Travel Trends Season 5

Episode 2 of our Guided Touring Series takes an in-depth look at the evolving world of guided travel with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, the fourth CEO and first female leader of Collette, a 107-year-old family-owned touring company. Under Jaclyn’s leadership, Collette is redefining what guided travel can mean by focusing on authenticity, small group experiences, and genuine local connections.

Collette’s commitment to authenticity shines through their approach. Jaclyn emphasizes the importance of fostering genuine connections through meaningful interactions. Their Small Group Explorations program has seen over 70% year-over-year growth by venturing beyond typical tourist paths, offering unique experiences like cooking with a Jordanian host or engaging in open, supportive discussions on sensitive topics.

Explore the captivating world of guided touring as we launch our new series with special guest Steve Born, Chief Marketing Officer of Globus. Did you know that guided touring is a $300 billion industry—nearly twice the size of ocean cruising? Yet, as Steve unveils, it remains "the best-kept secret in travel."  

This episode takes you through Globus’s remarkable story, from its humble beginnings with a rowboat in Switzerland in 1928 to its transformation into a global travel leader operating on six continents. Steve explains what sets guided tours apart, sharing how they offer deeply meaningful experiences while handling every logistical detail. Travelers can immerse themselves in destinations without the stress of planning, waiting in lines, or worrying about missing out.  

We also explore how guided touring is evolving, with innovations like Globus’ Small Group Discovery tours and you'll also hear insights into how technology is revolutionizing both the marketing of guided tours and the on-trip experience.  

Frank Marini’s rise from the mailroom at Collette Vacations to CEO of Railbookers Group is a masterclass in travel industry leadership. Recorded live at ITB Berlin, this episode dives into how Frank has built a fully remote company with 350+ staff across six countries and driven an impressive 36% growth by 2025.

What sets Railbookers apart? A focus on crafting complete rail vacations with over 6,000 customizable itineraries across destinations like Switzerland, Italy, and Ireland. Blending transportation, accommodations, and experiences, their packages cater to discerning travelers, averaging 10.5-day trips at $6,000 per person. Bookings are split evenly between direct consumers and travel advisors.

Rail travel is on the rise, transforming into Europe's go-to mode of transportation by seamlessly blending sustainability, luxury, and cutting-edge technology. Join us for an engaging discussion with Bjorn Bender, CEO of Rail Europe, as he sheds light on why train travel is projected to grow from $84 billion to a staggering $128 billion by 2028, outpacing other sectors like river cruising. Bender, a veteran with over two decades in the mobility industry, highlights how rail travel not only enriches travel experiences but also boosts local economies, as train travelers are spending 35% more on hotels and visiting more cities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Rail Europe's evolution from its founding in 1930s New York to becoming an independent, neutral platform connecting 200+ European train operators
• Growing popularity of "hidden gems" beyond traditional destinations – including Portugal, Slovenia, Budapest, and secondary cities like Lyon instead of Paris
• Technology innovations creating seamless booking experiences across multiple rail carriers
• How competition between rail providers is driving better pricing and service, with fares starting at just €19 between major cities
• The sustainability advantage of rail travel being 15-20 times greener than car transportation
• Luxury and first-class rail experiences seeing 15-25% annual growth as premium travelers discover the benefits of train travel
• Night trains making a comeback with new comfortable options across major European routes

Ever wondered why traveling to Africa feels so complicated compared to booking a European vacation? Joshua D'Souza, Co-founder and CEO of CloudSafaris, joins us to share how his company is changing this narrative. Combining his expertise as a Waterloo-trained computer scientist with over 50 years of family ties to East African tourism, Joshua is breaking down barriers in the safari booking industry.

CloudSafaris is solving a common travel pain point—accurate pricing and availability for African safaris—by working directly with trusted local operators. Covering destinations like Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Africa, their platform enables instant booking and guarantees authentic experiences through thorough vetting processes, including evaluating safaris firsthand. 

Step into the world of Tanzanian safaris with Cliff D’Souza, Managing Director of Savannah Tours, a family-run business with 51 years of expertise. Cliff shares how safari experiences have transformed—from rugged Land Rovers and simple tents to modern vehicles with Wi-Fi and luxury lodges boasting spa facilities—all while preserving the raw beauty of the wilderness.  

What You'll Uncover in This Episode  

• The evolution of Tanzanian safaris, now including cultural visits to Maasai villages and the Hadzabe hunter-gatherer tribe.  

• Highlights of the northern circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire), including the Great Migration and calving season.  

• Conservation efforts, with rangers protecting endangered species, a national ban on single-use plastics, and lodges adopting solar power and water conservation practices.  

• Accessibility improvements, making national parks even easier to explore.  

• Safari packages ranging from $863 for a seven-day experience to ultra-luxury adventures, ensuring options for every traveler.  

Our 2nd Safari Series episode takes you deep into the stunning world of African safaris with the expert insights of Iain McConachie from Wilderness. With years of experience curating luxurious and meaningful safari adventures, Iain uncovers the powerful synergy between luxury, wildlife, and community-driven conservation efforts.

