Travel Trends Podcast Season 3

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.

Australia's travel scene is as diverse as the continent itself, ranging from the sun-soaked beaches of Queensland to the rugged wilderness of Tasmania. In this episode, we are privileged to sit down with Sarah Clark, the dynamic CEO of Tourism Tasmania. Having climbed the ranks from a passionate tour guide to a global travel executive with Top Deck and Intrepid and now leading a large Tourism organization, Sarah brings a refreshing perspective on the travel industry's evolution Down Under.

In this exclusive 'Special Guest' edition, we're thrilled to bring you a compelling conversation with Douglas Quinby—a visionary leader in the travel industry and the much loved CEO of Arival. Join us as we explore the depths of his rich history in travel , from the formative days at Phocuswright to his bold venture in pioneering the Arival conference.

Brian Jewell, VP & Executive Editor, The Travel Group Leader, joins us for a journey through the evolving landscapes of culture, politics, and travel. As we traverse his career path and the stories behind his travel narratives, you'll gain a fresh perspective on how destinations become more than just places on a map. Brian's passion for the art of storytelling illuminates the importance of narrative in connecting with a location's heart and soul, inviting listeners to uncover the deeper layers of group travel journalism and the surprising resilience of print media.

To celebrate International Women's Day, join us for an engaging conversation with the internationally acclaimed Laura Sileo Pavat, who expertly manages the prestigious brand homes for the global wine & spirits giant Pernod Ricard. Laura's impressive career trajectory began in her native Italy, where her passion for literature and dedication led her to master five languages. Her path then wove through France's illustrious Champagne region — a place where she not only pursued her professional ambitions but also fulfilled personal dreams, falling in love and marrying a wine marker.

In this podcast, we engage in an in-depth discussion about the intersection of technology and global travel, featuring insights from industry leaders. Rebecca from TravelTek and Kelly Tompkins of Reserve X, together with the highly regarded Ragnar, from Kaptio provide an analysis of the significant digital shift within the travel sector. The episode explores topics such as the revolutionary impact of APIs, real-time booking systems, and AI's influential role in personalizing travel experiences.

Get a better understanding about the future of eco-conscious travel with our elite panel of sustainability pioneers. In this episode, Shannon Guihan, Christian Moeller-Hoist, and Zach Demuth come together to discuss the complexities of sustainable travel. Discover how they're engineering a seismic shift towards environmentally responsible tourism, Expect to walk away with actionable insights on how to travel with a lighter footprint.

In this fascinating episode, we retrace the steps of travel visionary Ian Cumming, founder of Travel Massive. Starting with an impromptu rooftop gathering among travel aficionados at the YHA in Sydney, Travel Massive has emerged as a global network powerhouse with over 75,000 members across 100 cities.

In this episode with speak with Christian Watts, the visionary CEO behind Magpie Travel, who joins us to demystify the seismic shifts in travel and technology. Ever wondered about the butterfly effect of AI in an industry as human-centric as travel? This episode isn't just a look at the future; it's a masterclass in the art of innovation from a man whose company name has as intriguing a backstory as the tech advancements he's pioneering.

In this episode, we welcome Alex Bainbridge, CEO of Autoura, to discuss his innovative journey from launching a RoboTaxi service to leading an AI-driven tourism revolution. As he gears up for the upcoming AI summit, Alex shared valuable insights on how AI tour guides are transforming the travel experience.

Is the future of Travel Advisors Nicer? Join us as we talk to Ragan Stone, Co-Founder & CEO, of Nicer Travel about the future of Travel Advisors in the age of AI.

Join us for an intriguing conversation with Konrad Waliszewski, CEO and co-founder of @Hotel, as we delve into his incredible journey from a Polish political refugee's child to a travel industry innovator. Discover how he revolutionized hotel booking using the power of social media which has become the new SEO for globetrotters. From Trip Scout to his pandemic-prompted pivot to @Hotel, Konrad's story is a testament to adaptability and seizing opportunities in an ever-changing industry.

Our latest episode of 'Travel Trends' features a 'Women Shaping the Future of Travel' panel, where we sit down with three inspiring visionaries: Nicole Smith, CEO and Founder from Flytographer, Iris Serbanescu, Founder and CEO from wmnsWORK and Rita Varga, CEO from RaizUp. This special episode is hosted by Jen Burke.

For our Season 3 kick-off episode, we have Kayak Co-Founder, Paul English with us to discuss AI’s Impact on the travel industry in 2024.