Travel Trends with Dan Christian
Travel Trends with Dan Christian is a B2B global travel podcast for professionals shaping the future of travel. Hosted by Dan Christian, the show features candid conversations with global travel leaders, startup founders, tourism boards, hospitality executives, and technology innovators. Together they explore the ideas, innovations, and strategies driving the next era of travel. Listeners gain actionable insights and real-world perspectives from leaders redefining the global travel economy.
Episodes
Event Spotlight: Can Travel Change the World? Live Recording from GX Cambodia on World Tourism Day
Send us Fan MailCan travel do more than take us somewhere new? Can it actually change the way we see the world?Recorded live on stage at G Adventures' GX Summit in Cambodia, this special episode brings Dan together with Bruce Poon Tip, Founder of G Adventures, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation about the power of travel to change lives, strengthen communities and make a real
The Evolution of Timeshare: Tech in Timeshare
Send us Fan MailAI is rewriting the rules of timeshare, and the biggest shift is simpler than it sounds: we are finally fixing communication. Recorded live at ARDA’s Spring Conference in Las Vegas, Dan sits down with two leaders working at the intersection of technology and vacation ownership, and we get concrete about what’s working right now and what’s about to change next.This is the final epis
From the Front Lines to Founder: Reinventing Travel Technology with Aderra Solutions
Send us Fan MailA CRM system is supposed to make life easier, but for many travel companies, implementing one becomes a costly and frustrating experience. So why do so many Salesforce and CRM projects fall short, and what does it take to get them right?In this Company Spotlight episode, Dan sits down with Amber Halliday, Founder and Principal Consultant at Aderra Solutions, to explore the common m
Travel Trends Monthly Report - October 2026
Send us Fan MailBooking patterns are moving in two directions at once. Some travelers are locking in premium, high-value trips months or even years ahead, while others are waiting until much closer to departure, particularly for shorter trips. It’s what we’re calling travel’s two booking clocks, and it has major implications for tour operators heading into 2027. In this month’s Travel Trends Repo
Iceberg Ahead with TourRadar
Send us Fan MailMost travelers judge a tour platform by what they can see: the itinerary, the price, the reviews and the “Book Now” button. But behind every booking is a much more complicated system moving money between travellers, operators and partners around the world.In the final episode of our three-part Multi-Day Commerce Series with TourRadar, Dan sits down with Shawn Pittman, Co-Founder an
Event Spotlight: Adventure Travel World Summit 2026
Send us Fan Mail35+ voices. Seven hours. One extraordinary adventure travel community.There’s something special about a gathering where old friends greet you with a hug, new connections quickly become friendships, and people genuinely want to help each other succeed. That’s the spirit of the Adventure Travel World Summit, and Quebec City gave us an unforgettable setting for its biggest and best ed
What Wellness Travelers Really Want
Send us Fan MailWellness travel is having a moment, but at its core, the idea is simple: travellers want to come home feeling better than when they left.In this episode, Dan sits down with Robin Ruiz, Founder & CEO of WITT (Wellness in Travel & Tourism); Lauren Pronger, Founder & CEO of Well Inspired Travels; and David T. Stevens, WITT-AP, Co-Founder and Wellness Architect, to explore
How an Organized Adventure Finds Its Traveler with TourRadar
Send us Fan MailYou can feel a shift happening in multi-day travel. Travellers want the ease of an organized trip without giving up individuality, while tour operators are looking for ways to reach more customers without losing what makes their product unique.In the second episode of our three part Multi-Day Commerce Series with TourRadar, Dan sits down with Brendan Roberts, Chief Commercial Offic
How Nezasa Is Building the AI Workforce for Travel
Send us Fan MailA trip doesn’t usually become complicated when it’s booked. The real challenges come later, when flights change, strikes are announced, wildfires disrupt plans, hotels overbook or border delays throw an itinerary off course. Suddenly, operations teams are dealing with hundreds of small tasks that take up time, slow down response and eat into margins.In this Company Spotlight episod
How Food Is Changing the Way We Travel
