Travel Trends with Dan Christian

Send us a textIn the final episode of our Loyalty Series, we sit down with citizenM’s former CEO and now another star CEO Lennert De Jong to unpack how a boutique hotel brand reinvented loyalty as a product rather than a points program. The result was a paid subscription model, guaranteed room availability, and a bold brand IP sale to Marriott, all of which reshaped citizenM’s growth, distribution strategy, and guest experience without diluting its identity.Lennert takes us back to the company’s early stance against traditional loyalty models and the forces that pushed a rethink: OTA pressure, the strength of U.S. direct-booking behavior, and the need for scale to protect rate integrity. Out of that emerged mycitizenM+, a simple paid membership that delivers immediate, tangible perks most notably guaranteed rooms when travelers need them most. The psychology mirrors Amazon Prime: when guests pay to join, they default to the brand and return more often. We explore how citizenM measured success through customer lifetime value, switching behavior, and how benefits like coworking access and F&B discounts aligned perfectly with the brand’s living-room-centric design.We also break down the strategic decision to sell the citizenM brand IP to Marriott, unlocking the demand engine of Bonvoy while allowing citizenM to remain its largest owner-operator. The partnership grants mycitizenM+ members instant Bonvoy Gold, an example of how smart alliances can outperform homegrown loyalty programs. Lennert offers clear advice for smaller hotel groups: skip building your own points-based system and align with a platform that can already move demand at scale.The conversation then widens into the future of loyalty as a lifestyle platform where rewards expand beyond hotels into concerts, F1 races, and cultural moments and how AI is quietly transforming hotel operations. From bots processing virtual cards to automated OTA message handling, and the coming wave of agentic AI that anticipates guest needs, Lennert outlines a future where automation elevates hospitality rather than replaces it.For more information about citizenM, please visit https://www.marriott.com/brands/citizenm.  👉 Listen to The Power of True Guest Loyalty in Scaling a Global Boutique Hotel Brand Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textThink points are the prize? In travel loyalty, status is the real currency - the fast lane, the lounge, the upgrades, and the ease that comes from knowing you’re looked after. In the second episode of our Loyalty Series, we sit down with Erin Murray, CMO of Loyalty Status Co, to explore why many loyalty programs are now more valuable than the airlines that run them and how the smartest brands use status to shape behavior, lift yield, and keep their highest-value travelers loyal.We follow Erin’s 25-year career across Air Miles, Points, and now Loyalty Status Co to reveal what truly motivates frequent travelers. You’ll hear how Status Lift reduces the need for painful “status runs” by letting near-qualifiers buy up at exactly the right moment. And how Status Match acquires proven high-value flyers the moment a competitor falters. Just look at Air France: after BA’s program changes, they matched 4,000 elites who went on to book 17,000 flights, many in business class. That’s the playbook: spot the moment, validate the traveler, deliver benefits that matter, and watch the revenue follow.We dig into how personalization is entering a new era. With richer data and AI, brands can detect intent fare shopping, route exploration, requal risk and deliver one-to-one offers that feel timely and relevant. Choice benefits are rising too, giving members flexibility to select what they value most, whether that’s e-upgrades, guest lounge access, or softer thresholds in slower travel years. And of course, co-brand credit cards continue to fuel the commercial engine, turning everyday spend into aspirational trips and steady program revenue. Beyond airlines and hotels, we also look at cruise and casino, two verticals where modern status design can unlock fresh monetization and deeper engagement.If you lead loyalty, revenue, or partnerships in travel, this conversation is a masterclass in building programs that feel personal, deliver real commercial impact, and keep your most important customers close.For more information about Loyalty Status Co, please visit https://www.loyaltystatus.com/. 👉 Listen to The New Loyalty Playbook: Global Status Commercialization Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textWe’re excited to kick off a new three-part Loyalty Series, where we explore how airlines, hotels, and loyalty status companies are rewriting the rules of traveler engagement. In this first episode, we begin with a refreshingly simple philosophy from KM Malta Airlines: make value clear, make status meaningful, and make the journey smoother. Oliver Piers Ross, Head of Loyalty & CRM, joins us to share how a small flag carrier built a transparent currency, introduced genuinely useful status tiers, and used smart partnerships to influence traveler behavior in all the right ways.We break down Skybucks, pegged at one euro cent so members always know what they’re earning and spending. That clarity powers instant earn on takeoff and a seamless redemption slider in the booking flow so intuitive that redemptions began before the program even launched. Oliver also outlines the Traveler, Explorer, and Pioneer tiers, where milestone Skybucks can be used for seats, bags, or part-paid fares. We touch on the value of status recognition and how tools like status match, subscription boosts, and buybacks reduce friction while maintaining solid program economics.We discuss why loyalty programs can be worth more than airlines, how redemption simplicity increases conversion, and where KM Malta is headed next with a Malta-wide marketplace, exchange partnerships, and tighter CRM personalization. It’s a practical playbook for travel brands rethinking loyalty with clear value, fewer hoops, better data, and benefits that actually get used. What perk would make you switch airlines today?For more information about KM Malta Airlines, please visit https://kmmaltairlines.com/en. 