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In this spotlight episode, Murray Decker, CEO and founder of Tour Amigo, shares how his innovative technology platform is transforming the multi-day tour industry by equipping operators with cutting-edge reservation systems and seamless distribution capabilities.

Murray’s journey began as a Contiki tour guide in 2008, where he gained firsthand insight into the travel industry. By 2016, he founded Tour Amigo to address a glaring gap in travel technology: while day tours, accommodations, and flights had embraced digital solutions, multi-day tours remained stuck in the analog era.

The statistics Murray reveals are both surprising and inspiring. The multi-day tour market is expanding at an impressive 8-9% annually, even in the wake of COVID-19. Travelers are now spending $4,500-$5,000 per trip—nearly double the pre-pandemic average of $2,500. Yet, when Tour Amigo first introduced the concept of APIs to tour operators, the response was often, "What is an API?" This disconnect highlighted a massive opportunity in what Murray estimates to be a $300 billion global market.

Whether you're a tour operator seeking to modernize, an investor exploring the next big travel tech innovation, or simply someone intrigued by the evolution of the travel industry, this episode is packed with invaluable insights. Murray’s vision for the future of multi-day tours is not just about technology - it’s about unlocking the full potential of an industry poised for extraordinary growth.

Tune in to discover how Tour Amigo is leading the charge in this remarkable transformation. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Murray!

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

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Imagine travel not merely as an escape, but as a powerful catalyst for healing, transformation, and self-discovery. This is the groundbreaking vision Sahara Rose De Vore has brought to life through her pioneering work with the Travel Coach Network.

Sahara’s journey began with a hospitality degree and a one-way ticket to Europe, igniting a decade-long adventure across 84 countries. Along the way, her personal battles with anxiety and depression unveiled the profound therapeutic potential of travel. This revelation inspired her to create the world’s first ICF-accredited travel coaching certification program.

Today, the Travel Coach Network has grown to include over 700 coaches spanning more than 40 countries. These coaches offer a revolutionary approach to travel - one that transcends booking itineraries and accommodations. Instead, they guide clients in using travel as a tool for personal growth, healing from trauma, rediscovering themselves, and uncovering their purpose. It’s a transformative shift in how we approach travel, focusing on the traveler’s inner journey rather than just external destinations.

This episode explores the profound healing power of travel. Ready to see how your next trip could transform more than just your surroundings? A big thank you to Sahara for sharing her inspiring vision with us!

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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When millennials rediscovered travel advisors, they revived a profession many had written off too soon. “Millennials’ expertise is knowing who the experts are,” says Arnie Weissmann, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly. With more than 25 years leading the travel industry’s most influential trade publication, Arnie has chronicled - and shaped - some of the most pivotal transformations in travel.

His own path from passionate explorer to industry leader is as compelling as it is instructive. Arnie’s love for discovery began on a 10-country camping trip through Africa, a journey fueled by curiosity and wanderlust. Frustrated by the lack of meaningful pre-trip resources, he launched a destination information service that later became part of Travel 42. That entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a deep empathy for traveler needs, made him the perfect fit to take the helm at Travel Weekly - a role he stepped into just after the seismic events of 9/11. Today, as part of Northstar Media’s global portfolio - which also includes Phocuswright and Business Travel News, Arnie oversees an unparalleled network of travel industry intelligence.

For those eager to make their mark in travel, his advice is both simple and timeless: stand apart. “What are you going to do that isn’t being done right now, that nobody else is doing, and that people truly need?” It’s a guiding principle that has shaped Arnie’s extraordinary career and continues to serve as a compass for innovation in a constantly evolving industry.

As travel undergoes yet another era of change, Arnie’s insights remind us that clarity of purpose and a willingness to innovate are the keys to thriving. We’re deeply grateful to Arnie for sharing his journey and wisdom - this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

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Imagine exploring Rome with an archaeologist who's unearthed its ancient secrets, wandering Tokyo with an architect shaping its skyline, or navigating Barcelona's vibrant markets with a culinary expert who knows every vendor by name. This is the transformative experience Context Travel has been perfecting for over two decades.

