The Insider Travel Report Podcast

How top destinations cater to the family market with suggested tours, itineraries, hotels, activities and more. We examine in depth what these countries have offer for family travel and how travel advisors can sell them. Moderated by Alan Fine, chief multimedia officer of Insider Travel Report, this panel features Tarja Koivisto, country manager USA for Visit Finland; Samer Abu Taleb, manager, mar...

Simon Blacoe, vice president of hotel operations for Azamara Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Azamara’s differentiators and guest experiences. He highlights the line’s destination immersion, including curated events such as AzAmazing Evenings and White Nights, as well as the focus on authentic, local food and wine. Blanco also explains how the ships are meticulously mai...

Jamie Margolis, owner of Moms at Sea and winner of Dream Vacations' Bobby Haupt Franchise of the Year Award, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how she transitioned from a pediatric respiratory therapist to a travel advisor by leveraging her Facebook group, which grew from 100 to more 110,000 members. Margolis emphasizes the importance of authenticity, engagement, and providing va...

Michelle Lardizabal, chief sales officer of Azamara Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Azamara's commitment to destination immersion, small-ship advantages and its comprehensive inclusivity. She highlights the brand's unique offerings such as curated country intensive itineraries, extended stays in ports, and partnerships with PerryGolf and Micato Safaris. Lardizabal also...

Brent Hill of Tourism Fiji talks with Michaela Guzy of Insider Travel Report about the launch of nonstop flights on Fiji Airways between Fiji and Dallas, offering three weekly flights that connect Fiji with American Airlines’ extensive U.S. network. Hill highlights Fiji’s unique culture, Fiji Airways' award-winning airline service, and new resort developments, including a Crowne Plaza and a Westin...

Katina Athanasiou, senior vice president of sales and services for the Americas at Celebrity Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the cruise line's new deployments and special offers. Highlights include a 110-night Grand Voyage on the Celebrity Solstice and a special wave season promotion. For more information, visit www. TheCelebrityCommittment.com and www. Celebrity.com ....

Dondra Ritzenthaler, the relatively new CEO of Azamara Cruises, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her return to the cruise industry and her plans to be the leader in small ship immersion. She highlights the brand’s focus on small ships, destination immersion and strong relationships with travel advisors, supported by initiatives like Azamara Connect and the Azamara World Academy....

How top destinations cater to the family market with suggested tours, itineraries, hotels, activities and more. We examine in depth what these countries have to offer for family travel and how travel advisors can sell them here on Virtual Roadshows-Selling Family Vacations. Moderated by Alan Fine, chief multimedia officer of Insider Travel Report, this panel features Melanie Schinkel, Aussie speci...

Anton Simunovic, general manager of Trim Castle Hotel, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the hotel's connection to the Puca Festival and its ideal location for exploring Ireland's Halloween heritage. The hotel offers special programs and events for festival visitors and is within easy reach of key attractions like the Hill of Ward, the ancient Celtic site where Halloween originat...

How top all-inclusive resorts cater to the family market today with even more features such as mini-theme parks, water parks, family rooms, kids clubs, baby care and much more. We detail the state of the art in family all-inclusive resorts here at the Virtual Roadshows-Selling Family Vacations. Moderated by Alan Fine, chief multimedia officer of Insider Travel Report, this panel features Sergio Ro...

Martin Nolan, co-director of the Puca Festival in Trim and Athboy, two adjoining towns in northern Ireland, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Ireland's most authentic Halloween celebration. Nolan discusses the festival's origins, its connection to the local community, and its focus on sustainability. The Puka Festival features a parade, music performances, and a reenactment of th...

With a slew of new family friendly ships making their debuts in the last two years, the cruise industry is poised to deliver even more incredible vacations for families, including new family friendly rooms and suites, new entertainment, elaborate kids clubs, great activities, onboard theme parks and water parks, and much more. It all adds up to providing the perfect family vacation. Moderated by J...

