Talking Travel

Every yin has its yang and for travel agents, they wouldn’t be able to do most of what they do without a strong wholesaler in the background providing all the flights, hotels, cruises and other product they sell every day. Wholesale is a hyper competitive side of the travel industry, with many well-known and some less-so all duking it out with the best packages, deals and pricing to snag the sale....

There’s something about a European river cruise that keeps Australians coming back for more, year after year, with many others discovering it for the first time and promptly getting hooked themselves. Whether it’s the gentle, relaxed nature of travel, the rolling countryside passing by on both sides, postcard towns adorning the riverbank, or even just the food and frivolity onboard, it’s easy to s...

It’s 2024 and with every new year comes promise, excitement and motivation to make the next 12 months better than the last. For some, that may involve implementing their New Year Resolution to lower their stress by making changes to how they work. Two people ahead of the curve on that front are our guests today on this episode of Talking Travel. Anna Shannon from Travel Agent Finder and Charlie Tr...

It’s fair to say Hawaii went through a lot in 2023. The tropical paradise that fills us with so much warmth and joy turned to darkness for four days last August as wildfires reduced much of western Maui to ruin. But if ever a people can show resilience and build back, it’s the Hawaiians, and build they did, with plenty of promise now on the horizon for much of the affected areas. Elsewhere on the...

It’s the last working week of the year and Christmas is nearly upon us, but for some parts of the world, the festive season brings no cause for celebration thanks to devastating acts of Mother Nature that literally rocked their world. Horrific earthquakes this year in Turkey, Syria and Morocco are just two examples of how nature can deliver such pain and anguish. And for those who have nothing lef...

Whatever time of year you may visit Canada, there's something magical in store for you. But when autumn and winter roll around, the excitement goes to another level. The wide open spaces turn from a lush green into a mesmerising yellow and gold before being blanketed in a crisp white snowfall, a time when Canada is at its most popular with skiers and those craving a winter wonderland. Whether...

Travel seems to be one of the only things not being sacrificed in a cost-of-living crunch. In fact, travellers are going the other way - devoting more of their money to seeing the world and experiencing the finer things in life, even for only a few days or weeks at a time. Luxury hotels saw this coming years ago and have been jostling for the spotlight ever since, with a 'no holds barred'...

Gone are the days of bellyflop contests and shuffleboard for your onboard amusement at sea - cruise ship entertainment is now big business. Cruise ships today present Broadway-style stage show extravaganzas featuring elaborate costumes, daredevil stunts and supremely talented performers who leave audiences spellbound and cheering for an encore...or two. But what goes into these stage spectaculars?...

With a history spanning over 65,000 years, Australia's Indigenous tourism offers a profound and immersive journey into the rich cultural tapestry of its ancient land. Indigenous tourism in Australia is a unique opportunity for travellers to engage with vibrant cultures and gain insight into ancient spiritual beliefs, practices and contemporary contributions. On another level, Indigenous touris...

There's an old saying 'Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life'. For many travel agents, the love of their job and helping their clients experience the wonders of the world ignites a passion that carries them through even the tougher days and on to a remarkable career full of cherished memories and stories. In this episode of Talking Travel, we celebrate two of...

Governments across Europe are investing billions in high-speed rail to improve tracks, trains, stations, technology and how passengers use the various services across the continent. The deregulation of rail across the continent is seeing new train operators move into territories previously monopolised by state-owned and legacy operators. This increased competition is leading to cheaper fares, more...

⁠Staff shortages have been a chronic problem across the travel industry ever since Australia’s border reopened, with the sector as a whole struggling to keep up with incredible demand.⁠ ⁠Advisors are swamped, working nights, weekends and holidays just to keep up as recruiters are in overdrive trying to find qualified candidates for a plethora of roles.⁠ ⁠Industry associations are investing in futu...

May was an incredibly busy and exciting time to be in the United Kingdom, full of pomp and pageantry across the country. In less than a week, millions around the world watched as London hosted the first Royal Coronation in 70 years as King Charles III was formally crowned. A few days later, a very different kind of pageantry was on show as Liverpool hosted Eurovision for the first time in 25 years...

Most people would agree that creating lifelong memories is the best part of travelling the world. The sights we see, the people we meet and the experiences we enjoy are imprinted in our psyche and soul to be joyfully shared countless times with friends and family.  As culpable as travel agents are in helping us to create these memories, they’re no strangers to their own unique experiences, which F...

For nearly 30 years, Better Homes and Gardens has become a staple of the weekly Channel 7 schedule for millions of Australians, who tune in to discover ways to enrich their lifestyles in many different ways.  One of these is through travel, with the show and its presenters taking viewers to every corner of the planet, showcasing amazing cities, towns, wildlife, gardens and experiences. Joining Jon...

This is the podcast EVERY traveller needs to hear. Much like Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth' documentary sparked the world into considering its environmental impact, The Last Tourist is a catalyst to make global travellers sit up and take notice of the effect they're leaving on the world through travel. Whether it's the wildlife we seek, the natural environment we crave or th...

For the debut episode of Talking Travel, join Traveltalk Editors Jon Underwood and Matt Lennon as we discuss the upcoming Women in Travel Summit with AFTA CEO, Dean Long, and Intrepid Travel GM of Sales and Partnerships, Yvette Thompson.