How Avoya’s Marketing is Elevating the Brand
Sam McCully, senior vice president of marketing for Avoya Travel, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how Avoya's support of travel advisors is how Avoya enriches itself, an example being its "Leave it to the Experts" campaign, which comically depicted what can go wrong without a travel advisor's assistance. McCully explains how travel advisors can use the tools in Avoya's marketing resource center, the assets of which can be co-brand and customized to support travel agencies, and also what sets Avoya apart from other host agencies, especially the four different ways advisors can collect leads. For more information, visit www.AvoyaNetwork.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Discover the Secrets of the Māoris on a Sacred Mountain Above Auckland
Dane Tumahi, a descendant of Māori chiefs, gives James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report a fascinating guided tour of Maungawhau (Mount Eden), a mountain that formerly was a Māori settlement and sacred site high above Auckland. Tumahi details the history, customs and traditions of the Māori people, which is so crucial to truly understanding New Zealand. This video is from the second day of a fam trip to New Zealand created by Down Under Answers. For more information, click on https://staynative.co.nz or www.duatravel.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Discover the “Wine” Island of Waiheke Just a Ferry Ride Away From Auckland
Gabriel Young, owner of Terra & Tide in Waiheke Island, New Zealand, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her day-tour operator’s guided walks, zip-lines excursions, wine tours and much more. It’s the perfect escape for your clients looking for a quick island getaway after a long flight to Auckland. This is the first of a series of videos from a New Zealand fam trip created by Down Under Answers. For more information, visit https://terraandtide.co.nz or www.duatravel.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
How Host Agency Avoya Is Growing Land Sales Big Time
Steve Hirshan, senior vice president of sales for Avoya Travel, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about Avoya's Land Forum, including who attended, what new technology and partnerships were revealed, and how land sales have been explosive since 2019. Hirshan also details what makes Avoya different, specifically all the ways advisors get leads, including live leads, smart leads, leads from partner Travel Leaders Network's Agent Profiler and, of course, support for the advisors' own leads. For more information, visit www.AvoyaNetwork.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
How Dromoland Castle Delivers Irish Hospitality and Luxury to Guests
Mark Nolan, general manager of Dromoland Castle in County Clare, Ireland, talks with Benjamin Bass of Insider Travel Report about the history of his famed luxury castle hotel, as well as the accommodations, dining options and upcoming renovations, especially to the spa. For more information, visit www.dromoland.ie.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Discover Where Can You Visit All of Canada All at Once
Lisa Kaplan, leader of sales and education for Little Canada, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her commissionable attraction in Toronto where guests can see Canada in miniature and watch over the next five years as artists add more Canadian destinations. Kaplan shows how guests can even receive a replica of themselves in miniature. For more information, visit www.Little-Canada.ca.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Behind Classic Vacations’ New Beyond by Classic Booking Platform and More
Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her luxury wholesaler’s new Beyond by Classic booking platform for travel advisors, as well as what destinations Classic serves, new hotels in its inventory, what’s selling well this year and who owns Classic now. For more information, visit www.classicvacations.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Discover the New Cabo in La Paz on the Sea of Cortez
Luz María Zepeda Esquerra, director of the Tourism Board of La Paz Baha California Sur, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her hidden gem on the Sea of Cortez, a two-hour drive from Los Cabos, where guests can swim with sea lions, watch for grey whales, visit beaches and deserts, and stargaze. Zepeda Esquerra also covers new hotels and how safe the area is for families, honeymooners, solo and adventure travelers. For more information, visit www.GoLaPaz.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
How Condor Is Taking Flight in the Americas to Europe
Mikko Turtiainen, director of sales-the Americas for Condor Airlines, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about the history of the German airline, where it’s positioning itself for the American market, where it flies and what the inflight experience is all about, including classes of service, seating configuration, food and more. For more information, visit www.condor.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Why American Queen Voyages Is Refocusing on the Rivers of America
Cindy D'Aoust, president and CEO of American Queen Voyages, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about her company's decision to refocus on river cruises for the 2024-25 season on the Mississippi, Upper Mississippi, Snake and Columbia rivers with three ships—American Queen, American Countess and American Empress (with American Duchess in reserve for charters). AQV will sell its two lake cruise vessels, Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator. AQV will continue to sell Alaska expedition cruises no Ocean Victory. For more information, visit www.aqvoyages.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Discover What Makes Swan Hellenic’s SH Diana So Different
