No Tourists Allowed - An Insider's Guide to Travel

Ever checked into a Las Vegas hotel room only to find the smoke detector wrapped in a towel and hanging by a cord? In this episode of No Tourists Allowed, Mike and James break down the chaotic current state of the global travel ecosystem, from shocking hospitality disasters to record-breaking holiday crowds. You'll discover the hidden international forces driving up travel costs and learn how to n...

Learn expert travel tips to avoid rising airline baggage fees, navigate Venice's new overtourism tax, and uncover affordable Eastern Europe destinations. Episode Resources: Fox Business Report on United-American Merger Talk Official Announcement: United Airlines and Starlink Partnership Kayak Report on 2026 Travel Trends and Eastern Europe Lonely Planet Guide to North Macedonia Have you noticed ho...

Are phone calls ruining in-flight etiquette? Discover the best travel books for 2025 and new EU entry delays on the No Tourists Allowed travel podcast. Episode Resources: Rick Steves’ Hippie Trail Memoir Official EU Entry-Exit System (EES) Information IATA Jet Fuel Price Monitor British Airways In-Flight Voice and Video Call News Official Website for Livraria Lello Bookstore Imagine trying to slee...

Learn how to beat baggage fees on low-cost airlines using the Flygaroo vest. Plus, explore the rise of bleisure travel and the demand for travel advisors. Episode Resources: Flygaroo Official Website MMGY Report on Travel Advisor Trends Are exorbitant carry-on fees ruining your budget travel plans? In this episode of No Tourists Allowed, hosts Mike Putman and James Ferrara reveal how to bypass low...

Discover if Punta Cana all-inclusive resorts are worth it, how agentic AI in travel empowers advisors, and essential global travel safety updates. Episode Resources: Official Website for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana Upcoming Moon Palace Punta Cana Expansion Details on the InteleJoe Agentic AI Tool U.S. State Department Travel Advisories Enter the Giveaway Whether you're dreaming of a sp...

Ditch the group! VoiceMap CEO Iain Manley reveals how self-guided audio tours let you explore at your own pace. Plus: travel news and a luxury getaway! Episode Resources VoiceMap Official Website The Royal Mile: A History of Death and Dirty Dealing Tour Sri Lanka Digital Nomad Visa Requirements Condé Nast Traveler’s Guide to the World’s Largest Airports Tired of awkward group tours and generic gui...

Discover authentic European travel tips for Cologne and Vienna. We cover Kölsch beer, smart walking tour apps, and finding local eats without the tourist traps. Episode Resources Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) Official Website Votivkirche Vienna Official Website Casa Labra Madrid - Historic Tapas Bar TheFork - Restaurant Reservations Beli App - Restaurant Lists & Social FITUR - International T...

Discover the latest in travel tech. From biometric airport IDs to the explosion of new cruise ships 2025, learn how to travel smoother and smarter this year. Travel is changing fast, from how you clear security to how you vacation on the high seas. This episode breaks down why keeping an eye on new cruise ships 2025 is essential for your next getaway as the industry prepares to launch fifty new ve...

Have you ever dreamed of floating down the Danube, exploring medieval towns and world-class cities from the comfort of a luxury ship? In this episode of No Tourists Allowed, we pull back the curtain on the complete European river cruise experience, giving you a firsthand account of what it's truly like to travel from Budapest to Vienna. We're also tackling major travel news as American Airlines sp...

Is a river cruise just a floating hotel, or can it be one of the most authentic ways to travel? In this episode, we explore the world of Riviera Travel river cruises with the brand's North American President, Stuart Milan . As the UK's #1 river cruise and tour operator makes its official entry into the US market, we uncover what "upper premium" travel really means and ask the crucial question: How...

Tired of business trips that feel like a copy-paste of the same sterile ballroom and conference room? How do you transform a mandatory work trip into a memorable, culturally-rich experience? In this episode, we tackle the secret to planning truly authentic corporate events that leave a lasting impact on attendees. We sit down with a master of the craft, Renee Jacobs, the Chief Operating Officer of...

Join Mike Putman and James Ferrara from No Tourists Allowed as they recount their latest global adventures, from the bustling Panama Canal and historic Istanbul to vibrant Barcelona and glamorous Las Vegas. Discover thrilling travel tips and dive into a vital discussion on overtourism, but don't miss your chance to win a 7-day luxury Alaska cruise for two with Princess Cruise Lines! Visit notouris...

