The Insider Travel Report Podcast

Matthew Shollar, founder and chief visionary officer of Transcend Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the concept for the new river cruise line developed eight years ago and all the steps along the way to the launch if its first ship. Shollar, who spoke with us after the christening of the new MS Connect, details how he and many others contributed to the creation of the first river cruise company fo...

Jessica Hall Upchurch, vice chair and global stewardships strategist for Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Virtuoso Travel Week about Virtuoso’s renewed strategy to protect global travel and tourism resources. Upchurch reveals the luxury travel network’s new strategy to become a global steward of responsible tourism policies. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com...

Kimberly Daley, chief operation and chief revenue officer for Transcend Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her new Transcend MS Connect, a river ship sailing the rivers of Europe designed for group travel, from corporate meetings to weddings and beyond. Daley gives us a tour of the ship’s 60 staterooms (carrying 120 guests), which can be reconfigured into 30 larger suites; the unique two-leve...

Tristan Dowell, chief commercial officer for Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his first three months on the job, what he is already understanding about the luxury network that he might not have known before, and his experience at Virtuoso Travel Week as part of the group. A veteran hotel executive formerly with Hyatt, Dowell, who is based in the U.K., is now on the travel agency side, overseeing...

Matthew Upchurch, chairman and CEO of Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about news that came out of the event (including a new Virtuoso intelligence capability), where Virtuoso is as a luxury travel network today, and the state of luxury travel business. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Hans Rood, chief development officer of Transcend Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this brand-new river cruise ship targeting a redefined group travel market. With a unique design, Transcend Connect boasts facilities that cater to the needs of corporate groups and even destination weddings. And there are more ships on the way as Transcend opens a whole new market for river cruises. For more infor...

Arne Heuwekemeijer, general manager of Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his classic and completely refurbished luxury property in the heart of Amsterdam. With both modern décor in the rooms and suites and classic furnishings of the public rooms, the hotel offers a mix of modern and historic, including some great restaurants, a wonderful spa and a mixology bar named after...

We’ve all seen the photos and maybe some videos, but I finally got the chance to take ballon ride at dawn over the rocky landscapes of Cappadocia.With nearly 100 balloons in the sky, each carrying 30 people, this is truly a must-do experience. Watch, enjoy and be inspired to book yourself and your clients to Turkiye. This is the fourth video in four-part series on Turkiye. For more information, visit www.goturkiye.com. 

My tour of Istanbul with Ali Faik Anayurt, a Turkiye tour guide, where we visited some of Istanbul’s main historic and cultural attractions, including Galata Tower, Galataport (the cruise port complex) , the famed Haiga Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the city’s fascinating neighborhoods, exotic markets and local restaurants. This is the first in a four-part series on Turkiye. For more information on Turkiye, visit www.go...

Josh Hargrove, general manager of Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the differences between the two historic Waikiki properties and how travel advisors can match clients with the right resort. Hargrove also discusses Moana Surfrider’s 125-year history and $90 million renovation, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani’s updated pool and bar...

Jeremy Gow, senior director of hospitality operations at World Equestrian Center Ocala in Florida, talks with Sara Perez Webber of Insider Travel Report about the destination’s evolution from an equestrian venue into a luxury resort with multiple hotels, restaurants, shopping, meetings and events. Gow also discusses the new Equestrian Manor, culinary experiences, weddings, group business, and how travel advisors can sell this...

Jason Schreier, CEO of Aegis Travel Insurance, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the company’s customizable plans, including coverage not only when a traveler gets sick, but also when a performer such as Taylor Swift becomes ill and the ticketed event is canceled. Schreier also discusses adjustable benefits, instant payments during covered emergencies and travel advisor commissions. For more information, vis...

Jacki Marks, global head of trade sales & engagement at ALG Vacations, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the evolution of the Kindness Movement, the impact of the 2026 Kindness Events, and how investing in travel advisors and communities is strengthening the travel industry. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com/kindness. 

John Beck, regional director-IHG Hotels & Resorts, talks with Amy Tate of Insider Travel Report about the EVEN Hotel New York-Times Square South, a modern boutique “wellness” hotel in midtown New York on the West Side. Part of the IHG’s growing EVEN brand, this hotel features stylish rooms with great amenities and features, plus “fun” public areas like a garden wall, game room and fitness center. F...

Bas Bosschieter, CEO of Captain’s Choice, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his bespoke luxury tour operator and what unique experiences it creates for guests in places around the world. Whether it’s by private jet, small luxury ship or a unique rail journey, this Australian company, based in Melbourn, pushes boundaries for high-end clients with innovation and fresh thinking itineraries and exp...

Lucy Shulman, director of sales and marketing for Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about her recently reopened and refurbished property on posh Park Avenue. It’s part of a new wave of Kimpton hotels located around the city, offering comfortable and classic accommodations in the city’s top neighborhoods. For more information, visit www.ashbelhotelnewyork.com or w...

John Diorio, vice president and managing director of business development for North America for Celestyal, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his boutique cruise line’s new itineraries in the Western Med during the winter season. With two ships now cruising the Aegean, Adriatic and Alboran Seas, Celestyal now delivers a complete Mediterranean experience. New value pricing also makes the cruise line on...

Gina Gabbard, chief commercial officer for First in Service (F1S), a Virtuoso-member luxury host agency, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Summit in New York about what’s new at F1S and what the trends are in luxury travel today. Gabbard also tells us why she participated in the T+L Summit and the value she got out of the invitation-only meeting. Fo...

Paul Brady, news director for Travel + Leisure, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Summit in New York about the latest trends in luxury travel and top news in upscale travel this year, Brady, who moderated several key panels during the Summit, also reveals what he sees for luxury travel in the year ahead. For more information, visit www.travelandleisure.co...