ALL EPISODES
Company Spotlight: How Awayward is Making International Travel Safer
Getting sick while traveling is more common than most people realize. Whether it's food poisoning, a fever, an injury, or an unexpected illness, navigating a foreign healthcare system can quickly become one of the most stressful parts of any trip. You may not speak the language, know where to go, or trust the care you're receiving.
In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Max Levine, CEO and Founder of Awayward, a virtual healthcare platform designed specifically for international travellers. Max shares the personal travel experiences that inspired him to launch the company and explains why calling your family doctor back home often isn't enough when local prescriptions, licensing, and healthcare systems come into play.
Company Spotlight: The Second Life of Sonder: Reimagining an Iconic Travel Brand
Sonder was once one of the most recognizable names in modern hospitality. Then, almost overnight, it disappeared. Now, it's back in a very different form. In this breaking news episode, Dan sits down with John Lyotier, Co-founder and CEO of TravelAI, to discuss the company's acquisition of the Sonder trademarks and domain portfolio, including Sonder.com, and why it's relaunching the brand as an AI powered, curated guide to the world's best urban stays. The acquisition includes the brand and intellectual property only. It does not include Sonder's former operating business, properties, leases, or staff.
Company Spotlight: Turning Travelers Stories Into Assets with Pineary
The travel industry creates an incredible amount of content, yet some of its most valuable stories are never shared. In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Annie Pezza, Founder and CEO of Pinerary, to explore why travel doesn't have a content problem, it has a capture problem, and what brands are missing when travelers' experiences disappear into camera rolls and social feeds.
The conversation goes beyond where people stayed or what they did to uncover what really makes travel memorable: the moments that surprise us, change our perspective, and inspire us to return. Annie explains how Pinerary helps travelers preserve those experiences through shareable itineraries while giving travel brands access to authentic stories that build trust, inspire future bookings, and continue delivering value long after a trip has ended.
S7/E21 How The Amazing Race Inspired Millions to See the World with Elise Doganieri
Travel television rarely leaves a lasting impact on the real world, but The Amazing Race has been inspiring people to explore the world differently for the past 25 years In this Captains of Industry episode and our season seven finale, we’re joined by Elise Doganieri, co-creator and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning series, for an honest conversation about how one of television's most iconic travel shows came to life and why it continues to influence the way people think about travel.
Event Spotlight: MarketHub Americas by HBX Group 2026
MarketHub Americas by HBX Group has become one of the travel industry's premier gatherings, bringing together nearly 600 travel leaders from 16 source markets to explore the trends shaping the future of travel. Recorded live from Punta Cana, this special Travel Trends event spotlight features three conversations with HBX Group executives on AI, travel distribution, luxury travel, and the partnerships driving the industry's next chapter.
S7/E20 How Iconic Natural Attractions Create Unforgettable Visitor Experiences with National Trust
The Giant's Causeway is one of those places that has to be seen to be believed. With its 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, dramatic coastal setting, and views across the sea to Scotland, it's one of the world's most extraordinary natural wonders. But as Jennifer Michael, Business Development Manager at the National Trust Northern Ireland, explains in the final episode of our In-Destination Experiences Series, it's the stories, history, and sense of place that turn a visit into something truly unforgettable.
Event Spotlight: Phocuswright Europe 2026
Our most comprehensive Event Spotlight to date! Recorded live at Phocuswright Europe 2026 in Barcelona.
Over two days at one of the industry's most influential gatherings, Dan sat down with more than 20 founders, CEOs, investors, and analysts to understand what is actually reshaping the future of travel in Europe. The result is over six and a half hours of conversations covering everyting from AI and how it is genuinely being deployed to shifting traveler behavior, evolving business models, and the technologies and companies positioned to define the next chapter of this industry.
Company Spotlight: Selling Peace of Mind: How Holafly Turned eSIMs into a Global Travel Essential
Staying connected has become an essential part of modern travel. Whether you're finding your hotel, booking a ride, navigating a new city, or simply letting family know you've arrived safely, reliable mobile data can make the difference between a smooth arrival and a stressful one.
In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Jo Juliana Turnbull, Senior Growth Marketing Manager at Holafly, to explore why eSIMs are quickly becoming a travel essential. Jo explains how eSIMs work in simple, practical terms, from checking if your phone is compatible and knowing when to activate your plan to answering common questions about keeping your existing phone number and how easy the setup process really is.
S7/E19 How the Best Experience Operators Are Winning More Bookings with TripWorks
A lot of conversations about travel stay focused on the booking process, but the real opportunity begins once travelers arrive. What experiences do they choose? How do they discover them? And how is technology changing the way those bookings happen?
In the second episode of our In-Destination Experiences Series, Dan sits down with Aaron Fessler, Founder and CEO of TripWorks. Drawing on his background in enterprise technology and as the founder of the popular Las Vegas attraction Speed Vegas, Aaron shares a unique perspective on where the tours, activities, and attractions industry is headed.
Event Spotlight: Aviation Festival Americas 2026
We were invited back to Miami for our second year as the Official Podcast Partner of Aviation Festival Americas and this one is special: it's our largest Event Spotlight episode to date, featuring 20+ interviews and over 5 hours of conversations with the incredible speakers, industry leaders and key attendees that came together to discuss the latest trends shaping aviation and airports.
