Special Hospitality Series: The First FTG Five-Star Hotel in the Seychelles
Imagine stepping off a small turboprop plane onto a pristine island less than a mile long, where coconut trees sway in gentle breezes and sea turtles nest undisturbed along protected shores. Welcome to the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, where luxury meets untouched nature in perfect harmony.
Join us for the latest episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, where we shine a light on one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars"—Mark Basaloga, Resort Manager at Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island.
S5/E15 Small Groups, Big Adventures with Michael Edwards, MD, Explore Worldwide
Listen to the latest episode of our Guided Touring series, where Dan is joined by Michael Edwards, Managing Director at Explore Worldwide, to discuss the rising popularity of small group adventures. Michael shares why he calls this moment the “golden age” of small group travel and highlights how intimate group sizes (12-16 people) foster meaningful "micro-communities," delivering the connection and camaraderie so many crave today.
Spotlight: Earth Day - Lessons in Sustainability with Shannon Stowell, CEO, ATTA and Greg Takehara, CEO, Tourism Cares
This Earth Day, we’re proud to share present our first ATTA & Travel Trends Adventure Series discussion focused on important lessons in sustainability. In this powerful episode, Travel Trends host Dan is joined by co-host Shannon Stowell, CEO of ATTA and together they interview the CEO of Tourism Cares Greg Takehara.
Greg & Shannon unpack the current state of sustainable travel and share many actionable insights on how the industry, along with travelers, can move past surface-level greenwashing to drive meaningful, long-term impact.
Key Highlights from this discussion include:
Environmental Responsibility: Moving beyond buzzwords, learn how real practices can protect delicate ecosystems.
Adventure Travel's Role: Did you know that adventure travel retains 65–70% of spending in local communities compared to only 10–15% for large-scale tourism? These numbers showcase the moral and economic power of mindful travel decisions.
Cultural Preservation: Why Travel is an important bridge to connect and honor diverse customs and traditions.
Human Connection: How this style of travel realizes the ultimate goal—forging connections that last a lifetime.
Event Spotlight: Preparing for Phocuswright Europe Barcelona June 2025
Mark your calendars—Phocuswright Europe is heading to Barcelona from June 10-12, 2025, bringing the premier travel technology conference to the iconic Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, just steps away from the luxurious Gran Meliá hotel. With a new venue and an executive-driven agenda tailored specifically for the European market, this event promises to redefine the conversation on the future of travel.
Why is Phocuswright Europe a Must-Attend Event?
At the core of Phocuswright Europe is an intentional focus on senior leadership and decision-makers. “Our speakers are all CEOs and presidents,” shares Pete Comeau, Managing Director of Phocuswright. “The attendees are typically director-level and above.” This unique concentration of C-suite executives creates a high-impact environment for organic partnerships, quick deal-making, and live discussions that shape tomorrow’s travel landscape.
S4/E27 Adventure Travel World Summit Highlights: ATTA Part 1
Did you know there was a global event for Adventure Travel companies? Join us as Dan attends his very first Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) held in Panama and interviews many fascinating people from Iraq to Pakistan and from Influencers to technology leaders that are shaping this massive industry.
S4/E20 Big Adventures on Small Ships: The Expedition Experience with Gebhard Rainer, CEO & Alex McNeil, Chief Expedition Officer at HX | Hurtigruten Expeditions
Ever wondered how the world of expedition cruising blends adventure, luxury and sustainability? Join us for an in-depth conversation with HX | Hurtigruten Expeditions' CEO Gebhard Rainer and Chief Expedition Officer Alex McNeil.