spotlighting its role in the global hospitality industry. Learn how Frette partners with elite hotels and cruise lines to craft bespoke, high-quality bedding and linens that cater to unique environments and climates. From luxurious, natural materials to meticulous tailoring, discover the art of creating a perfect sleep experience that leaves a lasting impression on guests.

Ever wondered how someone goes from washing dishes at a fried chicken restaurant to being a managing director of a luxury resort? Join us as we uncover Rick Fidel's remarkable journey from Auburn University psychology student to three-time Forbes Travel Guide five-star recipient.Rick shares his path to success, emphasizing the critical roles of hard work, vision, and team support. We also explore the camaraderie and recognition at the Forbes Summit, where Rick expresses heartfelt gratitude to his mentors and colleagues. This episode is not just about Rick’s inspiring story but also offers invaluable advice for aspiring leaders in the hospitality industry.

Ever wondered how a luxury hotel manages to maintain five-star service standards while hosting a prestigious global summit? Join us as Shannon McCallum, VP of Hotel Operations at Resorts World Las Vegas, shares her unique insights from hosting the Forbes Travel Guide Summit. Shannon recounts the ambitious journey of opening Resorts World amidst the pandemic in June 2021 and its pivotal role in revitalizing Las Vegas tourism. She takes us behind the scenes of this magnificent venue, revealing some extraordinary elements of the summit, including an unexpected pickleball court and a diverse array of international attendees.

oin us for an exclusive chat with Burak Ipekci, the Secretary General of Les Clefs d'Or, recorded live at the Forbes Travel Summit in Las Vegas. Burak walks us through the storied history and rigorous membership process of Les Clefs d'Or, an organization that has set the gold standard in hospitality since 1929. Discover what it takes to wear the iconic golden keys and the dedication required to elevate guest experiences to unparalleled heights.

In our latest podcast episode from 'The Summit' in Las Vegas, we explore an intriguing question, with Stuart Greif, my good friend and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer: What if luxury hospitality could harness AI to deepen, rather than diminish, human connections?

Stuart shares his valuable insights on leveraging AI to streamline administrative tasks, allowing staff to focus on cultivating meaningful interactions with guests. Despite technological advancements, he emphasizes that the heart of luxury hospitality remains genuine human connection.

Ever wondered how personal connections can redefine luxury travel? We had a captivating chat with Eli Wagner, the mastermind behind Wagner Bespoke Travel, at the Forbes Travel Guide 'The Summit' in Las Vegas, who took us through her transition from entertainment law to luxury travel. Eli reveals why she believes travel advisors are irreplaceable in curating unforgettable experiences and shares her thoughts on the ever-evolving demographics of luxury travelers. Learn how her agency thrives solely on referrals and word-of-mouth, showcasing the unparalleled power of personal relationships in her line of work.

Curious about where luxury hospitality is headed in 2024? We had a fascinating conversation with Chris Gabaldon, Former SVP of Luxury Brands and Operations at Marriott International, live from the Forbes Travel Guide 'The Summit' in Las Vegas. Chris provides an insider’s perspective on how major trends like sustainability, wealth, and wellness are redefining the luxury travel experience. If you're eager to understand how the industry is shifting towards holistic well-being, including mental health, this episode is not to be missed.

In this episode of our Special Hospitality Series, we had the privilege of sitting down with one of the most esteemed travel journalists in the industry, Peter Greenberg of CBS News. Recorded at Forbes Travel Guide's 'The Summit' in Las Vegas, this episode showcases Peter's remarkable journey and his unique approach to travel journalism.

Key Highlights Include:

• Peter's Journey in Journalism

• The Role of Technology in Travel

• Industry Challenges and Trends

• Refocused Travel Priorities Post-Pandemic

• Financial Insights

Join us from the vibrant Forbes Travel Guide 'Summit' in Las Vegas as Mia Kyricos , the world's first Chief Love Officer, reveals how love and positivity can be game-changers in the corporate world. With a rich background from Starwood Hotels, Spa Finder, and Hyatt Hotels, Mia shares groundbreaking insights on integrating wellness into both personal and professional spheres.

Tune in to this episode to be inspired and ready to embrace wellness and positivity in every facet of your life.

Introducing Our Special Hospitality Series in Partnership with Forbes Travel Guide.

We're thrilled to kick off our new special podcast series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guides, focusing on the incredible world of luxury hospitality that was showcased at their 'Summit' event in Las Vegas.

