View From Afar
View From Afar is a podcast by the travel industry, for the travel industry. The travel industry is constantly evolving, and in our latest podcast, View From Afar, Afar editors talk with the changemakers—the CEOs, tourism experts, hoteliers, and more—who are making travel better for consumers, and the world.
Episodes
America's birthplace of the revolution is writing new chapters while honoring its historic legacy. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of Meet Boston, joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how the city balances its Revolutionary War heritage with contemporary attractions and diverse neighborhoods.
The conversation covers Boston's ongoing America 250 ...
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New York City continues to set the global standard for urban tourism, and its newest tourism leader is ready to build on that legacy. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Julie Coker, president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions, joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss her vision for the Big Apple's tourism future.
Julie, who started her role in December 2024, brings extensiv...
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Southwest Florida is proving that beach destinations can evolve beyond sun and sand while maintaining their natural magic. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Tamara Pigott, executive director of Visit Fort Myers, joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to share how she's helped transform the region into a world-class travel destination over her 25 years with the organization, including 10...
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Maine is proving that small state thinking can yield big tourism results while staying true to its roots. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Maine Office of Tourism Director Carolann Ouellette joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss her unique journey back to leading Maine tourism for a second time, having previously held the role from 2010 to 2016 before launching the state's ...
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June 26, 2025 • 22 mins
Wisconsin is proving that the Midwest can surprise travelers while breaking tourism records. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism Anne Sayers joins Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how the state has achieved three consecutive record-breaking years of tourism growth under her leadership since December 2020, expanding from six media markets in 2019 to 1...
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Washington D.C. is proving that America's capital can separate politics from place while breaking tourism records. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Destination DC president and CEO Elliott Ferguson joins Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how the city welcomed a record-breaking 27.2 million visitors in 2024, generating $2.3 billion in tax revenue while preparing for major event...
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June 25, 2025 • 21 mins
St. Louis is proving that America's heartland is ready for a renaissance, blending iconic history with entrepreneurial energy. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Explore St. Louis president and CEO Brad Dean joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how the Gateway City is reimagining itself as a destination for urban exploration while celebrating major milestones like Route 66...
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New Orleans is proving its resilience and redefining what it means to be "built to host" major events. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, New Orleans & Company president and CEO Walt Leger joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how the city bounced back from tragedy to deliver an unprecedented run of iconic events—Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Super Bowl LIX, and Mardi Gras.
Lege...
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June 23, 2025 • 22 mins
Buffalo is experiencing a renaissance that's transforming America's perception of this western New York destination. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Buffalo Niagara president and CEO Patrick Kaler joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how grassroots community investment is reshaping the city's tourism landscape.
Kaler highlights Buffalo's architectural treasures, in...
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June 20, 2025 • 20 mins
California's tourism powerhouse is gearing up for its biggest decade yet. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Visit California president and CEO Caroline Beteta sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how nearly three decades of experience has shaped her strategy for promoting the nation's top tourism revenue generator.
Beteta reveals the counterintuitive challenge o...
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Chicago is poised for a global spotlight with the historic appointment of Chicago-born Pope Leo. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Choose Chicago president and CEO Kristen Reynolds sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how her unconventional journey from Arizona tourism to Long Island destination transformation has prepared her to lead the Windy City's bold marketing v...
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Fort Lauderdale—Florida's LGBTQ+ capital—has proved that staying true to your values can be the best marketing strategy of all. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Lauderdale President and CEO Stacey Ritter sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how her unconventional path from lawyer to politician to tourism leader has shaped her bold approach to destination market...
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The single biggest thing that will improve our air travel system and make it better for everyone involved? Government investment, says Josh Earnest, Executive Vice President of Communications and Advertising of United Airlines.
In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Josh Earnest sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss United's ambitious strategic vision, from massive interna...
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June 19, 2025 • 24 mins
Los Angeles is proving that resilience and opportunity go hand in hand. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Bureau President and CEO Adam Burke sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how L.A. is transforming challenges into catalysts for growth.
From navigating the aftermath of January's devastating wildfires and recent protests to prep...
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What happens when a casino CEO takes on America's tourism challenges? In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, MGM Resorts CEO and U.S. Travel Association Chair Bill Hornbuckle sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss the state of international inbound travel.
Hornbuckle has watched Vegas transform from a "free food, free rooms, come gamble" destination to a sports and enter...
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Asheville, North Carolina, is known for many things: a pristine location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, an incredible arts and music scene—and more recently, Hurricane Helene, one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history. But since the storm hit in September 2024, the town has invested heavily in rebuilding, and it (and most of Western North Carolina) are eagerly welcoming visitors once more.
In this special IPW 2025 episode...
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In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Philadelphia president and CEO Angela Val shares her hope that "everybody sees each other as human beings first." And she explains how Philadelphia's core value as the City of Brotherly Love means that no matter your lifestyle, religion, race, or ethnicity, "in this place you will be able to be yourself, feel a sense of belonging and be welcomed."
...
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Charleston hid their tea instead of throwing it in the harbor—and that's just one of the surprising stories that the historic city has to share with visitors.
In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Explore Charleston president and CEO Helen Hill sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to share how Charleston recently broke records for hotel nights and airport passengers—and how t...
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How can the U.S. more warmly welcome international travelers? U.S. Travel Association president Geoff Freeman has a few ideas.
In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Geoff Freeman sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about the state of international inbound travel.
As the U.S. travel industry works to recover from a $12 billion loss in international tourism revenue while...
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May 15, 2025 • 32 mins
How do you redefine luxury hospitality in 2025? For Maud Bailly, the CEO of four of Accor’s luxury hotel brands—Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems—it starts with empathy.
In this episode of View From Afar, she chats with host Jennifer Flowers about how she’s reshaping luxury hospitality through bold sustainability, diverse teams and a global vision rooted in local impact.
In this episode you’ll learn:
The disti...
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