The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Andres Martinez Reynoso, CEO of Mexican Caribbean, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about the growth of travel and tourism in his region of Mexico. With new resorts, beaches, new infrastructure, top restaurants and more, Mexican Caribbean is coming into its own as a unique destination spanning 12 distinct tourist regions across...

Catherine Lee, general manager of 1 Hotel Central Park, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the hotel’s location near Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Broadway and other Manhattan attractions, as well as its nature-focused design, sustainability programs and 234 guestrooms and suites. Lee also discusses the Park Penthouse, the One Less Thing clothing donation program and the types of tr...

Chris Austin, president-North America for Explora Journeys, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about the impact of Explora III, the luxury company’s third of six planned ships. Austin details what’s different about Explora III, including is slightly larger size, new suites, a new seventh restaurant, a new wine bar, and a change i...

Willie Fernandez, chief sales and marketing officer for Rental Escapes, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about a new white label website solution for travel advisors to help them sell Rental Escapes villas and other accommodations. The new website features the advisor’s own log, phone and email as contact points where clients c...

Barbara Muckermann, group CEO for Kempinski Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about E.R.A. (Experience Real Access) which turns a Kempinski hotel into a gateway to a destination with special tours and experiences that only insiders can provide. E.R.A. was introduced at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich this mon...

Sean McBurney chief commercial officer and regional president for Caesars Entertainment, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how Caesars Palace is ushering in a new era of luxury on the Vegas Strip with two all-new Presidential Villas in the Colosseum Tower and 29 Sky Villas in the Octavius Tower. McBurney also gives us an update on all the other new luxury accommodations b...

Paul Theroux, author of more than 60 fiction and non-fiction books on travel and destinations around the world, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his newest work, “True North: On the Road in Canada,” a particularly timely book given all the news about that country these days. Theroux tells us how and why he wrote the book, and what his process is in writing all his travel...

Gilad Berenstein, a travel tech investor and founder of Brook Bay Capital, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the Virtuoso Tech Summit, which he oversees and programs as a member of Virtuoso’s board of directors. Berenstein reveals what was different about this year’s Tech Summit, which was part of Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, what issues emerged from the sessions, w...

Ever wonder how all those bath amenities get into your clients’ hotel and resort rooms. Emilie Hoyt, founder of LATHER, a maker of face, body, hair and wellness products, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how and why she developed a unique line of “clean beauty” products that are now in hotels and resorts around the world. These are just the kind of products you might wan...

Borris Messmer, general manager of The Florentin, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his new hotel in Frankfurt, Germany. Part of the Althoff Collection. The Florentin features a Michelin-star restaurant, a large spa, an inner courtyard and a separate villa, the former Villa Kennedy, that caters to groups and high-end guests. Located in the heart of Frankfurt, The Florenti...

Matthew Shollar, founder and chief visionary officer of Transcend Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the concept for the new river cruise line developed eight years ago and all the steps along the way to the launch if its first ship. Shollar, who spoke with us after the christening of the new MS Connect, details how he and many others contributed to the creation o...

Jessica Hall Upchurch, vice chair and global stewardships strategist for Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Virtuoso Travel Week about Virtuoso’s renewed strategy to protect global travel and tourism resources. Upchurch reveals the luxury travel network’s new strategy to become a global steward of responsible tourism policies. For more information, visit...

Kimberly Daley, chief operation and chief revenue officer for Transcend Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her new Transcend MS Connect, a river ship sailing the rivers of Europe designed for group travel, from corporate meetings to weddings and beyond. Daley gives us a tour of the ship’s 60 staterooms (carrying 120 guests), which can be reconfigured into 30 large...

Tristan Dowell, chief commercial officer for Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his first three months on the job, what he is already understanding about the luxury network that he might not have known before, and his experience at Virtuoso Travel Week as part of the group. A veteran hotel executive formerly with Hyatt, Dowell, who is based in the U.K., is now on...

Matthew Upchurch, chairman and CEO of Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about news that came out of the event (including a new Virtuoso intelligence capability), where Virtuoso is as a luxury travel network today, and the state of luxury travel business. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com . All our Insider Tra...

Hans Rood, chief development officer of Transcend Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this brand-new river cruise ship targeting a redefined group travel market. With a unique design, Transcend Connect boasts facilities that cater to the needs of corporate groups and even destination weddings. And there are more ships on the way as Transcend opens a whole new marke...

Arne Heuwekemeijer, general manager of Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his classic and completely refurbished luxury property in the heart of Amsterdam. With both modern décor in the rooms and suites and classic furnishings of the public rooms, the hotel offers a mix of modern and historic, including some great restaurants, a wonderful...

We’ve all seen the photos and maybe some videos, but I finally got the chance to take ballon ride at dawn over the rocky landscapes of Cappadocia. With nearly 100 balloons in the sky, each carrying 30 people, this is truly a must-do experience. Watch, enjoy and be inspired to book yourself and your clients to Turkiye. This is the fourth video in four-part series on Turkiye. For more information, v...

My tour of Istanbul with Ali Faik Anayurt, a Turkiye tour guide, where we visited some of Istanbul’s main historic and cultural attractions, including Galata Tower, Galataport (the cruise port complex) , the famed Haiga Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the city’s fascinating neighborhoods, exotic markets and local restaurants. This is the first in a four-part series on Turkiye. For more information o...

Josh Hargrove, general manager of Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the differences between the two historic Waikiki properties and how travel advisors can match clients with the right resort. Hargrove also discusses Moana Surfrider’s 125-year history and $90 million renovation, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani...

Jeremy Gow, senior director of hospitality operations at World Equestrian Center Ocala in Florida, talks with Sara Perez Webber of Insider Travel Report about the destination’s evolution from an equestrian venue into a luxury resort with multiple hotels, restaurants, shopping, meetings and events. Gow also discusses the new Equestrian Manor, culinary experiences, weddings, group business, and how...

Jason Schreier, CEO of Aegis Travel Insurance, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the company’s customizable plans, including coverage not only when a traveler gets sick, but also when a performer such as Taylor Swift becomes ill and the ticketed event is canceled. Schreier also discusses adjustable benefits, instant payments during covered emergencies and travel advisor commissio...

Jacki Marks, global head of trade sales & engagement at ALG Vacations, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the evolution of the Kindness Movement, the impact of the 2026 Kindness Events, and how investing in travel advisors and communities is strengthening the travel industry. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com/kindness .  All our Insider Travel Report video inter...

John Beck, regional director-IHG Hotels & Resorts, talks with Amy Tate of Insider Travel Report about the EVEN Hotel New York-Times Square South, a modern boutique “wellness” hotel in midtown New York on the West Side. Part of the IHG’s growing EVEN brand, this hotel features stylish rooms with great amenities and features, plus “fun” public areas like a garden wall, game room and fitness cent...

Bas Bosschieter, CEO of Captain’s Choice, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his bespoke luxury tour operator and what unique experiences it creates for guests in places around the world. Whether it’s by private jet, small luxury ship or a unique rail journey, this Australian company, based in Melbourn, pushes boundaries for high-end clients with innovation and fresh think...