We’ll explore how Wilderness has seamlessly evolved safari experiences by blending ecotourism with impactful practices that uplift local communities and protect the natural environment. From unforgettable wildlife encounters to the unexpected cultural gems, this conversation captures what makes a safari truly extraordinary.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• An insider look at Wilderness’ heritage and purpose 

• How ecotourism is expanding beyond Africa’s landscapes 

• Unique safari activities you might not expect beyond game drives 

• The fusion of high-end luxury with sustainable travel practices 

• The vital role of local communities in preserving wildlife 

• Expert tips to help first-time safari travelers make the most of their trip 

• The exciting future of safaris, focusing on meaningful impact 

• Ways to enrich your safari by engaging in community-based projects and experiences 

Are you ready to experience the untamed beauty of Africa? In this episode Sherwin Banda, president of African Travel Inc. and a Cape Town native, takes us deep into the world of African safaris. With his expert insights, Sherwin paints a vivid picture of the safari adventure—from breathtaking wildlife encounters to the growing emphasis on community and conservation.

What You’ll Learn:

• The booming popularity and evolution of African safaris 

• Changing demographics and the rise of luxury travel options 

• How sustainability is shaping the future of safari tourism 

• Essential tips for choosing the best safari experience and providers 

• Exciting new destinations redefining the safari landscape 

Learn how Mitch, Chris, and Pete from the Tourpreneur team are redefining the art of travel. Their collaboration showcases the exciting potential of immersive travel and how it’s reshaping the future of the industry. Through their expertise and passion, they reveal how to create unforgettable journeys, explore strategies to convert interest into bookings, and elevate the travel experience.

The focus of this episode highlights the critical role of blending technology with authentic human connection in the travel industry.

We also dive into how Navi Savi's library of over 125,000 geolocated short-form videos across 180+ countries redefines the way businesses and travelers interact. Learn how travel professionals including travel agencies and airlines can use this authentic, real-time content to create more engaging customer experiences.

Join our final instalment of our Influencer series as Sally Bunnell, Founder and CEO of Navi Savi, shares her inspiring story from her Nebraska roots to building an innovative User Generated Content platform that is reshaping the travel industry. With experience spanning broadcast journalism and the music industry, Sally’s global adventures through 113 countries led her to create Navi Savi—a platform connecting creator videos with personalized travel recommendations.

This episode dives into how Navi Savi's library of over 125,000 geolocated short-form videos across 180+ countries redefines the way businesses and travelers interact. Learn how travel professionals including travel agencies and airlines can use this authentic, real-time content to create more engaging customer experiences. Sally emphasizes the importance of genuine peer-to-peer interaction, highlighting the power of unedited insights to build trust and enhance travel planning.

Discover how travel writers are shaping the way we explore the world with award-winning journalist and filmmaker Ash Bhardwaj. Having reported from over 50 countries, Ash shares valuable insights on the intersection of travel, culture, and current global affairs.

This episode explores the deeper meaning on "why we travel" and gets behind our travel experiences, offering thoughtful reflections on cultural engagement and the impact of personal storytelling. Ash also highlights the ethical challenges facing travel journalism and influencers, while exploring the growing trend of adventure travel as a path to emotional connection.

Want to elevate your travel photography game?  Or learn how iconic visuals are shaping travel marketing? This episode brings together 3 industry-leading photographers, Paul Teolis, Kateryna Topol, and Jeffrey Garriock, to share their secrets on capturing unforgettable shots for top global travel brands. Plus, we have a bonus segment featuring Flytographer’s Natalie Schulte, who has created incredible in-destination images for thousands of travelers worldwide.  

Discover how TikTok is transforming the way we plan, book, and experience travel in this episode with Hannah Bennett, Head of Travel at TikTok. With over 2.14 billion users globally, TikTok is now a powerhouse for travel brands and creators alike, connecting audiences through authentic, inspiring content.

Hannah shares her unique insights, from the platform's game-changing algorithm to the rise of trends like slow travel and "destination dupes." Learn how TikTok plays a role in every stage of the travel cycle—sparking wanderlust, helping with trip planning, and even boosting ROI for travel brands.

Season 5 is here, and we couldn’t be prouder to announce that we are now the #1 B2B podcast globally! This season is going to massive with over 25 new episodes featuring exclusive insights from 35+ industry leaders like TikTok, Expedia, Google, and much more.

To kick off Season 5, we wanted to explore how investors are viewing the travel industry in 2025 so we brought together 3 leading investors including Kevin Tsang from Amex Ventures, Cara Whitehill from Thayer Ventures, and Matt Zito from Travel Startups. They bring a wealth of knowledge from their respective firms, shedding light on the strategies behind venture capital and the dynamic shifts within the travel industry. Our conversation highlights market opportunities, effective pitch strategies, and the evolving role of technology in shaping the future of travel startups.