Travel Trends with Dan Christian

Send us a textStep into Tuscan luxury with Episode 6 of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide. This week, our "Leaders Behind the Stars" spotlight falls on Roberto Protezione, General Manager of Castelfalfi, a 2,700-acre estate between Florence and Pisa. Under Roberto’s leadership, Castelfalfi transformed from a €250-per-night property into a €1,000+ ultra-luxury destination, earning a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating on its first application.With nearly two decades of experience in hospitality across Italy and the Middle East, Roberto has redefined Castelfalfi as a premier global luxury destination. The estate features a medieval castle, Tuscany’s largest golf course, an organic winery, a serene wellness spa, and villas amidst rolling historic hills. Recent upgrades include a penthouse suite designed by Stefano Ricci and a new event space for 400 guests.At the core of Roberto’s vision is a people-first approach to hospitality. “Hospitality is really about caring for others,” he shares, emphasizing passion over technical skills.Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a leader redefining luxury in Tuscany.We will be releasing new episodes every Thursday—don’t miss this exceptional 10-part series featuring hospitality leaders from Beverly Hills to the Seychelles.The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 5 In Progress. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textEpisode 2 of our Guided Touring Series takes an in-depth look at the evolving world of guided travel with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, the fourth CEO and first female leader of Collette, a 107-year-old family-owned touring company. Under Jaclyn’s leadership, Collette is redefining what guided travel can mean by focusing on authenticity, small group experiences, and genuine local connections.Collette’s commitment to authenticity shines through their approach. Jaclyn emphasizes the importance of fostering genuine connections through meaningful interactions. Their Small Group Explorations program has seen over 70% year-over-year growth by venturing beyond typical tourist paths, offering unique experiences like cooking with a Jordanian host or engaging in open, supportive discussions on sensitive topics.Guided touring is evolving, appealing to younger travelers and families seeking meaningful, convenient, and culturally immersive experiences. Under Jaclyn’s leadership, Collette integrates family values into both its corporate culture and travel offerings.Experience travel reimagined with Collette. Enjoy small group adventures, authentic connections, and extraordinary destinations. Say goodbye to crowded tourist hotspots and hello to meaningful moments crafted by travelers, for travelers. Transform your next journey today!  👉 Listen to Family, Legacy & Leadership: Inside Collette’s Journey Now🔥 Season 5 Title Sponsors: TravelAI, Stay22, Propellic, Flight Centre, Collette, Flywire, Traveltek and Protect GroupThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 5 In Progress. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textJoin us for the latest episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, where we shine a light on one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars"—Pierre-Louis Renou, General Manager of Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel. This legendary property, freshly reopened in March 2023 after a three-year transformation, has proudly earned a Five-Star rating this year. Pierre-Louis takes us behind the scenes to explore the leadership and vision that brought this milestone to life. The Carlton Cannes stands as a striking example of how luxury hospitality continues to evolve, adapting to the expectations of today’s diverse and dynamic travelers. Pierre-Louis shares how affluent guests are breaking conventional molds—one day arriving by private jet, the next flying economy—creating a demand for unmatched flexibility paired with unwavering, top-tier service.  Aspiring hospitality leaders won’t want to miss Pierre-Louis’ insightful advice. He emphasizes the importance of staying curious about industry trends, fostering genuine care for people—including staff, guests, and suppliers—and immersing yourself in the success of your destination. He highlights the transformational power of assembling a team passionate about their local region, capable of turning a mere hotel stay into a rich, cultural experience through authentic recommendations and heartfelt hospitality.  Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with Pierre-Louis. Tune in every Thursday for fascinating insights from hospitality leaders across the globe, from Beverly Hills to the Seychelles. The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 5 In Progress. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Join Steve Born, Chief Marketing Officer of Globus, a leading travel company with over 20 years of expertise. He reveals that guided touring is a $300 billion industry and shares Globus's evolution from a 1928 rowboat to a global leader. Steve discusses how modern technology and small group tours are reshaping the travel experience, making it more meaningful and stress-free. He also debunks stereotypes surrounding guided tours, highlighting their appeal to Millennials and Baby Boomers seeking deeper travel connections.

