The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Graham Carter, CEO of Unforgettable Travel Company and Cruise Croatia, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his company taps its destination experts to design bespoke luxury travel to destinations around the world. No trip is the same, as Carter and his team deliver memorable and unique experiences to suit each client. Plus, he has a booming coastal cruise business with...

Terry Dale, president and CEO of the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at the association’s annual conference at the Gaylord National Convention Center in Washington, D.C., about how U.S. government policies have strained international travel relations and why USTOA is stepping up its advocacy to counter the impact. Dale explains why the new Bey...

Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer of World Travel Holdings, parent company of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the highlights of their 2025 national conference aboard Star Princess, including record attendance, surging demand and why this is the strongest booking period the company has seen all year. Fiorino discusses the mindset advisors nee...

Leigh Barnes, president-the Americas for Intrepid Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how the growing adventure tour operator is ramping up its efforts to get a much bigger foothold in North America. Intrepid’s strategies include a new partnership with REI, new Short Breaks trips and additional sales and marketing executives. For more information, visit www.intrepid...

Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about highlights from the groups' 2025 national conference aboard Star Princess, including the “Thrive in ’25” theme, the power of storytelling and the mindset travel advisors need to grow their business. Daly discusses why advisors should charge planning fees, expl...

Jeff Rednour, general manager for the Equinox Hotel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his luxury property, the only hotel in the Equinox fitness empire so far (more to come). Rednour talks about the property’s trendy location in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, its innovative sleep programs, its high-end restaurant, and yes, one of the biggest fitness clubs and spas in the city...

Kaitlyn Birkinshaw, vice president of marketing for Railbookers, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at the Railbookers Group Global Summit about why travel advisors should book rail first instead of treating it as an add-on. As demand grows and rail enters a river-cruise-style boom. Birkinshaw outlines how Railbookers’ consumer marketing drives customers to advisors, new Stars and Strip...

Ciaran Barry, business partnership executive for Tourism Ireland, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at the Railbookers Group Global Summit about how Ireland’s rail network connects major cities and offers an easy alternative to self-drive. Barry outlines how Tourism Ireland supports travel advisors with education and itineraries, highlights opportunities beyond Dublin, and points out r...

Philip Hendrich, senior manager for the Americas at Eurostar Group, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at the Railbookers Group Global Summit about Eurostar’s expanded network across London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne. Hendrik explains how Railbookers helps travel advisors navigate immigration changes post-Brexit, simplify logistics, access Business Premier and VIP services,...

Jim Marini, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for Railbookers, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at the Railbookers Group Global Summit about why rail is reaching the same breakthrough moment river cruising experienced before its boom. Marini cites rising demand, expanding luxury options and global coverage across 185 countries. He also outlines how Railbookers supports t...

Paolo Mancuso, director of sales and marketing for Palazzo Fiuggi, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this unique resort destination an hour outside of Rome that features spa treatments, a medical spa, hiking the Italian countryside and healthy but delicious meals. In just four years, Palazzo Fiuggi has become the place to find your way back to wellness and fitness. For mo...

Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism for The Bahamas talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how more flights, a growing resort inventory and more focus on growing tourism to the Out Islands is keeping travel on top as a major source of income for the destination. Cooper spoke to us at major roadshow event for travel advisors in New York last month. For...

Jan Sorensen, vice president of food and beverage operations for Celebrity Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the many dining options aboard Celebrity Xcel. These range from the main restaurants Cosmopolitan, Tuscan, Normandie and Cyprus to casual venues like Mosaic at The Bazaar, Bora, Spice Café and Raw on 5 to elegant eateries Le Grand Bistro, Le Petit Chef and...

Lisa Lehr, vice president-entertainment for Celebrity Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel report about all the major production shows, club shows and music experiences aboard Celebrity Xcel. Located in some highly innovative and state-of-the art venues, these shows are not to be missed. For more information, visit www.thecelebritycommitment.com or www.celebrity.com.  All our In...

Katina Athanasiou, senior vice president of sales and services-the Americas for Celebrity Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw onboard the just christened Celebrity Xcel, the upper premium cruise line’s fifth and final ship in the Edge Class. Athanasiou tells you how to sell this remarkable ship focused on the lavish accommodations, the varied dining options and unique entertainment. For more inf...

Captain Manolis Alevropoulos, senior vice president of marine operations for Celebrity Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the hardware and software behind the new Celebrity Xcel, the fifth and last of the Edge class of ships launched by the upper premium cruise line. Alevropoulos details what went into the building of the ship and how it represents the perfection...

Nathan Hickman, chief commercial officer for Oceania Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the newly cruises Oceania Allura, the second in the line’s Vista class of ships. Hickman tells you how to sell this luxury ship by focusing on the service, itineraries and cuisine, which lives up to Oceania’s reputation as having the best dining at sea. Plus, there’s more to co...

Brad Tolkin, co-CEO of World Travel Holdings, parent company of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report following their annual conference aboard Star Princess about booking trends, last-minute demand and how expanded availability is reshaping consumer behavior as the cruise industry normalizes post-COVID. Tolkin addresses pricing expectations through 2026, the...

Jason Montague, chief luxury officer for Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the just christened Oceania Allura, which is now firmly in the luxury category of cruising. Montague details the brilliant new features of this ship, including a focus on culinary excellence and unparalleled service. He also explains how Oceania and Re...

Nicolay Hotze, managing director of Nobu Miami Beach and Eden Roc Miami Beach, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about his dual-branded luxury property located right on the beach. With a Nobu hotel within the famed Eden Roc hotel, this property offers a range of luxury rooms and suites, a Nobu restaurant, a classic lobby hotel bar, pool complex and a full spa. For more informa...

Erika Larsen, president of Magic Castle Enterprises and partner for Spellbound by Magic Castle on Star Princess, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the brilliant new magic club aboard the ship, complete with a 1930s decorated bar and a stage. It’s one of the experiences your clients just can’t miss when they cruise on Star Princess. This is the sixth in a six-part video se...

Becky Thompson-Foley, head of global entertainment for Princess Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the range of entertainment on board Star Princess, including innovative product shows, Meridien and Illuminate, and Spellbound by Magic Castle magic club. Thompson-Foley details all the things guests can experience during their cruise. This is the fifth in a six-part...

Tony Gemignani, head pizza maker at Alfredos on Princess Cruises’ Star Princess, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the secrets of making great pizza no board a cruise ship. And in Alfredos, Gemignani has one of the best pizza places at sea, reflecting his status as a world champion pizza maker and owner of Tony's Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco. And our secret: We judge...

Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage for Princess Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the incredible range of dining and drinking options aboard Star Princess, the newly christened Sphere class ship. Kohen tells us all about the food and beverage outlets aboard, everything from Love by Britto to Alfredos pizzeria. This is the third in a six-part video se...

Captain Gennaro Arma, master of the just-christened Star Princess, talks with James Shillinglaw about his ship, its many capabilities, amenities and comforts. As the second vessel in the Sphere class, Star Princess offers a perfected cruise product in design, public areas, dining and more. This is the first in a six-part video series on Star Princess. For more information, visit www.princess.com ....