Our First Guest Spotlight: Chip Conley

To launch this series, we had the pleasure of sitting down with industry legend Chip Conley. From his illustrious career as a creator of the boutique hotel movement, to taking Airbnb public to founding the revolutionary Modern Elder Academy, Chip brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

In the season three finale of Travel Trends, we gather the whole team for a heartfelt look back at the series' evolution. We reminisce over memorable episodes, from discussions on sustainability and women in travel to format changes that really resonated. Zach, Jen, and Katherine share their highlights, celebrating successes and overcoming the hurdles of our most successful season to date.

In this episode, we explore the significant travel trends impacting US travelers in 2024, focusing on tour operators, insurance, and the 50+ traveler. Our discussion features three experts in the travel industry: Christina Tunnah, GM at nib Travel, Ryan Busse, VP, Grand European Travel, and Matthew Philips from AARP. They shed light on the evolving consumer behavior of American travelers, their Summer 2024 travel interests and the impacts of being in an election year.

In this episode we bring together 3 All-Stars from the Tours and Activities space to share the key trends shaping our industry as we gear up for the summer travel season of 2024 and beyond.

Kicking off the discussion, we are joined by Stephen Joyce, Vice President of Content at Arival, who enriches our understanding with his comprehensive grasp of social media strategies, content creation, and his profound insights into the tours sector. Stephen, an authority in the field, also co-hosts the Arival podcast alongside Janelle, Visser offering many. beneficial insights and analysis.

Our conversation then shifts to Roman Townsend, the Managing Director of Belvera Partners, who plays a pivotal role in steering the public relations strategies for giants like Arival and Phocuswright. With his extensive experience working with B2B Travel companies globally, Roman unveils valuable strategies for harnessing 'Earned' Media, with a particular fondness for leveraging LinkedIn to amplify PR efforts.

Rounding off the discussion, we engage with Craig Everett, the Founder of Hollibob. Craig introduces us to his company's highly successful experiences booking platform, providing a global perspective on Tours and Activities providers. A highlight of our conversation includes the emerging prominence of Saudi Arabia as a tourism hotspot and how Craig’s team effectively utilizes AI to stay ahead in the industry.

In this captivating discussion with Charles Shima, the visionary Rwandan-Canadian entrepreneur behind Tourifique, we explore his powerful journey from enduring the Genocide against the Tutsi's in Rwanda, to revolutionizing Afro-centric travel.

We discuss the profound experiences that not only shaped Charles resilience but also inspired him to create a platform that celebrates the richness of Africa's culture, offering travelers a gateway to genuine and underexplored local experiences. Throughout the conversation, we discuss the significant underrepresentation of African destinations in the global tourism landscape and how Tourifique is actively changing this narrative.

Welcome to Travel Trends, the go-to podcast for travel industry insights, where today’s episode is must-listen for anyone aiming to propel their brand forward through strategic affiliate marketing. We're sitting down with Jamie Birch, the founder of JebCommerce, and a luminary in the affiliate marketing world.

Are you a travel business owner or marketer on a quest to in increase bookings & revenue? Get ready then, as Jamie's deep well of knowledge is about to become your guiding force in the vast affiliate marketing universe.

Special Hospitality Edition - Live from Vegas @ Forbes Travel Guide's 'The Summit'

Join us for this captivating conversation with visionary CEO & Founder of Virtuoso, Matthew Upchurch. With his roots deeply embedded in travel, Matthew offers us a remarkable glimpse into his family's legacy and the collective ingenuity of 1950's boutique travel agencies that helped shaped the tailored travel advisor experiences we clamor for today.

In this episode, we set our compass north and uncover the many wonders of Canadian travel. I’m joined by 3 remarkable trailblazers of Canadian tourism. First we have Gloria Luree, the CMO of Destination Canada, who steers the national tourism narrative for our treasured country. Then we have John Gunter, CEO of Frontiers North, who crafts unforgettable tours to Churchill, Manitoba for travellers to experience polar bears and the northern lights, and we have Jason Sarracini, Founder of travel agency Landsby that focuses on authentic Canadian and indigenous travel & his magazine called 'Northern Soul' that showcases these stories.

Join us as we discuss, debate, and unfold Canada's travel trends and destinations for 2024. This discussion is much more than a podcast for me—it's about the future of travel to and around this beautiful country that we are all proud to call home.