Powering Travel

Curious what it takes to make your vacation rental stand out? Discover the secrets of remarkable hosting from Alex Lluch, the proud owner of Villa Fabulosa, one of Vrbo’s Vacation Rentals of the Year. Joining guest host and Expedia Group’s Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships, Tim Rosolio, Alex shares the inspiring story of how he entered the vacation rental world and what it took to build one of the most unique and sought-after properties in Temecula, California. 

From two pizza ovens and a teppanyaki grill to a full 18-hole miniature golf course, Villa Fabulosa is more than just a rental, it’s a destination. Alex dives into the inspiration behind the modern, Ibiza-style design and explains how he curates unforgettable stays by carefully vetting guests, offering hyper-detailed welcome videos, and maintaining top-notch service through rapid maintenance response and proactive upkeep. He also shares heartfelt reflections on what this journey has meant for his family, his business, and his future.

More than just a lush and vibrant place to visit, Thailand recently took center stage on the global screen in season three of “The White Lotus.” Elisabeth Goodridge sits down with show actor Tayme Thapthimthong to talk about what it was like filming for an international audience, how the show prioritized Thai culture and representation, and the surge in set-jetting. They dive into what makes Thailand so special, from the richness of everyday local life to its deep-rooted cultural heritage. The conversation then turns to travel, sharing must-see destinations, a sample itinerary, and the special places Tayme is connected to. Finally, Tayme and Elisabeth explore what makes a hotel truly memorable, emphasizing the importance of design that reflects and respects local culture. Whether you're in hospitality, a travel lover, or a “The White Lotus” fan, this episode takes you behind the camera and deep into the heart of a country as beautiful as its culture.

Back and better than ever, it's season five of Powering Travel! With so many new forces influencing how travelers find their next destination, the industry is evolving at lightning speed. This season, stay ahead of what inspires travelers and what turns a good trip into a great one. Join our new host, Elisabeth Goodridge, an award-winning travel editor and avid explorer, as she sits down with globe-trotting executives, culinary innovators, entertainers, and industry experts to unpack the business of travel in all its forms. 

Hear the latest trends, big ideas, and unforgettable stories from the people shaping the future of travel. Find the full episodes of your favorite guests on our website and wherever you get your podcasts. Whether you're in the travel industry or just love to explore the world, Powering Travel will keep you informed, inspired, and ready for what’s coming next.

Ever wondered how to boost your Vrbo bookings? This week, Sam chats with Travis Gibbon, a savvy Vrbo host in the Hilton Head market, who shares insider tips on maximizing your listing’s potential ahead of peak booking season. Travis dives into flexible cancelation policies, adjusting minimum night stays, and setting competitive rates. He also explains how to use tools like Escapia for dynamic pricing to ensure you are booked and busy in the new year. Whether you're a seasoned Vrbo host or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice to elevate your hosting game!

Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.

Expedia’s annual Unpack™ outlook is here, using data-driven insights to uncover upcoming travel trends for 2025.  Samantha Lopez is joined by Amanda Maltos, an industry leader and communications expert from Expedia Group, to dive into the data gathered from more than 25,000 travelers in this year's Unpack™ Report. Some key findings include travelers adding Detour Destinations to their trips, Set-Jetting and the continued influence of media on travelers, the pull of mother nature when planning trips and much more. And of course, what this all means for you and your business! 

Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.

With entrepreneurship on the rise, vacation rental hosts and savvy travel advisors are seizing opportunities to grow and make a positive impact in the industry. In this episode, Vrbo host Michelle Ruber and travel advisor Rebecca Smiley, share their insights on growing their businesses with Expedia Group. Michelle talks about how Vrbo’s platform empowers hosts to provide personalized and trusted travel experiences. Rebecca details her journey into entrepreneurship, how she leverages social media, community connections, and Expedia Travel TAAP.

Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.

How can destinations reinvent themselves to attract travelers year-round? In this episode, Samantha Lopez is joined by two key figures in French tourism, Sophie Mandrillon from Atout France and Loic Chovelon from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, to explore how their organizations are reshaping tourism in the off season. They discuss their partnership with Expedia Group, they focus on sustainable tourism initiatives and the strategies they use to combat seasonality, particularly in the beautiful Côte d'Azur region.

Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.

The cost of travel is on the rise, and so are our customers' expectations. So how can travel providers keep up? Expedia Group's head of B2B Lodging Marketing, Brandon Ehrhardt, joins the podcast to share insights from our latest research on traveler behavior. Compared to travelers booking on other platforms, Expedia Group travelers are shown to spend 21% more on properties and stay 11% longer than other guests, creating significant revenue opportunities for hotels. We discuss how initiatives like the VIP Access program are key to success, and how you can use revenue insights to create better experiences for travelers.  

Download the full Uncovering Traveler Value report here.

Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.

As fraud becomes more sophisticated, it’s crucial for travel businesses to stay one step ahead. In this episode of Powering Travel, Samantha Lopez is joined by Amit Ghosh, Head of Fraud and Risk Portfolio at Expedia Group, to discuss increasing threats in the travel industry. Amit shares his insights on the growing challenges posed by AI advancements and phishing attacks, emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant throughout the customer journey. He also highlights how Expedia's innovative fraud detection tools are helping safeguard travelers and businesses to ensure a seamless and secure experience.

Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.

As vacation rentals rise in popularity, it's more important than ever to ensure your listing stands out. Angela Page, Director of Account Management for Vacation Rentals at Expedia Group and a Vrbo host herself, shares her tips for optimizing your property listing to attract the right guests and provide a great experience. Some of her advice includes how the right settings can help you avoid costly cancellations, how to keep your listing’s rules and amenities up to date, why the order of photos in your listing matters, and why you might want to ditch the cleaning fee altogether. She also shares how hosting with Vrbo can help you manage your bookings in a streamlined and professional manner, creating the best guest experience possible, no matter the circumstances. 

Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.