Janet Bava, Chief Commercial Officer at Windstar Cruises, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share how Windstar Cruises is redefining what it means to explore the world by sea, bringing guests closer to destination through smaller ships, longer stays, and a more intimate way of traveling.

Key topics include:

• How Windstar’s intimate yacht-style ships offer access to destinations larger vessels can’t reach.

• Why shoulder-season travel and exploration of lesser-known ports is attracting a large number of “cruise-skeptics” to book a cruise as their next vacation.

• Where technology and innovation fit into the future of cruising, from AI-powered guest insights to making the booking process more seamless for travelers and advisors.

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Produced by Brenna Darling, 2026 

Edited by Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Jessica Hoppe, President and CEO of The World Residences at Sea, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to explore what is means when your home can travel with you, sharing how the privately owned residential yacht is redefining luxury through immersive destinations, personalized experiences, and a deeply connected community.

Key topics include:

• How The World’s 165 residences give owners the freedom to choose where and when they travel.

• What the behind the scenes looks like to plan three years of itineraries and provision a ship for around-the-globe travel.

• The company’s vision for the future of luxury, where AI enhances personalization while human connection remains at the heart of hospitality.

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Produced by Brenna Darling, 2026 

Edited by Chase Gohl, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Imran Changezi, Executive Director Hospitality Development & Head of Centre of Excellence for Diriyah Company, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share why the future of hospitality is strongest when it is rooted in the culture, history, and people of a place.

Key topics include:

• How Diriyah is creating a world-class destination rooted in Saudi Arabia’s heritage, architecture, and history, rather than building a destination disconnected from its origins.

• Why Saudi Arabia’s deeply ingrained culture of generosity and warmth could become one of the Kingdom’s greatest advantages as it emerges as a global luxury travel destination.

• How integrated destination experiences and AI could make travel more personalized and intuitive, while ultimately strengthening rather than replacing the human side of hospitality.

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Produced by Brenna Darling, 2026 

Edited by Chase Gohl, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Simon Sorpresi, President of Members Clubs and Hotels for WoodHouse US, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share what reimagined private membership clubs look like—and why creating community is the key to his success. 

Key topics include:

• Why private membership clubs are redefining luxury hospitality by creating communities built on connection, culture, and curated experiences.

• How the future of luxury lies in personalization, not standardization.

• Why hospitality’s next competitive advantage is connecting travelers with locals, turning hotels into gateways for authentic cultural experiences rather than just places to stay.

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Produced by Brenna Darling, 2026 

Edited by Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Myk Likhov, Founder & CEO of Wellist, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss why wellness is no longer an amenity, but rather becoming an expectation. 

Key topics include:

• The boom of Miami over the last five years and what makes it such a unique place.

• Why the future of luxury hospitality isn’t just about spas, but about well-being woven into every guest experience.

• Inside the creation of Wellist, the Miami event bringing together leaders across the $6.8 trillion global wellness industry.

• What hotels can learn from the next generation of wellness, from personalization and AI to the power of genuine human connection.

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Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Daniel Hostettler, President & CEO of The Boca Raton, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share a compelling reminder that while innovation, design and technology all play important roles in luxury hospitality, the most memorable experiences will always be built around people

Key topics include:

• How The Boca Raton transformed a historic 1,000-room resort into five distinct luxury experiences by putting personalization at the center of every guest stay.

• Why today’s definition of luxury has shifted from amenities and opulence to curated, anticipatory hospitality that adapts to every traveler’s unique needs.

• How leadership, employee culture, wellness, and emerging technologies like AI are shaping the future of luxury hospitality, without replacing the human touch. 

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Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Leonia Qi, President of VistaJet US, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share the changes in private aviation, long associated with personalized luxury lifestyle, and how the future of the industry has less to do with aircraft and more to do with the experience in the sky and on the ground. 

Key topics include:

• Why VistaJet views itself as a hospitality company first and an aviation company second.

• How luxury travel is shifting from ownership and exclusivity toward experiences, community, and connection.

• Why wellness, sleep, and helping travelers perform at their best may be the next frontier of luxury travel. 

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

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Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

May Lilley, Executive in Residence of Global Commercial for KSL Capital Partners, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to share why meaningful experiences and human connection continue to define the future of luxury hospitality.

Key topics include:

• May Lilley’s unconventional path from ski instructor to Executive in Residence at KSL Capital Partners, and the career decisions that helped share some of hospitality’s most innovative brands.

• Why experiential travel continues to outperform traditional luxury and the growing demand for transformational travel experiences.

• How AI, personalization, and emerging technologies are changing hospitality, and why human connection remains luxury travel’s most valuable differentiator. 

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

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Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Pradeep Raman, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to explore the evolution of modern luxury hospitality through storytelling, personalization, and a deep sense of place in New York’s Upper East Side.

Key topics include:

• Why true luxury hospitality is rooted in personalization, empathy, and human connection.

• How The Surrey is blending art, gastronomy, design, and neighborhood culture into a distinctly Upper East Side experience.

• Why travel advisors and relationship-driven hospitality remain more important than ever in an AI-powered world.

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

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Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Production Assistance by Emily LeDoux, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026

Paul Brady, News Director at Travel + Leisure, joins Adam Deflorian on this episode of Luxury Travel Innovators to discuss how the next era of luxury travel is all about helping travelers feel more connected (and less overwhelmed), along every step of the journey.

Key topics include:

• Why luxury cruise and slow travel experiences continue to surge in popularity, especially with younger travelers.

• How Travel + Leisure is adapting to a rapidly evolving media landscape shaped by video authenticity, and AI-powered workflows.

• The future of travel innovations, from community-driven hospitality experiences to the advancement of supersonic aviation.

Brought to you by https://www.azds.com/ 

Follow us @azdsgroup on Instagram

Produced by Brenna Darling and Chase Gohl, 2026

Opening by Melissa Kennedy and Ellery Ross-Reid, 2026