5 Reasons Why Travel Professionals Should Be Listening to Podcasts in 2026
Let’s address the elephant in the room first: yes, writing a blog post about why travel professionals should listen to podcasts on a podcast blog might feel a little self-serving. But we promise, that’s not the sole intention.
At Travel Trends, we genuinely believe in the power of podcasts because we live it. Our host, Dan Christian, is an avid listener of travel, business, and personal development podcasts, constantly learning from conversations that spark ideas he can actually apply. And that mindset is exactly why podcasts have become such a powerful tool for travel industry leaders.
In our fast-moving, highly competitive travel landscape, staying informed isn’t just about reading headlines, it’s about understanding why trends are emerging, how leaders are responding, and what’s coming next. Podcasts deliver that depth in a way few other formats can.
Here are five reasons why podcasts should be essential listening for travel professionals in 2026.
1. Learn From Industry Leaders, On Your Schedule
Podcasts offer direct access to senior executives, founders, and innovators shaping the future of travel. No conference badge required. (And that’s part of the reason our Summit’s have been virtual with recordings available on YouTube.)
Whether you’re driving, flying, or squeezing in learning between meetings, podcasts make it easy to stay connected to leadership-level thinking. On our Travel Trends Podcast, we regularly feature decision-makers from major travel brands and fast-growing startups who share candid insights that you won’t find in polished press releases or surface-level articles.
This kind of access is exactly why podcasts have become such a powerful medium for industry influence and thought leadership.
Examples include: S6/E1 – Investing in Travel in 2026 with Chris Hemmeter, Thayer Ventures and S6/E18 – The Mind Behind Investing in the Experience Economy with Michael Zeisser, FMZ Ventures
2. Stay Ahead of Trends Before They Become Obvious
AI, personalization, new distribution models, sustainability, and all sorted of travel trends are evolving faster than ever. Podcasts allow for real-time discussions about what’s actually working, what’s overhyped, and what leaders are actively investing in.
Each episode of our Travel Trends Podcast goes beyond the buzz to exploring how innovation is being implemented in real businesses today and what that means for the year ahead. For executives, that context is invaluable when making strategic decisions.
Examples include: S6/E12 – The New Loyalty Playbook: Global Status Commercialization with Erin Murray, Loyalty Status Co and S5/E26 – How the Transformation Economy Is Redefining Tourism with Joe Pine & Jake Haupert
3. Hear Global Perspectives From a Truly Global Industry
Travel is inherently global, yet many professionals still consume region-specific media. Podcasts break that limitation.
By featuring international guests and attracting a global audience, podcasts expose listeners to ideas and strategies from different markets often before they reach their own. The Travel Trends Podcast reflects this global mindset, connecting insights from across regions, sectors, and business models.
In 2026, global awareness isn’t a “nice to have” it’s a competitive advantage.
Examples include: S5/E17 – Growing Global Spanish Speaking Tourism with Ismael Garcia, CMO, Civitatis and S6/E11 – How Airlines Are Redefining Loyalty with KM Malta Airlines
4. Strengthen Your Professional Network (Without Trying)
Podcasts don’t just inform, they connect. Just ask one of our long-time listeners Jaqueline Grossman from her experience listening to Travel Trends to expand her network and advance her career.
Listening regularly means you walk into meetings, conferences, or even LinkedIn conversations already familiar with the people and ideas shaping the industry. Referencing a podcast episode in a conversation signals credibility and curiosity and often sparks deeper discussions.
We regularly see Travel Trends Podcast episodes act as conversation starters that lead to new relationships, partnerships, and ideas both online and at events like the Travel Trends AI Summit. And we hear from companies all the time, like TourRadar, who make specific episodes required listening for their teams.
Examples include: Event Spotlight – Phocuswright Europe 2025 and Event Spotlight: Arival 360 2025
5. Walk Away With Ideas You Can Actually Use
The best podcasts don’t just inspire, they deliver practical takeaways.
From leadership lessons and growth strategies to technology adoption and marketing insights, podcasts allow you to learn from others’ real experiences. At Travel Trends, we intentionally focus on conversations that leave listeners with ideas they can test, tools they can explore, or new ways of thinking about customer engagement.
For busy travel executives, that combination of inspiration and application is hard to beat.
Examples include: S5/E22 – Expedia’s B2B Strategy: How Technology Drives Global Partnerships with Karen Bolda and S5/E23 – How to Succeed with a Membership Model in Travel with Joan Roca, Essentialist
Podcasts Are Bigger Than Just One Show
While we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created and continue to deliver at Travel Trends Podcast, and yes, we think it should be essential listening in 2026,. we’re also passionate supporters of the broader travel podcast ecosystem.
That’s why we created our Friends of Travel Trends page, where you can discover many other valuable travel industry podcasts worth adding to your playlist. There’s no shortage of great voices and perspectives out there, and the industry is stronger when we all learn from each other.
👉 Explore the Friends of Travel Trends and expand your listening list. Please share additional podcasts that inspire you too. 🎧
What’s Next? Our Season 7 Launches February 25
If you’re looking for even more reasons to make podcasts and the Travel Trends Podcast in particular part of your 2026 routine, our Season 7 officially kicks off on February 25 with key new topics including Agentic AI, Sun Holidays and Luxury Hotels.
We’ll also be introducing full video episodes for our YouTube fans, making it easier than ever to watch, share, and engage with the conversations. Plus, we ‘re enhancing our recording booth experience at major industry conferences and events, so you can expect even more on-the-ground insights, live conversations, and in-person interviews throughout the year.
We’re incredibly proud to have many valued partnerships for 2026 including Propellic, Intrepid, Kaptio, Civitatis, Bokun, Holafly, GuestOS, Maya, Pernod Ricard, Loyalty Status Co, who also bring expertise and real-world perspective to these conversations.
Whether you’re listening for inspiration, strategy, or a deeper understanding of where travel is heading next, Season 7 is shaping up to be our most ambitious yet. We look forward to having your part of the conversations and getting your feedback so we can continue to advance careers, grow companies and share the future of travel together.
Plus, we have Spotlight Episodes and several Custom Series in production. Feel free to reach out to us with any partnership questions - hello@traveltrendspodcast.com
Thanks again for supporting our Travel Trends Podcast, Our Friends of Travel Trends and this new podcast medium that is only getting started!