Philipp Reutener, hotel director for SH Diana, talks with Pam Apple of Insider Travel Report about the differences between the ship and other Swan Hellenic expedition vessels. He details the accommodations, dining options, public areas, spa, gym, basecamp, library and laboratory. Reutener also confirms that the Polar Class PC6 ship will be getting the same popular fireplaces already on SH Vega and SH Minerva. For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
How New USTOA Chair Elizabeth Crabill Will Move Tours Forward
Elizabeth Crabill, CEO of CIE Tours and newly appointed chair of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about her new position and how she wants to help all tour operators through advocacy. Crabill also reports that CIE’s sales have returned to pre-pandemic levels and talks about the company’s newest tours and products. For more information, visit www.cietours.com or www.ustoa.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
How Sheen Falls Lodge Offers True Luxury Surrounded by Nature
Scott Andrews, general manager of Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Ireland, talks with Benjamin Bass of Insider Travel Report about his luxury country club in County Kerry on the Wild Atlantic Way. The property offers guests access to Killarney National Park, the Ring of Beara, the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Kerry Golf Club. Andrews describes the lodge’s rooms, two restaurants, art collection and activities, including fishing, horseback riding, hiking, falconry, archery, wine and whiskey tasting and much more. For more information, visit www.sheenfallslodge.ie.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
How to Sell the Newly Renamed Carnival Venezia
Adolfo Perez, senior vice president of global sales and trade marking for Carnival Cruise Line, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report aboard the newly renamed Carnival Venezia about how to you can sell Carnival Fund Italian Style. The newest addition to the Carnival combines Italian food, décor and ambiance with more typical Carnival “fun” bars, restaurants and entertainment for a whole new concept in cruising. For more information, visit www.goccl.com or www.carnival.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Discover the New and Very Hip Brooklyn Williamsburg
Mike Hoover, general manager of the Moxy Williamsburg, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about his brilliant hotel in stylish Williamsburg, Brooklyn. With efficient boutique accommodations, a great rooftop bar, a cool lobby bar, a nightclub and an already popular Mesiba restaurant, the hotel is a great jumping off point to explore Williamsburg. For more information, visit www.moxywilliamsburg.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
How a Top-Selling Travel Advisor Will Sell the New MSC Euribia
Todd Elliott, president of Cruise Vacation Outlet in Orlando, and a member of MSC Cruises’ travel advisory board, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about why he sells so many MSC Cruises’ sailings and how he hopes to sell the line’s newest and most sustainable ship—MSC Euribia. For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com or www.cruisevacationoutlet.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Discover the Newest Luxury Expedition Ship at Sea-SH Diana
Valerie Wilson, chairman of Valerie Wilson Travel and godmother of SH Diana, and Joe Maloney, Swan Hellenic’s new vice president of sales for North America, talk with Pam Apple of Insider Travel Report about Swan Hellenic’s newest entry in luxury expedition cruising, Wilson tells us what she likes about the ship, which she christened last month, and Maloney tells you how to sell it. For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Why Sustainability Is Such a Selling Point for MSC Euribia
Linden Coppell, vice president of sustainability and ESG for MSC Cruises, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about why MSC Euribia is one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly cruise ships at sea. MSC has even focused much of its advertising message on the ship’s “green” features, including the fact that it just completed the first zero emissions sailing to illustrate how this can be done for cruises now and in the future. For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
Discover Why Canada’s Nunavut is an Adventure Traveler’s Dream
Kevin Kelly, CEO of Travel Nunavut, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about how easy it is to get to his Arctic territory in northern Canada. With an abundance of waterfalls, polar bears and narwhals, expedition cruise lines are also sailing here, including Hapag-Lloyd, Hurtigruten, Ponant, Silversea. Lindblad and Adventure Canada. Kelly details the best times to visit, the new Wi-Fi and cell phone connectivity and much more. For more information, visit www.TravelNunavut.ca.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
How You Can Sell MSC Cruises’ Brand New MSC Euribia Today
Koreen McNutt, senior vice president-sales and trade engagement for MSC Cruises USA, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about how you can sell the brand new, most sustainable ship in the fleet, MSC Euribia. McNutt details the other major features of the vessel, including new dining and beverage option, such as the new Helios Winemaker digital wine tasting experience, an expanded Kaito Japanese restaurant complex, and an expanded Carousel Lounge in the stern of the vessel showcasing big band sounds. For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.
If interested, the original video of this podcast can be found on the Insider Travel Report Youtube channel or by searching for the podcast's title on Youtube.
