The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Rosario Pajuelo Escobar, chief director of PROMPERU in New York, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report gives us an update on what’s going on in tourism to Peru, from Pope Leo XIV's visit to Peru in November 2026 to hosting the World's 50 Best Restaurants awards in Lima, reflecting Peru’s growing culinary reputation. She also talks about new tourism products like the Amazon Explorer...

Paige Davis, president of AdventureWomen, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her company’s broad range of escorted women-only trips around the globe. With a typical group size of 12-16, AdventureWomen has been a pioneer in tours for women to some of the most exotic destinations around the world. And new it’s introducing private jet journeys as part of a move to go more ups...

Kevin Smith, the new president of Sea Cloud Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month's Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about his plans for the luxury tall-ship cruise line. Smith, who was named president in July, tells us what's to come for his three-ship fleet, where it will sail and what innovative itineraries it will offer. For more information, visit www.s...

John Chernesky, senior vice president and chief sales officer for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), talks with Olivia Fleming of Insider Travel Report about NCL's brilliant new Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Chernesky describes all the new water slides, attractions and experiences in the park, which the cruise line is expecting to attract even more guests as it ramps up its...

Emmanuel Burgio, founder and president of Blue Parallel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report and his ultraluxe tour operator with very high-end FIT trips to South America, the Mediterranean and the Arctic. Burgio tells us about how he started the company and what he focuses on delivering to his clients. For more information, visit www.blueparallel.com . All our Insider Travel Rep...

Max Dijkema, director of sales and marketing for The Dylan, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about his luxury boutique property in Amsterdam. Dijkema tells us the hotel is super authentic, a slice of Dutch culture and has a gastronomic two Michelin-star restaurant overlooking the canals of the city. For more information, visit...

Robert Young, sourcing manager for CIE Tours, joins James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report for an inside look at CIE Tours’ Spain and Portugal vacations, including the new Northern Spain & Portugal tour for 2027. Discover what sets it and the Best of Spain tour apart, including standout sights, incredible food and wine, authentic local experiences, and the value of the CIE Tours Inclusive...

Josy Karabolad, global head of sales and marketing for Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month's Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about her classic old-guard luxury resort in Jamaica. Round Hill, which opened in the early 1950s, sits on a 110-acre private estate on a secluded peninsula in Montego Bay. The resort has 137 accommoda...

Mariano Silvestri, general manager of Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about his luxury beach resort, Park Hyatt’s first in the Caribbean. Located just 30 minutes from the airport and overlooking neighboring Nevis, Park Hyatt has 126 rooms and suites reflecting Scandi-mod design and the...

Gisele Cabellero, marketing manager for Rancho Santana, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about her exotic property on Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast. Located in Tola, about two hours from Managua, the property spans more than 2,700 acres along two miles of shoreline with five distinct beaches. Accommodations range from a 17-room bou...

Mahesh Natarajan, chief operating officer for Ananda in the Himalayas, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas Ananda in the Himalayas is a luxury destination spa resort in Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand, India, built on a 100-acre estate in the Himalayan foothills, opened in 2000 as India's first destination spa. It offers 70 rooms, thr...

Virginia Rojas, commercial director for El Foro, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about her new Luxury Collection hotel in Seville, Spain and what it will offer guests when it debuts in spring 2027. Located at Calle Juan Sebastián Elcano along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the hotel is part of VERA, a major new cultural...

Lisa Gerbens, managing director-U.S. for Worldia, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about her company’s new outcome-driven travel collection, dedicated pre- and post-cruise experiences, new wellness travel products, and a next generation of travel advisor sales technology. Worldia is a travel technology and services company that...

Katie Malone, chief marketing officer for Aurora Expeditions, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about her Australia-based expedition cruise line, which explores the polar regions and more. Malone details Aurora’s ships and new itineraries as it celebrates 35 years in business and expands to other destinations beyond the poles. F...

Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her decision to step down next spring after 22 years with the host agency. Friedman also gives us an update on where Nexion is today in its programs for its travel advisor members. She also reviews her long career as an ardent support of the travel agency profession both at Nexion and as...

Sanjay Saxena, director of operations for Nomadic Expeditions, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about his unique luxury tour company focused on exploring Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. Saxena details how Nomadic delivers bespoke, private and small group guided journeys showcasing cultural immersion, wildlife and high-end c...

Angie Clavijo, managing director of Sumaq Hotel Peru, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about her five-star property in Aguas Calientes, Peru—the town at the base of the Machu Picchu citadel, right on the banks of the Urubamba River. This intimate 62-room hotel, decorated with Inca-inspired art and design elements, is family-fou...

Christophe Hilty, general manager of Park Hyatt Mexico City Polanco, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Last Vegas about this brand-new property, scheduled to debut early in 2027. Set in Polanco, right on Campos Elíseos near the edge of Chapultepec Park, in a 30-story tower, the hotel with the separate Park Hyatt Mexico City Polanco Reside...

Amanda Frasier, president-standards and ratings for Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about the famed FTG ratings of hotels, restaurants and spas, how they work and how the evaluators do their job. Frasier also details how FTG has expanded into rating cruise products, first with ocean cruises and next with river cruises. She also talks about the grow...

Deborah Yager Fleming, CEO and partner of Acqualina Resort & Residences, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Vegas about what’s new at her quintessential beachside luxury resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. The resort marked its 20th anniversary in May by renovating rooms and suites and introducing new dining and spa experiences. Fleming...

Daniel Hostettler , president of The Boca Raton, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about the renovations and additions he’s making to his classic Florida resort, which is celebrating its 100th year in Boca Raton. Hostettler details how he’s refurbish all five hotels on the property, each of which caters to a different market and how he’s cha...

Jennifer West, vice president of sales of Windstar Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about this popular, soon-to-be eight-ship cruise line which delivers a “luxury lite” experience to guests in destinations around the world. West tells us about the newest ship, Star Explorer, set to debut this December, and new itinerar...

James Smith, CEO of Invited Home, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about his luxury mountain home rental company which doubles as a ski operator. With more than 200 upscale homes spread among major ski areas in the western U.S., Invited Home is a one-stop solution for your clients looking for larger luxury accommodations, both in winter and summer. Plua it has its own destina...

Wes D'Silva, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Wee in Las Vegas about the rapid grown of his ultra-luxury cruise line, which is celebrating 35 years. The big news, of course, is the impending arrival of the new Seven Seas Prestige this December, but Regent also is renovating and recasting the rest of its fl...

Marilyn Conroy, executive vice president-business development at Riviera Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the product enhancements over the past two years that have turned Riviera Travel into one of the top premium river cruise lines known for its inclusivity and value. For more information, visit www. RivieraTravel.com . All our Insider Travel Report video inter...