Send us Fan MailFood has always been part of travel, but increasingly, it’s becoming a reason to travel in the first place. Instead of simply asking what there is to see, travelers are thinking about what they want to eat, where they want to eat it and the people and stories they can discover along the way. That shift is helping fuel the growth of culinary travel and changing what travelers expect
Multi-Day’s Time To Shine with TourRadar
Send us Fan MailMulti-day travel has spent years being misunderstood, often associated with traditional coach tours even as the category evolved into something much broader. Now, as AI changes how travelers discover and plan trips, multi-day travel is getting a fresh look.In the first episode of our three-part Multi-Day Commerce Series, Dan sits down with Travis Pittman, CEO and Co-Founder of Tour
AI Teammates for Hospitality: Built by Hoteliers, for Hoteliers with GuestOS
Send us Fan MailYour hotel phone can either help drive revenue or quietly become a source of missed opportunities. Unanswered calls, slow responses and endless back-and-forth can all add up, especially when hotel teams are already stretched.In this Company Spotlight episode, Dan sits down with Jessie Fischer, Founder and CEO of GuestOS, to talk about how AI could change the way hotels communicate
Accessible Travel Isn’t a Niche: Designing Travel for Everyone
Send us Fan MailTravel is still leaving both travellers and money on the table, largely because people aren’t getting the accessibility information they need to book with confidence.In this episode, Dan sits down with Dr. Yvette Pegues, Chief Prevention Officer at Your Invisible Disability Group; Alvaro Silberstein, Co-founder and CEO of Wheel the World; and Lorraine Woodward, CEO and Founder of B
Travel’s Next Big Community: Why G Adventures Is Betting on Sports Fans
Send us Fan MailWatching football on TV is one thing. Standing in a packed stadium surrounded by thousands of fans singing the same song is something completely different.Sports tourism is booming, and football is helping drive that growth. In this Company Spotlight episode, Dan sits down with Yves Marceau, VP of Product at G Adventures, and Aly Handler, Product Development and Travel Style Manage
Heading to the Poles: Season 8 Begins with Quark Expeditions
Send us Fan MailWe're so excited to launch Season 8, and we’re kicking things off with something our listeners have been asking for: more timely, practical industry data and insights they can actually use.In our Season 8 premiere, we’re launching the Monthly Travel Trends Report, a new recurring feature designed to cut through the headlines and take a closer look at the trends, data and shift
Building the Backend for Multi-Day Tour Operators with Tourseta
Send us Fan MailYour tour business shouldn’t need a custom-built system just to manage departures, rooming, payments and traveller documents. In this Company Spotlight episode, Dan sits down with Alex Ragin, Founder of Tourseta and Zoftify, to explore what happens when multi-day and group tour operators finally have technology built around the way they actually work.Alex shares how his experience
How LivTours Is Defining Small Group Travel
Send us Fan MailThere’s one rule LivTours refuses to compromise on: no more than six guests per tour. In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Angelo Carotenuto, Founder and Co-owner, and Kristin Karstendotter, Co-owner of LivTours, to explore how that simple decision helped shape a very different kind of tour company.Angelo and Kristin explain why six isn’t just a number. Smaller groups remo
Event Preview: Arival 360 Spokane 2026
Send us Fan MailIf you work in tours, activities, attractions, or multi-day travel, you already know the industry is changing fast. Distribution is evolving, the way travellers discover experiences is shifting, and AI is rewriting the playbook. In this Event Preview episode, Dan sits down with Bruce Rosard, Co-founder and COO of Arival, to preview Arival 360 Spokane Oct 12-15 2026 and discuss the
The Psychology of Booking: Why Anxiety Is Costing the Travel Industry Millions with Protect Group
Send us Fan MailThe most dangerous moment in travel isn’t a storm, a strike, or a missed connection. It’s the moment a traveler reaches the payment page... and decides not to book.We call it booking anxiety, and new research sponsored by Protect Group, in partnership with Phocuswright and Web in Travel, puts hard data behind a challenge the industry has long underestimated.In this episode, Dan sit
How AI Is Rebuilding the Hop-On Hop-Off Business - Inside iWander's HOHO Studio
