With trade events mainly on the “back burner” for so long, one that actually did take place last year, and is scheduled for its second edition in Prague this August is Luxury Bloc. The event is organised by the highly dynamic Gabriela Markova. Gabriela thus has her finger well and truly on the luxury travel industry “pulse”, so it’s with great interest and joy that we have her as a special guest on this week’s edition of the World Travel Essential podcast, as she talks not only about her event, but also about trends in the industry and some amazing new resorts and travel ideas. And luxury travel guru Mary Gostelow takes us to a favourite property in the big apple!

According to globally renowned architect, Jean-Philippe Nuel, the only alternative to the current crisis is to reinvent, revitalise and reposition the entire hotel industry. So just what should be done? This week on World Travel Essential, we talk with Sandy Stevens who co-founded in the United States--and leads--Studio Jean-Philippe Nuel & Partners. And with luxury travel guru Mary Gostelow, it’s time for something “completely different”. It’s all in this week’s edition of “World Travel Essential”.  On all popular podcast platforms.

One of the biggest questions for travel professionals today is “Where can my client travel right now? What borders are open for them?” With changes being announced sometimes several times a day by different nations, it’s a headache. This week, on World Travel Essential, we talk to Max Tremaine, the CEO of Sherpa°, a travel tech company that has launched an interactive world “travel reopening” map. And luxury travel guru Mary Gostelow takes us to a fabulous property in Moscow. It’s definitely a “not to be missed” episode!

Sarawak looks like trending as a “must be seen” destination thanks to a new blockbuster film about to be released. Previously carrying the working title “Rajah”, the upcoming Hollywood film based on Sarawak's first Rajah, Sir James Brooke, has been retitled Edge of the World, and is still on course for a June 2021 release.  Shot entirely on location, Edge of the World is set to be an incredible booster for the Malaysian state in Borneo. With this in mind, we have a chat this week in World Travel Essential with Gary Speldewinde – one of Sarawak’s most prolific inbound tour operators, about “destination Sarawak”. And luxury travel guru Mary Gostelow takes us to one of her favourite hotels in London!

If you are interested in how air travel is going to trend in the next months when it comes to Covid testing, vaccines etc, don’t miss this episode of World Travel Essential! Our special guest is Alan Murray Hayden - Head Airlines Support & Security for IATA, who reveals all the facts behind the IATA Travel Pass app.

What does the Travel Pass allow people to do? Why is this so important for airlines? How important is it to have a global standard? What about the digital green certificate? Where does IATA stand on that?

... and Luxury Travel Guru Mary Gostelow takes us to Johannesburg.

A destination that is very much top of mind for most travel advisors today is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – it will no doubt be one of THE go to destinations in the coming decade. In this week’s episode, we speak with Edie Rodriguez, one of America’s most illustrious women in luxury travel – who is on the board of the Saudi Tourism Authority… And luxury travel guru Mary Gostelow takes us to a legendary hotel in Hong Kong with her special tips.

You’ll find both this week in WTE - presented by Richard Barnes and produced by Almont Global in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide and digital health industry leader Sharecare.

Thailand may reopen borders in July

A study by Euromonitor shows sustainability is fast growing as a top priority for travel consumers

A new IATA travel poll shows a growing confidence of travellers in air transport

Luxury travel guru Mary Gostelow takes us on a tour of one of her favourite properties in Munich

And in our special feature – WTTC President & CEO, Gloria Guevara, talks to us about the resilience of the travel industry.

The WTTC calls on EU leadership to pull together in order to avoid even greater disaster for the travel industry,

A movement has been launched in Thailand to reopen borders by 1 July,

Qantas launches mystery flights for domestic passengers,

Luxury travel guru Mary Gostelow takes us to one of her favourite haunts in London,

And in our special feature, hotel design legend, Michel Gicquel talks about the hotel room of tomorrow.

A series of recommendations are unveiled for the relaunch of tourism in Europe

Qantas pushes back estimates for reopening routes to Australasia all the way to November

Amadeus and IAG increasingly working together

And in our special feature, we’ll be talking to Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide.

Podcast – in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide and digital health industry leader Sharecare. 

This week in our special feature, we’ll be talking to Michelle Woodley, president of Preferred Hotels and Resorts about their new properties… and new brand – Beyond Green.

In the travel essentials this week, of course, the tragic news of the passing of Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott group;

Boeing recommends grounding 777s with the same engine as the one that burst into flames on United flight 328 last week;

Emirates runs a flight with 100% Covid vaccinated personnel

And Qatar offers zero touch in-flight entertainment.