The Insider Travel Report Podcast

David Neeleman, CEO and founder of Breeze Airways, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about how his domestic point-to-point airline is now profitable after three years and despite the pandemic. Neeleman, who founded three successful airlines and revived a third during his career, also offers his thoughts on the future of the airline business as it consolidates and divides into...

Robert Welsh, owner Small Car Big City in London, talks with James Shillinglaw about his classic Mini Cooper tours of London. On a VisitBritain tour operator fam, Welsh showcased the multiple tour programs focused on film locations throughout the city. In our case, we toured Paddington to visit locations for the “Paddington” movies, drawing attention to ourselves with our Mini Cooper vehicles. For...

Master chef Rudi Sodamin and renowned artist Romero Britto talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about their signature restaurant aboard Sun Princess (and soon Star Princess). Sodamin and Romero combined to create a dining experience that would meet the demands of couples in love everywhere. And last week they launched a three-day pop-up Love By Britto in New York’s Chelsea Pier to...

Vicky Miller, the new CEO of VisitScotland, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the latest visitor numbers and the tourism campaigns the country has in the U.S. She details the many attractions Scotland has, highlighting the connections to film and TV series that help promote the country, and how Scotland has focused on sustainable tourism. For more information, visit www.v...

David Toso, a guide and investor in Top Tasting Tours in London, takes James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report on a walking tour of London featuring the famed hotel where the Rolling Stones stayed before their concerts, a stroll past the Royal Albert Hall and through Kensington, and afternoon tea at the Orangery in the park. For more information, visit www.toptastingtours.com. All our Insider T...

Walaa Badour, cruise director, Egyptologist and tour director on AmaLilia, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about AmaWaterways' Nile River itineraries. Badour describes the full 12-day itinerary, including stops in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, featuring guided tours of historic sites, museum visits, cultural experiences and Nile River cruising. Badour also explains AmaWaterways...

John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Network (TLN), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at TLN’s annual media briefing about his network’s record sales in 2024 and why this is still the Golden Age for travel advisors. Lovell details what’s been selling on land and at sea for TLN’s agencies and why the future looks bright for their business, with help from TLN’s Agent Profiler...

Tom Marchant, co-founder of London-based Black Tomato, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his luxury travel company offering bespoke experiences around the world. To celebrate 20 years in business, Black Tomato just launched a new product line, The Pursuit of Feeling, based on five emotional pillars and featuring 100 curated experiences. It’s featuring a new podcast and Th...

Walaa Badour, cruise director, Egyptologist and tour director on AmaLilia, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about AmaWaterways' Nile River ships, AmaDahlia and AmaLilia. Badnour describes the accommodations, dining, entertainment and amenities on board, including a gym, spa and specialty restaurant. Badour also highlights the accessibility on the ships, themed parties, cultural perfor...

Patricia Yates, CEO of Visit Britain, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at a unique location, Hampton Court Palace, one that certainly has served as a location for many a movie. Indeed, Yates reveals details of her country’s new Starring Britain campaign using familiar movies to promote the destination. For more information, visit www.visitbritain.com. All our Insider Travel Re...

James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with the owners of Dear Strangers, a new mixology bar and restaurant on West 4th Street in Manhattan. Three experienced bartenders—Ivan Papic, Ivan Radulovic and Bratislav Glisic, all originally from Serbia—now co-own this lounge, which also offers some great savory and sweet food to go with innovative drinks. It’s a great place to recommend to your...

In this insightful interview, Willie Fernandez, chief marketing officer of Rental Escapes, sits down with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report to discuss the world of luxury villa rentals. Fernandez shares his expertise on the growing demand for high-end, private villas, offering travelers an unmatched combination of space, privacy and personalized service. He also dives into the unique bene...

Heather Bowen, owner of Polka Dots and Wishes Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report on Valiant Lady about how she’s found success selling Virgin Voyages. Bowen, a top 10 selling travel advisor for the cruise line, focuses on the adults-only brand’s top dining, entertainment and Virgin vibe to convince travelers that Virgin is the only way to go. For more information, visit...

Manuela Fahringer, general manager of the Zemi Miches All-Inclusive, Curio Collection in the Dominican Republic, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her new resort in an increasingly popular region of this Caribbean paradise. Fahringer details the accommodations, the dining and the activities available at this luxury property, which is designed for families, couples and sol...

Joshua Harrell, chief revenue officer of WorldVia, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his new book, “Travel Marketeering: A Complete Guide to Starting (or Refreshing) Your Travel Agency,: Harrell talks about his business background and why he was inspired to write the book, which is aimed at helping entrepreneurial agency owners or those new to the business. “Travel Market...

Robert Huss, owner of Getaway Guys, part of KBI Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report on Valiant Lady about why he decided to focus on selling Virgin Voyages. Huss, one of the top 10 travel advisors selling Virgin Voyages, explains how he’s found success selling this exclusively all-adult brand, from the dining to the entertainment to the Virgin vibe. For more information,...

Bridget Flowers, owner of Travel Dreams, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report during Virgin Voyages special sailing aboard Valiant Lady for its top 100 selling travel advisors. Flowers, who is one of the top most successful advisors selling the adults-only cruise, tells us why she focuses on and how she’s profited in selling Virgin Voyages. For more information, visit www.firstmat...

Francesco Contini, executive vice president-sales and marketing for Antarctica21, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his Chilean-based cruise line, which pioneeredair-cruise expeditions in Antarctica. The three-ship luxury line prides itself on knowing the unique geography, natural history, wildlife and ecology of the White Continent. For more information, visit www.antarc...

Kenton Jones, general manager of Tryall Golf & Beach Club in Jamaica, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his famed all-villa property featuring one of the top golf courses on the island. Jones details the history, the accommodations, the dining and much more in this comprehensive interview exploring one of Jamaica’s top resorts. For more information, visit https://trya...

Olivier Chavy, CEO of The Lux Collective, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his eclectic collection of luxury resorts in Mauritius, Maldives and China, with upcoming properties in Vietnam and the UAE. The veteran hotelier, who is headquarter in Mauritius, talks about his plans to grow, expand and open additional Lux Resorts & Hotels, SALT Resorts, Tamassa Resorts and...

Riccardo Bortoloti, general manager of Grand Hotel Bristol, part of R Collection Hotels, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ILTM Cannes luxury show last December about his family-owned hotel group in Italy. Bortoloti describes his own hotel in Rapallo, but also showcases other R Collection properties on Lake Como, the Italian alps near Mont Blanc, and other upscale destin...

Morris Chia, founder and CEO of Trevello Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his Canadian host travel agency is expanding into the U.S. with its purchase of Gifted Travel Network (GTN). He also tells us what role Andy Stuart, former CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, will play as co-chairman and co-founder of Trevello as it seeks to grow the agency here. For mo...

George Cohen, managing director of the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the ILTM Cannes luxury travel show last December. Cohen describes his quintessential luxury hotel located in Johannesburg, with great rooms and suites, fine dining and a true South African experience. For more information, visit www.saxon.co.za All our Insider Travel Report...

Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, president and CEO of Collette, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her tour company has evolved since she became CEO two years ago. Leibl-Cote details what destinations Collette goes to today and what tour products it offers in the premium market, including two countries she just got back from, Kenya and Tanzania. She also talks about how Collette sup...

Marilyn Conroy, executive vice president-sales and marketing, for Riviera Travel talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her company’s recent name change (from Riviera River Cruises) She also provides details on improvements in Riviera’s fleet, new longer itineraries, and new ways Riviera is working to support travel advisors. For more information, visit www.rivierarivercruises...