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.

The river cruise industry is poised for remarkable growth, with the market expected to double from $5 billion to $10 billion in the next five years. But what’s fueling this surge—and how is technology transforming one of travel’s most immersive and intimate experiences?

In the kickoff episode of our River Cruise Series, we’re joined by Ragnar Fjölnisson, Founder and CIO of travel tech platform Kaptio, for a behind-the-scenes look at a sector that millions have fallen in love with, yet few truly understand.

From humble beginnings with repurposed barges in the 1960s to Viking’s breakthrough launch in 1997—now a publicly traded company worth nearly $20 billion—river cruising has evolved into a refined blend of luxury, accessibility, and cultural depth.

Frank Marini’s rise from the mailroom at Collette Vacations to CEO of Railbookers Group is a masterclass in travel industry leadership. Recorded live at ITB Berlin, this episode dives into how Frank has built a fully remote company with 350+ staff across six countries and driven an impressive 36% growth by 2025.

What sets Railbookers apart? A focus on crafting complete rail vacations with over 6,000 customizable itineraries across destinations like Switzerland, Italy, and Ireland. Blending transportation, accommodations, and experiences, their packages cater to discerning travelers, averaging 10.5-day trips at $6,000 per person. Bookings are split evenly between direct consumers and travel advisors.

Season 4 wraps up with the highlights from industry leaders at Phocuswright, showcasing the key trends shaping travel in 2025. Our discussions include the impact of AI, innovations in identity management, new travel advisor tools and the evolving preferences of Gen Z travelers, emphasizing their desire for meaningful, experience-driven journeys.

In this must-listen episode, we dive into the groundbreaking innovations and trends unveiled at the Phocuswright conference in Arizona, setting the stage for the travel industry in 2025. Join us as industry visionaries and thought leaders share transformative ideas on AI, personalized travel, and the power of collaboration in travel tech.

Tune in to an exclusive interview recorded live at the Phocuswright Conference in Arizona, featuring TravelAI.com Co-Founders John Lyotier and Chris Jensen. Explore how they’ve leveraged cutting-edge AI to transform the travel industry, offering a masterclass in innovation and strategic thinking.

What role do Online Travel Agencies play in the future of travel, and how are they poised to revolutionize the industry? We're thrilled to continue the conversation about the evolving OTA landscape with Rob Ransom, the Chief Strategy Officer for Booking Holdings.

Unlock the secrets of the rapidly evolving business travel landscape with Rich Liu, CEO of Navan, formerly known as Trip Actions. Discover how the industry is bouncing back post-pandemic, with projections pointing to a booming $2 trillion market by 2028.

Welcome to Season 4 Episode 7 of the Travel Trends Podcast where our host Dan Christian unpacks the highlights from the Travel Tech and Innovation Summit at Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas. Prepare to hear invaluable insights from industry leaders like Shane (Microsoft), Stuart (Forbes Travel Guide), Travis (Virtuoso), and Betsy (F Prime).

Welcome to the season three finale of Travel Trends! In this special episode, the entire team comes together for a warm and reflective look back at the podcast's journey this season. We share our favorite memories, from insightful discussions on sustainability and the powerful voices of women in travel to format changes that truly connected with our listeners.

Join us for this special hospitality edition of the Travel Trends Podcast, broadcasting live from Forbes Travel Guide's 'The Summit' in Las Vegas, for a captivating conversation with the visionary CEO & Founder of Virtuoso, Matthew Upchurch. With a deep-rooted history in travel, Matthew provides a remarkable look into his family's legacy and the collective ingenuity of 1950s boutique travel agencies that played a significant role in shaping the personalized travel advisor experiences we value today.

Join us on the Travel Trends Podcast for an in-depth discussion about the evolving relationship between technology and global travel, featuring valuable insights from industry leaders. Rebecca from TravelTek, Kelly Tompkins of Reserve X, and the esteemed Ragnar from Kaptio come together to analyse the significant digital transformation currently underway within the travel sector.

Join us for a captivating journey on the Travel Trends Podcast as we trace the steps of travel visionary Ian Cumming, the founder of Travel Massive. Starting with a spontaneous rooftop get-together of travel enthusiasts at the YHA in Sydney, Travel Massive has grown into a formidable global network, boasting over 75,000 members across 100 cities.

Join us for a captivating conversation on the Travel Trends Podcast with Christian Watts, the visionary CEO of Magpie Travel, as he unravels the significant changes happening at the intersection of travel and technology. Ever wondered how AI is creating ripples throughout the travel industry, a sector deeply rooted in human connection?

Welcome to Season 3! Our biggest and best season yet with over 20 episodes, key sponsors and a major virtual event.  For our kick-off, we have Kayak Co-Founder, Paul English with us to discuss AI’s Impact on the travel industry in 2024. 

Get ready for a captivating journey as we reflect on an unforgettable season 2 of Travel Trends! Your hosts, Zach Vanasse and Dan Christian, discuss  the brightest minds in the travel industry and how they participated in the show this season. We've been lucky enough to engage with thousands of listeners from over 50 countries worldwide and are eager to continue delivering insightful experiences in the future. 

Discover the cutting edge of travel on the Travel Trends Podcast as host Dan Christian speaks with Marius Nigond, the visionary Founder of an innovative travel AI startup. Their conversation illuminates the transformative potential of AI in crafting unique self-guided travel experiences.

In this special live episode of the Travel Trends Podcast, host Dan Christian brings you the excitement of 'Travel Trends on Tour' live from the Arival 360 conference in Orlando, Florida, featuring industry experts Mitch Bach and Lori Timony, as they explore the incredible benefits of attending Arival events and share highlights from the 2023 conference.

‘LIVE from Vegas’ with the Travel Trends Podcast, featuring highlights from the Travel Tech Day at Virtuoso's 2023 Travel Week, with esteemed industry experts Shane O’Flaherty from Microsoft, Stuart Greif from Forbes Travel Guides, and Carlos Garcia from Trip Ventures, for an engaging discussion on how social platforms, AI, and even travel photos are shaping the future of travel.