Send us Fan MailHop-on hop-off buses are often a traveler's first introduction to a destination, yet the technology powering that experience hasn't changed much in years. Audio commentary can be expensive to produce, difficult to update, and nearly impossible to maintain across dozens of languages. In this Company Spotlight, Dan is joined by iWander CEO and Co-founder Marius Nigond and C
How Awayward is Making International Travel Safer
Send us Fan MailGetting sick while traveling is more common than most people realize. Whether it's food poisoning, a fever, an injury, or an unexpected illness, navigating a foreign healthcare system can quickly become one of the most stressful parts of any trip. You may not speak the language, know where to go, or trust the care you're receiving.In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down
TIME Comes to Canada: Building the Next Generation of Travel Leaders
Send us Fan MailMentorship can be the difference between building a successful career in travel or leaving the industry altogether. In this episode, Dan sits down with Penny Spencer, Chair and Founder of the Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME), to discuss how the not for profit mentoring program has helped hundreds of travel professionals across Australia and New Zealand and why it's now
The Second Life of Sonder: Reimagining an Iconic Travel Brand
Send us Fan MailSonder was once one of the most recognizable names in modern hospitality. Then, almost overnight, it disappeared. Now, it's back in a very different form. In this breaking news episode, Dan sits down with John Lyotier, Co-founder and CEO of TravelAI, to discuss the company's acquisition of the Sonder trademarks and domain portfolio, including Sonder.com, and why it's
Turning Travelers Stories Into Assets with Pinerary
Send us Fan MailThe travel industry creates an incredible amount of content, yet some of its most valuable stories are never shared. In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Annie Pezza, Founder and CEO of Pinerary, to explore why travel doesn't have a content problem, it has a capture problem, and what brands are missing when travelers' experiences disappear into camera rolls and s
How The Amazing Race Inspired Millions to See the World with Elise Doganieri
Send us Fan MailTravel television rarely leaves a lasting impact on the real world, but The Amazing Race has been inspiring people to explore the world differently for the past 25 years In this Captains of Industry episode and our season seven finale, we’re joined by Elise Doganieri, co-creator and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning series, for an honest conversation about how one of tel
Event Spotlight: MarketHub Americas by HBX Group 2026
Send us Fan MailMarketHub Americas by HBX Group has become one of the travel industry's premier gatherings, bringing together nearly 600 travel leaders from 16 source markets to explore the trends shaping the future of travel. Recorded live from Punta Cana, this special Travel Trends event spotlight features three conversations with HBX Group executives on AI, travel distribution, luxury trav
How Iconic Natural Attractions Create Unforgettable Visitor Experiences with National Trust
Send us Fan MailThe Giant's Causeway is one of those places that has to be seen to be believed. With its 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, dramatic coastal setting, and views across the sea to Scotland, it's one of the world's most extraordinary natural wonders. But as Jennifer Michael, Business Development Manager at the National Trust Northern Ireland, explains in the final epis
Event Spotlight: Phocuswright Europe 2026
Send us Fan MailOur most comprehensive Event Spotlight to date! Recorded live at Phocuswright Europe 2026 in Barcelona.Over two days at one of the industry's most influential gatherings, Dan sat down with more than 20 founders, CEOs, investors, and analysts to understand what is actually reshaping the future of travel in Europe. The result is over six and a half hours of conversations coverin
Selling Peace of Mind: How Holafly Turned eSIMs into a Global Travel Essential
Send us Fan MailStaying connected has become an essential part of modern travel. Whether you're finding your hotel, booking a ride, navigating a new city, or simply letting family know you've arrived safely, reliable mobile data can make the difference between a smooth arrival and a stressful one.In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Jo Juliana Turnbull, Senior Growth Marketing M
How the Best Experience Operators Are Winning More Bookings with TripWorks