In this conversation with CEO June Chin-Ramsey, we discuss how Context Travel is redefining guided tours through its unwavering commitment to expert-led experiences. Unlike traditional tour companies that rely on guides reciting memorized scripts, Context exclusively collaborates with academics and professionals holding advanced degrees. These experts bring depth and authenticity to every tour, making complex topics not only accessible but also deeply engaging. As June explains, "They actually make the most exceptional guides because they're able to take fascinating, complex concepts and make them simple, digestible, and entirely relatable."

The company’s journey began in Rome as a rebellion against the cookie-cutter approach of mass tourism - those all-too-familiar scenes of large groups trailing behind flag-waving guides at overcrowded landmarks. Instead, Context pioneered intimate, small-group walking tours where personalization and meaningful connections take center stage. This philosophy has fueled their growth to nearly 70 cities across six continents, from iconic cultural hubs like Paris and London to dynamic, emerging destinations like Mexico City and Seoul.

Whether you're a history buff, an art lover, or a curious traveler, Context Travel offers more than just a tour - it’s an invitation to see the world through the eyes of an expert. We hope you enjoy this spotlight episode. 

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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Join us at Arival DC from September 29 to October 3, 2025, and be part of the most transformative event in the experiences sector. Use promo code FOADACHDC to get 10% off the AI Forum for Destination Experiences and Arival 360 DC combo ticket (excludes Pro Members). Plus, as a special bonus, you will be guaranteed a feature on the Event Spotlight that Dan will be recording live at the event!

As Douglas Quinby, CEO, and Bruce Rosard, CCO, shared in our recent conversation, Arival DC isn’t just another industry conference - it’s a meticulously curated gathering of the "the 1% of the experiences sector." Visionary creators, resellers, technologists, and leaders from across the ecosystem - think day tour operators, multi-day specialists, tech startups, and platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator - will come together to shape the future of travel experiences.

This year’s event is packed with groundbreaking programming:

• Monday: The Executive Summit, where industry leaders tackle the strategic challenges shaping the next decade.
• Tuesday: The first-ever AI Forum, offering hands-on guidance for integrating artificial intelligence into marketing, customer service, and product development.
• Wednesday through Friday: The main Arival 360 conference, featuring a brand-new Multi-Day Tour track alongside its established programming for day tours, activities, and attractions.

Throughout the event, you’ll hear from industry visionaries like Joe Pine, the "godfather of the experience economy," who will explore the shift from selling experiences to enabling transformations. Key trends like the rise of experience-driven travel planning, the revolutionary potential of AI, and the demand for transformational experiences will dominate the conversation.

And don’t miss Dan, who will be MC’ing the Multi-Day Track at Arival 360 on October 1 & 2, guiding two full days of sessions dedicated to the future of multi-day travel. From trends and technology to tour operator strategies and distribution, this track is a must-attend for anyone in the multi-day travel space.

Don’t wait - secure your spot today! Use promo code FOADACHDC for your discount and guarantee your feature on the Event Spotlight. 

Mark your calendars and see you in DC!

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

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Recorded Live at Phocuswright Europe in Barcelona, this massive 5 hour special event spotlight episode features 19 interviews with the brightest minds in travel and tech who took the stage - and joined us for exclusive interviews that you don’t want to miss. Plus, we have a special bonus offer for all of our listeners to join us at Phocuswright in San Diego Nov 18-20 and be guaranteed to be feature in our next Event Spotlight.  We hope you enjoy these insight rich conversations and plan to join us in November.

If you prefer to jump right to the guest that matters most to you, we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find timestamps for each speaker.

Highlights & Timestamps

• 5m41s - Enrique Espinel, COO, Civitatis
• 20m40s - Teesta Raha, Director of Global PR, Sojern
• 40m27s - Andy Headington, CEO, Adido
• 1hr56m - Andrea Lamparini, COO, WeRoad
• 1hr16m - Mark Ross-Smith, CEO of StatusMatch
• 1hr38m - Robert From, Chief Growth Officer, Rail Europe
• 1hr59m - Rita J Varga, Founder & CEO, RaizUp
• 2hr18m - Travis Pittman, CEO, TourRadar
• 2hr39m - Charlotte Lamp Davies, Founder & CEO, NED A Bright Approach
• 2hr56m - Marc Mekki, Inspire Limitless
• 3hr22m - Valentina & Mathis, Phocuswright Interns
• 3hr28m - James Lemon, Head of Travel & Leisure, Stripe
• 3hr43m - Aaron Gellhaus, Senior Director, BigCommerce & Ryan Spencer, Solutions Engineer, Feedonomics
• 3hr57m - Gillian Jones, Senior Business Development Manager, Condatis
• 4hr8m - Blaire McCoy and Kyle Killion, Co-founders, Traversing.AI
• 4hr21m - Alex Farmer, CCO, Nezasa
• 4hr40m - Adrian Villabruna, Co-founder, Videreo
• 4hr46m - Alex Trimis, CEO & Founder, Welcome Pickups
• 4hr57m - Shlomi Beer, Co-founder & CEO, ImpersonAlly

