The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Van Heerden, general manager of Leopard Sands Kruger Park, talks with Jeanie Fang of Insider Travel Report at this South Africa lodge about its 18 suites with private plunge pools, views of the Sabi River and Kruger National Park, and customized experiences for honeymooners, anniversary travelers, families and other guests. Heerden also reveals the lodge's safari drives, hot air balloon safaris, h...

Ashlee Collins, president of onefinestay, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her group of luxury homes, villas and apartments has evolved to focus on Europe, the Caribbean and the U.S. With some of the most sumptuous accommodations in popular destinations, onefinestay can offer the perfect stay for your high-end clients seeking space and privacy—and it’s all commission...

George Hunter, vice president of leisure sales at Posadas, parent of Fiesta Americana Travelty, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report an update on all that's new in the Fiesta Americana Travelty portfolio, including new resorts, revamped properties and a new travel advisor booking platform. For more information, visit www.fiestamericanatravelty.com/en/travelagents .  All our Insider Tra...

Winile Mntungwa, deputy director of Durban Tourism, talks with Jeanie Fang of Insider Travel Report at Africa’s Travel Indaba about Durban’s role as the longtime host city for the trade event, its warm climate, Indian Ocean beachfront, promenade, city sightseeing, culture, cuisine, nightlife and events. Mntungwa also discusses attractions including uShaka Marine World, new hotel development, inclu...

Anita Pagliasso, president of the Professional Association of Travel Hosts (PATH), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the recently completed PATH Symposium in San Diego, which examined the crucial issues and challenges faced by host travel agencies today. Every year PATH hosts this meeting of host agency owners and travel suppliers to find common ground so they can work bette...

Augusto Kalikemala, secretary of state for Angola tourism, talks with Jeanie Fang of Insider Travel Report at Africa’s Travel Indaba about Angola’s tourism development, Visit Angola's branding, Luanda, beaches, rainforest, desert, waterfalls, safari potential and cultural experiences. Kalikemala also discusses new hotel development, the E1 electric boat race in Luanda, visa-free access for U.S. tr...

Cebulon Chicalu, CEO of the Namibia Tourism Board, talks with Jeannie Fang of Insider Travel Report at Africa’s Travel Indaba about a new regional collaboration linking Cape Town, Namibia and Zimbabwe into one Southern African itinerary. Chicalu also discusses Namibia’s desert wildlife, stargazing, cultural experiences, Victoria Falls, suggested trip length and why travel advisors should consider...

Sarah Little, senior vice president-business development for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ASTA Travel Advisor Conference in San Diego about how ASTA’s growing collection of conferences and events is helping support travel advisors in a variety of ways. From the Travel Advisor Conference to the ASTA River Cruis...

Justin Barnette, head of marketing communications for North America for South African Tourism, talks with Jeanie Fang of Insider Travel Report at Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban about the trade event, South Africa’s visitor growth, the importance of the U.S. and Canadian markets and current travel trends. Barnett also discusses the Kruger National Park centenary, South Africa’s AI travel assistan...

Jessica Klement, vice president of advocacy for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ASTA Travel Advisor Conference in San Diego about how ASTA is actively and effectively lobbying federal and state government on behalf of travel advisors. Find out all the ways that ASTA is working for you to make sure government regu...

Peter Lobasso, vice president and general counsel for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ASTA Travel Advisor Conference in San Diego about ASTA’s Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) program, what it includes, how many have passed it and what it means to be a VTA. Lobasso also discusses other ASTA initiatives such as its e...

Andrea Wolter of I Travel Group talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Traveller Made’s Essence of Panama conference about the growth of Traveller Made's Serandipian community in North America, the group's luxury travel designer focus and how Traveller Made’s training differs from other consortia. Wolter also discusses the Traveller Made application and vetting process, its supplier-supp...

Mercedes Sanchez, head of luxury for the Madrid Tourism Board, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Traveller Made's Essence of Panama conference about Madrid’s growth as a luxury destination, new hotel openings, U.S. air connectivity, high-speed rail access and the city's role as a gateway to Spain. Sanchez also discusses Formula One, sports and music events, gastronomy, fam trips and...

Mark Meader, executive vice president-corporate of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ASTA Travel Advisor Conference in San Diego about ASTA’s priorities over the past year and in the future. Meader also talks about why ASTA’s has also focused on corporate travel and corporate agencies. For more information, visit w...

Julia Gregorian, owner of Jewel World Travel, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Traveller Made's Essence of Panama conference about why her agency joined Traveller Made, the value of its Serandipians community, and how its smaller format helps luxury travel designers build supplier relationships. Gregorian also discusses the supplier-supported model, emotional storytelling, Travelle...

Lee Thomas, chair of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s ASTA Travel Advisor Conference about what ASTA’s successes over the past year. Thomas, founder of NousTravel, also tells us why he got involved with ASTA and what he hopes the group will accomplish in in the next year, his second as ASTA chair. For more informat...

Quentin Desurmont, founder and CEO of Traveller Made, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at Essence of Panama, one of Traveller Made’s three global luxury travel trade shows, about the group’s global growth, invitation-only model, supplier-supported structure and focus on luxury travel designers. Desurmont also discusses the two groups within Traveller Made, Serandipians and Takumians;...

Deryk Meany, general manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, talks with Sherman Dejon of Insider Travel Report at the new Treasure Beach Village about the $150 million expansion, which added 101 multi-bedroom suites, new dining concepts, a new pool complex, plus wellness options, the Starfish Cinema, Grace Bay Beach access and water sports. Meany also tells us how Treasure Beach Village fits into Bea...

Manuela Fahringer, general manager of Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, talks with Olivia Fleming of Insider Travel Report about the resort’s location in Miches, its nature-focused setting on a calm bay, Dominican and Taino cultural elements, plus 500 rooms and oceanfront bungalows. Fahringer also discusses the resort’s dining, spa, kids and teens activities,...

Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, talks with Sherman Dejon of Insider Travel Report at the new Treasure Beach Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos about the resort’s $150 million expansion as the first Beaches 2.0 product and the company’s plan to expand Beaches across the Caribbean. Stewart also discusses the village’s accommodations, prime Grace Bay Beach location...

Dani, creative director for Rock 'n' Coaster with the Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about the completely revised ride and just reopened attraction now featuring the Muppets instead of the famous rock band. We discover how the ride still retains its thrills and the rock music works too—and we know from our own experience at the launch...

Scott Wiseman, CEO of Nocturne Luxury Villas, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his company is growing its villa collection focused on Mexico, the Caribbean and multiple regions in the U.S. He also talks about what Nocturne is doing for travel advisors, including a recent commission bonus on new reservations and an expanded staffing aimed at supporting growth and inno...

Morgan McDowell, senior software project manager for Walt Disney Imagineering, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about the renovated Star Wars Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run attraction which now has new animation and new functionality for the team members who crew the spaceship and more For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and www.disneytravelagents.com .  All ou...

James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report does a little more thrill seeking while parasailing in the mountains overlooking Rio de Janeiro during luxury host agency Embark Beyond’s Embark Immersion meeting in Brazil. This one is a little different for us as we experience the fear—and ultimate Joy—of flight. But it illustrates the experience-driven agenda that is a big part of Embark’s meeting phil...

Kimberly, producer for Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, talks with James Shillinglaw about this upgraded attraction with brand new imagineering and story line. Reintroduced in advance of Disney’s One Cool Kids’ Summer, it’s an attraction that will engage young and old alike—but we still can’t get a good score when shooting that ray gun. For more information, v...