Send us Fan MailA lot of conversations about travel stay focused on the booking process, but the real opportunity begins once travelers arrive. What experiences do they choose? How do they discover them? And how is technology changing the way those bookings happen?In the second episode of our In-Destination Experiences Series, Dan sits down with Aaron Fessler, Founder and CEO of TripWorks. Drawing
Event Spotlight: Aviation Festival Americas 2026 - Live from Miami
Send us Fan MailWe were invited back to Miami for our second year as the Official Podcast Partner of Aviation Festival Americas and this one is special: it's our largest Event Spotlight episode to date, featuring 20+ interviews and over 5 hours of conversations with the incredible speakers, industry leaders and key attendees that came together to discuss the latest trends shaping aviation and
Why Tour Operators Need More Than Booking Software with TourOptima
Send us Fan MailTour operators aren't just competing on the experiences they sell, they're competing on the experience they deliver behind the scenes. From the moment a traveler books to the moment they leave a review, every interaction matters.In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Benjamin Sann, Founder & CEO of TourOptima, and Josh Halpern, Chief Commercial Officer, to expl
How Fever Is Changing the Way We Experience Destinations
Send us Fan MailToday's travelers aren't just choosing where to go, they're choosing what they'll experience once they get there. From immersive exhibitions and live music to unique cultural events, in-destination experiences have become one of the biggest drivers of how people choose, remember, and share their travels.In the first episode of our In-Destination Experiences Seri
Event Spotlight: Rendez-vous Canada 2026
Send us Fan MailSixty thousand meetings. More than 500 international buyers. Over $100 million in future tourism business.Dan recorded live from Rendez-vous Canada 2026 in downtown Toronto to explore what is driving Canada’s visitor economy and why the country continues to stand out as a global destination for nature, culture, and meaningful travel.In this special episode, Dan speaks with five lea
Why Canada's Travel Industry Is Ready for a Payments Shake-Up with Mint Payments
Send us Fan MailPayments can make or break a travel sale, yet much of the industry still treats them as behind-the-scenes infrastructure. In Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Philip Hancock, Chief Commercial Officer at Mint Payments, as the company expands into Canada.The conversation explores what it means to build a travel-first payment service provider, from collecting customer payments and
Building Loyalty Through Membership with Unlimited Vacation Club
Send us Fan MailPoints and miles may dominate the loyalty conversation, but they’re far from the only way to build lasting customer relationships. In the final episode of our Loyalty Series, Dan sits down with Nicolas Friend, Head of Brand, Marketing and Customer Experience at Unlimited Vacation Club, to explore a different model, one built around membership, belonging, and exclusive access across
Why Travel Advisors Matter More Than Ever with Host Agency Reviews
Send us Fan MailTravel advisors are experiencing a resurgence, but the story goes far beyond increased bookings. As travel becomes more complex and consumers seek expert guidance, advisors are proving their value as trusted partners who can navigate disruptions, personalize experiences, and provide support when it matters most.In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Shayna Zand, Managing Dir
The Hidden Cost of Your Travel Tech Stack with WeTravel
Send us Fan MailYour tour business probably doesn’t have a technology problem. It has a complexity problem.Over time, many multi-day operators add tool after tool until marketing, CRM, itineraries, payments, supplier payouts, and traveler communications all live in different places. The result is more than frustration. It creates duplicate work, missed traveler details, messy handoffs, lower conve
One Loyalty Journey, Sixteen Airlines with oneworld Alliance
Send us Fan MailLoyalty has become one of the most powerful forces in travel and one of the most misunderstood. For travelers, it's about perks, upgrades, and lounge access. For airlines, it's a multi-billion-dollar business that influences everything from customer retention to revenue growth. But what happens when loyalty extends beyond a single airline and into a global alliance?In thi
Live Event Recording: The Rise of Agentic AI
Send us Fan MailRecorded live at Intrepid Travel’s Toronto headquarters during Toronto Tech Week, this special Travel Trends episode moves beyond AI hype to explore what agentic AI in travel actually looks like when it meets the complexity of the real world.Co-hosted by Dan Christian, Host of the Travel Trends Podcast, and Christian Wolters, President Canada and GM, North America Marketing at Intr
