In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Philadelphia president and CEO Angela Val shares her hope that "everybody sees each other as human beings first." And she explains how Philadelphia's core value as the City of Brotherly Love means that no matter your lifestyle, religion, race, or ethnicity, "in this place you will be able to be yourself, feel a sense of belonging and be welcomed."

Val sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss Philadelphia's "In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union" initiative, the groundbreaking TED Democracy event launching in June, and how the birthplace of democracy is hosting six FIFA World Cup matches, the MLB All-Star Game, and a supersized July 4th concert as part of America's 250th celebration.

What You’ll Learn

Philadelphia has James Beard Award winning- and Michelin-starred restaurants 

TED Democracy and Visit Philadelphia have partnered for a three-year series of TED talks on the impacts of democracy.

How to get off the tourist trail in Philadelphia

Where Angela takes her friends and family when they visit

Visit Philly and Angela’s hopes for the next 10 years in Philadelphia

Key Moments

[07:04] Visit Philadelphia signed a three-year partnership with TED Democracy for a series of talks about the impact of democracy.

[09:23] Philadelphia is a walkable, green city easy to reach from New York and Washington, D.C.

[15:50]  Philadelphia is celebrating 52 things that happened in Philadelphia and changed the world, like democracy.

[17:30]: Angela would like to see Philadelphia able to put more into its artists, the people who actually produce art.

Featured Topics

Philadelphia is a welcoming place for everyone

The city as the birthplace of democracy and the epicenter of America 250 celebrations

Major upcoming events include the PGA championship, six World Cup matches, and the MLB All-Star Game

Exploring lesser-visited parts of the city

Resources

Read the transcript of this episodeListen to Visit Philadelphia x TED Democracy 

Visit Philadelphia’s site

Find Visit Philadelphia on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube

How to explore Philadelphia like a local

🇺🇸 America 250 Update: Big upcoming events for Philadelphia in 2026 include the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championships, and six World Cup matches.

Stay Connected

Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 19 IPW episodes this week.

Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

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Charleston hid their tea instead of throwing it in the harbor—and that's just one of the surprising stories that the historic city has to share with visitors.

In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Explore Charleston president and CEO Helen Hill sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to share how Charleston recently broke records for hotel nights and airport passengers—and how the city has expanded its tourism impact over the years.

As Charleston celebrates more than 350 years of history and gears up for America's 250th anniversary, Hill reveals how the city ditched the "Moonlight and Magnolias" narrative to tell authentic stories—from their capitalist Tea Party to the Revolutionary War fort built with spongy palmetto logs that absorbed British cannonballs. Plus, she shares why heirloom tomatoes and Gullah Geechee cuisine are helping bring the community together.

What You’ll Learn

That Charleston is home to the country’s very first museum, the Charleston Museum.

That Charleston is showcasing its true, sometimes painful history with sites such as the International African American Museum.

The unusual role Palmetto trees played in the revolutionary war

The country’s oldest synagogue is in Charleston, the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue.

Key Moments

[02:56] New luxury properties are opening, including a Four Seasons.

[04:55] Explore Charleston’s decision to showcase all of its complex history

[8:28] Some of the city’s most celebrated chefs are bringing Gullah Geechee food culture to a wider audience 

[17:07] South Carolina’s deep agricultural traditions lead to plenty of local produce 

Featured Topics

The impact increased flights to Charleston has had on tourism

The oldest museums and synagogues in the country

The importance of reconciling with and showcasing painful history

Visitors booking trips closer to their travel dates

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Visit Explore Charleston’s site

Find Explore Charleston on Instagram and Facebook

See Afar’s take on what to do in Charleston

🇺🇸 America 250 Update: The fall 2025 opening of the Cooper Hotel on Charleston Harbor, a Revolutionary War site

Stay Connected

Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 19 IPW episodes this week.

Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can the U.S. more warmly welcome international travelers? U.S. Travel Association president Geoff Freeman has a few ideas.

In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Geoff Freeman sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about the state of international inbound travel.

As the U.S. travel industry works to recover from a $12 billion loss in international tourism revenue while preparing for America's 250th anniversary, the U.S. Travel Association is encouraging international visitors to book their tickets to come and enjoy a series of major events across the country, including two World Cups and two Olympic Games.

What You’ll Learn

What major events are planned across the country in the next few years

How many trillions of dollars are spent on travel in the U.S.

The importance of making travel to the U.S. easier

The U.S. has competitors when it comes to international travel made easy

Key Moments

[04:20] Major upcoming events include the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics in L.A. 

[07:25] Travel drives about $2.9 trillion a year in spending, supporting 15 million jobs across the U.S.

[10:59] Travel satisfies a human need for connection.

[12:32] The need for policy-makers to improve travel efficiency in the U.S. 

Featured Topics

The importance of making inbound travel to the U.S. easier

A decade of major events planned to celebrate the country’s 250 birthday

Why U.S. policymakers need to support the travel industry

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Visit U.S. Travel Association

Find U.S. Travel Association on Instagram and Facebook IPW 2025 conference information

🇺🇸 America 250 Update: Upcoming events include the FIFA Club World Cup this year, the 2026 World Cup, and the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

📊 By the Numbers: Travel drives about $2.9 trillion a year in spending, supporting 15 million jobs across the country. In New York City, international travelers make up 17% of all visitors, but make up 50% of all spending that takes place; for Washington, D.C. that’s 8% and 25%, respectively.

