Introducing the First Captain of Season 6!

We’re thrilled to kick off Season 6 of Travel Trends and our Captain of Industry series with Chris Hemmeter, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Thayer Ventures, for a powerhouse conversation on the future of travel and tech investment.

Chris opens the black box of venture capital, revealing what investors really look for in founders, how to stand out when raising funds, and why 2026 is set to be a defining year for travel entrepreneurs. With a proven track record as both a founder and an investor in industry-shaping companies like Sonder, Muse, and Canary Technologies, he brings hard-won insights every innovator needs to know.

IDiscover Colombia like never before - a country where music, nature, and community transformation redefine travel. In this Destination Spotlight episode, Dan explores this vibrant destination with Impulse Travel and their inspiring local guides.

Our journey begins with Juliana Medina (CEO) and Rodrigo Atuesta (Co-Founder), the visionaries behind Impulse Travel, who are redefining tourism as a force for good. They’ll show you a Colombia that shatters outdated stereotypes – a country brimming with warmth, creativity, and breathtaking diversity, now one of the world’s most exciting travel destinations. Stroll Bogota’s colorful markets with Raul, uncover Medellin’s remarkable urban renewal with Carolina, and feel the soul of Cartagena through Oralis’ passion for Afro-Colombian culture and coastal beauty.

In this spotlight episode, Murray Decker, CEO and founder of Tour Amigo, shares how his innovative technology platform is transforming the multi-day tour industry by equipping operators with cutting-edge reservation systems and seamless distribution capabilities.

Murray’s journey began as a Contiki tour guide in 2008, where he gained firsthand insight into the travel industry. By 2016, he founded Tour Amigo to address a glaring gap in travel technology: while day tours, accommodations, and flights had embraced digital solutions, multi-day tours remained stuck in the analog era.

The statistics Murray reveals are both surprising and inspiring. The multi-day tour market is expanding at an impressive 8-9% annually, even in the wake of COVID-19. Travelers are now spending $4,500-$5,000 per trip—nearly double the pre-pandemic average of $2,500. Yet, when Tour Amigo first introduced the concept of APIs to tour operators, the response was often, "What is an API?" This disconnect highlighted a massive opportunity in what Murray estimates to be a $300 billion global market.

Imagine travel not merely as an escape, but as a powerful catalyst for healing, transformation, and self-discovery. This is the groundbreaking vision Sahara Rose De Vore has brought to life through her pioneering work with the Travel Coach Network.

Sahara’s journey began with a hospitality degree and a one-way ticket to Europe, igniting a decade-long adventure across 84 countries. Along the way, her personal battles with anxiety and depression unveiled the profound therapeutic potential of travel. This revelation inspired her to create the world’s first ICF-accredited travel coaching certification program.

When millennials rediscovered travel advisors, they revived a profession many had written off too soon. “Millennials’ expertise is knowing who the experts are,” says Arnie Weissmann, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly. With more than 25 years leading the travel industry’s most influential trade publication, Arnie has chronicled - and shaped - some of the most pivotal transformations in travel.

His own path from passionate explorer to industry leader is as compelling as it is instructive. Arnie’s love for discovery began on a 10-country camping trip through Africa, a journey fueled by curiosity and wanderlust. Frustrated by the lack of meaningful pre-trip resources, he launched a destination information service that later became part of Travel 42. That entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a deep empathy for traveler needs, made him the perfect fit to take the helm at Travel Weekly - a role he stepped into just after the seismic events of 9/11. Today, as part of Northstar Media’s global portfolio - which also includes Phocuswright and Business Travel News, Arnie oversees an unparalleled network of travel industry intelligence.

Imagine exploring Rome with an archaeologist who's unearthed its ancient secrets, wandering Tokyo with an architect shaping its skyline, or navigating Barcelona's vibrant markets with a culinary expert who knows every vendor by name. This is the transformative experience Context Travel has been perfecting for over two decades.

