Jim Tedesco, vice president of sales for ALG Vacations, talks with Jennifer Jones of Insider Travel Report about improving booking demand, the resilience of Mexico and the Caribbean as well as growth in Europe and beyond. Tedesco also discusses Italy rail packages, cruise pre- and post-stays, the new ALGV advisor portal, ALG Vacations Pro training and benefits available through the company’s Elite program. For more information, visit www.algvacations.com. 

Xabi Zabala, chief operating officer of HBX Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last month’s HBX MarketHub in the Dominican Republic, about the tools HBX has developed to help advisors sell more travel. With an optimistic outlook for travel in the fugure, Zabala sees AI as driving more sales and innovation in the future. For more information, visit www.hbxgroup.com. 

Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the destinations being booked now and into the fall by travel advisor sellers of Classic. Krueger also details the programs and services Classic has developed to make advisors even more successful in the future as its primary source of distribution. For more information, visit www.classicvacations.com.

Chris Dane, president of Hickory Global Partners business travel consortium, now owned InteleTravel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report, about being recognized by ASTA as the winner of the Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award for his long support of travel advisors, travel agencies and ASTA itself. Industry veteran Dane has been a supporter of advisor causes for more than four decades even as he held different executive posts in the travel industry, including more than 20 years with American Airlines. For more information, visit www.asta.org. 

Francesca Merlino, chief commercial office for Hudson Yards Experiences, talks with Amy Tate of Insider Travel Report, about Edge, the newly refurbished and improved SkyDeck experience in Manhattan. Visitors can discover iconic New York City views, a thrilling glass floor and bar, music and more just four minutes from Times Square. For more information and tickets, visit www.edgenyc.com.

David Ansellem, chief distribution officer, for HBX Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at this month’s annual HBX MarketHub in the Dominican Republic, about HBX’s distribution strategies for hotel products and more, including through travel agencies in the U.S. If you’ve ever wanted to compete with the big OTAs on rooms and rates, HBX is the place to start. For more information, visit www.hbxgroup.com.

Nicholas Huss, CEO of HBX Group, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his company’s annual MarketHub Americas, which took place in the Dominican Republic earlier this month. One of three MarketHubs that HBX holds every year, the America’s edition focused on the issues affecting travel today, including AI in a big way. Huss details what HBX is all about as a bed bank and more for travel advisors and other industry players and gives us an update on what the future holds for the company. For more information, visit www.hbxgroup.com. 

Allison Kushner, a travel advisor with Four Hundred, a Virtuoso-member host agency, talks with Amy Tate of Insider Travel Report, about how to sell the Salterra Resort & Spa, a year-old luxury property that is the perfect retreat for families, couples and singles. With a great beach and pools, an awesome spa, great accommodations and lots of activities, Salterra could be just the right choice for your clients looking for an off-the-grid escape in Turks and Caicos. For more information, visit www.salterra.com.

Adrianne Calvo, special guest celebrity chef at Salterra, the brilliant year-old resort in South Caicos, talks with Amy Tate of Insider Travel Report about the food she prepared for guests during her mini residency at the resort. It’s all part of a Salterra program to host guests chefs that provide great culinary experiences for clients. For more information, visit www.salterra.com. 

Renata Saramago, hotel manager for MS Roald Amundsen, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how the ship accommodates and feeds guests on an Alaska expedition cruise. With spacious suites, a dedicated suite restaurant and two other dining options for guests, Roald Amundsen has all the comforts of home and much more, making for a great Alaska cruise experience. For more information, visit www.travelhx.com.