Journeys Profile Podcast

In this episode, Richard Engle, Luxury Travel Advisor with Global Travel Collection, explains why he looks for the clients who value the experience above the budget, and why the best luxury travel starts with being thoughtful about what you actually want.

Richard opened his first travel agency at 21, in the late 1970s, when advisors still hand-wrote airline tickets. He talks about almost 50 years in the business, from four walk-in offices to leading a nine-person remote team inside Global Travel Collection, and how a teenage summer in Cusco, Peru set it all in motion. He is an adventure traveller himself, and likes to cycle all day and sleep in a suite.

He also gives his view on demand, with Italy, Japan and African safaris at the top, and a candid message to suppliers: stay in your lane, work with advisors, and don’t compete with the people who send you clients.

As always, we finish with Richard’s own travel favourites – undiscovered gems, favourite hotels, a favourite city, and what a perfect vacation looks like.

Key Topics:

• Opening a travel agency at 21, and nearly 50 years of change in the industry
• From four walk-in offices to Global Travel Collection and a team of nine
• A summer in Cusco, Peru, and a degree in Spanish language and literature
• Combining adventure and luxury, from long road-bike rides to the Four Seasons
• Why he looks for the “discerning” and thoughtful client, not the points-and-deals traveller
• A Greece trip for a professor who wanted ruins, not beaches
• Demand: Italy, Japan and safari, and why he steers clients away from Japan unless they plan far ahead
• Why he calls the United States the most exotic country in the world
• A message to suppliers: stay in your lane, and work with advisors, not around them
• Why small shows like Journeys work better than the big ones
• Undiscovered gems: Norway’s fjords, Argentina’s gaucho country and Fanjove Island

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Richard Engle and Global Travel Collection
• 00:20 - Almost 50 years in travel, from hand-written tickets to luxury
• 04:49 - A teenage trip to Peru, and opening an agency at 21
• 06:57 - Combining luxury with adventure
• 09:41 - The discerning, thoughtful client
• 11:20 - How the client conversation starts
• 13:31 - A memorable trip: Greece for the history lover
• 15:29 - What demand looks like: Italy, Japan and safari
• 17:49 - Message to suppliers: stay in your lane
• 19:53 - How suppliers get on Richard’s radar, and why small shows work
• 24:11 - Undiscovered gems: Norway, Argentina and Fanjove Island
• 29:33 - Favourite hotels: Canaves Oia Epitome and Villa Feltrinelli
• 32:03 - Favourite city: Chicago
• 34:50 - Richard’s perfect vacation
• 37:27 - How to connect with Richard
• 38:41 - Closing remarks

Links:

• Richard Engle
• Global Travel Collection
• Canaves Oia Epitome, Santorini
• Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli, Lake Garda
• Fanjove Private Island, Tanzania (Laba Laba)

In this episode, Gareth van Wyk, Sales and Marketing Manager for the UK and Europe at Rovos Rail, explains why a luxury train with no television, radio or Wi-Fi keeps its guests coming back.

Rovos Rail was Gareth’s first hospitality job, as an intern, and he now leads its sales and marketing for the UK and Europe. He tells the story of how the company began in 1989, when founder Rohan Vos set out to take his family around on a locomotive holiday and ended up selling tickets, and how it now runs six trains and roughly 200 departures a year, on 11 journeys from two to 16 nights.

He also walks through the guest experience, from the red-carpet welcome at Rovos Rail’s private station in Pretoria to dinner at a single seating, and explains how travel advisors can book: mostly through tour operators and DMCs, with departures held for two weeks without a deposit.

As always, we finish with Gareth’s own travel favourites – an undiscovered gem, a favourite hotel, a favourite city, and what a perfect vacation looks like.

Key Topics:

• From hospitality intern to Sales and Marketing Manager at Rovos Rail
• The origin story: a family caravan-style holiday that became a business in 1989
• Six trains, 11 journeys, and the idea of disconnecting on board
• The private station in Pretoria, and a train that is “designed around a dinner table”, not a boardroom
• How guest feedback shapes the product, including the new larger windows
• Booking through tour operators and DMCs, and why more than 95% of bookings come that way
• A day on board: suites, single-seating dining, excursions, safari and golf
• Holding departures for two weeks with no deposit
• Gareth’s first Journeys event, and the Meet Fam format

