Spotlight Episode: Travel Weekly with Editor in Chief, Arnie Weissmann
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.
For those eager to make their mark in travel, his advice is both simple and timeless: stand apart. “What are you going to do that isn’t being done right now, that nobody else is doing, and that people truly need?” It’s a guiding principle that has shaped Arnie’s extraordinary career and continues to serve as a compass for innovation in a constantly evolving industry.
As travel undergoes yet another era of change, Arnie’s insights remind us that clarity of purpose and a willingness to innovate are the keys to thriving. We’re deeply grateful to Arnie for sharing his journey and wisdom - this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
