Send us a Text Message.What does it take to build a luxury car rental empire from just seven vehicles to a fleet of 6,000? Join us as we sit down with Mauricio Souza, VP of Operations at Go Rentals, to uncover the secret behind their remarkable growth. We explore how the company, founded by two brothers in 1995, caters exclusively to the ultra-high-net-worth community with an unwavering focus on exceptional service, products, and relationships. Mauricio shares his valuable insights from the F...

Send us a Text Message.How do luxury hotels craft unforgettable experiences while accommodating diverse dietary needs? Join us live from the Forbes Travel Guide Summit in Las Vegas as we sit down with Tiffany Dowd, better known as Luxe Tiffany. With over 15 years of experience in the luxury hotel social media landscape, Tiffany shares her journey and the pivotal role she plays as an ambassador for Forbes Travel Guide. Gain exclusive insights into how luxury hotels, private islands, and real e...

Send us a Text Message.What if you could launch an iconic luxury resort and achieve a five-star rating within its first year? Discover the secrets behind this incredible feat as we sit down with Tom Roelens, the Managing Director of Atlantis Dubai, live from the FTG Summit in Las Vegas. Tom's journey is nothing short of remarkable, from Michelin-starred kitchens in Belgium and France to earning his stripes at Cornell University and leading renowned properties with Four Seasons. We uncover his...

Send us a Text Message.How does a background in hospitality and fashion production lead to revolutionizing the luxury hotel industry? Join us as we chat with Jason Lurie, the mastermind behind Jalen Designs, who has turned the world of hospitality uniform design on its head. From his beginnings making costumes for Disney and Marvel to an unexpected pivot into outfitting elite private members clubs, Jason's journey is a testament to innovation and adaptability. Discover how a chance meeting wi...

Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered what it takes to earn the prestigious triple five-star Forbes Travel Guide rating? In this episode, we sit down with Mark Langevin, General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman, who provides an insider’s perspective on elevating resort standards to this elite level. Mark discusses the essential role of teamwork and the relentless pursuit of excellence, emphasizing how 900 dedicated 'ladies and gentlemen' contributed to this remarkable achievement. H...

Send us a Text Message.Imagine transforming every hotel stay into an unforgettable experience with just the right linens. That's exactly what Filippo Arnaboldi, CEO of Frette, shares with us on this episode. Filippo takes us on a journey through Frette's remarkable history since its inception in 1860, spotlighting its role in the global hospitality industry. Learn how Frette partners with elite hotels and cruise lines to craft bespoke, high-quality bedding and linens that cater to unique envi...

Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how someone goes from washing dishes at a fried chicken restaurant to being a managing director of a luxury resort? Join us as we uncover Rick Fidel's remarkable journey from Auburn University psychology student to three-time Forbes Travel Guide five-star recipient. Rick shares his path to success, emphasizing the critical roles of hard work, vision, and team support. We also explore the camaraderie and recognition at the Forbes Summit, where Rick expresse...

Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how a luxury hotel manages to maintain five-star service standards while hosting a prestigious global summit? Join us as Shannon McCallum, VP of Hotel Operations at Resorts World Las Vegas, shares her unique insights from hosting the Forbes Travel Guide Summit. Shannon recounts the ambitious journey of opening Resorts World amidst the pandemic in June 2021 and its pivotal role in revitalizing Las Vegas tourism. She takes us behind the scenes of this magnif...

Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how the world’s elite concierges maintain their impeccable standards? Join us for an exclusive chat with Burak Ipekci, the Secretary General of Les Clefs d'Or, recorded live at the Forbes Travel Summit in Las Vegas. Burak walks us through the storied history and rigorous membership process of Les Clefs d'Or, an organization that has set the gold standard in hospitality since 1929. Discover what it takes to wear the iconic golden keys and the dedication req...

Send us a Text Message.In our latest podcast episode from 'The Summit' in Las Vegas, we explore an intriguing question, with Stuart Greif, my good friend and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer: What if luxury hospitality could harness AI to deepen, rather than diminish, human connections?Stuart shares his valuable insights on leveraging AI to streamline administrative tasks, allowing staff to focus on cultivating meaningful interactions with guests. Despite technological advancements...

Send us a Text Message.Curious about where luxury hospitality is headed in 2024? We had a fascinating conversation with Chris Gabaldon, Former SVP of Luxury Brands and Operations at Marriott International, live from the Forbes Travel Guide 'The Summit' in Las Vegas. Chris provides an insider’s perspective on how major trends like sustainability, wealth, and wellness are redefining the luxury travel experience. If you're eager to understand how the industry is shifting towards holistic well-be...

Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how personal connections can redefine luxury travel? We had a captivating chat with Eli Wagner, the mastermind behind Wagner Bespoke Travel, at the Forbes Travel Guide 'The Summit' in Las Vegas, who took us through her transition from entertainment law to luxury travel. Eli reveals why she believes travel advisors are irreplaceable in curating unforgettable experiences and shares her thoughts on the ever-evolving demographics of luxury travelers. Learn how...

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of our Special Hospitality Series, we had the privilege of sitting down with one of the most esteemed travel journalists in the industry, Peter Greenberg of CBS News. Recorded at Forbes Travel Guide's 'The Summit' in Las Vegas, this episode showcases Peter's remarkable journey and his unique approach to travel journalism. Key Highlights Include:Peter's Journey in Journalism:Peter shares his transformation from an investigative reporter at Newsweek t...