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Gareth van Wyk and Rovos Rail
• 00:18 - Gareth’s background: from intern to sales and marketing
• 02:30 - The story of Rovos Rail
• 05:24 - The guest experience at the Pretoria station
• 08:13 - How travel buyers can work with Rovos Rail
• 09:24 - Life on board: suites, dining and excursions
• 14:16 - Message to agents and travel buyers
• 15:30 - Best ways to engage with the team
• 15:58 - Gareth’s experience of Journeys
• 17:03 - Undiscovered gem: the Durban safari
• 18:18 - Favourite hotel: andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
• 19:21 - Favourite city: Munich
• 19:53 - Gareth’s perfect vacation
• 20:51 - How to connect with Gareth
• 21:05 - Closing remarks

Links:

• Rovos Rail
• andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal
• Leopard Creek, Mpumalanga

In this episode, Melinda Fortunato, Travel Advisor and Owner of Best Travel, explains why she specialises in her clients rather than in destinations, and why the best supplier relationships are partnerships, not transactions.

Melinda grew up in a military family, lived in Korea, Antigua and Germany, and started Best Travel in 2014 after learning the trade at a brick-and-mortar agency. She talks about working with premium and luxury clients, from empty nesters to a two-week, fully immersive trip up the Croatian coast, and why she asks every client for a budget with airfare taken out.

She also gives her read on demand: travellers who book within 60 days or plan far too far ahead, more intentional spending, and clients who now arrive with an AI-built itinerary, or even find their advisor through ChatGPT.

As always, we finish with Melinda’s own travel favourites – an undiscovered gem, a favourite hotel, a favourite city, and what a perfect vacation looks like.

Key Topics:

• A military childhood, living overseas, and the decision to become a travel advisor
• Starting Best Travel in 2014, and what a brick-and-mortar agency taught her about fees and saying no
• Why “virtual” is a better word than “home-based”, and the value of an industry village
• The ideal client: the curious, well-funded empty nester
• A two-week Croatia trip from Dubrovnik to Venice, with four days on a boat
• Demand: last-minute bookings, very early planning, and more intentional spending
• Asking for a budget with airfare removed
• Clients arriving with AI itineraries, and why they still need an advisor they trust
• A message to suppliers about respect and partnership
• Why smaller events and advisor referrals work best

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Melinda Fortunato and Best Travel
• 00:16 - A military childhood and the route into travel
• 01:15 - How Best Travel began in 2014
• 01:50 - Going independent, and what a brick-and-mortar start teaches
• 04:09 - A typical client: the empty nester
• 05:04 - A memorable trip: two weeks in Croatia
• 06:18 - Demand and predictions: last-minute travel and intentional spending
• 08:29 - Clients arriving with AI itineraries
• 10:31 - Message to suppliers
• 11:52 - Best ways for suppliers to engage, and Journeys events
• 12:36 - Undiscovered gem: Tavira, Portugal
• 13:15 - Favourite hotel: Singer Palace Hotel Roma
• 13:58 - Favourite city: Seoul, and a return to Osan
• 15:26 - Melinda’s perfect vacation
• 16:21 - How to connect with Melinda
• 16:51 - Closing remarks

Links:

• Best Travel
• Singer Palace Hotel Roma, Rome
• Tavira, Portugal

In this episode, April Chan, Travel Advisor at Celebrated Travel, explains why travellers who arrive with an AI-built itinerary still want a human expert to check it.

April came to travel by way of food writing and culinary history, after a trip to the south of France showed her what a travel advisor actually does. She talks about her clients, who turn up well researched and short of time, the family trips that matter most to her, and what suppliers can do to make themselves easy to book, from amenity-rich rates to a better welcome than any online travel agency can offer.

She also gives her read on demand: shorter booking windows, a strong appetite for Europe and Asia, and luxury travel that shows no sign of slowing down.

As always, we finish with April’s own travel favourites – an undiscovered gem, a favourite hotel, a favourite city, and what a perfect vacation looks like.

Key Topics:

• From food writer to travel advisor, and the trip that started it
• Celebrated Travel, a team of six, and its host agency Coastline Travel Group
• Clients who plan with AI first and come to an advisor to verify and execute
• A Rhone river cruise built around a childhood art project, and a multi-generational Princess cruise for a grandmother’s 80th
• Demand: Europe, Asia, South Korea and Taiwan after Japan, and ever shorter booking windows
• Why luxury travel is still going full steam ahead
• Luxury hoteliers moving onto the water, including Explora Journeys
• What suppliers should do: simplify touch points, offer amenity-rich rates and a more bespoke welcome, and show up in person