Stay Connected

Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you redefine luxury hospitality in 2025? For Maud Bailly, the CEO of four of Accor’s luxury hotel brands—Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems—it starts with empathy. 

In this episode of View From Afar, she chats with host Jennifer Flowers about how she’s reshaping luxury hospitality through bold sustainability, diverse teams and a global vision rooted in local impact. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

The distinct identities of Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems and how they serve distinct types of travelers. 

How Accor Group is utilizing AI to reduce food waste and eco certify all of their luxury hotels by 2025. 

What it’s like to be a woman in hospitality leadership and why diversity is a must for the hospitality industry. 

Don’t miss these moments: 

[04:07] How Sofitel offers travelers a little bit of France all over the world. 

[13:42] This hotel in Panama brought tears to the local community. 

[16:34] What it’s really like for a female leader in the luxury hospitality industry. 

[22:59] Why hoteliers need more, not less, diversity in 2025. 

Featured in this episode: 

Sofitel Cotonou, Benin

Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama City

MGallery Nairobi Gem Forest, Kenya

Emblems Collection by Accor

Resources: 

Read the transcript of this episode

Read this Afar review of Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.

Connect with Maud Bailly on LinkedIn.

Explore the websites of Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems.

Learn more about Accor’s upcoming openings in Prague, Jaipur and Cairo.

Subscribe to the newsletter, Afar Advisor to get a smart summary of need-to-know information for travel professionals

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Anne Kalosh is the editor of Seatrade Cruise News and she has decades of experience covering the cruise industry—so much experience, in fact, that she recently appeared on Netflix’s Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney. 

On this episode of View From Afar, she joins host Aislyn Greene at Seatrade Cruise Global for a deep dive into the ways cruising is evolving to attract new travelers. From groundbreaking sustainability efforts to the growing influence of local communities—this is the future of cruising. 

On this episode you’ll discover: 

How Gen Z and millennials are impacting the cruising industry

Which new cruise destinations to sail to in 2025, from Japan to Greenland

Why Viking’s new ship marks a major milestone in the race to zero-emission cruising.  

Don’t miss these moments: 

[02:53] How local communities are transforming the cruise experience. 

[07:03] Don’t miss these emerging cruise destinations in 2025. 

[11:11] Viking announces a major leap in the race to net-zero cruising. 

[14:11] Cruise recommendations for Anne’s celebrity costars, including John Mulaney and Quinta Brunson. 

Featured cruise lines: 

Viking 

Carnival Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line

Ponant 

Explora Journeys

Mitsui Ocean Cruises

Four Seasons Yachts 

Resources: 

Read the transcript of this episode.

Read Anne’s work at Seatrade Cruise News or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Explore 8 of the Most Exciting Cruise Destinations in 2025

Subscribe to the newsletter, Afar Advisor to get a smart summary of need-to-know information for travel professionals. 

Dive into cruise news and resources on afar.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cruising is evolving—and appealing to more people than ever. Live from Seatrade Cruise Global, this episode of View from Afar, unpacks the cruise news and innovations that surprised and inspired host Aislyn Greene and Afar co-founder Joe Diaz, during the world’s largest cruise industry conference. 

From hydrogen-powered ships to hotel brands getting in on the action, these are the cruising trends to watch in 2025. 

On this episode you’ll learn: 

Why the value proposition for cruising has never been better. 

How hotel brands and destinations are banking on cruising. 

The unique access cruise lines can offer travelers in 2025. 

Don’t miss these moments: 

[05:43] This little-known secret is the most inspiring thing about modern cruising. 

[10:15] Why the value proposition for cruising has never been better. 

[11:55] The off-the-beaten-path cruise we can’t wait to book. 

Featured in this episode: 

Resources: 

Read the transcript of this episode.

Explore more Seatrade content on Unpacked by Afar, like this episode about sustainable cruising or this episode covering innovations. 

Dive into cruise news and resources on afar.com.

Sign up for the Afar Advisor newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to View From Afar, a podcast by the travel industry, for the travel industry.

In our inaugural episode, we hear from Barbara Muckermann, the first female CEO of Kempinski Hotels, a 128-year old global brand. 

On this episode, Barbara chats with Afar senior deputy editor, Jennifer Flowers, about her plans to restore Kempinski’s luxury legacy, why places like Munich’s Nymphenburg Palace are key to the brand’s future, and what it takes to succeed as a woman—and elevate others— in the male-dominated hospitality industry. 

Inside the Hotels Where History Happens

On this episode you’ll learn: 

How Kempinski hotels serve as cultural hubs in major cities like Bangkok, Istanbul, and Munich. 

How a 128-year old, global brand plans to pivot in 2025. 

Candid advice for women in hospitality and how Kempinski’s new CEO elevates future leaders. 

How Kempinski Hotels Plans to Reclaim Luxury

Don’t miss these moments: 

[01:24] Liza Minelli and Einstein: Harnessing the past to build the future. 

[04:46] What is the future of Kempinski Hotels? Think: the luxury of porcelain parrots. 

[16:42] Kempinski palaces are cultural staples for travelers and locals alike. 

[21:17] Advice on how women can continue to break the glass ceiling in hospitality. 

Resources: 

Read the transcript of the episode.

Read Jenn’s ⁠feature ⁠about six women who are changing the future of hotels. 

Explore Kempinski hotels on their ⁠website⁠ or ⁠Instagram⁠. 

Connect with Barbara Muckermann on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠or ⁠Instagram⁠.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

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