The Evolution of Travel Distribution: 10 Years of Change with RateHawk
Send us Fan MailThe travel industry loves to talk about innovation, but Felix Shpilman brings a sharper lens: what has actually changed in travel distribution over the past decade, and what challenges still remain unsolved.Felix is the President and CEO of Emerging Travel Group and the driving force behind RateHawk. Joining Dan from Dubai, he shares an inside look at what it takes to build and sca
State of Loyalty in Travel with Loyalty Status Co
Send us Fan MailPrice used to win bookings. In 2026, elite status is quietly winning loyalty and it may be the most underleveraged ancillary revenue opportunity in travel.In the first episode of our Loyalty Series, Dan is joined by Loyalty Status Co. CEO Mark Ross-Smith and CTO Stuart Melim to unpack why “status currency” is emotional, identity-driven, and far more powerful than traditional points
The Evolution of Timeshare: Exclusive Experiences
Send us Fan MailRecorded live from the Bellagio at ARDA’s Spring Conference in Las Vegas, Dan sits down with the leaders reshaping vacation ownership into something far more flexible, experience-led, and dynamic than most travelers realize. This conversation explores why the industry is having a real moment and how shifting traveler priorities around access, identity, and unforgettable experiences
Why Tour Operators Matter More In 2026
Send us Fan MailTravel feels more unpredictable than it did a few years ago, and that’s exactly why guided travel is winning again. In this Captains of Industry episode, Dan sits down with Terry Dale, President and CEO of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), to unpack what’s really driving the surge in tour operators, packaged tours, and high-touch planning in 2026. Terry explains
Connecting People to Iconic Places: The Pursuit Approach to Experience-Led Travel
Send us Fan MailTravel is being rewritten in real time, and it’s not being led by hotels or airlines. It’s being led by experiences that create real connection to place.Dan sits down with David Barry, President and CEO of Pursuit, to unpack how a true “category of one” company gets built. With a 40-year career across hospitality, aviation, and travel, David shares how Pursuit has evolved into a gl
The Rise of Sports Travel
Send us Fan MailA jersey can do what a guidebook cannot: it gets you welcomed. That single idea opens the door to a much bigger trend, the rise of sports tourism as one of the most powerful forces in experiential travel today. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and cities like Toronto preparing to take center stage, the momentum behind spor
The Evolution of Timeshare: Today’s Timeshare Owner
Send us Fan MailThe “timeshare” stereotype is officially outdated.Recorded live from the Bellagio at ARDA’s Spring Conference in Las Vegas, Dan sits down with the leaders redefining vacation ownership into something far more flexible, digital, and experience-led than most travelers realize. This conversation explores how the category is evolving, what’s driving growth, and what today’s owners expe
The Hidden Problem Costing Travel Companies Millions with Repayd
Send us Fan MailPayments are where travel brands quietly win or lose trust, often only becoming visible after something goes wrong: a declined card, a messy refund, a spike in chargebacks, or a drop in checkout conversion that’s hard to explain. In this episode, we dig into one of the most overlooked parts of the travel business, even though it directly impacts revenue, cash flow, and the ability
The Rise of Agentic AI Part 3
Send us Fan MailAgentic AI is quickly becoming the difference between a travel experience that feels generic and one that adapts to you in real time. In the final episode of our Agentic AI Series, Dan sits down with three builders deep in the work: Jeff Kischuk, CEO of Tripian, Jessie Fischer, Founder and CEO of GuestOS, and Marius Nigond, CEO of iWander. Together, they break down what “agentic” r
The Rise of Rail Part 3: Travel, Tech, and Why Trains Are Back with Frank Marini
Send us Fan MailRail is having a real moment, and not for the reasons most people think. The tracks haven’t changed, but how travelers see them has. In 2026, rail is no longer the alternative to flying or driving. It’s becoming the experience itself. To close out our Rise of Rail Series with Railbookers and Rail Month itself, Dan sits down with Railbookers CEO Frank Marini to unpack what’s really