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to April Chan and Celebrated Travel
• 00:17 - From food writer to travel advisor
• 02:57 - Celebrated Travel and Coastline Travel Group
• 04:15 - A typical client, and planning with AI first
• 06:18 - Memorable trips with personal significance
• 08:14 - What demand looks like right now, and predictions for luxury travel
• 11:03 - Push versus pull, and hotels moving onto the water
• 12:40 - Message to suppliers
• 14:08 - How suppliers can give advisors a leg up over online agencies
• 15:15 - Best ways for suppliers to engage, and Journeys events
• 16:25 - Undiscovered gem: Appellation Healdsburg, California
• 18:56 - Favourite hotel and city: Amsterdam
• 21:18 - A favourite Italian city: Rome
• 22:23 - April’s perfect vacation
• 23:39 - How to connect with April
• 24:04 - Closing remarks

Links:

• Celebrated Travel
• Appellation Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California
• Rosewood Amsterdam

In this episode, Parrul Sinha, Director and Founder of Sacred Dot Tours, makes the case that most of India is still being left off the itinerary.

Parrul explains how Sacred Dot was built around a deliberate inversion: when the company started some fifteen years ago, India was being sold on the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, so Sacred Dot chose to sell the rest of the country and offer the Golden Triangle as the add-on. Every presentation still opens with a map showing clients how small a pinpoint those three cities really are.

She also talks about the fear that puts travellers off the destination, why she tells people India takes three days, and how fifteen years of new highways, trains and regional airports have quietly changed what is possible in a two-week trip.

As always, we finish with Parrul’s own travel favourites – an undiscovered gem, a favourite hotel, a favourite city, and what a perfect vacation looks like.

Key Topics:

• Growing up as an Air Force child across India, and how a multilingual, multicultural childhood led to a career as a “cultural translator”
• Parrul’s route into inbound travel through hotel management, airlines and cruises
• The first sales meeting in Texas, and the buyer who had written India off twenty years earlier and is still a client today
• The story behind the name Sacred Dot, and the welcome it is meant to signify
• Why Sacred Dot sells east, south and central India and wildlife first, with the Golden Triangle as an add-on
• Environmental and cultural sustainability, from routing that avoids backtracking to a privately run museum holding more than 1,500 samples of Indian languages and music, including dead languages
• Why Sacred Dot sees itself as an extension of the travel advisor rather than a supplier
• A returning client of Indian origin on her seventeenth visit, and the day of Delhi through art that was built for her
• The three fears that hold clients back – food, water and traffic – and why India takes three days
• Fifteen years of infrastructure change, including tiger safari transfers falling from eight hours to under five
• Why demand is moving out of the cities, and Parrul’s argument that Delhi and Mumbai are micro-destinations in their own right
• Selling India to advisors who have sold Africa, and why the region works for birders and wildlife clients
• The launch of Vietnam as a new destination in the Sacred Dot portfolio

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Parrul Sinha and Sacred Dot Tours
• 00:13 - An Air Force childhood across India, and becoming a cultural translator
• 04:17 - The story behind the name, and selling India beyond the Golden Triangle
• 09:00 - A typical Sacred Dot client, and a day of Delhi through art
• 11:09 - Insider tips: what the industry gets wrong about India
• 15:24 - How demand is shifting out of the cities, and why the cities still matter
• 18:07 - Message to advisors and buyers selling India for the first time
• 19:41 - Launching Vietnam as a new destination
• 20:43 - Journeys North America, and what makes the fam meets work
• 22:20 - Undiscovered gem: Oman
• 23:38 - Favourite hotel: Brunton Boatyard in Fort Kochi, Kerala
• 24:53 - Favourite city: Amritsar, and a case for Doha
• 26:50 - Parrul’s perfect vacation
• 27:45 - How to connect with Parrul and Sacred Dot
• 28:33 - Closing remarks

Links:

• Sacred Dot Tours
• Brunton Boatyard, Fort Kochi – part of the CGH Earth group
• Partition Museum, Amritsar
• National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

In this episode we speak with Barbara Khan of Journeys by the Book, a Global Travel Collection affiliate, about her route from retail and hospitality into travel advising, why Europe became her specialty, and how she designs deeply personal trips for clients who want more than a standard itinerary.

Barbara started in corporate travel in the late 1980s, moved to leisure when her business clients began bringing their spouses, and has been an independent contractor since 1992. She explains how the pandemic pushed her to a larger host agency with more support, training and supplier access, a move that brought her passion back, and describes the travellers she serves best: experienced clients with the time and means to go often, who value culture, history and memorable experiences.

She also shares two recent trips, a foodie itinerary through Scandinavia and a history-led journey through Central Europe, and explains why the travel season no longer has a quiet spell.

