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
December 8, 2025 • 23 mins
Nayara Resorts is confronting one of tourism's most overlooked problems—the housing crisis that forces local workers out of their communities in remote areas—by building homes for its most vulnerable employees.
In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Leo Ghitis, CEO of Nayara Resorts, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to discuss how the luxury resort group is addressing both environmental devastation and social ine...
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December 5, 2025 • 17 mins
Langham Hospitality Group is proving that heritage brands can innovate without losing their soul, transforming historic buildings into contemporary luxury destinations while maintaining the personal service that defines true hospitality.
In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market), recorded live in Cannes, Bob van den Oord, CEO of Langham Hospitality Group, joins Afar editor-in-chief Julia Cosgrove to share how he's guided...
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December 5, 2025 • 25 mins
For more than four decades, Matthew Upchurch has been a driving force behind how high-end travel is sold, experienced, and understood. As CEO of Virtuoso , one of the world's leading luxury travel networks, he's championed human connection in an increasingly digital world and advocated for the enduring value of trusted advisors and transformative, purpose-driven travel.
In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Afar cofound...
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Live From ILTM: How Matter of Form Helps Luxury Travel Brands—From Aman to Belmond—Find Their Voices
December 4, 2025 • 13 mins
Matter of Form is proving that luxury travel brands need therapy—not to fix what's broken, but to discover what makes them singular in a sea of "elevated experiences" and "art of luxury" clichés.
In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Anant Sharma, founder and CEO of Matter of Form, joins Afar cofounder Joe Diaz to dissect why luxury hospitality has become awash with homogenized language and how brands can reclaim their c...
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December 4, 2025 • 19 mins
AmaWaterways is expanding river cruising's appeal beyond its traditional audience, drawing in solo travelers, active families, and wellness-focused guests who are discovering this style of travel for the first time.
In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode, recorded live in Cannes, Catherine Powell, the new CEO of AmaWaterways, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to reveal the brand's fresh visual identity a...
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December 2, 2025 • 14 mins
Forbes Travel Guide has been the gold standard for luxury hotel ratings for more than 60 years, and its anonymous inspections remain one of the travel industry's most influential forces. In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode, recorded live in Cannes, Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, joins Afar co-founder Joe Diaz to reveal how the guide maintains its integrity while expanding beyond hotels into cruis...
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December 2, 2025 • 17 mins
Fora Travel is proving that the travel advisor industry can evolve beyond traditional gatekeeping while maintaining professional excellence. In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode—recorded live in Cannes—Henley Vazquez, cofounder of Fora Travel, joins Afar cofounder Joe Diaz to share how she's transforming a legacy industry by saying "yes" to a new generation of travel entrepreneurs who don't fit the traditional ...
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October 8, 2025 • 41 mins
How do you build a travel company that prioritizes purpose over profit—and still succeed? For James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, it starts with transparency, ambition, and a commitment to local communities.
In this episode of View From Afar, he chats with Afar director of podcasts Aislyn Greene about how he's steering one of the world's most beloved adventure travel companies through challenges like overtourism, climate chang...
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September 3, 2025 • 50 mins
In July 2025, a video from veteran safari guide Nick Kleer went viral, showing more than 150 safari vehicles crowding a single wildebeest crossing in Tanzania's Serengeti. The chaotic scene sparked outrage and raised urgent questions about overtourism in East Africa's most iconic wildlife destinations. But the issue is much more nuanced.
In this episode of View From Afar—the first in a larger safari series that will continue into...
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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 25, 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 24, 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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