BONUS OFFER!  Use code TRAVELTRENDSPECIAL25 to unlock a $250 discount for your Phocuswright San Diego ticket and be guaranteed to be featured on our next Event Spotlight. Can't wait to see you all there!

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

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The travel industry was forever changed when Rod Cuthbert founded Viator in 1995, revolutionizing how travelers discover and book experiences worldwide. In this season finale of Travel Trends, the visionary founder shares his extraordinary journey from Tasmania to Silicon Valley and beyond.

Rod recounts how a serendipitous twist of fate - developing an e-commerce solution for Sabre that went unused - sparked the creation of what would become the world’s leading experiences marketplace. At a time when guided tours were dismissed as outdated, Rod identified a shift in consumer priorities: experiences were beginning to outweigh possessions. By creating a platform for innovative tour operators to quickly reach consumers, Viator helped elevate the entire category from afterthought to the very reason people travel.

After selling Viator to TripAdvisor for $200 million in 2014, Rod continued to drive travel innovation with ventures like Rome2Rio (a transportation search engine) and Veltra (Japan’s leading tour booking platform). Renowned for his candid advice to startups—earning him the nickname "the Simon Cowell of judges" - Rod offers invaluable insights into the future of the industry. His bold prediction? Artificial intelligence will disrupt travel distribution, empowering suppliers to reclaim direct customer relationships and challenging the OTA model that has dominated for decades.

This conversation delivers rare insights from a pioneer who didn’t just observe the industry’s transformation - he led it.

Over the course of 27 episodes, we were honored to feature more than 30 extraordinary guests, each bringing unique perspectives and valuable expertise to the table. From groundbreaking innovations to strategies redefining the future, this season showcased the very best of what the travel industry has to offer. We couldn’t be more thankful for your support in making it all possible. And the excitement doesn’t end here! Subscribe now and join us for season six this September, as we continue to explore how industry leaders are shaping the future of travel for 2026 and beyond.

👉 Listen to Season 5 Finale: The Visionary Behind Viator Now

🔥 Season 5 Title Sponsors: TravelAI, Stay22, Propellic, Flight Centre, Collette, Flywire, Traveltek and Protect Group

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

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We’re thrilled to conclude our Season 5 In-Destination series with a truly thought-provoking conversation featuring Joe Pine and Jake Haupert - two visionaries shaping the future of travel.

The future of travel is undergoing a profound transformation - shifting from curated experiences to a deeper focus on personal growth and self-discovery. At the heart of this evolution lies the emerging Transformation Economy, a $208 billion market shift that is redefining what travelers value and how the industry delivers on those expectations. In this week's episode, Experience Economy pioneer Joe Pine and Transformational Travel Council co-founder Jake Haupert discuss why this movement is far more than a passing trend - it’s a reimagining of travel’s true purpose.

Transformational travel stands apart from traditional tourism. It’s not about fleeting moments or checking off bucket-list destinations. Instead, it’s a holistic journey that unfolds in three essential phases: intentional preparation, immersive experiences, and meaningful reflection. Without this complete arc, the potential for lasting change often fades once travelers return home.

Joe and Jake argue that transformation is the missing link between the ideals of sustainable tourism and real behavioral change. It’s a pathway to deeper connections - with ourselves, with others, and with the natural world.

For travel businesses, this shift demands more than surface-level adaptation - it requires a fundamental redefinition of their mission. Joe challenges providers to see themselves not merely as hosts or experience creators, but as facilitators of personal growth. Those who embrace this role will unlock greater value - not just for travelers, but for communities and their own organizations.