As always, we finish with Barbara’s own travel favourites – an undiscovered gem, a favourite hotel, a favourite city, and what a perfect vacation looks like.

Key Topics:

• From retail and hotels to corporate travel in the late 1980s, and independence in 1992
• The mentors who made Europe her specialty
• Why she moved to Pro Travel in 2021, now part of Global Travel Collection
• Her clients: mostly 50 and over, with the time and means to travel
• A Scandinavian itinerary built around a list of Michelin-starred restaurants
• A Central Europe trip with a car and driver, from Budapest and Vienna to Prague
• Why demand for Europe is year-round, and the end of the quiet season
• Why a short catch-up call beats another supplier email
• Journeys in Italy, Florence’s Hotel La Gemma, and Portugal’s thermal wellness towns
• Trips inspired by books and historical fiction, such as Lisa Scottoline’s Eternal, set in wartime Rome
• Small-ship cruising with Oceania, Silversea and Ponant

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Barbara Khan and Journeys by the Book
• 00:34 - Barbara’s background: from retail and corporate travel to leisure
• 04:30 - Moving to Pro Travel, now Global Travel Collection
• 07:38 - Who Barbara’s clients are
• 10:21 - A memorable trip: a foodie itinerary through Scandinavia
• 16:20 - A history and culture trip through Central Europe
• 18:50 - How traveller demand has changed
• 22:23 - How suppliers can get on Barbara’s radar
• 25:09 - Italy and Journeys in Italy, and a favourite hotel in Florence
• 27:50 - Portugal’s thermal wellness towns
• 29:12 - Book-inspired and historical-fiction travel
• 32:10 - Favourite cruise lines
• 34:01 - Favourite city: Rome
• 35:33 - Barbara’s perfect vacation
• 37:16 - How to connect with Barbara
• 38:23 - Closing remarks

Links:

• Journeys by the Book
• Barbara Khan at Global Travel Collection
• Hotel La Gemma, Florence

In this episode, Katya Bauval, the Corporate Commercial Executive Director of Vila Vita Parc in Portugal, shares the story behind one of Europe’s most distinctive resort destinations.

Katya explains how the property has grown from a 60-room hotel into a wider collection of luxury villas, vineyards, and estates. She also discusses shifting travel demand, the rise of the US market, and why authenticity, provenance, and private-use experiences matter more than ever.

Key Topics:

• Katya Bauval’s background across the UK, US, France, Portugal, and luxury hospitality brands including Starwood and Belmond
• How Vila Vita Parc began in 1992 as a clifftop resort in Porches, Algarve, and expanded over three decades
• Why the property describes itself as more of a “resort village” than a hotel
• The role of food, wine, and provenance in shaping the guest experience
• How Vila Vita Parc serves families, couples, golfers, foodies, weddings, and multi-generational groups
• Why guests increasingly want depth, personalisation, and a true sense of place
• How travel advisors and buyers remain central to the business through fam trips, trade events, and direct relationship-building
• The hidden strength of the resort’s culinary programme and the importance of its own estates in the Alentejo and Douro
• A standout private villa experience that surprises high-profile guests
• How American travellers differ from UK and German visitors in length of stay and style of travel
• What’s next: Lobby and wine cellar renovations, plus a new nine-bedroom vineyard estate joining the Vila Vita Collection

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Katya Bauval and Vila Vita Parc
• 01:18 - How a love of tourism led her into hospitality
• 02:09 - Vila Vita Parc’s origin story and growth since 1992
• 03:16 - A resort village rather than a hotel
• 04:51 - Why guests now want place, wellness and personalisation
• 06:00 - Working with travel advisors and buyers
• 06:56 - Insider tips: food, wine and produce from the resort’s own land
• 07:59 - A secret private villa and the power of word of mouth
• 09:22 - Multi-generational travel and experiential demand
• 10:32 - How the American market went from negligible to number one
• 13:39 - Journeys events, fam meets and the best way to connect
• 15:46 - Undiscovered gem: the Azores
• 17:21 - Favourite hotel: La Mamounia, Marrakesh
• 18:10 - Favourite city: Istanbul
• 18:48 - Perfect vacation: time with the right people, and Tarifa
• 20:44 - What’s next: renovations and a new vineyard estate

Links:

• Vila Vita Parc, Algarve
• La Mamounia, Marrakesh
• Tarifa, Spain

Ahead of Journeys North America 2026 to Savannah, Georgia, we sat down with Visit Savannah's President & CEO, Joseph Marinelli.