Company Spotlight: Why Tour Operators Need More Than Booking Software with TourOptima
Tour operators aren't just competing on the experiences they sell, they're competing on the experience they deliver behind the scenes. From the moment a traveler books to the moment they leave a review, every interaction matters.
In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Benjamin Sann, Founder & CEO of TourOptima, and Josh Halpern, Chief Commercial Officer, to explore how technology is helping tour operators simplify operations and deliver a better guest experience. They discuss the everyday challenges operators face, from flight delays and last-minute schedule changes to managing guest communications across emails, text messages, OTAs, and multiple internal systems.
S7/E18 How Fever Is Changing the Way We Experience Destinations
Today's travelers aren't just choosing where to go, they're choosing what they'll experience once they get there. From immersive exhibitions and live music to unique cultural events, in-destination experiences have become one of the biggest drivers of how people choose, remember, and share their travels.
In the first episode of our In-Destination Experiences Series, Dan sits down with Rocío Trujillo, Regional General Manager for Southern Europe at Fever, one of the world's leading platforms for discovering live experiences. Rocío shares how Fever has grown by combining technology, data, and local market expertise to help people discover everything from intimate Candlelight concerts to immersive exhibitions and one-of-a-kind events.
Event Spotlight: Rendez-vous Canada 2026
Sixty thousand meetings. More than 500 international buyers. Over $100 million in future tourism business.
Dan recorded live from Rendez-vous Canada 2026 in downtown Toronto to explore what is driving Canada’s visitor economy and why the country continues to stand out as a global destination for nature, culture, and meaningful travel.
In this special episode, Dan speaks with five leaders shaping Canadian tourism today: Meaghan Ferrigno, SVP, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Destination Canada; Sébastien Benedict, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada; Vincenza Ronaldi, President and CEO of Destination Ontario; Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto; and Marsha Walden, President and CEO of Destination Canada, as she prepares to retire.
Company Spotlight: Why Canada's Travel Industry Is Ready for a Payments Shake-Up with Mint Payments
Payments can make or break a travel sale, yet much of the industry still treats them as behind-the-scenes infrastructure. In Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Philip Hancock, Chief Commercial Officer at Mint Payments, as the company expands into Canada.
The conversation explores what it means to build a travel-first payment service provider, from collecting customer payments and managing risk to supporting supplier payouts. Philip explains why the payment experience has become a meaningful point of difference, especially when flights, hotels, and packages can look similar across multiple channels.
S7/E17 Building Loyalty Through Membership with Unlimited Vacation Club
Points and miles may dominate the loyalty conversation, but they’re far from the only way to build lasting customer relationships. In the final episode of our Loyalty Series, Dan sits down with Nicholas Friend, Head of Brand, Marketing and Customer Experience at Unlimited Vacation Club, to explore a different model, one built around membership, belonging, and exclusive access across Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection resorts.
Nicholas explains what members actually receive when they join, from preferred rates and room upgrades to VIP experiences and personalized service that begins long before check-in. But beyond the perks, the conversation explores something deeper: how a membership program can foster a genuine sense of community. From members who return year after year and form friendships at events to the excitement of being among the first guests to experience a new resort, loyalty becomes about connection as much as benefits.
Company Spotlight: Why Travel Advisors Matter More Than Ever with Host Agency Reviews
Travel advisors are experiencing a resurgence, but the story goes far beyond increased bookings. As travel becomes more complex and consumers seek expert guidance, advisors are proving their value as trusted partners who can navigate disruptions, personalize experiences, and provide support when it matters most.
In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Shayna Zand, Managing Director of Host Agency Reviews, for an inside look at how the advisor industry really works and what it takes to build a successful travel business today.
Company Spotlight: The Hidden Cost of Your Travel Tech Stack with WeTravel
Your tour business probably doesn’t have a technology problem. It has a complexity problem.
Over time, many multi-day operators add tool after tool until marketing, CRM, itineraries, payments, supplier payouts, and traveler communications all live in different places. The result is more than frustration. It creates duplicate work, missed traveler details, messy handoffs, lower conversion, and less time spent on what actually grows a travel company: serving travelers.
In this Spotlight Episode, Dan sits down with Josh Chang, Chief Product Officer at WeTravel, to unpack what tech stack overload looks like for tour operators and why the industry is moving toward more integrated platforms. They explore the hidden leaks that quietly hurt operators, from abandoned checkouts and fragmented payment methods to itinerary changes that never flow cleanly to travelers or suppliers.
S7/E16 One Loyalty Journey, Sixteen Airlines with oneworld Alliance
Loyalty has become one of the most powerful forces in travel and one of the most misunderstood. For travelers, it's about perks, upgrades, and lounge access. For airlines, it's a multi-billion-dollar business that influences everything from customer retention to revenue growth. But what happens when loyalty extends beyond a single airline and into a global alliance?
In the second episode of our Loyalty Series, Dan sits down with Gilbert Ott, Director of Loyalty at oneworld Alliance, for a behind-the-scenes look at how alliance loyalty works, why it matters, and where there's still room for improvement.
Live Event Recording: The Rise of Agentic AI
Recorded live at Intrepid Travel’s Toronto headquarters during Toronto Tech Week, this special Travel Trends episode moves beyond AI hype to explore what agentic AI in travel actually looks like when it meets the complexity of the real world.
Co-hosted by Dan Christian, Host of the Travel Trends Podcast, and Christian Wolters, President Canada and GM, North America Marketing at Intrepid Travel, the discussion brings together leaders working at the front lines of AI adoption across the travel industry.