Send us a textMark your calendars—Phocuswright Europe is heading to Barcelona from June 10-12, 2025, bringing the premier travel technology conference to the iconic Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, just steps away from the luxurious Gran Meliá hotel. With a new venue and an executive-driven agenda tailored specifically for the European market, this event promises to redefine the conversation on the future of travel.Why is Phocuswright Europe a Must-Attend Event?At the core of Phocuswright Europe is an intentional focus on senior leadership and decision-makers. “Our speakers are all CEOs and presidents,” shares Pete Comeau, Managing Director of Phocuswright. “The attendees are typically director-level and above.” This unique concentration of C-suite executives creates a high-impact environment for organic partnerships, quick deal-making, and live discussions that shape tomorrow’s travel landscape.Key Highlights You Can’t MissDates & Venue: From June 10-12, 2025, connect with top travel leaders at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in vibrant Barcelona.Intimate Networking: With a select 600 attendees, this exclusive event offers unparalleled face time with C-level executives, compared to the larger 1,500-person U.S. event.Tailored Programming: Focused on European-specific challenges, including:Ground transportation innovationsSustainability-driven travel initiativesThe evolving vacation rental marketThe rising demand for experiential travel from European consumersA-List Speakers: Hear from top executives at industry-leading companies such as Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Rail Europe, Accor, Airbnb, and Google.Global Startup Pitch Finals: For the first time, the Global Startup Pitch competition will hold its finals live at the event, spotlighting cutting-edge travel technology startups.Content Curated for Europe: Florence Kaci, Senior Director of Phocuswright Europe, brings over 14 years of experience curating content that addresses European-specific market needs, including real-world AI applications and case studies on travel distribution.Exclusive Offers & Perks for Travel Trends ListenersListeners of Travel Trends receive an exclusive €100 discount with code TRAVELTRENDS25 when registering here. Better yet, using this code guarantees you a spot for a live interview on the Travel Trends podcast, recorded straight from the event stage.Phocuswright Europe 2025 is where the future of European travel takes shape, fueled by trailblazing ideas, high-level connections, and actionable insights. Don’t miss your chance to be part of pivotal conversations and game-changing innovations.The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 5 In Progress. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textIn episode 4 of our 10-part Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, we continue our "Leaders Behind the Stars" spotlight with Megan Torrance, Senior Vice President for Learning and Development at Forbes Travel Guide, as she takes us behind the scenes to explore how the world’s most prestigious hotels are adapting to meet these new demands.Forbes Travel Guide’s approach goes beyond checklists—it's about creating meaningful, emotional connections with guests. With 40 expert trainers worldwide, their mission is to elevate service through personalized coaching rather than rigid procedures.Through Forbes Travel Guide’s dynamic learning platform, hospitality professionals gain access to 60 years of industry expertise, blending digital learning, in-person training, and leadership development to foster a culture of service excellence. "We’re here to inspire people to be a better version of themselves tomorrow than they are today," Megan explains.If you're curious about how luxury hotels are leading the way in service innovation, this conversation offers a wealth of inspiration.The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 5 In Progress. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textFrank Marini’s rise from the mailroom at Collette Vacations to CEO of Railbookers Group is a masterclass in travel industry leadership. Recorded live at ITB Berlin, this episode dives into how Frank has built a fully remote company with 350+ staff across six countries and driven an impressive 36% growth by 2025.What sets Railbookers apart? A focus on crafting complete rail vacations with over 6,000 customizable itineraries across destinations like Switzerland, Italy, and Ireland. Blending transportation, accommodations, and experiences, their packages cater to discerning travelers, averaging 10.5-day trips at $6,000 per person. Bookings are split evenly between direct consumers and travel advisors.Frank’s passion for innovation is clear in his approach to AI. Armed with MIT training, he’s rolled out an enterprise-wide AI strategy, giving every employee access to advanced tools and developing a proprietary system to enhance rail-related answers. This tech-savvy approach aligns with his commitment to exceptional customer service, as outlined in his new book, Staying on Track.