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Event Spotlight: ITB Berlin

Discover everything you need to know about ITB Berlin, the largest global travel trade show, with valuable insights from Debbie Rothe, Director of ITB. This special episode spotlights dives all the speakers, session plans and tips for making the most essential event for travel industry professionals.We cover the highlights to help you maximize your ITB Berlin experience:

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S5/E6 Transforming Travel Experiences with Tourpreneur

Learn how Mitch, Chris, and Pete from the Tourpreneur team are redefining the art of travel. Their collaboration showcases the exciting potential of immersive travel and how it’s reshaping the future of the industry. Through their expertise and passion, they reveal how to create unforgettable journeys, explore strategies to convert interest into bookings, and elevate the travel experience.

The focus of this episode highlights the critical role of blending technology with authentic human connection in the travel industry.

We also dive into how Navi Savi's library of over 125,000 geolocated short-form videos across 180+ countries redefines the way businesses and travelers interact. Learn how travel professionals including travel agencies and airlines can use this authentic, real-time content to create more engaging customer experiences.

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S5/E5 How Creators are Redefining Travel Booking with Navi Savi

Join our final instalment of our Influencer series as Sally Bunnell, Founder and CEO of Navi Savi, shares her inspiring story from her Nebraska roots to building an innovative User Generated Content platform that is reshaping the travel industry. With experience spanning broadcast journalism and the music industry, Sally’s global adventures through 113 countries led her to create Navi Savi—a platform connecting creator videos with personalized travel recommendations.

This episode dives into how Navi Savi's library of over 125,000 geolocated short-form videos across 180+ countries redefines the way businesses and travelers interact. Learn how travel professionals including travel agencies and airlines can use this authentic, real-time content to create more engaging customer experiences. Sally emphasizes the importance of genuine peer-to-peer interaction, highlighting the power of unedited insights to build trust and enhance travel planning.

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S5/E4 Why We Travel: Exploring the Role of Travel Writers

Discover how travel writers are shaping the way we explore the world with award-winning journalist and filmmaker Ash Bhardwaj. Having reported from over 50 countries, Ash shares valuable insights on the intersection of travel, culture, and current global affairs.

This episode explores the deeper meaning on "why we travel" and gets behind our travel experiences, offering thoughtful reflections on cultural engagement and the impact of personal storytelling. Ash also highlights the ethical challenges facing travel journalism and influencers, while exploring the growing trend of adventure travel as a path to emotional connection.

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S5/E3 Picture-Perfect: Expert Tips from 3 Top Travel Photographers

Want to elevate your travel photography game?  Or learn how iconic visuals are shaping travel marketing? This episode brings together 3 industry-leading photographers, Paul Teolis, Kateryna Topol, and Jeffrey Garriock, to share their secrets on capturing unforgettable shots for top global travel brands. Plus, we have a bonus segment featuring Flytographer’s Natalie Schulte, who has created incredible in-destination images for thousands of travelers worldwide.  

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S5/E2 How Travel Brands Can Leverage TikTok Influencers with Hannah Bennett, Head of Travel, TikTok

Discover how TikTok is transforming the way we plan, book, and experience travel in this episode with Hannah Bennett, Head of Travel at TikTok. With over 2.14 billion users globally, TikTok is now a powerhouse for travel brands and creators alike, connecting audiences through authentic, inspiring content.

Hannah shares her unique insights, from the platform's game-changing algorithm to the rise of trends like slow travel and "destination dupes." Learn how TikTok plays a role in every stage of the travel cycle—sparking wanderlust, helping with trip planning, and even boosting ROI for travel brands.

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S5/E1 Investing in Travel 2025: Insights from AMEX Ventures, Thayer Ventures & Travel Startups

Season 5 is here, and we couldn’t be prouder to announce that we are now the #1 B2B podcast globally! This season is going to massive with over 25 new episodes featuring exclusive insights from 35+ industry leaders like TikTok, Expedia, Google, and much more.

