The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Marc Murphy, senior business development manager for Marival Resorts, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the his company’s three all-inclusive properties along Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta coast. Murphy explains how each resort—Marival Emotions, Marival Distinct and Marival Armony—caters to different travelers, from active families to multi-generational groups and...

Brian Hegarty, vice president of marketing for Travel Leaders Network, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report during the International Luxury Forum in Croatia about the evolution of the network’s Luxury Leaders Alliance and its record growth. Hegarty explains how the program connects top luxury travel advisors with key partners through exclusive events and peer communities, outlines current...

Shana Whyte, director of sales for the U.S. Virgin Islands, talks with Amanda Carlow of Insider Travel Report during ALGV's Ascend 2025 conference in Cancun about new airlift, hotel developments and travel advisor resources. Whyte highlights additional flights from major U.S. cities, the new Hampton by Hilton in St. Thomas, island renovations and the ongoing webinar series designed to help travel...

Naif Awlia, tourism & engagement director for Diriyah Company, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this massive city within a city development within Riyadh which is adding new hotels, residences, shopping outlets and more in a global heritage site. For more information, visit www.dgda.gov.sa/en .  All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and availabl...

Jim Tedesco, vice president of sales for Apple Leisure Group Vacations (ALGV, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report during the Ascend 2025 conference in Cancun last month about new programs and incentives designed to help travel advisors grow their business. Tedesco highlights the relaunch of Blue Sky Tours, the expanded Lux portfolio with concierge support, group automation tools, and adv...

Jenn Lee, president and chief marketing officer for Travel Planners International, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the host agencies newest programs for its travel advisors, including Luxe House, a new division focused on selling luxury travel, as well as where the Vacation Planners unit fits in the mix. For more information, visit www.travelplannersinternational.com . ...

Ray Snisky, group president of Apple Leisure Group Vacations, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report during Ascend 2025 in Cancun about the company’s continued investment in travel advisors through its three core pillars—product, progress and partnership. Snisky highlights the global expansion of the all-inclusive model, new brand alliances with Bahia Principe and Playa Hotels & Resorts...

Erica Totora, director of marketing for JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this relatively new luxury hotel located in downtown Tampa. The property comes complete with large rooms and suites, new restaurants and a rooftop bar, all within easy access to the city’s key attractions and entertaining neighborhoods. For more information, visit htt...

Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her cruise line’s plans introduce Destination Immersion cruising to Alaska on Azamara Pursuit next summer. Ritzenthaler also reveals how she is working to add more AzaMazing evenings, overnights, longer stays in port to all cruises on Azamara’s four-ship fleet. For more information, visit www.azamara.c...

Hazel McGuire, chief marketing officer for Intrepid Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about a new product line from her adventure travel operator. Short Breaks are four- to six-day adventures for time-pressed travelers seeking immersive travel experiences. The range includes 10 new itineraries across Latin America and Europe and 45 refreshed trips worldwide, curated to...

Gerald Glennon, general manager of Espacio, Jewel of Waikiki, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s ILTM North America in the Bahamas about his uber luxury boutique property in Oahu. With just nine full floor suites, Espacio delivers the essence of luxury and high-end cuisine with a dedicated staff catering to guests’ every need. For more information about this very...

David Hu, president of Pleasant Holidays, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how the company is changing its brand structure to better serve travel advisors. A | T Holdings is the new holding company that will feature four brands: Pleasant Holidays for all travel advisors, Members First for AAA advisors (AAA owns Pleasant), Evoke | Inspire for luxury advisors, replacing lu...

Michael Tibetts, founder and CEO of Salterra in Turks & Caicos, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his brand new resort on South Caicos offering great beaches, sumptuous accommodations, and gourmet dining, For more information, visit www.salterra.com .  All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our  Youtube channel  (youtube.com/insid...

Sarah Sundstedt, chief marketing officer for Eterniti Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America about her company’s collection of luxury and commissionable villa rentals at sun and snow resorts around France and beyond. For more information, visit www.eterniti.com   All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our  Youtube ch...

Gisele Abrahao, CEO of Global Vision Access, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Brasil DNA, a multi-media tourism campaign, including a Virtual Roadshow, Nov. 4-6, produced by Insider Travel Report and TAConnect. Brasil DNA connects North American travel professionals with the authenticity, culture and natural beauty that make Brazil an unforgettable destination. In partne...

Liz Fettes, chief commercial officer for Cunard, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Queen Elizabeth’s Caribbean season and where the ship will be for the rest of the year. Queen Elizabeth just starting to homeport in Miami offering a series of sailings to a diverse group of Caribbean islands. Then next year she will be doing a series of cruises to Alaska. For more informat...

Jason Stafford, managing director of Manoir Hovey in Quebec, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America, held earlier this month, about his iconic lakeside luxury retreat just over the New York State border. With individually designed accommodations, gourmet restaurants and a large spa, this property is the perfect getaway for couples. For more information, visit w...

Piangduan Kloyarun, vice president-sales & marketing for Lebua Bangkok, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America earlier this month about this extraordinary urban resort depicted in movies like “The Hangover Part 2.” Lebua Bangkok features sumptuous accommodations, multiple restaurants, shopping and more in the heart of Thailand capital city. For more informa...

Joy Jibrilu, CEO of Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America, held earlier this month at Baha Mar in Nassau, the Bahamas. Jibrilu tells us how the destination continues to grow with new resort sand new resort features, anchored by the two mega-resorts in the region, Baha Mar and Atlantis Bahamas. For more information,...

Feisal Jaffer, global head of LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Brooke Thomas, brand leader of Curio Collection by Hilton, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America, held at Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Jaffer details the latest developments in LXR’s luxury resort brand, while Thoms reveals new members of the Curio Collection. For more information, visit www.hilton.com . ...

Jacqueline Leibl-Cote, president and CEO of Collette, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her family-owned tour company has introduced a new tagline, a new video and even a new song—along with a whole new slate of tours for 2026. Leible-Cote tells us how Collette is making big changes to its branding and product mix. For more information, visit www.gocollette.com . All...

Richard Fain, chairman and former CEO for Royal Caribbean Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Fain’s new book “Delivering the WOW.” The book delivers both a running account of Fain’s time at Royal Caribbean and the lessons he and his team learned in how to develop innovative, even revolutionary cruise ships and products that “wow” guests. To buy the book, click on Am...

John McEnroe, a legend in tennis and in broadcasting tennis, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the John MacEnroe Tennis Center at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, the Bahamas. McEnroe tells us about his youth tennis centers in New York and the Bahamas and what he hopes to accomplish. For more information, visit www.bahamar.com .  To set up a group at the tennis center, email Derro...

Tawnee Sons and Julie Irovando, top-producing travel advisors with Cruise Planners, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report aboard Wonder of the Seas during Cruise Planners’ annual conference about how they built a thriving family business around group travel. The two share how Cruise Planners’ technology, training and supportive community have helped them grow from selling small escorted chu...

Adam Martindale, a Cruise Planners travel advisor, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report aboard Wonder of the Seas during Cruise Planners’ annual conference about how he turned decades in food and beverage management into a thriving travel business specializing in luxury, food and wine cruises. With Cruise Planners’ support and technology, Martindale was able to find his niche, build stron...