Seth Borko, head of research at Skift, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about key travel industry trends, including how domestic travel has surged post-pandemic but international travel is now surpassing it. Luxury and family travel continue to grow, with increasing demand for solo travel. Despite predictions of its decline, the travel…

Rikaz Jaffree, operations manager at Anasa Wellness Resort in Ella, Sri Lanka, sits down with Jennifer Lutz of Insider Travel Report to share what makes Anasa a top-tier luxury retreat, including a luxe gym with personal trainers, a yoga studio, an organic farm and a full range of wellness treatments — all set in acres of untouched nature. For more…

Carlo Micallef, CEO of Malta Tourism Authority, and Noel Zammit, CEO of Heritage Malta, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Malta's efforts to attract more tourism, particularly from North America. Malta plans to strengthen U.S. ties, improve travel connections and secure more direct flights. It even will focus on culinary connection…

Issam Kazim, CEO of Visit Dubai, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his destination’s unique combination of luxury, adventure and culture. Easily accessible from the U.S., and visa-free for Americans, Dubai keeps expanding direct flight connections. Kazim highlights the city’s world-class hotels and 106 Michelin-listed restaurants.…

Lee Rosen, founder and president of Tres Technologies, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the evolution of his company, which developed the TRAMS back office and ClientBase CRM products. Rosen sold it to Sabre in 2006, but then bought it back in 2021. The company continues to provide vital back office and CRM systems to tra…

Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, speaks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Fiji’s record-breaking tourism numbers in 2023, emphasizing the goal of reaching one million visitors this year with the support of new direct flights from Fiji Airways, including a Dallas route. Hill also highlights Fiji’s appeal to adventure travelers, its susta…

Simon Mayle, event director for ILTM North America, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about last week’s annual conference, which for the second time in two years was held in the Bahamas at the Baha Mar resort. Mayle tells us who attended on the travel advisors and travel supplier front and how they interacted. Even more importan…

Peter Vlitas, executive vice president of partner relations for Internova, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about airline industry trends, including challenges with NDC (New Distribution Capability), airline pricing, and AI in travel services. Vlitas highlights the importance of travel advisors in adapting to NDC, how airlines like Del…

Dennis Grunden, vice president of luxury hotel programs at Internova, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Internova's hotel products. These include the Internova Select collection of four- and five-star luxury properties, the Internova Curated collection of small luxury lifestyle and design-focused properties, and the Internova Worl…

Dave Volman, senior vice president-technology for ADX and TripArc, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at Ensemble Horizons in Las Vegas earlier this month, about how the revolutionary ADX platform services as tech underpinning for Ensemble advisors. Using ADX, they can book air, hotel, insurance and more. Voleman says ADX is maki…

Daniel Hostettler, president of The Boca Raton, is on the verge of finishing the renovation of The Boco Raton, the iconic Florida luxury resort, by finishing the Beach Club, one of five hotels that make up this lavish resort complex. James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with Hostettler about the renovation, the restaurants and the facil…

Beth Butzlaff, senior vice president-global partner relations for Ensemble, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Ensemble Horizon conference in Las Vegas about the consortium’s many programs for preferred partners, many of which she helped develop in the year she’s been with Ensemble. These include a major new progr…

Kimberlin Arnold, an independent travel advisor with Peacock Travel Group, a member of Frosch Travel, speaks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her experience on an ALG Vacation trip to Spain and Portugal. Social media plays a crucial role in her business, and the trip allowed her to improve her content creation for her primary romance a…

Shayla Lalani, vice president of marketing for Ensemble, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Ensemble Horizons conference in Las Vegas about all the ways Ensemble helps its member agencies market travel day. Lalani reveals the innovative ways that Ensemble uses to sell more travel. For more information, visit www.jo…

Michele Duquaine, a Dream Vacations travel advisor with her own agency, speaks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the growing demand among her clients for European travel. Duquaine describes a recent nine-day journey through Spain and Portugal, and emphasizes how ALG Vacations and its VAX booking system make multi-stop experiences seamle…