To kick off Season 5, we wanted to explore how investors are viewing the travel industry in 2025 so we brought together 3 leading investors including Kevin Tsang from Amex Ventures, Cara Whitehill from Thayer Ventures, and Matt Zito from Travel Startups. They bring a wealth of knowledge from their respective firms, shedding light on the strategies behind venture capital and the dynamic shifts within the travel industry. Our conversation highlights market opportunities, effective pitch strategies, and the evolving role of technology in shaping the future of travel startups.

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S4/E31 Key Trends for 2025 Part 2: Live from Phocuswright

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.

• Insights into key trends expected for the travel industry in 2025
• Emphasis on AI's role in personalizing the traveler experience
• Examination of Gen Z's influence on travel preferences and brand strategies
• Overview of innovative companies in the travel space and their contributions
• Discussion on purpose-driven marketing and its relevance in travel today
Part 2 features insights from the following exceptional people:

  • Charlotte Lamp Davies, Founder, A Bright Approach

  • Barry Klipp, CEO, InterLnkd

  • Jared Alster, Chief Strategy Officer & Co-founder, Dune 7

  • Matthew Wade, CEO, JetPack

  • Michael Carfagnini, COO, Wingbuddy

  • Al Enes, VP, Nuvei

  • Lucie MacNeil, Condatis

  • Jeff Fromm, Forbes

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S4/E30 Key Trends for 2025: Live from Phocuswright

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.

• Insights from CMO Michelle Denogrean from MindTrip on enhancing consumer travel experiences
• Ben Sann discusses simplified communication for tour operators with TourOptima
• iWander's Marius Nigond on AI travel companions and local insights
• NYU Professor Richie Karaburun emphasizes the importance of academic perspectives on innovation
• Superlogic CEO Lin Dai talks about experiential rewards in loyalty programs
• Boris Bijlstra highlights connectivity solutions for travelers with HUBBY eSIM
• Michael Levinson, CEO, Joyned shares the need for collaborative decision-making in travel bookings
• Stay22's CEO Andrew Lockhead discusses the evolution from event-based solutions to supporting travel publishers

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S4/E29 Travel AI in 2025 with John Lyotier and Chris Jensen, Co-founders, Travel AI

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.

Here’s what you’ll gain from this inspiring conversation:

  •  Rapid Growth Strategies: Learn how TravelAI.com scaled from 400 to 4,000 websites, delivering exceptional results. 

  • Personalized Travel Experiences: Explore their approach to enhancing customer journeys with AI-powered customization. 

  • AI’s Role in Travel’s Future: Understand the potential impact of AI on shaping a more connected, efficient travel ecosystem. 

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S4/E28 Adventure Travel World Summit Highlights: ATTA Part 2

Listen to the remaining highlights from this year’s Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) in Panama with Part 2 of our special series. This episode showcases ATTA's profound power of connection and the fundamental importance of sustainability in shaping a brighter future for the adventure travel industry.

Packed with powerful stories and insights, this final installment from our Tours & Activities series features an exceptional lineup of industry thought leaders, including:

  • Jonathan Coleman, CEO, UnTours 

  • Struan Robertson, CEO, SpiceRoads 

  • Natalie Gauthier, GM, Great Canadian Trails 

  • Hamish Keith, CEO,  EXO Travel Group 

  • Justin Wateridge, CEO, Steppes Travel 

  • Mariyana Castleberry, Yolo Dream Adventure 

  • Christian Valencia, GM, Active Expedition 

  • Gabi Stowell, VP, ATTA 

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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.

This episode features insights from an exceptional lineup of industry leaders:

  • Eric Segalstad, Gondwana Ecotours

  • Kit Bernardi, Travel Journalist and Photographer

  • Rich Heller, Miru Adventures

  • Douglas Layton, Mesopotami Tour

  • Sarah Higgins, World Expeditions

  • Raza Akhtar, The Wander

  • Ava Zupančič, World Discovery 

  • Jason Halberstadt, MyTrip.ai

  • Dan Flores, Satisfi Labs

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S4/E26 Live from Arival: Interview Highlights Part 2

Get ready to immerse yourself in the future of travel! Part 2 of our exclusive series from Arival 360 in San Diego takes you behind the scenes of the dynamic tours and activities sector—a thriving heartbeat of the travel industry.