👉 Listen to How Airlines are Redefining Loyalty for the Modern Traveler Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textRecorded live in Puerto Natales, Chile, this special Event Spotlight takes you inside the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) — the annual gathering of global adventure leaders hosted by the Adventure Travel Trade Association.From rewilded national parks to the gravel roads of Aysén, from marble caves at sunrise to a tent shaking to the sounds of Los Jaivas, this episode captures the spirit of Patagonia — a rare mix of purpose and play.Our host, Dan Christian shares his firsthand experience cycling through Patagonia on a five-day pre-summit adventure with CicloAustral, learning the meaning of “forest bathing,” and discovering how e-bikes, small groups, and community connection redefine sustainable adventure.Along the way, we hear from an incredible lineup of storytellers, guides, and innovators from writers and filmmakers to operators and conservationists each revealing how to scale adventure tourism without losing the soul of the places we love.We wrap with a look ahead: the next Adventure Travel World Summit heads north to Quebec City in 2026, continuing the global journey of this passionate, purpose-driven community.Timestamps:9m14s - Carolina Margado, Executive Director at Rewilding Chile30m31s- Kristine Tompkins, former CEO of Patagonia, and Co-founder and President of Tompkins Conservation58m51s - Nina Kokotas Hahn, Writer and Editor1h23m - Kaiya Yu, Author 1hr39m - Aizaz Sheikh, Keynote Speaker2h4m - Gondwana Brasil - Camila Barp & Daniela Meres, Co-founders2h33m - Rob Holmes, Filmmaker 2h48m - Gabi Stowell, Travel Trade Specialist, Bannikin3hr04m - Isabel Hofman, Co-founder, Bike Odyssey3hr26m - Shannon Stowell - President, ATTA3hr58m - Claudia Huepe - Co-founder, CicloaustralThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textWant a clear-eyed look at where travel is headed next? Erik Blachford, early Expedia leader turned board member at Zillow, Hipcamp, and Fora, joins us to unpack what the future that actually works looks like — AI behind the scenes, humans up front, and real-world experiences that no screen can replace.We trace Erik’s journey from building one of the first online travel agencies to backing companies that are reshaping how people stay, plan, and explore. From outdoor escapes to modern travel advising, his perspective connects decades of innovation with what’s coming next.Erik shares how the smartest teams are using AI right now to compress product cycles, improve workflows, and sharpen marketing efficiency. He’s candid about the limits too, noting that most gains today are cost savings rather than new revenue streams. At the heart of the conversation is human connection. Travelers still crave reassurance, curation, and accountability, one reason multi-day tours remain mostly offline and travel advisors are seeing a renaissance. Platforms like Fora illustrate what “human in the loop AI” really means: powerful tools empowering trusted people. We also explore a growing countertrend to constant connectivity, including wellness travel, digital detoxes, national park road trips, RV adventures, and the return of small-group journeys. When travelers set their devices aside, communities form in trails, lodges, and around shared tables — and that’s the magic they remember.See Erik speak live at Phocuswright (Nov 18-20). Save $250 with code:TravelTrendsSpecial25. 👉 Listen to Innovation, Leadership & the Future of Travel Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textTravelers think they want Stonehenge - but what they remember is a pint shared with locals, the scent of wild hedgerows, and a guide who brings the landscape to life.In the final episode of our Emerging Multi-day Tour series, we sit down with Will Cairns, Managing Director of Active England Tours, to explore how a soft-adventure brand transforms repeat UK visitors—mostly American retirees—into lifelong fans through curation, kindness, and flexibility. From e-bikes and support vans to clever Sunday tour starts that lower hotel costs, Will shares the thoughtful decisions that create value without ever sacrificing soul.We also get candid about distribution, growth, and brand differentiation. With roughly 70% of bookings coming via trade partners and 30% direct, Active England is aiming for a balanced 60–40 mix. Will explains how to scale both sides by leading with guides—not logos—and designing themed itineraries that surprise and delight, such as pairing the Chelsea Flower Show with garden trails in the Cotswolds. He reveals why Avebury can outshine Stonehenge for immersion, how to expand beyond the usual hotspots into Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, and Scotland, and why standing apart is more sustainable than competing on price.We then go behind the scenes of Active England’s operator playbook—from choosing tech that fits your stage (migrating to Moonstride, layering Mailchimp and HubSpot) to hiring for empathy and building a strong management layer as the company grows.Whether you’re an emerging tour operator or a traveler curious about what makes a week in England truly unforgettable, this conversation is a masterclass in scaling travel the human way.For more information, please visit Active England Tours.👉 Listen to Cycle, Hike & Adventure - The New  Multi-Day Movement Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

In this insightful discussion, renowned authors and entrepreneurs share transformative insights on the travel experience. Joe Pine delves into the 'Transformation Economy', focusing on how travel designed for personal growth can change lives. Lauren Shannon discusses Arigato Travel's evolution from food tours to wellness experiences in Japan. Meanwhile, Michael Zeissner reveals the potential of investing in experiential travel. Other highlights include mindfulness in nature with Cindee Brown Mills and innovative tech solutions for tour operators by Alex Ragin.

