Travel Trends Podcast Season 4

Imagine harnessing travel as a force for good. In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Gardiner, SVP at Finn Partners and Director of Travel Massive, London, to explore the industry’s transformative power.  This episode highlights World Travel Market (WTM) in London, where Matthew and host Dan Christian unpack the latest trends in travel marketing, from SEO breakthroughs to brand innovation and loyalty programs. Discover how WTM’s “Travel Power” theme showcases the industry’s role in driving positive global change.

Unlock the secrets of the rapidly evolving business travel landscape with Rich Liu, CEO of Navan, formerly known as Trip Actions. Discover how the industry is bouncing back post-pandemic, with projections pointing to a booming $2 trillion market by 2028. Rich shares his vision for Navan's strategic growth and highlights the importance of innovation in redefining travel and expense management. Discover how a mix of passion for travel and cutting-edge technology is essential for successfully scaling a business in today's competitive environment.

Discover how travel is reinventing itself in the modern age with insights from Chadd Andre, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Flight Centre Canada. Chadd offers a compelling perspective on the future of travel advisors and how they can maintain their relevance amidst rapid technological advancements. Inspired by his early exposure to the travel industry, Chadd reflects on his journey from accompanying his pilot father on flights to leading one of the largest travel agencies and how those experiences shaped his understanding of the importance of human connection.

What if the travel industry could be revolutionized by technology and inclusivity? Join us for an exciting conversation with Jake Peters, Co-founder, Chief Product & Technical Officer of Fora, as he reveals the future of travel advisory services and the cutting-edge innovations shaping the industry. Discover how Fora is transforming the way travel advisors work, offering flexible opportunities and fostering a dynamic community. As Jake shares the origins of Fora, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how the company emerged post-pandemic to meet the evolving needs of modern travelers and advisors alike.

Discover the transformative power of wellness travel with Lauren and Chris Pronger of Well Inspired Travels. Lauren’s poignant journey began with her father's courageous battle against cancer, where travel and holistic healing played pivotal roles in his treatment. Her experiences inspired her to become a certified health coach, blending her deep-rooted passion for health with unique travel experiences. Meanwhile, Chris, a Hockey Hall of Famer, highlights his own shift from sports to wellness travel, focusing on the importance of nutrition, recovery, and sleep optimization. Together, they showcase how wellness travel can enhance your health and overall well-being.

🔥 Proudly Sponsored by: Flight Centre

In the inaugural episode of our "Travel Advisor Series," we explore the incredible resurgence of travel advisors in the post-pandemic world. Discover why travelers of all ages are increasingly turning to travel advisors for personalized, expert planning.

To kick things off, we bring together three senior executives with extensive travel agency experience:

• Anita Emilio, VP & General Manager at Envoyage Group, Flight Centre Group

• Stephanie Lee, Founder of Host Agency Reviews

• Sandy Saburn, Chief Strategic Alliances Officer at Gifted Travel Network

In our second Virtuoso episode, we introduce you to a group of visionaries behind the most innovative startups that were featured at the Travel Tech Summit.

Featured Startups:

• Andy Moss, Mindtrip is redefining AI-driven travel planning with his groundbreaking travel planning platform 

• Marissa Nelson, Intimacy Moons Couples Retreats blends luxury with relationship-building, offering unique experiences for couples.

• Akiva Reich’s Feeel.io enhances hospitality with immersive 360 live video.

• Jessie Fischer’s GuestOS is an AI concierge service for hotels that elevates the guest experience.

Unlock the secrets behind the tech revolution in the travel industry as we unpack the highlights from Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas—often called the "fashion week of travel." 

In this first episode, we begin with a deep dive into the Travel Tech and Innovation Summit, led by Gilad Berenstein. Industry titans like Shane from Microsoft, Stuart from Forbes Travel Guide, Travis from Virtuoso, and Betsy from F Prime share their valuable insights and takeaways that you do not want to miss.

Unlock the secrets of digital marketing success for the travel industry with Brennen Bliss, CEO of Propellic. Ever wondered how to craft a strategic digital marketing playbook that drives ROI? Brennan’s journey from teenage web developer to SEO and paid media guru offers a treasure trove of insights for large enterprises and smaller travel brands alike. Learn how to leverage SEO and paid media effectively while understanding the importance of learning from past victories to shape future strategies.

Discover the magic of organized adventure travel with our special guest, Travis Pittman, co-founder of TourRadar. Hear how a challenging trip to Croatia inspired Travis to revolutionize the adventure travel sector. You'll gain insights into the unique challenges faced by adventure travelers and how TourRadar strives to offer dependable and organized experiences that strike the perfect balance between meticulous planning and the thrill of exploration.

How does a chance encounter transform a hostel owner into a trailblazing tour operator? Join us on an exhilarating adventure with Sean Mulhern, the co-founder of One Life Adventures, as he recounts his journey from managing hostels in Thailand to creating a niche travel company in the Philippines. Sean's story is a testament to the power of adaptability and the impact of seizing unexpected opportunities in the dynamic world of travel. Hear firsthand how a simple conversation with an Australian travel agent sparked a career-shifting idea, leading to the birth of a unique tour operator that specializes in organized tours to relatively untapped destinations.

What if your passion for travel could be transformed into a groundbreaking business idea? On this special Deep Dive into Adventure series of Travel Trends, we're thrilled to have Erika De Santi, co-founder of WeRoad, join us to share her journey from a small village near Verona, Italy to shaking up the global adventure travel industry. Erika's story is one of passion, innovation, and the power of community. With a background in foreign languages and a master’s degree in tourism, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, making this conversation an essential listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and travel enthusiasts alike.

What if you could experience the world in a way that not only enriches your life but also contributes positively to our planet? Join us for an enlightening conversation with James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, as he shares his remarkable journey from an aspiring investment banker to a trailblazer in sustainable travel. Discover how two university friends' vision in the late '80s evolved into a global enterprise that now serves 328,000 customers across 1,000 trips in over 100 countries. James reveals the secrets behind Intrepid’s impressive growth and its steadfast commitment to creating meaningful, experience-rich adventures.

Welcome to Season 4! Our most comprehensive and captivating season yet, featuring over 20 episodes, 30 insightful guests, 10 sponsors, and 5 compelling themes that will take you on a deep exploration of the latest in the travel industry.

Kicking Off with Adventure Travel - We're starting this season with a special Adventure Travel series, sponsored by TourRadar.com

We're honored to have Shannon Stowell, CEO, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), join Host, Dan Christian for our first episode. Shannon will set the stage for the entire adventure travel category, discussing key players and overarching trends.