It’s not a category of travel one usually associates with family travel, but river cruises can provide the perfect family vacation, especially for families with slightly older kids (12 years plus). Families can tour Europe without having to pack and unpack, explore city centers and find family friendly attractions and historic sites throughout. We talk with river cruise lines that offer great fami...

Susan Brennan, head guide at Trim Castle in Trim, Ireland, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the history of Trim Castle, including its role as a symbol of Norman power in Ireland and its connections to Halloween. She describes the visitor experience, highlighting guided tours, historical features like the dungeons and a great hall, and the castle's pivotal role in the Norman Conq...

What can stimulate more togetherness than experiencing a tour program to a top destination and experiencing historic sites, great scenery and great destinations as a family. These top tour operators specifically cater to the family market with special programs and activities. Moderated by James Shillinglaw, editor in chief of Insider Travel Report, this panel features Jennifer Doran, director of s...

Michael Cooper, strategic director of the new Peacemakers Museum in Derry, Northern Ireland, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Ireland’s transition from conflict to peace. The museum provides insights the Free Derry period, Bloody Sunday and the Good Friday Agreement, while showcasing artifacts and installations that illustrate life during the Troubles. Cooper explains how intern...

Sashan Wirasinghe, vice president of sales and marketing for Cuurate DMC, a destination management company in Sri Lanka, talks with Angela Hughes of Insider Travel Report about the country's tourism and its potential for American travelers. Sri Lanka is a growing destination for honeymooners and families, offering a range of experiences from cultural heritage sites to wildlife safaris and beach st...

Mikko Turtiainen, director of sales-the Americas for Condor, the German leisure airline, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the carrier’s expansion of service from the U.S. to Germany, new A330neos with a great business and premium class, being used on trans-Atlantic routes, and great connections all over Europe from the airline’s Frankfurt base. For more information, visi...

Dondra Ritzenthaler, the new president and CEO of Azamara Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the Signature Travel Network owners’ meeting about her first few months on the job. Most important, Ritzenthaler reveals details of Azamara’s revamped Azamara World Academy training coursse along with enhanced earning opportunities. For more information, visit https://connect...

Adam, a welcome service assistant with the National Trust of Ireland, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The 300-year-old bridge was constructed by salmon fishermen to reach a spot where salmon nets could be dropped more effectively than more convenient spots. The National Trust has owned the site since 1960 and it is now a popular tourist destinati...

Yvonne Muldoon, director of sales for Europe and North America at Aer Lingus, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the airline's new routes, including its recently launched Las Vegas-Dublin service. Muldoon discusses the airline's extensive European connectivity, the benefits of U.S. pre-clearance facilities in Dublin, and its plans to expand routes to destinations like Indianapolis...

Nevelle McConaughey, visitor operations manager and a descendant of one of the original gatekeeping families of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the site's history, including its designation as one of two natural World Heritage sites in the U.K. McConaghy highlights the wonder of the rock formations, the legend of Finn McCool, the giant...

Jamie Margolis, owner of Moms at Sea and winner of the Bobby Haupt (HOP) Franchise of the Year Award, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about transforming her family travel Facebook community into a thriving business. Margolis shares her journey from starting a Facebook group in 2017 to becoming a Dream Vacations franchise owner. By growing her Facebook group from 100 to 110,000 member...

Simonie Giorgi, general manager of the Park Hyatt Milano, talks with Michaela Guzy of Insider Travel Report about the hotel's success, its location near Milan's Duomo and its unique features, including renovated suites, standout dining, and a boutique spa. Giorgi highlights his focus on personalized guest experiences, sustainability efforts, and the importance of embracing competition and continuo...

Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the recent Elevate conference aboard Celebrity Ascent, which brought together more than 900 attendees, including 600 travel advisors and 60 preferred partners, to network, share knowledge and discuss new trends in the travel industry. Key topics included the in...