Travel Press Podcasts

Aloha and E Komo Mai! O‘ahu offers travelers experiences that energize the spirit, enrich the mind, honor its iconic history, and celebrate its vibrant mix of Hawaiian and multicultural traditions. Come explore the beautiful island – known as “The Gathering Place”, for an in-depth partner presentation. Learn about the unique characteristics of O‘ahu, and the types of travelers who are attracted to this tropical paradise year after year. During this engaging presentation you will receive valuable information on O‘ahu-specific updates as we help you plan memorable vacations for your clients.

President of Baxter Media, David McClung, sits down with Bob Mowat to write the final episode of Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters.

They discuss the history of Baxter Media and the vision of its founders, Bill and Edith Baxter, to "bring the world to Canada and Canada to the world," a vision the organization still holds today.

"Our market was travel agents," says McClung, "...people wanted legitimate, reliable, honest content, and we did that ... the first question when any supplier came in was always, 'what are you doing for travel agents?'"

To view all 15 episodes of Voices of Travel, go to:

https://www.travelpress.com/voices-of-travel/

Susan Webb didn't think she was going to be in travel... "I went to Europe thinking I was going to be a lawyer—kind of wanted to be Perry Mason—and I got to Europe, and I went, 'there has to be a way I can travel and make money' …so, I came back to Canada and I enrolled in Sheridan College, their tourism and travel program, and it was the beginning of my career in the travel industry," Webb says, in episode 14 of Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters.

She continues: "The industry, when I started, was very different than what it [is] today … some of it good, some of it, perhaps, not so good … but I think the main thing when I look back at the industry, was how fun it was …"

To this day, Susan Webb has that same excitement about travel as she sits down with Bob Mowat to discuss her career.

For more episodes, go to:

https://www.travelpress.com/voices-of-travel/

"[Travel] is a fundamental human activity," says Wolf Paunic, a 30-year travel industry veteran, in episode 13 of Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters.

"...I think we want to look in the future, but learn from the past," he continues, a sentiment which encapsulates the purpose of the interview series well.

From the impact of external events on travel—the First Gulf War, SARS and COVID— to the evolution of coach touring, Paunic's conversation with Bob Mowat is wide-ranging and serves as a reminder "that there is always something good in change," as Paunic puts it.

For more episodes, go to:

https://www.travelpress.com/voices-of-travel/

Dan Langevin started small in the travel trade: at just 11 years-old he was already cleaning cars for his Dad's car rental franchises. From there, Langevin worked at the airport renting out cars, then on the ramp at Air Canada in Northern Quebec.

"I got the taste, and that’s what I wanted to do since Day One," says Langevin, "...once you’ve had the chance to travel, and you’re young, and you get a taste for it, it’s hard not to continue doing it."

From his early days with Contiki to the first meeting at "The Keg by the airport" that helped launch Softvoyage, Langevin's career has taken a fascinating trajectory.

Tune in for more episodes at:

https://www.travelpress.com/voices-of-travel/

As Rocky Racco reflects on over four decades in the travel trade, he has a lot to say about the industry and plenty of encouraging predictions, too.

Sharing his aspirational vision for the future, he says: “...we do have a lot of folks that are 60 to 70 year olds and they’re going to ideally pass their knowledge and wisdom and expertise to the new generation that’s coming in … so, in 10 years from now I see – in my office – the average age is going to drop by 20 to 30 years and there’s going to be a lot of young people with really big smiles on their faces, doing a lot of cool stuff … that’s what I’m envisioning …”

“I still love the business … and I’m really, really encouraged about the future of our business,” he continues.

Episode 11 of Voices of Travel ends on a high note with an uplifting message about “the biggest opportunity” for travel professionals.

For video episodes, go to:

https://www.travelpress.com/voices-of-travel/

Michael Merrithew remembers when voicemail was first being introduced into travel customer service. At the outset, he and others were hesitant to adopt this new technology: “...we felt that customers didn’t want voicemail, they wanted voice,” he says in episode 10 of Voices of Travel.

Far from a luddite, however, Merrithew was an early adopter with respect to new technology, but he cautions: “You really need to remind yourself of why you’re implementing the technology and what it’s really for… if you think it’s for just somehow reducing your costs by hiring fewer staff, you’re missing the whole point.”

“We are very much in the personal service business, ultimately. People are coming to us to fulfill their dreams and aspirations,” he continues.

Merrithew’s words are resonant with the wisdom only years of experience, trials and tribulations, and hard won victories can bring.

For more episodes of Voices of Travel, go to:

https://www.travelpress.com/voices-of-travel/

In the 9th installment of Voices of Travel: The Next Chapters, Joseph Adamo sits down for a conversation with Canadian Travel Press Executive Editor, Bob Mowat.

"You know, it’s a fantastic industry. There is – and I truly believe this – a nobility to what we do. I think we make the human condition better by bringing people together, I think we break down distances that separate people, both figuratively and literally..." Adamo said.

Travel technology, A.I., tour operators and agencies, sustainability, and more, are all part of this candid discussion.

For more interviews, go to:

https://www.travelpress.com/voices-of-travel/

"What I've seen in travel is resilience, I've seen talent, I've seen strength, I've seen people who really care about each other," says Maureen Barnes-Smith, who has been in the travel industry for close to 30 years. A strong leader in her own right, Maureen reflects on the leaders and mentors who have impacted her career, and discusses the changes and challenges she's experienced over that time, as well as the hope she has for the future of travel. For video episodes of Voices of Travel, go to: https://www.travelpress.com/voices-of-travel/

Christine James talks with Canadian Travel Press' Executive Editor, Bob Mowat, about her passion for the travel industry, the women who mentored her, and the changes she has seen since she got her start over 40 years ago.