The Insider Travel Report Podcast

David Tanguay, head of global sales for Aurora Expeditions, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report an update on where Aurora is going in Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Oceania & Asia and Europe. Interviewed at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, Tanguay gives a preview of what’s to come on Aurora’s exotic expedition cruise schedule. For more information, visit www.aurora-expeditions.com.

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Emmanuel Burgio, Blue Parallel’s founder and president, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, about his luxury travel boutique offering bespoke tours to incredible natural and cultural World Heritage wonders in Latin America, the Mediterranean and the polar regions. Burgio gives us the news about the company’s newest small trips to some of the most exotic places in ...

Steve Lima, vice president of growth for U.S. and Latin America for G Adventures, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about some fantastic results for fiscal year 2025, the successful introduction of new forms of touring for solo and luxury travelers, and the hot new destinations that are booking well for the company. For more information, visit www.gadventures.com.

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Karen Yeates, executive vice president-travel technology for Signature Travel Network , talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Signature Owners Meeting at Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego about the newest technology she and her team has helped develop for the travel agency cooperative. From database innovations to a new Storybook selling tool, Yeates keeps Signature members on the cutting edge of travel...

Cory Carlson, regional commercial director for Four Seasons, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about the brand-new Naples Beach Club-A Four Seasons Resort in Florida. With luxury accommodations, innovative restaurants, a large spa and a championship golf course, Naples Beach Resort is certain to quickly become a must-stay property on Florida’s West Coast. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com. 

Karryn Christopher, newly named as president Signature Travel Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Signature Owners Meeting in San Diego about her new role at the travel agency cooperative, running it with CEO Alex Sharpe. Christopher, of course, is no stranger to Signature having spent more 24 years with the group, most recently as executive vice president-marketing and preferred partnershi...

Francisco Blanch, director of leisure sales at Discover Puerto Rico, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report during the ASTA Caribbean Showcase about how easy it is for U.S. travelers to visit the destination as well as the many support programs available to travel advisors. He also highlights Puerto Rico’s air and cruise access, long holiday season, travel advisor rewards program, natural beauty, and diverse culinary experie...

Alex Sharpe, CEO of Signature Travel Network, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Signature Owners Meeting in San Diego at Hotel Del Coronado about the state of the travel agency cooperative and how it just adjusted its executive ranks. Sharpe also details the newest marketing and technology programs for member agencies, as well as how Signature sees the evolving travel market. For more information,...

Fabrizzio Gaggio, co-CEO of Starhotels, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about his growing luxury and premium hotel group with properties throughout Italy, the U.K. and even New York. For more information, visit www.starhotels.com. 

Gary Sadler, executive vice president of sales and industry relations at Sandals Resorts, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report during the ASTA Caribbean Showcase at Sandals South Coast in Jamaica about the brand’s commitment to travel advisors and the commission opportunities they provide. Sadler shares a real advisor success story, discusses education, fam trips, resort reinvestment and how Sandals continues to differenti...

Michelle Bentubo, chief operating officer of Virgin Voyages, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report aboard Brilliant Lady ahead of her “Mermaiden” voyage on Sept. 5 about the ship’s new features, entertainment lineup and expanded itineraries. She shares updates on purpose-built changes on the ship for passage through the Panama Canal and colder climates like Alaska, new dining and public spaces, and the commission-friendly t...

Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of Los Cabos Tourism Board, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month's Virtuoso Travel Week about the latest news on luxury hotels, attractions and experiences in Los Cabos. Positioned now as an upscale resort destination, Los Cabos is actively promoting to luxury travel advisors and their clients. For more information, visit www.visitloscabos.travel. 

Carolyne Doyon, president and CEO-North America & Caribbean for Club Med, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the transformation of this pioneering all-inclusive resort company into a successful, more upscale and still growing brand. Doyon reveals the newest Club Med properties and explains the company’s focus on all-inclusive ski resorts. For more information, visit www.clubmedta.com or www.clubmed.us. 

Lee Thomas, chair of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and one of the founders of NousTravel, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his long-term commitment to advancing the trade association and elevating the travel advisor profession. Thomas outlines his priorities, including advisor advocacy, education and professional standards, and reflects on ASTA’s growth and renewed influence through events like t...

Peter Bates, president and founder of Strategic Vision Inc., talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his annual Pulse of the Industry State of Luxury Travel Survey, which reveals what high-net-worth travelers are buying, where they are going and what they are concerned about. The survey also polls top luxury travel advisors on what they are seeing in the market this year. For more information, visit www.strategi...

Zane Kerby, president and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report at the ASTA Caribbean conference in Jamaica about ASTA’s legislative victories, commission payment tools and sverified travel advisor program. Kerby outlines current threats to the profession and urges advisors to join the fight through advocacy, education and unity, as well as such conferences as the ASTA ...

Arman Bimatov, co-founder and CEO TravelWits, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about how his company is partnering with top travel agencies to provide them with an AI-powered booking platform designed to help them streamline their workflows and increase sales efficiency. TravelWits’ proprietary AI algorithms optimize search, pricing, and upsell opportunities, al...

Jake Peters, co-founder and chief product and technology officer of Fora Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Virtuoso Travel Week about the growth of his innovative host agency. Peters details how Fora is adding travel advisors, training them, and giving them the tools and technology to sell more luxury travel. For more information, visit www.foratravel.com. 

Netto Moreira, general manager of Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his luxury oasis in the heart of Rio. Moreira, who as area general manager also oversees M-Gallery Santa Teresa Hotel and the upcoming Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema, talks about his luxury hotel empire with each property offering a different vibe and style. For more information, visit www.all.accor.com ...