In this conversation with CEO June Chin-Ramsey, we discuss how Context Travel is redefining guided tours through its unwavering commitment to expert-led experiences. Unlike traditional tour companies that rely on guides reciting memorized scripts, Context exclusively collaborates with academics and professionals holding advanced degrees. These experts bring depth and authenticity to every tour, making complex topics not only accessible but also deeply engaging. As June explains, "They actually make the most exceptional guides because they're able to take fascinating, complex concepts and make them simple, digestible, and entirely relatable."

Join us at Arival DC from September 29 to October 3, 2025, and be part of the most transformative event in the experiences sector. Use promo code FOADACHDC to get 10% off the AI Forum for Destination Experiences and Arival 360 DC combo ticket (excludes Pro Members). Plus, as a special bonus, you will be guaranteed a feature on the Event Spotlight that Dan will be recording live at the event!

As Douglas Quinby, CEO, and Bruce Rosard, CCO, shared in our recent conversation, Arival DC isn’t just another industry conference - it’s a meticulously curated gathering of the "the 1% of the experiences sector." Visionary creators, resellers, technologists, and leaders from across the ecosystem - think day tour operators, multi-day specialists, tech startups, and platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator - will come together to shape the future of travel experiences.

Join us as we hit the road to Denver for a special edition of Travel Trends, recorded live at the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Elevate Conference.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Colorado’s beauty, this episode takes you straight into the heart of the $896 billion adventure travel industry. It’s a celebration of sustainability, outdoor exploration, and the magic of human connection in a world that’s increasingly digital.

Think of this as your ultimate road trip playlist - featuring 15 intimate conversations with the trailblazers shaping the future of adventure tourism. From tech innovators and conservation champions to Indigenous leaders and destination dreamers, these voices share one thing in common: a deep love for people, planet, and place.

The travel industry was forever changed when Rod Cuthbert founded Viator in 1995, revolutionizing how travelers discover and book experiences worldwide. In this season finale of Travel Trends, the visionary founder shares his extraordinary journey from Tasmania to Silicon Valley and beyond.

Rod recounts how a serendipitous twist of fate - developing an e-commerce solution for Sabre that went unused - sparked the creation of what would become the world’s leading experiences marketplace. At a time when guided tours were dismissed as outdated, Rod identified a shift in consumer priorities: experiences were beginning to outweigh possessions. By creating a platform for innovative tour operators to quickly reach consumers, Viator helped elevate the entire category from afterthought to the very reason people travel.

After selling Viator to TripAdvisor for $200 million in 2014, Rod continued to drive travel innovation with ventures like Rome2Rio (a transportation search engine) and Veltra (Japan’s leading tour booking platform). Renowned for his candid advice to startups—earning him the nickname "the Simon Cowell of judges" - Rod offers invaluable insights into the future of the industry. His bold prediction? Artificial intelligence will disrupt travel distribution, empowering suppliers to reclaim direct customer relationships and challenging the OTA model that has dominated for decades.

We’re thrilled to conclude our Season 5 In-Destination series with a truly thought-provoking conversation featuring Joe Pine and Jake Haupert - two visionaries shaping the future of travel.

The future of travel is undergoing a profound transformation - shifting from curated experiences to a deeper focus on personal growth and self-discovery. At the heart of this evolution lies the emerging Transformation Economy, a $208 billion market shift that is redefining what travelers value and how the industry delivers on those expectations. In this week's episode, Experience Economy pioneer Joe Pine and Transformational Travel Council co-founder Jake Haupert discuss why this movement is far more than a passing trend - it’s a reimagining of travel’s true purpose.

Transformational travel stands apart from traditional tourism. It’s not about fleeting moments or checking off bucket-list destinations. Instead, it’s a holistic journey that unfolds in three essential phases: intentional preparation, immersive experiences, and meaningful reflection. Without this complete arc, the potential for lasting change often fades once travelers return home.

Join us as we hit the road to Denver for a special edition of Travel Trends, recorded live at the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Elevate Conference.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Colorado’s beauty, this episode takes you straight into the heart of the $896 billion adventure travel industry. It’s a celebration of sustainability, outdoor exploration, and the magic of human connection in a world that’s increasingly digital.

