On this episode of Destination on the Left, I’m sharing the first of a two-part series from the OMCA Marketplace that was held in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I know you’ll find the wisdom these eight influential industry professionals offer invaluable.

We dig into the recent tour and travel trends, including cross-border travel and the importance of connections for business success. My guests also explore key themes such as a shift towards smaller and specialized group travel and the rise of the Fully Independent Traveler (FIT) and how these types of small group offerings cater to niche interests, allowing travelers to enjoy intimate, customized, and immersive experiences that larger groups might miss out on. Our discussions also cover why networking is key in creating new cross-border itineraries and enriching multi-destination travel experiences.

In this episode, you’ll hear from these industry leaders:

• Ryan Robutka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-robutka-b6b1927/
• Diane Meglino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-meglino-ctis-67585523/
• Cheryl Rash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-rash-1078917/
• Shawn Geary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-geary-13003127/
• Todd Stallbaumer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-stallbaumer-3650295/
• Tillie Youngs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tillieyoungs/
• Elaine Moulder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainemoulder/
• Steve Vance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-vance-66949422/

Ryan Robutka, Senior Manager For Market Development With Via Rail Canada

I love Ryan’s insights on why travelers are looking for more personalized experiences that give them access to off-the-beaten-path destinations. He shares why train travel is the perfect opportunity to go offline and experience different parts of Canada that they wouldn’t have considered before the pandemic. Ryan’s word for the OMCA Marketplace is “partnership” because the experience is about strengthening partnerships, meeting new people, and building relationships.

Diane Meglino, Business Development Managers For Premier Travel Media

Diane discusses the trends she is seeing coming for 2025/2026, including the America 250th anniversary, and why it’s such a great opportunity to promote destinations all across the East Coast area. She also shares some creative ideas, such as mystery tours, sports tours, military reunions, and girlfriend getaways that involve fun, hands-on activities such as cooking or painting classes.

Cheryl Rash, Business Development Managers For Premier Travel Media

In Cheryl’s experience, there’s nothing better than meeting face-to-face to really make connections. The tourism industry, in general, is such a family-connected industry where we can build friendships and relationships and coming to events such as the OMCA Marketplace is a great way to catch up with peers in person. Diane and Cheryl’s words for the event are “connections” and “beneficial,” and I couldn’t agree more!

Shawn Geary, Mccoy Bus Service And Mccoy Getaways

The trend that Shawn is seeing is that people want to go further afield. The popular destinations these days are within a couple of days travel rather than day trips, as people are prepared to spend a little longer on a bus now than they were before. This has been made much easier by a more streamlined experience going through international borders where passengers are quickly and efficiently screened, allowing them to continue their trip with as little friction as possible. Shawn notes that the connections you make at OMCA Marketplace are so important when it comes to planning tours to new destinations.

Todd Stallbaumer, Consumer And Trade Marketing Director At Oklahoma Tourism And Recreation Department

Right now, Todd is seeing lots of interest in multigenerational travel, especially grandparents and grandchildren traveling together and engaging in their tour. Todd shares that immersion and cultural tourism activities are very popular right now, including experiences such as getting to know the Vietnamese community in Oklahoma City. He also shares more about current multi-state collaborations that his organization is involved in. What Todd loves about the OMCA Marketplace is all the ways you can incorporate knowledge and experience with others in the travel and tourism space.

Tillie Youngs, Sales Director With Thousand Islands International Tourism Council

Tillie Youngs shares more about the experiences her groups most want right now, including getting out on the Saint Lawrence River to see the Thousand Islands from a different vantage point. We discuss the rise in popularity of smaller group travel and how that creates opportunities for personalized experiences in the region, such as diving to see the shipwrecks or enjoying kayaking or canoe excursions. Tillie loves attending in-person events such as the OMCA Marketplace to build those relationships with tour operators as clients and partners.

Elaine Moulder, Founder and CEO Of Brilliant Edventures

Elaine and I chatted about the cross-border travel changes, and she shares why it’s starting to come back in 2024/2025. Many Brilliant Edventures’ clients coming up to Michigan or New York are extending their trips into Canada, too. We also dig into why connections are of the utmost importance in the travel and tourism industry and why it truly feels like one big family. We all want the people who travel to have an impeccable experience, and when you build relationships with people, you can count on them. Creating trust is paramount, so Elaine describes the OMCA Marketplace as “welcoming.”

Steve Vance, Director Of Sales And Marketing From The Grand Adirondack Hotel

As a hotelier, one of the most exciting things Steve is seeing for 2025 is that groups are a foundation of business. Steve says it’s pure joy for his team to see the enjoyment of the authentic, unique Adirondack experience that their carefully curated itineraries bring.

His one word for the OMCA Marketplace is “vital,” and he emphasizes that it’s absolutely critical to have the opportunity to have candid conversations about how you can improve your offer, and create potential collaborations to make traveler experiences even better.

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