Legendary broadcaster Peter Greenberg is optimistic about the future of travel.

After decades reporting on travel and hundreds of travel shows for CBS News, PBS, Amazon and more, Peter has seen a lifetime’s worth of change and evolution in tourism — and he’s still excited about the industry’s future. In fact, he still travels 300 days a year and loves telling people his secrets for finding deals and inspiring wonder in the American public. He joins this episode of the podcast to help you do the same.

Peter discusses some of the biggest changes that have taken place in travel and how today’s tourism professionals can make the most of them. He explains why he’s optimistic about the future of cruising and how tour operators can become more profitable by pursuing specialization. Plus, we have news about a new tour company using the Pan Am brand; a Road Tip about hotel snack shops; and a Hot Minute about the new challenges facing the travel industry.

Peter had lots to say about the mindset of the American traveler — and the Americans who don’t travel. Here’s his take on why too many people tend to stay home:

“It’s a sad state of affairs that only 38% of Americans have a passport. That means 62% have made a conscious decision not to see anything. That’s a continued sadness, because we live in a global village. I think so much of America has made a conscious choice to be uneducated…. There’s this problem of a lack of curiosity and an overwhelming amount of fear. That combination is lethal.”

Plus, he had insightful thoughts on:

Learn more about Peter Greenberg and sign up for his free newsletter at petergreenberg.com.

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1:23 — Travel News: Pan Am brand takes flight again

2:49 — Road Tip: Why we love the hotel snack shop

7:50 — Meet us on the road this fall

13:05 — Peter Greenberg reflects on a life in travel

16:21 — Inspiring wonder among American travelers

22:17 — The most important travel changes in the last 30 years

28:39 — Are travel prices about to come down?

35:10 — Why specialization is great for tour operators

37:35 — Traveling with heads of state

47:53 — Hot Minute: Should you be panicked about challenges facing tourism?

See the full interview with Peter, including content not in the regular episode, on our YouTube channel.

Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly.

You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.