The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Grant Cummings, founder of Chiawa Safaris, talks with Michaela Guzy of Insider Travel Report in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi about his four luxury camps, the distinct landscapes of South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, and the critical role guides play in delivering meaningful safari experiences. Cummings explains how Chiawa blends barefoot luxury with deep conservation, supports community projects and ethic...

Alex Miza, the new CEO of Carey, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Skift Global Forum about what his transportation solutions company can offer your clients in cities around the world. Miza also details how you can work with Carey to get your clients where they want to go, whether that’s by chauffeur in a classic black car or other vehicles. For more information...

Kirk Demeter, president and CEO of Travel Answers Group, speaks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his growing company, which has evolved from one that designs bespoke trips to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, into one that provides travel to the Middle East, Africa. Asia and now Europe. For more information, visit www.travelanswersgroup.com .  All our Insider Trave...

Ruben Gutierrez, president of GoNexus Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the transfer, tour and travel solutions his Cancun-based company can provide in destinations around the world. GoNexus recently expanded to Las Vegas and it already serves New York City and more. For more information, visit www.gonexusgroup.com .  All our Insider Travel Report video interviews...

Francesco Galli Zugaro, founder and president of Aqua Expeditions, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at New York’s Explorers Club about the latest destinations for his luxury adventure cruise line—the Arctic. With backing from his new partner and investor Ponant Explorations, Galli Zugaro is launching the 30-guest Aqua Lares, a Polar-class vessel that will begin by cruising off...

Ian Borg, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and tourism for Malta, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the opening of the new Malta Tourism Office for North America in New York City. The new office’s debut came during a week when Peter Greenberg premiered his new travel documentary “Hidden Malta” and after Delta Air Lines said it will launch nonstop service...

Sheila Folk, CEO and founder of Travel Industry Solutions, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her company helps travel agencies with the tools they need to survive and thrive, including a brand-new fraud detector. Folk, a travel advisor herself, has built a consulting company that helps other agencies with legal, operations, bookkeeping, marketing, invoicing and paymen...

Questions for Peter Greenberg, CBS travel editor and travel journalist, and Carlo Micallef, CEO of Malta Tourism Authority, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the premier of the new “Hidden Malta” travel documentary showcasing one of the most beautiful and historic island groups in the Mediterranean. Greenberg and Micallef detail how the production came about and what the p...

Nick Guthrey, CEO and managing director of ANZCRO, talks about the history of his family-owned inbound operator, what destinations it focuses on in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, what destinations are selling well this year and more. Guthrey also details the best ways you can work with ANZCRO to create great itineraries for your clients. For more information, visit www. ANZCRO.com ....

Katrin Koenig, chief commercial officer for Delta Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Delta Vacations University about the company’s sales results over the past year and what the forecast is for 2025 and beyond. Koenig also details where Delta Vacations is expanding its product and destinations and how it is focusing on premium travel offerings. For more...

Matt Murasko, co-founder of Treecovery Hawaii, and Kimo Simpliciano, operational manager, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the nonprofit’s mission to reforest Maui with 30,000 trees following the August 2023 wildfires. Murasko explains how travel advisors and visitors can support the effort through donations and private farm experiences and describes the symbolic restoration of L...

Kama Winters, president of Delta Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about Delta Vacations University, held in Atlanta earlier this month. The event, which is now being held every two years, helps educate travel advisors about the products and destinations they can book through Delta Vacations, as well as how they can lucratively sell travel to Delta SkyMiles and Meda...

Travis Gilbert, concierge at the Four Seasons New Orleans and member of Les Clefs d’Or, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about what it takes to earn the prestigious gold key and how that global network benefits luxury guests. Gilbert shares stories of personalized service, explains how his team collaborates to deliver exceptional experiences, and encourages travel advisors to connect...

Teresa Higa, director of leisure sales at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the resort’s 45th anniversary, diverse accommodations and activities, and how it continues to welcome guests following the Maui wildfires in 2022. Higa highlights cultural programming, sustainability initiatives, expanded dining and luau experiences, and how travel a...

Muryad de Bruin, managing director of the Curaçao Tourist Board, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA Caribbean Showcase about year-round airlift, growing cruise arrivals and the appeal of the island’s European-Caribbean blend. De Bruin outlines key selling points for travel advisors including multicultural events, boutique and branded hotel development, and the “Feel It For Y...

Robyn Basso, senior director of travel industry partnerships for the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about year‑round airlift from across the U.S., Maui’s ongoing recovery, and how destination management improves the visitor experience. Basso spotlights free pre‑travel guides and advisor resources, HVCB’s long-standing partnership with Ap...

Mary Hawthorne of Journeys with Mary, in Panama City Beach, Fla., talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s CoNexion conference about the rapid growth of her agency as a member of the Nexion host agency network. In just two years, Hawthorne has built up her cruise sales and achieved record results, factors that led to her selection as the U.S. Rising Star. For more infor...

Jacki Marks, global head of trade brands for Apple Leisure Group Vacations (ALGV), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report during the group's Pros in Paradise event at the Hyatt Regency in Maui about the relaunch of Blue Sky Tours, which now features 150 Indo-Pacific destinations beyond just Hawaii. Marks highlights exclusive 15 percent commissions, low deposits, enhanced support teams, and...

Natalie Loza, vice president of sales at Dream Vacations, speaks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the dynamism of the leisure travel industry, what Dream Vacations travel advisors are doing to stay on top of key trends, and what Dream Vacations executives are delivering to ensure that franchise owners can operate their businesses with confidence. To learn more about Dream Vacations' t...

Steve Lincoln, owner of Lincoln Travel in Bridgewater, Va., and a long-time member of Nexion Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how just won Nexion’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the first advisor to be honored in that way. Lincoln is no stranger to Nexion awards though, having been named Nexion Travel Advisor Ambassador and garnering numerous other awards as...

Cory McGillivray, senior director, sales operations and channel marketing at the Globus family of brands, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about why booking a tour beats building a trip from scratch and how Globus makes it easier, faster, and more rewarding for travel advisors. For more information, visit our Travel Advisor Portal at https://agents.globusfamily.com/login/?retu...

O’Brian Heron, general manager of Sandals South Coast, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the transformation of the Jamaica resort and how it balances social energy with quiet, restorative spaces. Heron details new dining venues, renovated overwater villas, upgraded suites, expanded entertainment and outdoor areas, and the personalized service that makes Sandals a top choice for t...

Chris Allison, vice president-the Americas and New Zealand for Tourism Australia, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Australia’s brand new “Come and say G’Day” campaign featuring Robert Irwin and Ruby the kangaroo. Allison tells us what Australia hopes the campaign will produce and provides the latest tourism numbers to the country. For more information on promoting Austra...

Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s CoNexion conference in Orlando about how the host agency has evolved over 30 years into an organization that can support travel advisors with technology, marketing and training. Friedman, who has been with Nexion for 21 years, has been a major force in growing the agency. For more information...

Katina Athanasiou, senior vice president, sales and service for Celebrity Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the new Celebrity River Cruises, set to launch in 2027. Athanasiou giving us a look at the river ships, the interior design and the itineraries of one of the most eagerly anticipated river cruise products in Europe. For more information, visit www.thecelebr...