Kristina Boyce, senior vice president-operations for Ensemble, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Ensemble Horizons in Las Vegas about how the consortium is working to develop a revolutionary agency group with new programs, technology and services. Ensemble is seeking to grow but also wants to remain a more intimat…

Angie Licea, president of Global Travel Collection (GTC), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how GTC supports independent travel advisors by helping them manage their businesses and achieve their goals. Licea highlights GTV partnerships, including AI-driven tech collaborations and a new travel-related TV show for NBC. For more info…

Chris Austin, president-North America for Explora Journeys, talks with Michaela Guzy about the vision behind Explorer Journeys' second ship, Explora II. Like its sister ship Explora I, Explora II delivers a boutique hotel-like experiences at sea. With plans to expand to six ships by 2028, Explora puts its focus on space, choice and exceptional dini…

Michael Johnson, president of Ensemble, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Ensemble Horizon’s in Las Vegas about what progress the consortium has made over the past year, what programs it offers to members, and what’s to come. Johnson says Ensemble is on its way to creating a new kind of agency group for travel adv…

Chris Austin, president-North America for Explora Journeys, talks with Michaela Guzy about the vision behind Explorer Journeys' second ship, Explora II. Like its sister ship Explora I, Explora II delivers a boutique hotel-like experiences at sea. With plans to expand to six ships by 2028, Explora puts its focus on space, choice and exceptional dini…

In this second-part of a two-part interview, Jacki Marks, global head of trade brands for ALG Vacations, a division of Hyatt Hotels, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the company's City and Sea media event to Spain and Portugal. The event included a live Facebook event with celebrity travel champion Carson Kressley, and highlighte…

In this first part of a two-part interview, Jacki Marks, global head of trade brands for ALG Vacations, a division of Hyatt Hotels, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how ALG Vacations supports travel advisors by helping them enhance their social media marketing skills and better understand its product offerings. Through trips like…

Chitose Yagi, executive assistant manager marketing and sales for the Tokyo Station Hotel, talks with Angela Hughes of Insider Travel Report about the hotel's history, location and services, highlighting its convenient location next to the Tokyo Station, making it ideal for travel within Tokyo and across Japan. Yagi discusses the hotel's unique fea…

Christine Conklin, vice president of marketing at Signature Travel Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Signature Owners Meeting in Montreal about the agency cooperative’s extensive series of marketing programs. Conklin walks us through her group’s dedicated programs and how they benefit member agencies and…

Renee Stanton-Defaria, director of sales for Goway Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Goway’s ambitious rebrand and its commitment to being the "best Goway Ever." Stanton-Defaria describes the thinking behind Goway’s brand transformation and focuses on how Goway empowers travel advisors with enhanced rewards, an ind…

Ignacio Maza, former executive vice president of Signature Travel Network and now a consultant to the group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his “finds” of the year in luxury hotels and new destinations. Maza, known for his talks about hotels and destinations, gives you his recommendations on where you should book your c…

Steven Arthur, director of leisure sales for Timbers Resorts, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report an update on his group of luxury properties designed for families and friends to come together and create lasting memories in some of the most special locations on Earth. Experience skiing in the Rockies, whale watching in Kauai, wine tast…

Karryn Christopher, executive vice president-marketing and preferred partnerships for Signature Travel Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the Signature Owners’ Meeting in Montreal, held earlier this month. Christopher details the many marketing programs Signature offers to agency members, as well as the group’s prefer…

Manini Sen, head of business for Ananda in the Himalayas, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about her wellness retreat and what it offers to guests. Sen details the Ananda experience and how guests can be rejuvenated and revived during their stay in one of the most exotic places …

Carly Biggart, vice president of sales and marketing-Americas for Hurtigruten Norway, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her cruise line’s two coastal itneraries going from Bergen or Oslo to Svalbard. Showcasing some of the most spectacular scenery in the world from the Arctic north to the Norwegian fjords, Hurtigruten also…

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 opportun…

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…

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 …

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 membe…

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 …

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 yea…

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 su…

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 oth…

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 visi…

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 hig…

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 activi…

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…

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 cura…

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 r…

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 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 Ne…

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 n…

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-inclusi…