Luxury Travel Innovators

Tamara Lohan , Founder & Chair of Mr & Mrs Smith and Global Brand Leader for Luxury for Hyatt, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to explore how the industry can evolve while keeping the personal touch at its heart. Key topics include: How founding Mr & Mrs Smith to joining Hyatt post acquisition shaped her entrepreneurial journey and overall perspective o...

David Saada , Founder of FDS INC, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share his consistent philosophy that relationships matter, details matter, and that there is always another adventure ahead. Key topics include: How Miami evolved from a highly seasonal nightlife destination into a year-round luxury hub The rise of MILA, membership clubs, and a new era of sophisti...

Carolyn Turnbull , CEO of Nammos Hotels & Resorts, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share how Nammos is expanding its signature approach to food, hospitality, and celebration into a growing portfolio of ultra-luxury resorts, residences, restaurants, and spas around the world. Key topics include: How Nammos is evolving from its Mykonos roots into a global ultr...

Janet Bava , Chief Commercial Officer at Windstar Cruises, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share how Windstar Cruises is redefining what it means to explore the world by sea, bringing guests closer to destination through smaller ships, longer stays, and a more intimate way of traveling. Key topics include: How Windstar’s intimate yacht-style ships offer access t...

Jessica Hoppe , President and CEO of The World Residences at Sea, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to explore what is means when your home can travel with you, sharing how the privately owned residential yacht is redefining luxury through immersive destinations, personalized experiences, and a deeply connected community. Key topics include: How The World’s 165 resid...

Imran Changezi , Executive Director Hospitality Development & Head of Centre of Excellence for Diriyah Company, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share why the future of hospitality is strongest when it is rooted in the culture, history, and people of a place. Key topics include: How Diriyah is creating a world-class destination rooted in Saudi Arabia’s herita...

Simon Sorpresi, President of Members Clubs and Hotels for WoodHouse US, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share what reimagined private membership clubs look like—and why creating community is the key to his success.  Key topics include: Why private membership clubs are redefining luxury hospitality by creating communities built on connection, culture, and curated...

Myk Likhov , Founder & CEO of Wellist, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss why wellness is no longer an amenity, but rather becoming an expectation.  Key topics include: The boom of Miami over the last five years and what makes it such a unique place. Why the future of luxury hospitality isn’t just about spas, but about well-being woven into every guest...

Daniel Hostettler , President & CEO of The Boca Raton, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share a compelling reminder that while innovation, design and technology all play important roles in luxury hospitality, the most memorable experiences will always be built around people Key topics include: How The Boca Raton transformed a historic 1,000-room resort into f...

Leonia Qi , President of VistaJet US, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share the changes in private aviation, long associated with personalized luxury lifestyle, and how the future of the industry has less to do with aircraft and more to do with the experience in the sky and on the ground.  Key topics include: Why VistaJet views itself as a hospitality company fi...

May Lilley , Executive in Residence of Global Commercial for KSL Capital Partners, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share why meaningful experiences and human connection continue to define the future of luxury hospitality. Key topics include: May Lilley’s unconventional path from ski instructor to Executive in Residence at KSL Capital Partners, and the career dec...

Pradeep Raman , Regional Vice President and Managing Director of The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to explore the evolution of modern luxury hospitality through storytelling, personalization, and a deep sense of place in New York’s Upper East Side. Key topics include: Why true luxury hospitality is rooted in personalization, empathy, an...

Paul Brady , News Director at Travel + Leisure, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how the next era of luxury travel is all about helping travelers feel more connected (and less overwhelmed), along every step of the journey. Key topics include: Why luxury cruise and slow travel experiences continue to surge in popularity, especially with younger travelers....

Belinda Hindmarsh , Deputy CEO of Ponant Explorations Group, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how Ponant is redefining luxury travel by shifting focus from the ship itself to the experiences of true exploration, offering access to the world’s most remote destinations without sacrificing comfort or depth of connection. Key topics include: How Ponant is shi...

Caleb Silver , Chief Business Editor for People, Inc and Editor in Chief of Investopedia, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss the hidden economy behind how we travel.  Key topics include: Why luxury travelers aren’t spending less, but instead demanding more value. How the loyalty and rewards economy is redefining how travel is funded - and growing more and m...

David Zipkin , Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Tradewind Aviation, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how Tradewind strives to match the quality of the journey to the quality of the destination, with hospitality and customer experience top of mind.  Key topics include: How Tradewind has found its edge by focusing on short-haul regional routes. Wh...

Joseph Diaz , Co-founder of AFAR, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to reflect on the unlikely origin story behind one of travel media’s most influential brands—and the philosophy that still drives it nearly two decades later.. Key topics include: How two spontaneous trips across South America and India inspired the launch of AFAR. Why human connection matters more t...

Julie Coker , President and CEO of New York City Tourism and Conventions, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss leadership, luxury, and the evolving definition of value in one of the world’s most dynamic destinations. Key topics include: How NYC Tourism is expanding the definition of high-end travel across all five boroughs, blending culture, cuisine, and comm...

Nikheel Advani , Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer and Principal at Grace Bay Resorts, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share his journey from dishwashing in Singapore to the white sand beaches of Turks and Caicos and how growing people ultimately grows a brand. Key topics include: How mentorship, culture and global experience shaped a people-first luxury philo...

Conor O’Leary , Group Managing Director for Gleneagles & Estelle Manor, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how a hotel with a century of history is leading the way in digital innovation with a human-first service mentality. Key topics include: Why Gleneagles is affectionately known as the “Glorious Playground” and has attracted travelers time and again...

Host Adam Deflorian is joined by Erin Florio , Global Features Director at Condé Nast Traveler, for the latest episode of Luxury Travel Innovators. Key topics include: How travelers are seeking deeper and more immersive experiences in their destinations. The changing media landscape, and its influence on the way audiences discover new destinations. Emerging trends like off-season exploration and s...

To open Season Two of Luxury Travel Innovators, host Adam Deflorian traveled to the Sirius XM Studio at Wynn Las Vegas for a conversation with Brian Gullbrants , COO - North America. Key topics include: Wynn’s investment in its employees and how discretionary care is embedded in the company culture. How their mutually beneficial partnership with Formula 1 has helped to change the fabric of Las Veg...

Adam Deflorian looks back on the incredible inaugural year of Luxury Travel Innovators with a special “Best Of” episode, featuring some of his favorite moments from Season One.  Key themes throughout Season One include: How experiential travel is a top trend across the hospitality industry. The importance of human connection as AI innovation initiatives take center stage.  Why inspiring guests to...

Adam Deflorian is joined by Gregory Day , President of Hospitality at Mani Brothers and Managing Director of Malibu Beach Inn to unpack the shifting expectations of modern travelers and the creative innovations redefining luxury hospitality. Key topics include: The evolution of Malibu Beach Inn and the resilience of the Malibu community. Shifts in guest demographics and rising expectations for per...

Adam Deflorian is joined by Jennifer Halboth , CEO of Riverside Collection, Americas on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how setting up an environment of authenticity creates a personalized experience for both travelers and travel advisors involved in the brand.  Key topics include: Why river cruising is a flexible and relaxing travel experience for those looking for adventure w...