Think of this as your ultimate road trip playlist - featuring 15 intimate conversations with the trailblazers shaping the future of adventure tourism. From tech innovators and conservation champions to Indigenous leaders and destination dreamers, these voices share one thing in common: a deep love for people, planet, and place.

Laura Sileo Pavat, Global Head of Brand Homes at Pernod Ricard, returns to Travel Trends to explore how spirit tourism is transforming cultural connections across the globe.

With over 35 brand homes spanning four continents, Pernod Ricard has reimagined these spaces as immersive destinations that tell authentic stories and forge lasting emotional bonds. From the award-winning Jameson Distillery in Dublin to the architecturally striking Rabbit Hole in Louisville's arts district, these experiences highlight a new way for travelers to engage with places and their narratives.

The discussion takes us to extraordinary locations like Scapa Distillery in Scotland's remote Orkney Islands, where a boat shelter-inspired building overlooks historic waters, and TX Whiskey Ranch in Fort Worth, which evolves from a working distillery by day to a vibrant community hub by night, hosting everything from live country music to yoga sessions. Laura reveals how these brand homes foster genuine connections with local communities through collaborations with regional artisans, musicians, and chefs—such as TX Whiskey’s bottle caps made from recycled cowboy boot leather or locally-crafted goods at Casa Altos in Mexico.

In the kickoff episode of our "In-destination Experiences" series, we speak with Christian Lachel, Chief Creative Officer of BRC Imagination Arts, who has spent over 25 years crafting some of the world's most engaging travel experiences. From the award-winning Jameson Distillery Bow Street in Dublin to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Christian shares the secrets behind designing spaces that transform how visitors think, feel, and connect.

We dive into the $1.3 trillion in-destination experience industry, exploring how Christian's team turns ordinary venues into unforgettable memory-makers. A standout example is the Jameson Distillery, where they doubled capacity while capturing the essence of Irish hospitality and storytelling.

Christian also highlights how thoughtfully designed travel experiences can counteract digital disconnection, fostering play, connection, and shared moments. His optimistic approach shows how technology can enhance, not replace, human interaction.

At the crossroads of cutting-edge technology and deeply personalized service lies Essentialist, a membership-based travel company reshaping the definition of luxury travel. In this insightful conversation, CEO & founder Joan Roca reveals how his $2,600 annual membership service crafts extraordinary travel experiences by truly understanding each member's unique passions, preferences, and aspirations.

Unlike traditional luxury travel agencies or impersonal online booking platforms, Essentialist thrives on building intimate relationships with its members. "Travel combines everything in your lifestyle," Roca explains. "From how you like to eat and your cultural interests to whether you prefer early-morning adventures or lazy beach days - we need to know our members deeply to deliver on our promise." This relationship-driven approach results in meticulously curated itineraries, averaging 28 components, each tailored to individual tastes.

Step into the future of aviation in this special event spotlight, recorded live from the Aviation Festival Americas in Miami.

Host, Dan Christian sits down with some of the brightest minds in aviation and travel tech to explore the innovations reshaping the industry:

• Amir Amidi explains how Plug and Play Tech Center connects startups with corporate partners across the travel ecosystem
• Tom Trotta details how travel insurance is evolving through AI-powered claims processing and proactive benefits for delayed travelers
• "No Longer Lost" demonstrates their innovative QR code solution for reuniting travelers with misplaced items, pets, and even children
• Ravel's community platform combats the isolation of business travel by connecting professionals in the same destination
• Avion Express shares strategies for recruiting and retaining pilots amid a global shortage
• Terminal manager Jack Ramos reveals how Munich Airport NJ creates exceptional passenger experiences
• Dalton Lane discusses his unique business helping entrepreneurs launch new airlines
• Aviation recruiters highlight the growing demand for digital talent in traditionally operations-focused environments

Travel tech is evolving at lightning speed - reshaping how the world moves, books, and experiences journeys. In this episode, we sit down with Karen Bolda, Chief Product and Technology Officer for Private Label Solutions, Expedia Group’s B2B division, to explore the cutting-edge innovations driving the future of global travel from behind the scenes.

