The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Chris Austin, president-North America for Explora Journeys, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report to get an update on his luxury and lifestyle company as it gets ready to debut its second ship, Explora II, in Rome next week. Austin gives a preview of the vessel and an update on programs to help you better sell the luxury vessel. For more information, visit www.explorajourneys.com ....

Carissa McDevitt, national sales manager for the Ranch at Laguna Beach, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about this 87-acre luxury California property just minutes from the Pacific Ocean. It offers f97 cottages, farm-to-table cuisine at Harvest Restaurant, nine golf fairways, a boutique spa and more. For more information, visit...

Alex Sharpe, president and CEO of Signature Travel Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Signature Owners’ Meeting in Montreal about the state of the travel agency cooperative, how the group’s sales surged yet again, and what the future holds for Signature. For Signature, it’s the very best of times for member travel agencies—and the group continues to provi...

Gilberto Salcedo, vice president of tourism for ProColombia, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about his country’s multiple travel offerings, from historic cities like Cartagena to incredible natural attractions to luxurious experience—and soon a brand new river cruise. For more information, visit https://colombia.travel/en . If...

Gary Sadler, chief sales officer for Unique Vacations, representative of Sandals and Beaches, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s ASTA Caribbean Showcase about why Sandals has sponsored and hosted the annual event for the past three years. Sadler says Sandals will sponsor ASTA Caribbean Showcase for at least 10 years as it seeks to help travel advisors to better s...

Zane Kerby, president and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with James Shillinglaw of insider Travel Report about last month’s ASTA Caribbean Showcase at the Sandals Royal Curacao in Curacao. The third Caribbean showcase staged by ASTA in partnership with Sandals, this event, like its predecessors, proved to be another success. For more information, visit www.asta.org an...

Robert Marucci, commercial director for Hotel Del Coronado, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about his famed hotel located just across the bay from San Diego and known as a haven for celebrities and vacationers alike. The Hotel Del has been recently refurbished and there are other projects in the works to keep this historic pro...

Michael Unsworth, owner LD Restaurant and hotel on Korcula, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his Michelin-star food and high-end boutique located in the old town on this spectacular Croatian island. Unsworth, a former British banker who now calls Korcula home, tells us just why the island is so special to him and for visitors and residents alike. For more information, vi...

Rodrigo Esponda, director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, about his destination’s continuing focus on creating a haven for luxury travelers. Esponda details the newest luxury hotel developments, new air service and new luxury experiences for high-end travelers. For more information, visit www.v...

Conor O'Leary, managing director of historic Gleneagles, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report an update on what’s new and what stays traditionally the same at this famed Scottish golf resort. Interviewed at Virtuoso Travel Week last month in Las Vegas, O’Leary highlights the sumptuous spa and health club, Michelin-star dining and activities such as Land Rover driving and falconry, whic...

Bojana Lozica, our guide for Korcula, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this medieval town located on the island of Korcula in Croatia. Lozica, who is a Korcula native, details the history and architecture of this historic town as well as what’s do and see in the rest of Korcula and its surrounding islands. To get in touch with her, send a What’s App message to  +38598705...

Virginia Irurita, founder and executive partner of Made for Spain and Portugal, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about how she is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her Spain and Portugal specialist this September. As a destination management company, Made for Spain and Portugal offers curated luxury trips including top hotels, guides, att...

Barbara Muckermann, the new CEO of Kempinski Hotels, talks with James Shillinglaw of last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, about her new role as head of one of the luxurious hotel collections in the world. Muckermann, who most recently served as CEO of Silversea Cruises, has big plans for Kempinksi, which she wants to turn into a widely recognized brand here in the U.S. and throughout th...

Samy Ghachem, the new general manager of the upcoming La Dolce Vita-Orient Express, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about his brand new Italian luxury train, which is set to debut next spring. Ghachem, who previously served as managing director for Le Sereno in St. Barths and Il Sereno on Lake Como,  reveals new details of this sumptuous l...

Sofia Vandaele, general manager pf the InterContinental New York Barclay, talks with James Shillinglaw about her historic hotel, one of the original properties built near New York’s Grand Central Station to lodge the rich and famous. Today the property features large, completely renovated rooms and suites, and offers one of the best locations in New York. For more information, visit www.icbarclay....

Janet Bava, chief commercial officer for Windstar Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week conference in Las Vegas about the latest news from the premium small ship specialist. We’ve covered Windstar a lot this year, but Bava details the newest itineraries, talks about the addition of two new ships, and highlights all the great programs fo...

Ryan Terrier, CEO of Island Routes, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his destination management company is marking 15 years of selling commissionable day trips and excursions in more than 20 islands in the Caribbean. Began by Adam Stewart, now executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, the luxury all-inclusive resort company, Island Routes now sells pre- an...

Tshering Tobgay, prime minister of Bhutan, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Bhutan's geographical features, highlighting its status as a carbon-negative nation with 72 percent forest cover and laws that prohibit climbing its mountains above 19,000 feet to protect their sacredness. Tobgay also discusses the country's tourism strategy, which focuses on "high value, low volume," wi...

Shweta Jain, the new chief marketing and sales officer for The Lela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas. Jain showcases The Leela’s 12 award=winning properties, each with its own unique location, art, culture and cuisine accompanied by Indian hospitality, celebratory rituals and immersive experiences....

Camille Olivere, chief sales officer at Globus family of brands, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the appetite for small group travel, what inspired this immersive product line, what it means for travel advisors, and what their clients can expect traveling on a Small Group Discovery tour. For more information, visit www.agents.globusfamily.com/ways-to-travel/small-groups...

Camille Olivere, chief sales officer at Globus family of brands, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the appetite for small group travel, what inspired this immersive product line, what it means for travel advisors, and what their clients can expect traveling on a Small Group Discovery tour. For more information, visit www.agents.globusfamily.com/ways-to-travel/small-groups...

Lori Nelson-Kraft, senior vice president of corporate affairs for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, talks with James Shillinglaw of insider Travel Report about how your clients can see this year’s race and experience all that goes with it. Scheduled the weekend of Nov. 21-23, this year’s Grand Prix promises to be as big event as last year’s race. Nelson-Kraft details the different packages and v...

Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about how it’s now even easier for you to work with her luxury wholesaler. Krueger details the new Beyond by Classic booking platform, new hotels and destinations in Classic’s inventory, plus other programs that can boost your luxury travel business. For more inform...

Christos Gkekas, founder and director of Blue Villas, talks with Angela Hughes of Insider Travel Report about  the origins, growth, and unique offerings of his luxury villa management company in Greece. Starting with just 15 villas in 2011, Blue Villas'  portfolio has expanded to more than 600 properties across 20 destinations. Gecas emphasizes the "three blues" concept—villas featuring views of t...

Barbara Biffi, the new senior vice president-global sales for Silversea, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about her new role, the luxury and expedition cruise products she’s now responsible to sell through travel advisors in the U.S. and around the world, and what lies ahead for Silversea. The best part of it all is that Biffi is veteran Si...