The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Seth Borko, head of research at Skift, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Skift's megatrends report for 2025. Borko highlights a few big trends, including a slow and steady growth in travel demand, the rise of event-based tourism, and how consumer preferences are shifting toward authenticity and cooler climates. Borko also discusses emerging trends such as pet travel, the role of...

Steve Perillo, president and CEO of Perillo Tours, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the history and legacy of his famed family-owned company, which now specializes in much more than tours to Italy. Perillo now offers Italy, Hawaii, Greece, Spain and Portugal, plus group tours and customized travel. For more information, visit www.perillotours.com .   All our Insider Trav...

Barbara Muckermann, CEO of Kempinski Hotels, and Anna Nash, president-global for Explora Journeys, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM Cannes luxury show about how they each just made the switch from luxury cruises to luxury hotels—and vice versa. Muckermann, a longtime luxury cruise executive with Silversea, is taking on a new challenge heading up Kempinski,...

Mario Del Duca, managing director of NUBA in the U.S., talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his Spain- and Mexico-based luxury travel agency and DMC is working to grow in the United States to target the Spanish-speaking market. NUBA, a member of Virtuoso, just opened an office in Miami is seeking to add travel advisors and sell its travel products here too. For more info...

Frank Marrenbach, CEO and managing partner of Althoff Hotels, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM Cannes luxury show. Marrenbach unveils Althoff’s two newest properties in Cologne and Frankfurt as the latest hotels in this growing collection. For more information, visit www.althoffhotels.com. All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and ava...

Jennifer Tombaugh, CEO of Tauck, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the company’s upcoming 100th anniversary, why it matters to travel advisors and their clients, and all the new tour and cruise products Tauck has in store for the coming year. For more information, visit www.tauck.com. All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our  Youtub...

Brad Yared, manager of youth activities aboard Disney Treasure, talks with Sherman DeJohn of Insider Travel Report about the ship's offerings for children and families. He describes the Disney Oceaneers Club for ages 3 to 10, featuring interactive activities like designing roller coasters, themed storytelling, and character visits, as well as a secure check-in system. He also highlights spaces for...

Matt Cammaert, senior vice president of marketing and outside sales at Kensington, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM Cannes luxury show about his newly restricted luxury operator. Kensington now offers a slew of tour, cruise, yacht and villa products to suit every luxury traveler. For more information, visit www.kensingtontours.com. All our Insider Travel R...

Gonçalo Mexia Alves, head of sales for Octant Hotels, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM Cannes luxury show about his group of luxury properties located in key cities and towns throughout Portugal, which has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. Alves details his grown collection of hotels and what they can offer to your clients. For...

Jenny Winebloom, vice president of Disney Live Entertainment, talks with Sherman DeJohn of Insider Travel Report about the entertainment aboard the Disney Treasure. She highlights Broadway-style shows like The Tale of Moana, deck shows, interactive activities and themed dining experiences, all tailored to the ship’s adventure theme. Entertainment spans from high-energy events to culturally rooted...

Marina Efraimoglou, owner Euphoria Retreat, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM Cannes luxury show. Efraimoglou tells her inspiration story about how she founded her unique wellbeing resort in Mystras, Sparta in Greece. The property has become a widely recognized retreat for its setting and its many wellness programs. For more information, visit www.euphoriar...

Daniel Cowan, senior manager-dining services for Disney Cruise Line, talks with Sherman Dejon of Insider Travel Report about the food and beverage options aboard the Disney Treasure. Cowan highlights rotational dining with themed venues like Plaza de Coco and World of Marvel, fine dining restaurants, casual options and unique spaces like Hook’s Barbary. He also emphasizes the role of the crew in c...

Nicholas Streff, vice president-strategy and communications for Belmond, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM Cannes luxury show. Streff details the newest trains, barges and hotels in Belmond’s growing portfolio. For more information, visit www.belmond.com. All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our  Youtube channel  (you...

Jodi Bainter, vice president of domestic leisure sales at The Walt Disney Company, talks with Sherman DeJohn of Insider Travel Report about Disney's newest ship, Disney Treasure. Painter highlights the ship’s unique features, including its focus on adventure, immersive Disney-themed spaces like the Haunted Mansion Parlor and the innovative Plaza de Coco dining experience. She also details the ship...

Bob van den Oord, CEO of Langham Hospitality Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM Cannes luxury travel show. Van Den Oord details the newest luxury hotels in the Langham group and where the company is planning to expand in the future. For more information, visit www.langhamhotels.com. All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and avail...

Dana Santucci, chairman of the United States Tour Operations Association (USTOA) talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report just after last month’s USTOA Marketplace & Conference in Marco Island, Florida, Santucci, who is also executive vice president of EF Education First, details what USTOA has accomplished during her second term as chairman and what she hopes to do for the remain...

Terry Dale, president and CEO of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report just after USTOA’s Marketplace in Marco Island, Fla., about a new survey of USTOA’s economic impact on the travel industry. Dale also details USTOA’s marketing program in 2024 and a new culinary themed campaign this year, as well an effort to make tours more...

Kristi Gole, executive vice president of strategy for Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM luxury travel show in Cannes about how her group had become the fastest growing collection of independent hotels in the world especially in the luxury segment. With more than 40 brands and 800 hotels, GHA has emerged as a force in hospitality...

Etienne Haro, general manager of The Mark talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his famed luxury hotel on New York City’s Upper East Side is evolving, including two relatively new marquee restaurants and refurbished suites, including the largest Penthouse Suite in North America. For more information, visit www.themarkhotel.com . All our Insider Travel Report video intervi...

Karen Whitt, vice president of sales and marketing for The Hartling Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ILTM Cannes about her collection of luxury properties. Whitt details what’s to come at The Palms Turks & Caicos as well as The Shore Club, and everything else Turks& Caicos has to offer. For more information visit https://hartlinggroup.com. All ou...

Andrea Grisdale, founder and CEO of IC Bellagio, a luxury destination management company based in Bellagio, Italy, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s ILTM Cannes luxury travel show. Grisdale tells us how she started the company, turning it from one offering tours of Lake Como to one that now can offer customized luxury travel throughout Italy. For more informatio...

Mark Orwoll, author of “Just One Little Hitch,” talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his new book, a humorous account of his days hitchhiking in Europe and Morocco on a shoestring budget. Orwoll, a veteran travel journalist who served as international editor for Travel + Leisure for more than 20 years, describes his experiences during his first trip aboard. For more informat...

Henley Vazquez, co-founder of Fora Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s ILTM Cannes luxury travel show about the dramatic growth of her host agency, a member of Virtuoso. Vazquez details the innovative technology, marketing and training programs that her agency offers members to help them sell more luxury travel. For more information, visit www.foratravel.c...

Nathan Domer, acting general manager of the Ulster American Folk Park, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the park's efforts to preserve and interpret the story of Irish emigration to America. Dormer explains the park’s chronological layout, featuring actual homes, artifacts, and a replica ship to illustrate Irish rural life, the challenging trans-Atlantic crossing and settlers' e...

Ciaran O’Neill, managing director of the Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Derry, Ireland, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the hotel's history and its role in the regeneration of the area. O'Neil shares insights on the hotel's unique blend of heritage and modern luxury, offering intimate, high-quality accommodations for international guests. The hotel has become a key part of Derry's vibr...