Karen takes us behind the scenes of Expedia Group's massive B2B operation – a side of the business many travelers never see but that powers over 70,000 businesses and 160,000 travel advisors worldwide. From her unique journey starting as a software developer to leading technology strategy for one of travel's biggest players, Karen offers rare insights into how Expedia is integrating AI throughout its ecosystem.

Travel isn’t just an escape—it’s a catalyst for transformation.

In this spotlight episode, we go behind the scenes at the Educational Travel Consortium (ETC) Conference in Mobile, Alabama—a gathering of institutions that design travel experiences to educate, connect, and inspire.

Founded in 1986 by visionary Mara DelliPriscoli, ETC unites alumni groups, museums, and cultural organizations managing billions in travel spending—all with a shared mission: to create journeys that change perspectives.

This episode features conversations with trailblazing innovators like Susan Black of Wowzitude, who redefines virtual travel, and Alan Merschen, who introduces us to the concept of the “dim sum life” through bite-sized, enriching adventures. We also hear from industry leaders representing Adventure Canada, National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions, and Journey Mexico, each offering unique perspectives on meaningful travel. Additionally, we explore the fascinating world of travel to conflict zones with Michael Luongo and uncover insights into ultra-luxury political tours with Jim Friedlander.

What’s really behind the rising tide of interest in river cruising? In this episode, Pam Hoffee, President of Avalon Waterways, dispels common myths and reveals the innovations fueling this fast-growing segment of the travel industry. From her serendipitous start in travel after a chance encounter in a college bar to leading award-winning ship designs, Pam shares how Avalon has reimagined the river cruise experience—infusing it with authenticity, sustainability, and unexpected luxury.

By orienting beds to face panoramic windows and sourcing ingredients from local markets, Avalon redefines the meaning of detail-driven travel. Pam also discusses the surprising rise in younger travelers drawn to river cruising post-pandemic, and how programs like Avalon Choice deliver immersive, flexible experiences to match evolving preferences.

Discover how Scenic has redefined river cruising by introducing the industry's first ships with outdoor private balconies. Lisa McCaskill, VP of Sales and Marketing for Scenic Canada, shares the inspiring story of how this Australian-founded company evolved from a land touring operator into a global leader in luxury river cruising - all by listening closely to guest feedback. 

Scenic's "spaceships" deliver an ultra-luxury, truly all-inclusive experience where guests can enjoy fine dining, premium beverages, excursions, and gratuities without worrying about additional costs. Their sister brand, Emerald Cruises, offers a more customizable "inclusive modern luxury" experience, catering to travelers who prefer to tailor additional options to their preferences. 

Lisa highlights Scenic's onboard amenities, such as multiple dining options, including Crystal Dining and the exclusive Table La Rive, as well as wellness features like the innovative Salt Therapy Lounge. She also discusses popular itineraries, like the Amsterdam to Budapest route that’s ideal for first-time cruisers and the increasingly sought-after Douro River cruises in Portugal, which often sell out well in advance. 

What happens when 100 years of travel expertise converge with Europe’s iconic rivers? In an engaging discussion with Steve Spivak, Tauck’s Vice President of Global Sales & Reservations, we uncover how this family-owned company’s “small is big” philosophy elevates river cruising into a truly exceptional experience. Since its founding in 1925, when Arthur Tauck guided six guests on a New England adventure in a rented Studebaker, the company has grown while maintaining a steadfast commitment to its core principles.

Tauck’s river cruising approach embodies this legacy, offering a more exclusive experience by hosting just 84-130 guests on ships that competitors often pack with 190. Spaciousness is key, with 80% of their cabins exceeding 225 square feet, ensuring unrivaled comfort. Unlike many operators, each ship is staffed by four director-level professionals rather than a single cruise director, delivering unparalleled attention to every detail.