Niurka Garcia Linton, director of sales for Riu Hotels & Resorts in Jamaica, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the company’s seven properties in Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios, including adults-only and family resorts. She also discusses how Riu reopened all seven hotels quickly after Hurricane Melissa, extended complimentary stays to stranded guests before reopening, and demonstrated strong leadership and staff resilience during recovery. For more information, visit www.ALGVacations.com  and www.algvacations.com/OneLoveJamaica. 

Alison Metcalf, executive vice president -North America, Australia & New Zealand tor Tourism Ireland, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Ireland’s marketing plans for tourism in 2026. Metcalf details the latest tourism numbers to the country, the new marketing campaign and theme “Visit the island that goes beyond,” the importance of the U.S. market, and how Ireland hopes to grow tourism revenues from more than $7 billion in 2025 to more than $11.8 billion euros in 2031. For more information, visit www.ireland.com  or www.tourismireland.com. 

Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the newly renovated Sofitel New York about her complete restoration the Sofitel hotel brand. Bailly highlights the new color schemes, décor, staff uniforms, standards and more that will be duplicated across Sofitel’s more than 120 hotels around the world, with many more to come. Sofitel-parent Accor also held a party to celebrate the brand transformation last week at the Sofitel New York. For more information, visit www.sofitel.com, www.all.com or www.accor.com. 

Syreeta Grose, owner of Grose Travel Services Meetings & Events; McKenzie Kellogg, marketing and IC manager at 417 Travel; and Jessica Church, owner of Sands & Skylines Travel Co., talk with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about their participation in ALG Vacations’ voluntourism event in Jamaica, supporting local schools, charities and community organizations following the hurricane. They also discuss resort site inspections across multiple properties, high occupancy levels, strong service and why they can confidently book Jamaica as the destination continues its recovery. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com. 

Henry Gilroy, executive vice president-strategic development for Internova Travel Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s Internova PLUS conference at Gleneagles in Scotland about the strategy behind Internova’s move to increase luxury sales across the board. Gilroy says Internova has integrated the luxury hotel and cruise programs for advisors in all its units and is making major investments to bring the business together. For more information, visit www.internova.com. 

Aziz Ahmed, owner of Nu Ethiopia Tour And Travel and a wildlife photographer, talks with Michaela Guzy of Insider Travel Report about immersive travel across Ethiopia, including the Omo Valley’s tribal cultures, wildlife encounters and dramatic landscapes. He also discusses seasonality, lodge and camping accommodations, and how travel advisors can build multi-week itineraries that reflect Ethiopia’s cultural and natural diversity. For more information, email [email protected] or visit nuethiopia.travel on Instagram.

Conor O'Leary, managing director of The Gleneagles Hotel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, at the Internova PLUS luxury travel conference that was hosted at his hotel earlier this last month. O’Leary reintroduces us to his magnificent resort, which offers varied accommodations, a full slate of restaurants and bars, a grand spa and pool, and slew of activities, from multiple golf courses and tennis to horseback riding, falconry and off-road driving, which keep any guest well occupied. For more information, visit www.gleneagles.com. 

Eva D'Amato, senior director-leisure sales for Travel Leaders Network (TLN), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the Internova PLUS luxury travel conference at Gleneagles in Scotland about how her group of advisors contributes to Internova’s luxury sales strategy. D’Amato details the training, resources and programs TLN has developed for its luxury advisors who are part of its Luxury Leaders Alliance. For more information, visit www.travelleadersnetwork.com. 

Ragan Stone, senior vice president of In The Know Experiences (ITKE), talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the Internova PLUS luxury travel conference at Gleneagles in Scotland. Stone oversees ITKE, which is also part of Global Travel Collection, a collection of luxury travel agencies owned by Internova Travel Group. ITKE offers one-of-a-kind experiences and specialized services as the “biggest little black book that you never knew existed” for high-end clients. For more information, visit www.intheknowexperiences.com, www.globaltravelcollection.com, or www.internova.com. 

Thomas Harlander, managing director of the Rosewood Amsterdam, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at the Internova PLUS luxury travel conference in Gleneagles in Scotland about his virtually brand-new luxury hotel. Housed in the city’s former Palace of Justice, the 134-room Rosewood Amsterdam has a long history as a government building, located amidst the city’s canals. Now if offers a major art collection, top restaurants and a spa. For more information, visit www.rosewoodamsterdam.com.