“Rail is the new river cruising,” Frank observes, signaling the rapid growth and luxury appeal of rail travel. Tune in for insights into this evolving industry and the future of rail adventures.The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 5 In Progress. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textIn this episode of our Special Hospitality Series with Forbes Travel Guide, we spotlight one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars" — Pradeep Raman, Managing Director of The Surrey – A Corinthia Hotel.Nestled in New York’s Upper East Side, this newly opened luxury hotel has achieved an incredible 35% repeat guest rate in just months. Pradeep shares the secret behind its success—genuine connections. From doormen who know local pets by name to a guest who moved his entire business to the hotel after witnessing this level of care, Corinthia’s philosophy is clear: You come as a guest, leave as a friend, and return as family.More than just attaining Five-Star ratings, the brand focuses on curating unforgettable moments that transcend mere service. Join us to hear how The Surrey and Corinthia Hotels are redefining the art of hospitality through authenticity, warmth, and a steadfast dedication to creating true connections that last a lifetime.The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 5 In Progress. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textRail travel is on the rise, transforming into Europe's go-to mode of transportation by seamlessly blending sustainability, luxury, and cutting-edge technology. Join us for an engaging discussion with Bjorn Bender, CEO of Rail Europe, as he sheds light on why train travel is projected to grow from $84 billion to a staggering $128 billion by 2028, outpacing other sectors like river cruising. Bender, a veteran with over two decades in the mobility industry, highlights how rail travel not only enriches travel experiences but also boosts local economies, as train travelers are spending 35% more on hotels and visiting more cities.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• Rail Europe's evolution from its founding in 1930s New York to becoming an independent, neutral platform connecting 200+ European train operators• Growing popularity of "hidden gems" beyond traditional destinations – including Portugal, Slovenia, Budapest, and secondary cities like Lyon instead of Paris• Technology innovations creating seamless booking experiences across multiple rail carriers• How competition between rail providers is driving better pricing and service, with fares starting at just €19 between major cities• The sustainability advantage of rail travel being 15-20 times greener than car transportation• Luxury and first-class rail experiences seeing 15-25% annual growth as premium travelers discover the benefits of train travel• Night trains making a comeback with new comfortable options across major European routesThis episode highlights rail travel’s renaissance as a sustainable, convenient, and authentic alternative to other modes of transportation. Whether you’re a sustainability enthusiast, a fan of premium travel, or simply someone seeking an effortless way to explore Europe, trains offer an unbeatable option for your next adventure.  What journeys could rail travel unlock for you in 2025 and beyond? Tune in and get inspired to see Europe in a whole new way.  👉 Listen to Rail Travel in  2025 Part 1 Now🔥 Season 5 Title Sponsors: TravelAI, Stay22, Propellic, Flight Centre, Collette, Flywire, Traveltek and Protect GroupThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 5 In Progress. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

Send us a textIn this episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, we highlight one of the Leaders Behind the Stars—Sarah McIntosh, the inspiring Hotel Manager at the Five-Star Maybourne Beverly Hills.  Sarah takes us behind the scenes of her impressive career trajectory, her leadership approach, and the trends defining the next chapter of Five-Star hospitality.  Sarah shares key insights into trends shaping the future of luxury hospitality, providing a glimpse into how properties like The Maybourne Beverly Hills remain leaders in the industry.  Through her leadership, Sarah balances the elegant traditions of London with the vibrancy of Southern California to offer a guest experience that feels both dynamic and timeless. Her innovative strategies ensure that The Maybourne Beverly Hills continues to define what true luxury looks and feels like.  Tune in to hear the full conversation that explores leadership, innovation, and the secrets behind the stars of luxury hospitality.The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. Season 5 In Progress. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/