Sell More Experiences: Why the Best Operators Are Getting Connected with Bokun
Send us Fan MailIf you’re still managing tours through email threads, spreadsheets, or a “Contact Us to book” form, you’re not just adding admin, you’re likely leaving revenue on the table. In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Sam Jeffries, Senior Growth Marketing Manager at Bokun, to break down what it really takes to sell more tours and activities in 2026: instant booking, smarter distr
The Rise of Agentic AI Part 2
Send us Fan MailFilters, dropdowns, and endless tabs are starting to feel like the old internet, and travel is right at the center of that shift. In the second episode of our Agentic AI Series, Dan speaks with Ben Manzi, Co-founder and COO of Maya, Michelle Denogean, CMO of Mindtrip, and Brianna MacNeil, Director of AI Products and Personalization, TravelAI, to unpack what “agentic AI” really mean
The Rise of Rail Part 2 - Luxury Rail Travel: The New Golden Age
Send us Fan MailRail is having a moment and not just as a way to travel, but as a way to experience the world differently. As part of Rail Month, we are diving deeper into the category in this second episode of our The Rise of Rail Series with Railbookers, this time focusing on the return of luxury rail.Luxury rail travel is back, and it is no longer just about getting from point A to point B. Dan
Event Spotlight: Arival 360 Valencia 2026
Send us Fan MailRecorded live from Valencia, Spain, this episode brings together insights from 14 industry leaders across technology, distribution and marketing, capturing what’s actually working in travel in 2026 at Arival 360.Multi-day tours take center stage with Dan moderating sessions with leaders from TourRadar, G Adventures, WeRoad, Contiki, The Travel Corporation, Exoticca, kimkim, Evaneos
The Rise of Agentic AI in 2026
Send us Fan MailAI that writes is no longer the headline. AI that acts is.In the first episode of our Agentic AI Series, we sit down with Gilad Berenstein of Brook Bay Capital, Tahnee Perry, AI Expert Consultant, and Christian Watts of Magpie to break down agentic AI in plain terms. We unpack how it differs from generative AI, and why this next phase is less about single tools and more about syste
The Rise of Rail Part 1: The Most Iconic and Scenic Journeys with Railbookers
Send us Fan MailMay marks Rail Month, a celebration of train travel and the growing demand for more relaxed, immersive ways to explore the world. With 31 days of festivities, including Rail Week (May 11–17), there’s no better time to spotlight why rail is having a global resurgence.In this first episode of our 3-part Rail series, we sit down with Railbookers leaders Jim Marini (SVP, Strategic Part
All-Access on the Slopes: The Future of Luxury Ski Travel with Picabo Street
Send us Fan MailThis Captains of Industry episode explores what really goes into elite alpine skiing, beyond what you see on TV. You can watch the sport for years and still miss what actually decides a race: the travel grind, the equipment rituals, the recovery work, and the mental tunnel vision it takes to deliver one perfect run. That’s why getting time with Picabo Street feels so rare. She’s an
Beyond Airport Transfers: How Daytrip Is Rethinking Travel Between Cities
Send us Fan MailThe most stressful part of a trip often isn’t the flight or the hotel, it’s everything in between. After a long journey, you arrive tired, navigating a new place, juggling luggage, and trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B. That “simple transfer” can quickly become overwhelming and often sets the tone for the entire trip. That’s why we sat down with Alexandra Mamr
The Evolution of Sun Destinations with TUI with Phillip Iveson
Send us Fan MailA sun holiday may look simple on the surface, but the best ones are carefully engineered. In this episode, we’re joined by Phillip Iveson, Director of Accommodation Product and Sourcing at TUI Group, to unpack how one of the world’s most vertically integrated travel companies designs package holidays that seamlessly connect flights, resorts, experiences, and distribution. If you’ve
The New American Road Trip: Blacksford’s Luxury RV Adventures in the National Parks
Send us Fan MailThe American road trip is getting a luxury upgrade, and it’s happening faster than most travelers realize. In this Company Spotlight episode, Dan sits down with David Greenberg and Becky Goodell of Blacksford to explore why premium RV travel is emerging as one of the most compelling ways to experience the United States in 2026, especially as demand grows around Route 66, major spor
How Club Med Created All-Inclusive Holidays and Continues to Lead the Way with Carolyne Doyon