Joseph looks ahead to our visit and shares what makes Savannah so distinctive - from its 23 historic squares and walkable layout to its boutique hotels, culinary evolution and renowned Southern hospitality. We also hear about the city's distinctive approach to Haunted Hotel tourism!

As always, we ask Joseph to tell us about his own personal travel favourites, including New York's The Plaza Hotel and the stunning Amalfi Coast.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and guest Joseph Marinelli
• 02:58 - Background: Joseph’s role and Savannah’s anniversary celebration
• 04:25 - What makes Savannah a must-visit destination for travelers
• 06:24 - Savannah’s evolution: from traditional hotels to boutique experiences
• 08:31 - Visitor profiles and marketing strategies targeting women and families
• 10:06 - Savannah’s haunted legends and storytelling traditions
• 12:20 - Engaging international travelers and fostering hospitality
• 14:32 - Insider tips: walkability, weather, and local favorites
• 16:24 - Unique experiences: port ships and city squares
• 18:56 - Memorable activities for visitors and local surprises
• 25:54 - Joseph’s personal undiscovered gem: New York City and local museums
• 29:16 - Favorite hotels and city comparisons: Savannah versus New York
• 32:51 - Heritage, favorite Italian destinations, and personal travel dreams
• 33:32 - Closing thoughts and upcoming journeys to Savannah

Links:

• Visit Savannah
• Leopold's Ice Cream
• Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs
  

In this episode, we meet Bardia Torabi, General Manager of 7Pines Ibiza.

Bardia shares his extensive journey in the hospitality industry, detailing his experiences and insights into luxury hotel management. He discusses the unique offerings of 7Pines and, in particular, 7Pines Ibiza - including the diverse customer profile, and the importance of creating memorable experiences for clients. He emphasises the importance of creating inclusive team cultures and we loved his "Hotel Mama" culture-building approach.

As always, we finish the episode with Bardia's personal travel insights - including his favourite hotel, favourite city and his perfect vacation.

Find out more about 7Pines at www.7pines.com and visit 7Pines Ibiza at 7pines-ibiza.com.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Bardia Torabi and 7Pines Ibiza
• 01:42 Bardia's Journey in Hospitality
• 03:00 Overview of 7Pines Ibiza
• 05:19 Customer Profile and Experience
• 07:23 Differentiating Luxury Experiences
• 08:20 Engaging with Travel Buyers
• 10:19 Insider Tips for Guests
• 11:58 Memorable Customer Experiences
• 13:46 Creating a Team Culture
• 15:55 Understanding Customer Needs
• 17:36 Encouraging Employee Initiative
• 20:33 Message to Travel Buyers
• 22:05 Engagement with Travel Agents
• 23:19 Undiscovered Travel Gems
• 24:46 Favorite Hotels and Experiences
• 26:54 Favorite Cities to Visit
• 27:46 Perfect Vacation Plans

In this episode, we're talking with Marcello Mangia, CEO and President of Mangia Resorts. Marcello shares insights into the evolution of his family business, the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, and the changing definition of luxury in travel. He emphasises the importance of authenticity in guest experiences and the company's commitment to training staff to provide exceptional service. Marcello also discusses the unique offerings of Mangia Resorts, including culinary experiences and the company's mission to create memorable vacations for guests.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Marcello Mangia and Mangia Resorts
• 01:32 Marcello's Journey in the Travel Industry
• 04:30 Transformations Post-COVID and Company Growth
• 10:05 Redefining Luxury in Hospitality
• 15:28 Training for Authentic Hospitality Experiences
• 19:57 Showcasing Mangia Resorts' Unique Offerings
• 26:33 Engaging with Travel Buyers and Agents
• 32:06 Demand Trends in the Travel Market
• 34:08 Message to Travel Agents and Buyers
• 36:26 Personal Travel Experiences and Insights

Takeaways

• Marcello Mangia is the CEO of Mangia Resorts, a family business founded in 1973.
• The company has transformed from a small travel agency to a major player in the hospitality industry.
• Post-COVID, the company has grown significantly, becoming five times larger than before.
• Luxury in hospitality is evolving, focusing more on authentic experiences rather than just hardware.
• Training staff to provide authentic and memorable experiences is a key focus for Mangia Resorts.
• The company is investing heavily in upgrading its hotels to five-star standards.
• Culinary experiences are a significant part of the guest experience at Mangia Resorts.
• The demand for travel is changing, with a longer season and evolving customer preferences.
• Marcello emphasizes the importance of creating memories for guests during their vacations.
• The company's motto is to deliver happiness and great value to customers.