The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Marie Lee, chief marketing officer for Princess Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report on how the Sphere-class Sun Princess and newly christened Star Princess to attract new customers while satisfying current cruisers. With Star Princess sailing to Alaska next year, Princess will have the newest and largest ship in the region. This is the second in a six-part video series o...

Frank Marini, president and CEO of Railbookers Group and author of Staying on Track, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at the Railbookers Group Global Summit at Hilton Lake Las Vegas about how rail travel is entering the same high-growth phase river cruising experienced before its breakout. That's being fueled by a 39 percent rise in luxury bookings and surging demand for independent,...

Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, a Disney Affinity travel agency, talks with Sherman Dejon of Insider Travel Report aboard the brand-new Disney Destiny about how Disney Cruise Line fits into his agency's product mix and why the ship’s heroes-and-villains theme is generating so much excitement. Duckworth shares his first impressions of the Grand Hall, explains why Port Evergla...

Jen Haile Tinn, director of marketing and sales strategy for Disney Cruise Line, talks with Sherman Dejon of Insider Travel Report aboard the brand-new Disney Destiny about the ship’s heroes-and-villains theme, immersive entertainment and what makes this new vessel stand out within the expanding Disney fleet. Tinn highlights Broadway-style shows, themed venues, dual-island itineraries from Port Ev...

Victoria Simpson, commercial director of Camiral, talks with Olivia Liveng of Insider Travel Report at the International Golf Travel Market in Cannes about how the resort is preparing to host the 2031 Ryder Cup and why this milestone is elevating Spain’s position in global golf tourism. Simpson highlights Camiral’s championship courses, state-of-the-art wellness center, sustainability programs, fa...

Olivier Odin, founder and CEO of Private Golf Key, joins Olivia Liveng of Insider Travel Report at the International Golf Travel Market in Cannes to discuss the rise of bespoke European golf travel for American clients. Odin shares how his France-based luxury golf and lifestyle tour company tailors itineraries that combine world-class courses with fine dining, culture, and elegant accommodations....

Jack Sharp, director of travel agency sales for Disney Cruise Line, talks with Sherman Dejon of Insider Travel Report aboard the brand-new Disney Destiny about the ship’s heroes-and-villains theme, new entertainment and innovative stateroom design. Sharpe highlights such onboard attractions as Pride of the Lion King dining, Marvel- and Doctor Strange-themed venues, the AquaMouse water coaster, as...

Fiona Ashton, event manager of the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), talks with Olivia Liveng of Insider Travel Report in Cannes, France, about how the show is shaping the future of global golf tourism. Ashton highlights emerging trends such as sustainability, inclusivity and experiential itineraries, and explains how IGTM connects destinations, resorts and tour operators while helping trav...

Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about what the sale of the famed luxury vacation wholesaler to TBO, a travel technology and distribution company based in India, means for travel advisors and their clients. Krueger says even more innovative technology, more hotels and resorts, more destinations and more opportunities to sell high-end...

Antonio Bauza, head of brand communications for Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, talks with James Shillinglaw about how Iberostar is changing in the market, focusing heavily on all-inclusive resorts, family ownership and sustainability. It’s all part of an evolution of Iberostar as a global power in resorts. For more information, visit www.iberostar.com .  All our Insider Travel Report video interv...

Frank Rodgers, director of global sales for Peregrine Hospitality, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his hotel management and services newest hotel, the Tess, in Atlanta, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Rodgers tells about the rooms and suites, the food, the overall décor and theme, the location and the target guests. For more information, visit www.marriott.com...

Chinazam Ikechi, marketing representative for Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos, Nigeria, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report about West African tourism opportunities for African American travelers. Ikechi highlights popular destinations including Badagry, where visitors can see the first building constructed in Nigeria, and multi-country tours through Nigeria, Benin, Togo and...

James Shillinglaw of insider Travel Report talks with Kimberly Wilson Wetty, former co-owner and co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel and head of brand culture at Chase Travel Group, about her new consulting firm, Keep Wondering Why, which will advise travel companies and firms outside the industry about gender issues, family leadership transitions and much more based on her years of business and...

Josh Hepp, vice president of national accounts at TTC Tour Brands, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about a new advisor support structure that delivers personalized guidance at every stage, deeper sales engagement through segmentation and continued investment in tools and training to help advisors grow their business. For more information visit agents.ttc.com. All our Insider...

Jason Shames, vice president-product development for Fora Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his host agencies newest technology, Bookable Quotes, which allows clients of Fora advisors to book hotels directly and the advisors get the commission. The tool is now available for preferred hotels and soon with cruises and other travel suppliers. For more information, vi...

Adam Scott, CEO and founder of BermudAir, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his rapidly expanding niche airline as it opens more gateways from North America to Bermuda—and soon some Caribbean islands. BermudAir is adding aircraft and routes and even more service for customers—and it works with travel advisors. For more information, visit www. BermudAir.com .  All our Insi...

Jake Peters, founder and chief technology and product officer for Fora Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his luxury host agency is experiencing exponential growth using innovative technology and marketing. Peters spoke with us just after Fora held its conference for member advisors in Brooklyn and introduced a revolutionary new booking system. For more informa...

Andrew Kitema, managing co-owner of African Adventure Specialists, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the growth of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo and trends in East African safari tourism. Kitema notes that North American travelers are booking longer trips of two to three weeks across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda, and the company differentiates itself through conservation-ba...

Rose Kiseli, general manager-commercial for Kenya Airways, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report about the airline's nonstop service between New York JFK and Nairobi and its extensive network connecting travelers throughout East Africa, West Africa and southern Africa. Kiseli highlights the 14-hour direct flight on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that reduces jetlag and provides seamless co...

James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with Global Travel Collection (GTC) advisors Michael and Steven Lieberman who are going toe to toe with GTC advisor Tom Ho in a bid to be the agency to book a special luxury trip to Scotland for a celebrity couple on NBC’s Extra Mile Club, a program being broadcast this December. Find out how these advisors organized their trips and how they are pro...

Joe Chantry, vice president of entertainment for Holland America Line, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about an original new show the premium cruise line has produced, “Fosse and Verdon, The Duet That Changed Broadway,” which is being staged on Koningsdam. Supported by families of the famed choreographer Bob Fosse and famed dancer Gwen Verdon, the show traces their history as...

Bridgette Murugi, founder of Echopath Adventures, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report about slow travel in Kenya that focuses cultural immersion and sustainable tourism over rushed safari itineraries. Murugi recommends spending a minimum of three nights at each destination to allow time for village visits, nature walks, cooking traditional meals and engaging with local communities r...

Allan Njoroge, acting CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, talks with David Cogswell of Insider Travel Report at the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo in Nairobi about the record growth of the show and the country’s tourism industry. Njoroge highlights the event’s international participation, Kenya’s leadership in conservation and authentic safaris, direct air access from the U.S., and why American travelers...

Six Travel Leaders travel advisors talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report during the International Luxury Forum in Opatija, Croatia about their Luxury Leaders Alliance and what it means to them, as well as what they experienced in Croatia. They describe how the program connects top luxury advisors with elite peers and preferred partners, providing destination education, exclusive access, net...

Eva D’Amato, senior director of luxury lifestyle marketing for Travel Leaders Network, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report in Opatija, Croatia, during the International Luxury Forum about the network’s Luxury Leaders Alliance and its growing community of top-producing advisors. D’Amato explains how Travel Leaders connects luxury advisors with select suppliers through high-touch events, e...