As we look to the future, travel has the potential to return to its most sacred role: a vehicle for human flourishing. In a world increasingly dominated by digital interaction, real journeys offer the space to slow down, reconnect, and grow. Transformation, not transaction, will define the next era of meaningful travel.

👉 Listen to How the Transformation Economy Is Redefining Tourism Now

🔥 Season 5 Title Sponsors: TravelAI, Stay22, Propellic, Flight Centre, Collette, Flywire, Traveltek and Protect Group

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

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Join us as we hit the road to Denver for a special edition of Travel Trends, recorded live at the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Elevate Conference.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Colorado’s beauty, this episode takes you straight into the heart of the $896 billion adventure travel industry. It’s a celebration of sustainability, outdoor exploration, and the magic of human connection in a world that’s increasingly digital.

Think of this as your ultimate road trip playlist - featuring 15 intimate conversations with the trailblazers shaping the future of adventure tourism. From tech innovators and conservation champions to Indigenous leaders and destination dreamers, these voices share one thing in common: a deep love for people, planet, and place.

Highlights & Timestamps

• 6m22s – Erik Blachford, Former CEO, Expedia
• 27m24s – Soraya Shattuck, Executive Director, Adventure Travel Conservation Fund
• 41m20s – Jody Potts-Joseph, Han Gwich’in Leader, Raven Clan Kennels
• 1h04m – Rob Holmes, Founder & Chief Strategist, GLP Films
• 1h29m – David & Becky Blacksford, Owners & CEO, Blacksford Premium RV Rentals
• 1h50m – Christina Tunnah, GM, World Nomads
• 2h11m – Richard Naha, Co-founder, Surf Synergy
• 2h30m – Heather O’Halloran, MD, Destination Rwanda
• 2h46m – Zaal Gachechiladze, CEO, Wandero
• 3h11m – Jason Reckers, COO, ATTA & Eirik Skjærseth, Founder & CEO, Bolder Technology
• 3h39m – Casey Hanisko, Coach & Consultant
• 3h53m – Andy Brown, Communications Manager, Tourism Golden
• 4h05m – Julia Tregaskis-Allen, Co-owner, Tracks and Trails
• 4h21m – Will Cairns, MD, Active England Tours
• 4h34m – Jorge Perez, Founder, Tierra De Volcan

Whether you’re an adventure travel pro or just someone who believes in the transformative power of tourism, this episode is your ticket to inspiration. So, grab your headphones, hit play, and let’s explore the wild, wonderful world of adventure travel together!

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

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Laura Sileo Pavat, Global Head of Brand Homes at Pernod Ricard, returns to Travel Trends to explore how spirit tourism is transforming cultural connections across the globe.

With over 35 brand homes spanning four continents, Pernod Ricard has reimagined these spaces as immersive destinations that tell authentic stories and forge lasting emotional bonds. From the award-winning Jameson Distillery in Dublin to the architecturally striking Rabbit Hole in Louisville's arts district, these experiences highlight a new way for travelers to engage with places and their narratives.

The discussion takes us to extraordinary locations like Scapa Distillery in Scotland's remote Orkney Islands, where a boat shelter-inspired building overlooks historic waters, and TX Whiskey Ranch in Fort Worth, which evolves from a working distillery by day to a vibrant community hub by night, hosting everything from live country music to yoga sessions. Laura reveals how these brand homes foster genuine connections with local communities through collaborations with regional artisans, musicians, and chefs—such as TX Whiskey’s bottle caps made from recycled cowboy boot leather or locally-crafted goods at Casa Altos in Mexico.

Perhaps most intriguing is how spirit tourism addresses overtourism by guiding travelers to lesser-known destinations while driving economic growth for local communities.

Whether you're a travel advisor seeking distinctive client experiences, a destination marketer focused on sustainable tourism, or a curious traveler craving meaningful connections, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how spirit tourism is reshaping the travel industry.

👉 Listen to Crafted Journeys: Exploring Culture Through Spirits Tourism Now

🔥 Season 5 Title Sponsors: TravelAI, Stay22, Propellic, Flight Centre, Collette, Flywire, Traveltek and Protect Group

The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 6 launches in September.

https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/