Skip the tourist traps and discover Michelin's pay-to-play scandal, why you should NEVER drink airplane coffee, and MasterCard's surprising #1 summer destination for 2025. Travel experts Mike Putman and James Ferrara reveal Boston's best non-chain restaurants, NYC theater district hidden gems, and insider tricks for finding authentic local dining anywhere you travel. Plus, enter to WIN a FREE 7-ni...

Discover how travel leaders are breaking down resort walls and cruise ship decks to deliver authentic cultural experiences. Mike and James reveal Celebrity Cruises' innovative "Bazaar" concept, transforming how travelers connect with destinations before even stepping ashore. Plus, unsettling data shows dramatic drops in international visitors to America—a 17% decrease from the UK and staggering 60...

When Jim Tedesco saw fire dancers performing at street corners rather than resort stages during his first post-pandemic trip to Mexico, he witnessed tourism's invisible economic lifeline suddenly exposed. The ALG Vacations VP brings intimate industry insights to No Tourists Allowed, revealing how all-inclusive resorts have evolved from "beans on a plate" budget experiences to luxury immersions tha...

Would you book a one-way ticket to Europe to save $8,000 on business class flights? In this revealing episode, discover why airlines charge Americans up to 400% more than Europeans for identical premium seats—and the perfectly legal strategy savvy travelers use to beat this system. Meanwhile, producer Nathaniel explains the counterintuitive reason Gen Z is flocking to solo travel: it's not despite...

Is air travel becoming more dangerous? We confront this question head-on and reveal surprising statistics that will make you rethink your fears. We also take you behind the scenes of our recent cruise on Norwegian, exposing the shockingly wide array of onboard dining options and debating whether it's truly possible to have an authentic travel experience on a mega-ship. And don't miss out on our in...

Is AI all hype when it comes to travel planning? We go beyond the buzz to uncover how artificial intelligence is quietly transforming operations behind the scenes. From analyzing the latest innovations to adopting Mexican gray wolves, we share provocative insights from our industry travels. Discover the unsexy truth about AI's real impact on travel. NTA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notouri...

Is the travel industry's obsession with "work-life balance" actually making us less healthy and more stressed? In this provocative discussion, ALG Vacations' David Pritchard argues that the concept is a myth that celebrates unsustainable multitasking. Join us as we explore why work-life harmony and mindful presence are the keys to thriving, and how travel pros can lead the way in redefining wellne...

Join us as we dive into the exciting world of RV travel with Maddi Bourgerie from RVshare. We explore the unique benefits of renting an RV for your next adventure and discuss how RVshare is making it easier than ever to experience the great outdoors on your own terms. NTA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notouristsallowed321/ NTA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notouristsallowed-aninside7994...

In this episode, we sit down with airline industry veteran Cory Garner to discuss the complex world of airline distribution and frequent flyer programs. Cory shares his insider perspective on how airlines are using new technologies and strategies to compete for customer loyalty in an increasingly dynamic market. We also dive into the pros and cons of splitting your loyalty between airlines to maxi...

Are you sitting on a pile of airline miles but feel like you can never use them effectively? In this episode, we uncover the dirty secrets of airline loyalty programs with Julian Kheel, CEO of Points Path. Julian exposes the ways airlines have devalued your miles over time and shares unconventional strategies for beating them at their own game. If you're ready to stop being a sucker and start trav...

Join us as we discuss the role of AI in travel planning and whether it can be trusted to handle the complexities of crafting the perfect trip. We also delve into the realities faced by flight attendants, including low pay and surprising insider secrets about airline food and water safety. Highlights: (0:00) Introduction (2:29) AI lacks human touch for travel planning (4:35) Recommendation engines...

Is sitting on a long flight without food, water, or entertainment the secret to a refreshing travel experience? We dive into the controversial "raw dogging" flight trend and debate its merits. Plus, we share insider tips on scoring luxury travel deals and question the puzzling behavior of some air passengers. NTA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notouristsallowed321/ NTA YouTube: https://www.y...

Want to fly business class for less than the cost of coach? We expose the little-known loopholes that airlines don’t want you to know about. Plus, find out why your travel agent may be keeping these deals from you and how to work around them. Highlights: (0:00) Introduction (1:07) Mike's summer travels through Europe (4:41) Benefits of train travel in Europe (7:11) Attending Taylor Swift concert i...