In this engaging discussion, Lisa Pagotto, founder and CEO of Crooked Compass, shares her passion for frontier travel, emphasizing authentic cultural experiences over typical tourist routes. She reveals how her small-group tours take travelers to unique destinations like Papua New Guinea and Mongolia while ensuring local communities benefit. Lisa discusses the shift towards private tours post-pandemic and highlights the growing number of solo female travelers seeking transformative journeys. Her insights on sustainability and safety in post-conflict areas offer a fresh perspective on responsible travel.

Send us a textWe’re kicking off our new Emerging Multi-Day Operators series - spotlighting how a new wave of founders is reinventing group travel for modern explorers. The multi-day category is poised for growth in the next 5-10 years an impressive average of 20–30% annually, driven by travelers seeking deeper connection, curated itineraries, and shared experiences.In this episode, we meet Dr. Nabila Ismail, pharmacist turned founder and creator of A Dose of Travel, who turned her solo travel storytelling into a thriving small-group brand that celebrates belonging for South Asian travelers while welcoming all who share that spirit of curiosity and connection.Nabila shares how her first “MVP” trip to Bali sold out without even a website, and how scaling meant moving from spreadsheets to modern systems, partnering locally, and building SOPs that protect traveler experience. We unpack how A Dose of Travel differentiates through community rituals, women-only and singles formats, immersive local partnerships, and value-forward stays that prioritize culture over flash.We also explore how distribution is evolving beyond social—through tourism board collaborations, co-branding, and the growing role of travel advisors as travelers crave human guidance in a digital world. As multi-day travel continues to surge, A Dose of Travel shows how small, tech-enabled brands can punch above their weight - staying human, connected, and true to their mission. For more information on A Dose of Travel, please visit doseoftravel.co/.👉 Listen to Girl Gone Global: Building a Bold New Kind of Travel Brand Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textIn the third and final episode of our Mindtrip mini-series, we sit down with Discover Puerto Rico’s CMO, Storm Tussey to see how AI is reshaping trip planning - making it easier, smarter, and more personal while keeping culture and community at the heart of the journey.Our conversation explores how the destination uses AI to turn inspiration into real itineraries - helping travelers move from “where should I go?” to “here’s my perfect trip.” From safety questions to salsa lessons, from coffee haciendas to eco-adventures, we unpack a practical framework for personalization that respects the island’s identity and lifts up small, local businesses.Then, Mindtrip’s CMO, Michelle Denogean joins to share what they’re seeing across destinations: how conversational trip planning surfaces hidden gems, why human storytelling still matters, and how AI-driven insights are helping DMOs refine content, fill information gaps, and connect more deeply with travelers.If you’re rethinking how to market destinations in the age of AI—or simply want to see what smarter, more human-centered trip planning looks like - this episode offers both inspiration and actionable ideas for the road ahead.We hope you enjoyed this series! For more information, please visit Mindtrip.Don't forget to oin us at our AI Summit next week for a panel discussion “How DMOs Are Being Transformed By AI,” hosted by Matthew Gardner from Travel Massive London. If you’re listening after October 28–29, watch on our YouTube channel: Travel Trends Podcast.The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/