Greg O'Hara, founder and senior managing director of Certares, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages' first ship, World Navigator. O'Hara, whose firm is an investor in Atlas Ocean Voyages, talks about Certares' strategy in financing multiple travel companies, including Internova Travel Group, American Express Business Travel, G Adventures, AmaWaterways and more. Certares recently helped rescue bankrupt Hertz Corporation, making it one of the most active investment firms in the travel industry. O'Hara describes his firm's strategy to provide capital to distressed travel companies and invest in new travel ventures and more. For more information, visit www.certares.com.

If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

Matthew Upchurch, chairman and CEO of Virtuoso, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his luxury travel network just pulled off the largest travel conference of the year and how Virtuoso has helped its members get through the pandemic crisis. Upchurch also reveals what advance travel bookings look like for his group for the rest of this year and into 2022 and beyond, and how the pandemic has impacted luxury travel and travel in general for the next decade and beyond. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

Mario Ferreira, CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages, Mystic Cruises and DouroAzul, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report aboard the brand new World Navigator about the many features and amenities of this luxury expedition vessel from Atlas Ocean. Ferreira is known for building and operating river cruise ships on the Douro River in Portugal and on rivers in the rest of Europe. Now he's taking to the oceans with World Navigator, the first of five vessels planned for Atlas Ocean, with cruises around the world ending this year in Antarctica. For more information, visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com.

If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

Andre Gerondeau, chief operating officer for Melia Hotels & Resorts, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how his company is recovering from the pandemic downturn, where it's growing, how it is differentiating its brands, and how it is showcasing its premium hotel brands. For more information, visit www.melia.com.

If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

Spyros Maganiotis, commercial director Divani Collection Hotels, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about his collection of seven luxury hotels in Greece, but more specifically, the three hotels in Athens that travel advisors can book for  clients who would like experience historic Athens two blocks from the Acropolis, modern Athens for shopping and nightlife, and seaside Athens on the Greek Riviera. For more information, visit www.divani.com.

If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Norwegian Encore's first U.S. voyage to Alaska, how Norwegian has maintained the quality of the cruise experience while protecting passenger health, with a glimpse of the updated onboard hospital and ICU, as well as the partnerships Norwegian developed with the people of Hoonah and Ketchikan to create two new ports offering a variety of experiences. Sommer also offers his take on the recent Florida court decision permitting Norwegian to ask guests if they have been vaccinated. For more information, visit www.ncl.com. 

If interested, the original video of this podcast -- with supplemental pictures and video -- can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

Leaders of some of the top consortia and marketing groups focused on luxury travel offer their assessment on what has changed in luxury travel and what has changed for luxury travel advisors after the pandemic. Will luxury travel return quickly? Will it emerge in the same way? James Shillinglaw, editor-in-chief of Insider Travel Report moderates a panel with Matthew Upchurch, chairman and CEO of Virtuoso; Alex Sharpe, president and CEO of Signature Travel Network; Gabe Rizzi, president of Internova Travel Group and David Harris, president and CEO of Ensemble Travel Group. This discussion was originally broadcast as part of our Virtual Vacation Events-New Age of Luxury virtual show. 

If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

As our world opens up to travel again, now is the time for leaders to unite and rebuild travel and tourism for the better. Tourism Cares, the non-profit group focusing on sustainable travel, has introduced a new series, “Robin Tauck: In Conversation on the Future of Travel,” featuring respected travel and tourism leaders talking about how create a brighter future for travel. In this edition, Tauck, chairman of  Tourism Cares, talks with Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). For more information on Tourism Cares, visit www.tourismcares.org. 

If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

They used to be called luxury tours and now they are luxury guided vacations. What makes them different from other tours and what experiences do they offer that you can’t find anywhere else. And how can travel advisors sell even more luxury guided vacations?  James Shillinglaw, editor-In-chief of InsiderTravelReport.com moderates a panel including Jennifer Tombaugh, president of Tauck; Guy Young, president of Luxury Gold and Insight Vacations; Keith Baron, president-U.S. of Abercrombie & Kent U.S.A.; Sherwin Banda, president of African Travel Inc.; and Helen Giontsis, president of Kensington Tours. This discussion was originally broadcast as part of our Virtual Vacation Events-New Age of Luxury virtual show. 

If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.

Is business beginning to return in the luxury hotel space and does this vary by country? What is the most important feedback hotels are getting from guests coming to stay now? How can hoteliers and travel advisors communicate what is open and what is not available at a hotel or resort at the moment? And how can travel advisors help hotels today? Join moderator Peter Bates, president of Strategic Vision, Inc. with panelists Jonathan Raggett, managing director at Red Carnation Hotels Collection; Chris Hamaway, executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer at Montage International; Andrea Filippi, vice president of global sales at Belmond; and Rick Harvey Lam, senior vice president of global luxury brand management for Accor. This discussion was originally broadcast as part of our Virtual Vacation Events-New Age of Luxury virtual show. 

If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel  or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.