Travel Trends with Dan Christian

Laurel Greatrix, VP of Marketing at Viator and a travel industry veteran, shares insights into transforming travel experiences. She discusses the impact of Viator's acquisition by TripAdvisor, which sparked a remarkable 200% growth post-pandemic. Laurel highlights the enduring popularity of offline bookings and trends like food tours and outdoor adventures. She explores AI's role in enhancing the traveler journey and emphasizes India's potential as a booming market. Expect a fascinating glimpse into how technology is revolutionizing travel!

Send us a textStep into the wonderfully weird world of Meow Wolf as founder Vince Kadlubek takes us behind the refrigerator door to reveal the journey from a dumpster-diving art collective to a multimillion-dollar immersive empire.In this episode, Vince shares how a scrappy group of twenty-something artists in Santa Fe - working restaurant jobs and transforming recycled materials into fantastical realms - grew into one of the most talked-about immersive experiences in the world. A chance connection with Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin secured their first permanent home in an abandoned bowling alley, setting the stage for Meow Wolf’s meteoric rise.We explore how Meow Wolf taps into what modern travelers crave: physical spaces as surprising and addictive as the digital worlds we scroll through. From Omega Mart’s surreal grocery aisles in Las Vegas to exhibitions that captivate kids and grandparents alike, Vince explains how they create discovery, agency, and adventure for every visitor.For anyone fascinated by the business of creativity, Vince also shares hard-won wisdom on prioritizing vision over logistics - a mindset that’s helped Meow Wolf evolve from a DIY art collective into an entertainment powerhouse with global ambitions.Ready to find out why millions are stepping through refrigerators and into parallel worlds? This episode offers an inside look at the future of immersive experiences - and what they reveal about our deepest desire for wonder. For more information on Meow Wolf, please visit meowwolf.com.👉 Listen to The Future of Immersive Art & Experience 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 textIntroducing the First Captain of Season 6!We’re thrilled to kick off Season 6 of Travel Trends and our Captain of Industry series with Chris Hemmeter, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Thayer Ventures, for a powerhouse conversation on the future of travel and tech investment.Chris opens the black box of venture capital, revealing what investors really look for in founders, how to stand out when raising funds, and why 2026 is set to be a defining year for travel entrepreneurs. With a proven track record as both a founder and an investor in industry-shaping companies like Sonder, Muse, and Canary Technologies, he brings hard-won insights every innovator needs to know.This fascinating conversation also explores the game-changing role of AI —how it’s exposing critical technical gaps at major suppliers, reinventing consumer search through conversational recommendations, and unlocking vast opportunities for startups and established companies.Chris shares his insights on key investment areas: hospitality tech, connected commerce, influencer-driven social commerce, and frictionless payments. His optimistic outlook for 2026 highlights the opportunities available for those willing to embrace risk and innovation. This discussion sets an excellent tone for our Captains of Industry series. We appreciate Chris joining us and hope you find it informative. For more information, please visit ThayerVentures.com.👉 Listen to Investing in Travel in 2026 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 textDiscover Colombia like never before - a country where music, nature, and community transformation redefine travel. In this Destination Spotlight episode, Dan explores this vibrant destination with Impulse Travel and their inspiring local guides.Our journey begins with Juliana Medina (CEO) and Rodrigo Atuesta (Co-Founder), the visionaries behind Impulse Travel, who are redefining tourism as a force for good. They’ll show you a Colombia that shatters outdated stereotypes – a country brimming with warmth, creativity, and breathtaking diversity, now one of the world’s most exciting travel destinations. Stroll Bogota’s colorful markets with Raul, uncover Medellin’s remarkable urban renewal with Carolina, and feel the soul of Cartagena through Oralis’ passion for Afro-Colombian culture and coastal beauty.World-class food, culture, and experiences - all at incredible value. Ready to see Colombia in a whole new light? Connect with Impulse Travel and mention this episode for a complimentary day tour.The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textIn 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. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textImagine 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. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textWhen 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. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textImagine 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. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textJoin 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. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

In this engaging conversation, guests like Enrique Espinel, COO of Civitatis, emphasize the importance of customer-centric branding tailored for Spanish-speaking travelers. Teesta Raha from Sojern discusses innovative marketing strategies that adapt to post-pandemic challenges. Andy Headington, CEO of Adido, shares insights on improving digital marketing for travel brands. Mark Ross-Smith of StatusMatch highlights the evolving landscape of loyalty programs, while Andrea Lamparini from WeRoad focuses on community-driven travel experiences that resonate with millennials.