Send us Fan MailClub Med is one of those travel brands people think they understand until they hear the full story. In the second episode of our Sun Destinations Series, Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean, shares how a bold idea launched in 1950 built around sport, nature, and human connection went on to pioneer the all-inclusive concept that has since sh
When Bad Sh*t Happens to Good People on Holiday: Legal Lessons for the Travel Industry
Send us Fan MailA single incident can turn a “dream trip” into a legal and operational nightmare, and most travel businesses don’t realize where they’re exposed until it’s too late.We kick off the 2026 Travel Trends and Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) Adventure Travel Series with an honest look at the legal risks behind every itinerary. Dan, alongside co-host Shannon Stowell, CEO of ATTA
Trust Your Compass: Leadership, Marketing, and AI in Adventure Tourism with Liquid Spark
Send us Fan MailA career that starts on Wall Street and shifts into whitewater guiding sounds like a movie plot, but for Julie Thorner it became the foundation for building Liquid Spark, one of the most trusted names in adventure travel marketing. We talk about the moment she realized life is short, why she chose to walk away from “safe” roles, and how she built her agency as a single mom who need
Beyond The Beach with St. Maarten
Send us Fan MailA Caribbean sun holiday becomes something truly unforgettable when it includes two countries on one island, world-class cuisine on both sides, and an airport runway so iconic travelers plan entire trips just to experience it.In the first episode of our Sun Destinations Series, we’re joined by May-Ling Chun, Director of Tourism for St. Maarten, to explore what makes this destination
How HotelPORT is Streamlining Hospitality with Fred Bean, CEO
Send us Fan MailHotel listings are supposed to be the easy part of distribution. Then you look closer and realize how often the basics are wrong: amenities, room details, policies, photos, outlet hours, phone numbers, and even where that information appears across OTAs, GDSs, maps, and review platforms. In this Captains of Industry episode, we’re joined by Fred Bean, CEO and founder of HotelPORT,
Travel with Meaning: Rethinking Purpose-Driven Travel with Mike Schibel
Send us Fan MailHe got fired, bought a one-way ticket to Australia, and accidentally built a travel media brand. In this episode, we’re joined by Mike Schibel, founder and host of Travel With Meaning and one of the early voices in travel podcasting.Mike shares how his background in Los Angeles and a decade in the entertainment industry shaped his approach to storytelling and interviewing. What sta
Global Luxury Hotel Trends Part 3 with Stuart Greif
Send us Fan MailFive-star luxury has a secret most travelers never see. It’s not the lobby, the suite, or the amenities. It’s the consistency behind the scenes, delivered by teams who feel supported enough to show up with genuine warmth every single time. That’s what we explore in the last episode of our Luxury Hotel Series with Stuart Greif, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Forbes Travel
Event Preview: Phocuswright Europe 2026
Send us Fan MailBarcelona is calling, and not just for the beaches. From the floor of ITB Berlin, we sit down with Pete Comeau and Florence Kaci to preview Phocuswright Europe 2026 and why it has become a must attend event for travel leaders who are driving real decisions. We break down what sets it apart, from the venue and energy to its focus on meaningful insights and dealmaking over sheer scal
Global Luxury Hotel Trends Part 2 with Emily Goldfischer and Marlene Poynder
Send us Fan MailLuxury hotels don’t win by doing more. They win by noticing more and by building teams with the time and confidence to act on what they see.In this episode, we’re joined by Emily Goldfischer, founder of Hertelier, and Marlene Poynder, Managing Director of The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York City. Emily shares the inspiration behind Hertelier, a platform dedicated to elevating
Shaping the Future of Urban Tourism with GetYourGuide
Send us Fan MailSeventy five percent of travelers visit just four percent of Italy. That statistic alone explains why Europe is rethinking tourism and why simply attracting more visitors can no longer be the only goal. Following a live panel at GetYourGuide headquarters, Dan sat down with Francesca de Falco, Regional Manager Italy at GetYourGuide, Miguel Sanz, President of the European Travel Comm
Luxury Hotel Trends in 2026 with Jonathan Raggett, CEO, Red Carnation Hotels
