The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her cruise line’s plans introduce Destination Immersion cruising to Alaska on Azamara Pursuit next summer. Ritzenthaler also reveals how she is working to add more AzaMazing evenings, overnights, longer stays in port to all cruises on Azamara’s four-ship fleet. For more information, visit www.azamara.com.

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Hazel McGuire, chief marketing officer for Intrepid Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about a new product line from her adventure travel operator. Short Breaks are four- to six-day adventures for time-pressed travelers seeking immersive travel experiences. The range includes 10 new itineraries across Latin America and Europe and 45 refreshed trips worldwide, curated to fit a condensed timeframe. For more...

Gerald Glennon, general manager of Espacio, Jewel of Waikiki, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s ILTM North America in the Bahamas about his uber luxury boutique property in Oahu. With just nine full floor suites, Espacio delivers the essence of luxury and high-end cuisine with a dedicated staff catering to guests’ every need. For more information about this very special resort, visit www.espaciow...

David Hu, president of Pleasant Holidays, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how the company is changing its brand structure to better serve travel advisors. A | T Holdings is the new holding company that will feature four brands: Pleasant Holidays for all travel advisors, Members First for AAA advisors (AAA owns Pleasant), Evoke | Inspire for luxury advisors, replacing luxury travel brand Journese, and Ple...

Michael Tibetts, founder and CEO of Salterra in Turks & Caicos, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his brand new resort on South Caicos offering great beaches, sumptuous accommodations, and gourmet dining, For more information, visit www.salterra.com. 

Sarah Sundstedt, chief marketing officer for Eterniti Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America about her company’s collection of luxury and commissionable villa rentals at sun and snow resorts around France and beyond. For more information, visit www.eterniti.com 

Gisele Abrahao, CEO of Global Vision Access, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Brasil DNA, a multi-media tourism campaign, including a Virtual Roadshow, Nov. 4-6, produced by Insider Travel Report and TAConnect. Brasil DNA connects North American travel professionals with the authenticity, culture and natural beauty that make Brazil an unforgettable destination. In partnership with Embratur (Visit Brasil) ...

Liz Fettes, chief commercial officer for Cunard, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Queen Elizabeth’s Caribbean season and where the ship will be for the rest of the year. Queen Elizabeth just starting to homeport in Miami offering a series of sailings to a diverse group of Caribbean islands. Then next year she will be doing a series of cruises to Alaska. For more information, visit www.cunard.com or www.on...

Jason Stafford, managing director of Manoir Hovey in Quebec, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America, held earlier this month, about his iconic lakeside luxury retreat just over the New York State border. With individually designed accommodations, gourmet restaurants and a large spa, this property is the perfect getaway for couples. For more information, visit www.manoirhovey.com. 

Piangduan Kloyarun, vice president-sales & marketing for Lebua Bangkok, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America earlier this month about this extraordinary urban resort depicted in movies like “The Hangover Part 2.” Lebua Bangkok features sumptuous accommodations, multiple restaurants, shopping and more in the heart of Thailand capital city. For more information, visit www.lebua.com. 

Joy Jibrilu, CEO of Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America, held earlier this month at Baha Mar in Nassau, the Bahamas. Jibrilu tells us how the destination continues to grow with new resort sand new resort features, anchored by the two mega-resorts in the region, Baha Mar and Atlantis Bahamas. For more information, visit www.nassauparadiseisland.com...

Feisal Jaffer, global head of LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Brooke Thomas, brand leader of Curio Collection by Hilton, talk with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at ILTM North America, held at Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Jaffer details the latest developments in LXR’s luxury resort brand, while Thoms reveals new members of the Curio Collection. For more information, visit www.hilton.com. 

Jacqueline Leibl-Cote, president and CEO of Collette, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how her family-owned tour company has introduced a new tagline, a new video and even a new song—along with a whole new slate of tours for 2026. Leible-Cote tells us how Collette is making big changes to its branding and product mix. For more information, visit www.gocollette.com.

Richard Fain, chairman and former CEO for Royal Caribbean Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Fain’s new book “Delivering the WOW.” The book delivers both a running account of Fain’s time at Royal Caribbean and the lessons he and his team learned in how to develop innovative, even revolutionary cruise ships and products that “wow” guests. To buy the book, click on Amazon “Delivering the WOW.”

John McEnroe, a legend in tennis and in broadcasting tennis, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the John MacEnroe Tennis Center at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, the Bahamas. McEnroe tells us about his youth tennis centers in New York and the Bahamas and what he hopes to accomplish. For more information, visit www.bahamar.com.  To set up a group at the tennis center, email Derron Donaldson, director of racquets at...

Tawnee Sons and Julie Irovando, top-producing travel advisors with Cruise Planners, talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report aboard Wonder of the Seas during Cruise Planners’ annual conference about how they built a thriving family business around group travel. The two share how Cruise Planners’ technology, training and supportive community have helped them grow from selling small escorted church trips to handling groups of up ...

Adam Martindale, a Cruise Planners travel advisor, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report aboard Wonder of the Seas during Cruise Planners’ annual conference about how he turned decades in food and beverage management into a thriving travel business specializing in luxury, food and wine cruises. With Cruise Planners’ support and technology, Martindale was able to find his niche, build strong supplier relationships and embrac...

Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar Resort, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report during ILTM North America, held earlier this month, about what’s new and what’s planned at his signature property in Nassau, the Bahamas. The Jazz Club at Baha Mar is now featuring a full schedule of performances and Leola, Celebrity Chef Scott Connant’s new Italian restaurant, is in previews getting ready to open later this fall. Ther...

Simon Mayle, event director for ILTM North America and PROUD Gathering, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about last week’s luxury travel event at the Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, the Bahamas. This 13th annual event, co-located with the PROUD LGBTQ+ conference, attracted well over 1,000 luxury travel advisors and luxury vendors. For more information, visit www.iltm.com/northamerica.