SELECT Insights

Checking in from New York, Mike and Karen reflect on past discussions with Dorchester and AMA Waterways and the amazing influence culture is having in the development of industry-leading organizations. Plus, they weigh in on the recent Coronavirus situation*, offering tips for how advisors can manage customer risk profiles and introduce different options for all travelers.

*Coronavirus discussion begins 5:30 into the podcast.

Since it's launch, AMA Waterways has been setting the industry's standard for luxury river boating. Its focus on quality, culture, employee happiness and passion has helped grow the company from 1 small river boat in Europe to a successful company with over 20 vessels sailing rivers through Europe, Vietnam, Cambodia and Africa. Tune-in for the inside scoop from co-founders Kristin Karst and Rudi Schreiner to learn the story behind AMA, its success and how the company was built on love.

Mike and Karen take a break from their travels to catch up on recent news, travel and trends.

Finally back in New York headquarters, Mike and Karen sit down with The Dorchester Collection team for a stimulating conversation on how the iconic brand has built its culture of trust, creativity and individuality and its incredible service standards.

This week, we pull out one of the all-time fan favorite episodes from the season one archives. Listen to the rebroadcast of Mike and Karen's conversation with Nicolas Graf, Associate Dean of the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality at NYU, for a great discussion on changing consumer demands and valuable career paths and skill sets for today's world.

In the last episode of the ILTM Cannes series, Mike and Karen spend some time with Andrea Filippi, Vice President of Global Sales for Belmond, who gives us the inside scoop on the brand's acquisition by the luxury retail conglomerate, LVMH. Experience goes a long way in the luxury hospitality travel, and Andrea's extensive background and understanding of the industry gives us incredible insights on changing trends and shifting client expectations.

Jennifer Virgilio from Queen of Clubs joins Mike and Karen for the third episode in the ILTM Cannes series to discuss how the experience industry has evolved and how the ability to have clients prioritized and VIP in more ways than one is the key differentiator when using a travel advisor. For all things hard to access in the United Kingdom - Queen of Clubs is your go-to partner!

The second installment in the ILTM Cannes series, Mike and Karen find time with Siobhan Butler of Adams & Butler to talk about the company's growth in Ireland, the ever-changing destination. Hear how Adams & Butler started by renting private properties, or "hidden gems" to working with travel advisors to customize itineraries and accommodations for clients.

While attending the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) event in Cannes, Mike and Karen sit down with Andy Swann, founder of Andy Swann Voyage and a founding partner of the SELECT In-Country Partners program. Specializing in arranging France itineraries that go above and beyond the regular experience, Andy gives us the insider's scoop on how his company has been successful in the region and how Swann Voyages is capitalizing on niche markets. From working with wedding planners to collaborating with museum tour guides, Andy pushes his team to go beyond the cookie cutter tours and constantly create fresh, unique itineraries for each customer.

Being a travel advisor is more than just booking hotels, flights and cruises - an advisor is also tasked with creating significant relationships between clients and the destinations they visit. Gregg Kaminsky, a Tzell Travel Group advisor and founder of R Family Vacations, shares how he helps create meaningful connections in the LGBT community through travel by hosting LGBT Group cruises and using his expertise in all things inclusive travel.