Send us Fan MailLuxury travelers are becoming harder to impress, not because they want more “stuff,” but because they expect less friction and more recognition. In the first episode of our Luxury Hotel Series, Jonathan Raggett, CEO of Red Carnation Hotels, joins us to explore the trends shaping luxury hospitality in 2026. From deeper personalization and emotional service to the growing expectation
Guided, Personal, Anywhere: How Pintours Is Creating Experiences Worldwide by Empowering Guides
Send us Fan MailWhat if your best friend in every city could design your perfect day and get paid for it whether they are with you or not? That is the idea behind Pintours. In this episode, Dan speaks with founder and CEO Lou Chatta about how human storytelling combined with AI can scale the magic of a great guide while preserving the personality and authenticity that make guided experiences speci
How the Art of Mentalism Can Elevate Travel Experiences with David Stryker
Send us Fan MailWe're incredible thrilled to launch Season 7 with a full video interview featuring an LA Based Celebrity Mentalist and Magician, David Stryker, who show us how to apply his techniques to enhance our travel experiences. We wanted to try something a little different and have some fun with our season opener. Both Katherine and Zach from Travel Trends join the discussion with Dan
Event Spotlight: Optimizing and Innovating Canadian Luxury at Virtuoso Forum Canada 2026
Send us Fan MailLuxury travel is evolving quickly, and Virtuoso is leading that transformation with Canada playing a pivotal role in its global expansion.At Virtuoso’s Canada Forum in Calgary, Dan sat down with GM, Canada Karen Hardie, Senior VP Global Markets Michael Londregan, Senior VP Global Events Jennifer Campbell, Executive VP Strategic Communications David Kolner, and Chairman & CEO Ma
Solving Global Payments in Travel with Airwallex with Erich Ko, Senior GTM Partnerships Manager
Send us Fan MailMoney movement is the hidden engine powering travel and too often the root cause of stalled bookings, compressed margins, and delayed supplier payouts. In this episode, we sit down with Erich Ko, Senior GTM Partnerships Manager at Airwallex, to break down the full financial journey from traveler checkout to final supplier settlement and outline practical ways travel brands can repl
Event Preview: Arival 360 Valencia with Bruce Rosard
Send us Fan MailReady to meet the leaders driving the next phase of multi-day tour growth?In this Event Preview Episode we’re taking you inside the plans for Arival 360 Valencia, a focused three-day gathering where operators, distributors, and travel tech leaders come together to talk tours, activities, attractions and this year, a significantly expanded Multi-Day Tour Program.Building on the mult
Rethinking Travel Distribution: How Travelier Is Connecting the World
Send us Fan MailMost travel stories skip the middle. The ferries, buses, and trains that actually move us between major gateways and the places we are dreaming about rarely get the spotlight. In this episode, we focus on that overlooked backbone of the travel ecosystem with Travelier CEO and cofounder Noam Toister, whose company is digitizing ground and sea transport across more than 100 countries
Travelzoo Best Bets: Where to Go in 2026 with Susan Catto
Send us Fan MailReady for a clear eyed look at how to travel smarter in 2026? Dan and Travelzoo’s Senior Editor and co-host Gabe Saglie close our 10-part Best Bets series with Susan Catto, Head of Publishing and Production at Travelzoo Canada, for a forward looking conversation on the future of travel deals and the trends shaping how we book.This episode connects the dots between destinations, mem
Why Experiences Are the New Currency of Gifting with Spur Experiences
Send us Fan MailPeople don’t just want to go somewhere anymore, they want to feel something. That emotional shift is powering the experience economy and changing how we celebrate love, milestones, and meaningful moments. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we sit down with Cody Sudmeier, co founder and CEO of Spur Experiences, to explore why gifting moments is quickly overtaking gifting things and h
Travelzoo Best Bets: Where to Go in 2026 with Chile Travel
Send us Fan MailA country this slender shouldn’t hold so much, yet Chile layers entire worlds end to end: a cosmopolitan capital set against the Andes, a desert where the night sky feels close enough to touch, vast Patagonian parks that safeguard wild silence, and a Pacific island where living tradition matters more than spectacle. In episode nine of our 10-part Travelzoo Best Bets Series, Dan and