Send us a Text Message.Join us from the vibrant Forbes Travel Guide 'Summit' in Las Vegas as Mia Kyricos , the world's first Chief Love Officer, reveals how love and positivity can be game-changers in the corporate world. With a rich background from Starwood Hotels, Spa Finder, and Hyatt Hotels, Mia shares groundbreaking insights on integrating wellness into both personal and professional spheres.We discuss how 'The Summit' event uniquely blends professional growth with personal well-being, e...

Send us a Text Message.Introducing Our Special Hospitality Series in Partnership with Forbes Travel GuideWe're thrilled to kick off our new special podcast series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guides, focusing on the incredible world of luxury hospitality that was showcased at their 'Summit' event in Las Vegas.Our First Guest Spotlight: Chip ConleyTo launch this series, we had the pleasure of sitting down with industry legend Chip Conley. From his illustrious career as a creator of the ...

Send us a Text Message.🎙️ Funny Warning: Final Episode of Travel Trends Podcast Season 3 is Live! 🎙️As we wrap up our biggest and best season yet, we're thrilled to share a rather hilarious final episode with you. 🤣 It's a must listen as Jen, Kat, and Zoch (aka Zach) are in top form and share many highlights from our amazing Guests, Panels, AI Summit and discuss our upcoming Events, Webinars, and Newsletter. Highlights from our Season 3 Finale:- Standout Moments: We discuss our favorite episo...

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, we explore the significant travel trends impacting US travelers in 2024, focusing on tour operators, insurance, and the 50+ traveler. Our discussion features three experts in the travel industry: Christina Tunnah, GM at nib Travel, Ryan Busse, VP, Grand European Travel, and Matthew Philips from AARP. They shed light on the evolving consumer behavior of American travelers, their Summer 2024 travel interests and the impacts of being in an election...

Send us a Text Message.In this episode we bring together 3 All-Stars from the Tours and Activities space to share the key trends shaping our industry as we gear up for the summer travel season of 2024 and beyond.Kicking off the discussion, we are joined by Stephen Joyce, Vice President of Content at Arival, who enriches our understanding with his comprehensive grasp of social media strategies, content creation, and his profound insights into the tours sector. Stephen, an authority in the fiel...

Send us a Text Message.In this captivating discussion with Charles Shima, the visionary Rwandan-Canadian entrepreneur behind Tourifique, we explore his powerful journey from enduring the Genocide against the Tutsi's in Rwanda, to revolutionizing Afro-centric travel. We discuss the profound experiences that not only shaped Charles resilience but also inspired him to create a platform that celebrates the richness of Africa's culture, offering travelers a gateway to genuine and underexplor...

Send us a Text Message. Welcome to Travel Trends, the go-to podcast for travel industry insights, where today’s episode is must-listen for anyone aiming to propel their brand forward through strategic affiliate marketing.  We're sitting down with Jamie Birch, the founder of JebCommerce, and a luminary in the affiliate marketing world. Are you a travel business owner or marketer on a quest to in increase bookings & revenue? Get ready then, as Jamie's deep well of knowledge is about to...

Special Hospitality Edition - Live from Vegas @ Forbes Travel Guide's 'The Summit' Join us for this captivating conversation with visionary CEO & Founder of Virtuoso, Matthew Upchurch. With his roots deeply embedded in travel,  Matthew offers us a remarkable glimpse into his family's legacy and the collective ingenuity of 1950's boutique travel agencies that helped shaped the tailored travel advisor experiences we clamor for today. Our conversation starts with the creation of Virtuoso...

In this episode, we set our compass north and uncover the many wonders of Canadian travel.  I’m joined by 3 remarkable trailblazers of Canadian tourism.  First we have Gloria Luree, the CMO of Destination Canada, who steers the national tourism narrative for our treasured country. Then we have John Gunter, CEO of Frontiers North, who crafts unforgettable tours to Churchill, Manitoba for travellers to experience polar bears and the northern lights, and we have Jason Sarracini, Founder of...

Australia's travel scene is as diverse as the continent itself, ranging from the sun-soaked beaches of Queensland to the rugged wilderness of Tasmania. In this episode, we are privileged to sit down with Sarah Clark, the dynamic CEO of Tourism Tasmania. Having climbed the ranks from a passionate tour guide to a global travel executive with Top Deck and Intrepid and now leading a large Tourism organization, Sarah brings a refreshing perspective on the travel industry's evolution Down...

In this exclusive 'Special Guest' edition, we're thrilled to bring you a compelling conversation with Douglas Quinby—a visionary leader in the travel industry and the much loved CEO of Arival. Join us as we explore the depths of his rich history in travel , from the formative days at Phocuswright to his bold venture in pioneering the Arival conference. 🌍✈️ Get ready to unearth a treasure trove of insights on the Tours and Activities sector's evolving landscape for 2024—often hailed as 'The...

Brian Jewell, VP & Executive Editor, The Travel Group Leader, joins us for a journey through the evolving landscapes of culture, politics, and travel. As we traverse his career path and the stories behind his travel narratives, you'll gain a fresh perspective on how destinations become more than just places on a map. Brian's passion for the art of storytelling illuminates the importance of narrative in connecting with a location's heart and soul, inviting listeners to uncover the deeper...