Matthew Shollar, founder and chief visionary officer of Transcend Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the concept for the new river cruise line developed eight years ago and all the steps along the way to the launch if its first ship. Shollar, who spoke with us after the christening of the new MS Connect, details how he and many others contributed to the creation of the first river cruise company focused on group travel. For more information, visit www.transcendcruises.com.

Jessica Hall Upchurch, vice chair and global stewardships strategist for Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Virtuoso Travel Week about Virtuoso’s renewed strategy to protect global travel and tourism resources. Upchurch reveals the luxury travel network’s new strategy to become a global steward of responsible tourism policies. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Kimberly Daley, chief operation and chief revenue officer for Transcend Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her new Transcend MS Connect, a river ship sailing the rivers of Europe designed for group travel, from corporate meetings to weddings and beyond. Daley gives us a tour of the ship’s 60 staterooms (carrying 120 guests), which can be reconfigured into 30 larger suites; the unique two-level lounge and restaurant linked by forum space dominated by a large video screen; a revolutionary spa with multiple treatment rooms and a fitness center, and much more. For more information, visit www.transcendcruises.com.

Tristan Dowell, chief commercial officer for Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his first three months on the job, what he is already understanding about the luxury network that he might not have known before, and his experience at Virtuoso Travel Week as part of the group. A veteran hotel executive formerly with Hyatt, Dowell, who is based in the U.K., is now on the travel agency side, overseeing a global network of Virtuoso agencies. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Matthew Upchurch, chairman and CEO of Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas about news that came out of the event (including a new Virtuoso intelligence capability), where Virtuoso is as a luxury travel network today, and the state of luxury travel business. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

Hans Rood, chief development officer of Transcend Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about this brand-new river cruise ship targeting a redefined group travel market. With a unique design, Transcend Connect boasts facilities that cater to the needs of corporate groups and even destination weddings. And there are more ships on the way as Transcend opens a whole new market for river cruises. For more information, visit www.transcendcruises.com.

Arne Heuwekemeijer, general manager of Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his classic and completely refurbished luxury property in the heart of Amsterdam. With both modern décor in the rooms and suites and classic furnishings of the public rooms, the hotel offers a mix of modern and historic, including some great restaurants, a wonderful spa and a mixology bar named after original hotel’s founder. For more information, visit www.anantara.com.

We’ve all seen the photos and maybe some videos, but I finally got the chance to take ballon ride at dawn over the rocky landscapes of Cappadocia.With nearly 100 balloons in the sky, each carrying 30 people, this is truly a must-do experience. Watch, enjoy and be inspired to book yourself and your clients to Turkiye. This is the fourth video in four-part series on Turkiye. For more information, visit www.goturkiye.com. 

My tour of Istanbul with Ali Faik Anayurt, a Turkiye tour guide, where we visited some of Istanbul’s main historic and cultural attractions, including Galata Tower, Galataport (the cruise port complex) , the famed Haiga Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and the city’s fascinating neighborhoods, exotic markets and local restaurants. This is the first in a four-part series on Turkiye. For more information on Turkiye, visit www.goturkiye.com.

Josh Hargrove, general manager of Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the differences between the two historic Waikiki properties and how travel advisors can match clients with the right resort. Hargrove also discusses Moana Surfrider’s 125-year history and $90 million renovation, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani’s updated pool and bar experience, access to dining across the Marriott Waikiki Collection and Marriott Bonvoy benefits. For more information, visit www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hnlwi-moana-surfrider-a-westin-resort-and-spa-waikiki-beach/overview and www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hnlks-sheraton-princess-kaiulani-waikiki-beach/overview.