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.

Rail travel is on the rise, transforming into Europe's go-to mode of transportation by seamlessly blending sustainability, luxury, and cutting-edge technology. Join us for an engaging discussion with Bjorn Bender, CEO of Rail Europe, as he sheds light on why train travel is projected to grow from $84 billion to a staggering $128 billion by 2028, outpacing other sectors like river cruising. Bender, a veteran with over two decades in the mobility industry, highlights how rail travel not only enriches travel experiences but also boosts local economies, as train travelers are spending 35% more on hotels and visiting more cities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Rail Europe's evolution from its founding in 1930s New York to becoming an independent, neutral platform connecting 200+ European train operators
• Growing popularity of "hidden gems" beyond traditional destinations – including Portugal, Slovenia, Budapest, and secondary cities like Lyon instead of Paris
• Technology innovations creating seamless booking experiences across multiple rail carriers
• How competition between rail providers is driving better pricing and service, with fares starting at just €19 between major cities
• The sustainability advantage of rail travel being 15-20 times greener than car transportation
• Luxury and first-class rail experiences seeing 15-25% annual growth as premium travelers discover the benefits of train travel
• Night trains making a comeback with new comfortable options across major European routes