This episode features insights from an all-star lineup of industry leaders, including:

  • Sarah Dines, Chief Commercial Officer, Viator  Lori Timony, Go City 

  • Kelsey Tonner, Guest Focus 

  • Shradha Bhatia, WithLocals 

  • Oliver Merneck Leverne, Secret Food Tours 

  • Ryan O'Grady, Fotaflo 

  • Alex Grant, Travel Curious 

  • Sarah Dines, Chief Commercial Officer, Viator 

  • Randy Stancic, The Sky Deck 

  • John Maguire, TripAdmit 

  • Bruce Rosard. Arival Co-Founder, and Christian Watts 

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S4/E25 Live from Arival: Interview Highlights Part 1

Curious about how a sandwich tour in New York City went virtual during the pandemic, or how a ghost tour entrepreneur turned his love for spooky stories into a nationwide adventure? You'll discover innovative approaches and clever pivots in the world of tours and activities with live interviews from Arival in San Diego. This episode promises a fascinating look at how passion projects can blossom into successful enterprises. Dive into these transformative journeys that show the resilience and creativity within the travel sector.

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S4/E24 Navigating the Future of UK Tourism: Tours & Activities with Tom Macklin, Managing Director, Evans Evans

Discover the vibrant evolution of UK tourism with Tom Macklin, the visionary Managing Director of Evans Evans, as your guide. From his humble beginnings at a cruise travel agency to leading London's oldest sightseeing company, Tom shares his journey and how Evan Evans has grown since the 1930s. We unravel the rich tapestry of the company’s history, discussing its innovative transformation into a leader of diverse experiences, including day trips, small group tours, and bespoke attraction ticket wholesaling.

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S4/E23 Experiential Travel: Showcasing the Magic of India with India City Walks

What if travel could be more than just a series of sights and sounds, but rather a transformative journey that resonates with your passions? Join us as we explore a world of personalized adventures and innovative tourism trends set to redefine your travel experiences by 2025.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and heritage of India with insights from Sanchin and Nidhi, the dynamic duo behind India City Walks.

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S4/E22 The Evolving OTA Landscape Part 2 with Rob Ransom, Chief Strategy Officer, Booking Holdings

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. Rob shares his insider perspective on the transformative journey of Booking Holdings, one of the world's largest online travel agencies, from the pivotal acquisition of Booking.com by Priceline to its strategic rebranding. We'll uncover the company's dual focus on corporate growth and sustainability, and how these priorities shape its role in the world of travel.

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S4/E21 The Evolving OTA Landscape Part 1 with Traci Mercer, SVP, Priceline

What if your travel booking experience could be completely transformed? Join us as we unravel the captivating evolution of Online Travel Agencies. From the groundbreaking innovations since the 1990s to today's data-driven personalization, you'll discover how OTAs like Priceline have reshaped the travel landscape and what that means for your next trip.

Our episode dives into the heart of Priceline's strategies with insights from Traci Mercer, Priceline's Senior Vice President & Head of Accommodations, Flights & Strategic Projects. Learn how OTAs are not just service providers but vital partners for consumers and suppliers, streamlining the travel booking journey with convenience and flexibility.

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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. Together, we embark on a journey through HX's unique offerings, where every voyage promises a meaningful connection to the planet and its rich history. From Gebhard's transition from the hospitality industry to leading a trailblazer in expedition travel, to Alex's operational insights that reassure and excite future travelers, we uncover the essence of what makes HX stand out in the world of exploration at sea.

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S4/E19 A Spotlight on Ocean Cruise Marketing Strategies with Nick Charrow, Director of Media, Princess Cruises

Discover the magic behind Princess Cruises with our special guest, Nick Charrow, Director of Media, as he shares his captivating journey from creative and digital marketing to his influential role in the cruise industry. You'll gain insights into how Princess Cruises crafts a comprehensive vacation experience with its impressive fleet of 16 ships. Nick highlights the unique features that set the brand apart, such as the medallion class product, which uses wearable technology to elevate the guest experience. Whether you're a cruise veteran or a curious newcomer, there's something here for everyone.

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