Ron has worked in tourism for 30 years, with a career that spans Marriott, Visit San Antonio, and the Arlington Texas Convention and Visitors Bureau. He joined Visit Phoenix in 2021, and under his leadership the city has hosted the Super Bowl, the Women's Final Four, and, next year, the NBA All-Star Game. In 2024 he launched the Phoenix Sports and Events Commission, giving the country's fifth-largest city a coordinated way to compete for major events.

In this episode, Ron and Michelle discuss:

• Why the Sonoran is the wettest desert in the world, and how the lushness keeps surprising visitors who arrived expecting Wile E. Coyote
• The Phoenix Sports and Events Commission, the return of the Viva PHX culture festival⁠, and the strategy of growing youth and amateur sports alongside championship events
• The TSMC effect⁠, the largest international investment in American history, and what $165 billion in semiconductor manufacturing means for international flights, including two new direct routes from Taiwan
• How Waymo made Phoenix the only American city where an autonomous vehicle picks you up at the airport, a case study in the destination management and travel innovation now reshaping Phoenix tourism
• The Canadian snowbird market's stabilization, and what doubling down on a hesitant market looks like in practice
• The honest conversation about summer heat, the city's heat-mitigation investments, and the no-daylight-savings advantage that makes early-morning hikes possible
• Plus: a ⁠Pan Am-themed speakeasy⁠ where the LED windows simulate a flight to San Francisco, the 22 ⁠Indigenous nations⁠ within the valley, and a passionate endorsement of Phoenix's ⁠Michelin-bound culinary scene⁠.

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, destination highlights, and the changemakers shaping the future of Phoenix tourism and beyond.

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar

00:01:30 Playing Tourist at the Biltmore

00:03:00 What Surprises Visitors

00:04:30 Building a Sports and Events Engine

00:07:30 The TSMC Effect

00:10:00 Why Canadians Still Matter

00:13:00 New Markets, New Stories

00:15:30 Reframing the Heat

00:18:30 Speakeasies and Indigenous Nations

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom has led Visit Austin since 2016, capping nearly four decades in destination marketing. Under his watch the city has posted year-over-year visitor gains, record convention bookings, and the launch of the Visit Austin Foundation.

But he is also steering the most disruptive project of any major U.S. destination right now: the $1.6 billion "unconventional ATX" rebuild of the Austin Convention Center, which came down in April 2025 and will not reopen until 2029. That is 40 months of competing for major events without a convention center, a real-world test of destination management under pressure.

In this episode, Tom and Billie discuss:

• Why Austin is "redoing everything" by 2031, from 36 new airport gates to new arenas, a light rail line from the airport to downtown hotels, and a convention center twice the old size
• The $1.6 billion bet on a zero-carbon civic space with $18 million of public art, dropped into a park setting beside the new ⁠Waterloo Greenway⁠,
• How a destination holds its momentum, and its convention business, without its biggest meeting venue for more than three years
• The new Austin Tourism Public Improvement District and what it funds
• Why the live music capital of the world is expanding into tech, corporate, family, and culinary travel, with a Michelin-fueled taco scene that refuses to name a favorite (the Michelin guide recently came to Texas)
• Tom's honest case for why the next chapter of Austin travel makes the city "the next hot destination again in 2031"

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, the hospitality industry leaders and travel changemakers shaping American cities, and the Austin travel story still being written. For destination marketers and travel industry news watchers, it is a front-row look at destination management on the largest possible scale.

Resources

• Afar guide to Austin

Chapters

0:00 Welcome to Austin, live from IPW 2:00 Brisket, breakfast tacos, and a Michelin moment 3:00 Redoing everything by 2031 5:00 The $1.6 billion convention center gamble 8:00 Competing for conventions without a building 11:00 New flights, new visitors, and a booming food economy 15:00 Music, the World Cup, and America 250 17:00 Keeping Austin weird, from AI to Rainey Street

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim came to the role in 2021 after a long career in Colorado hospitality, including running Denver's historic Brown Palace, and he was inducted into the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association Hall of Fame in 2015. He now leads a state coming off a record 95.4 million visitors in 2024, and heading into a milestone 2026 that marks both America's 250th anniversary and Colorado's 150th year of statehood.

In this episode, Tim and Michelle discuss:

• Why Colorado has stayed resilient while other destinations feel the international slowdown, from Colorado Friendship Day with Canada and Mexico to deep cross-border ties
• How the Denver airport, with more than 35 international and 200 domestic nonstop routes, makes this a true fly-in destination
• The build-out of greener rail, from the airport-to-Union Station line to the ski train to Winter Park and new Front Range service, so visitors can explore without a car
• Destination stewardship as strategy, and how the Do Colorado Right approach steers travelers from overstressed hot spots toward smaller communities that want the visits
• A new ⁠dedicated women's soccer stadium in Denver⁠—the first of its kind.
• What a milestone year means for a state trying to grow tourism responsibly rather than just grow it

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, sustainable tourism, and the destination management lessons other states are borrowing from Colorado.

The takeaway is simple: visit Colorado, but visit Colorado right, and you get a front-row look at a place widely seen as a stewardship leader, told by one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping what comes next.

Resources

• The Afar guide to Colorado

Chapters

0:00 Welcome to Colorado, live from IPW 2:00 Champagne cascades and cattle at the Brown Palace 3:00 A record 95.4 million visitors, and staying resilient 5:00 A fly-in state betting on greener rail 7:30 Do Colorado Right: stewardship without the finger-wagging 10:00 Protecting the parks and preventing overtourism 13:30 A milestone 2026, and what's next

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Thibodaux native who has spent 26 years in state tourism, Doug leads a Louisiana that finally returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, welcoming 45 million visitors and roughly 19 billion dollars in spending. New Orleans alone drew 19 million, even as Canada, the state's top international market, pulled back sharply.

In this episode, Doug and Billie discuss:

• Why Cajun and Creole cooking is about flavor rather than heat, and why nobody makes gumbo better than your mama
• How Louisiana travel spans distinct regions, from Mississippi Delta greens up north to the Cajun and Creole melting pot down south
• The Gas Station Eats trail and the arrival of Michelin in the American South, including two two-star restaurants in New Orleans
• The Year of Music that set the stage, celebrating Louisiana as a birthplace of jazz, zydeco, and Cajun blues, and the 2026 Year of Outdoors that follows it, from swamp tours and outdoor kitchens to the Mississippi flyway and two national parks
• How the state is working to win back a softer Canadian market and lean into joy as a strategy
• The ⁠Mississippi River Parkway Commission⁠ and the case for the river as a single 10-state destination
• Beyond New Orleans, the scenic byways, river architecture, and small-town Americana that reward a longer trip

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, destination management, and the travel storytelling that turns a state into a journey. For every reason to plan Louisiana travel past Bourbon Street and deep into the heart of Cajun country, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping the future of travel.

Resources

• The Afar guide to Louisiana

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar

00:02:00 The Tabasco Test

00:03:00 Growing Up on the Bayou

00:05:00 A Culinary State

00:07:00 Year of the Outdoors

00:09:00 The Roux Spoon Olive Branch

00:11:00 Where Louisiana Is Going Next

00:12:00 The Mississippi as Destination

00:13:30 Beyond New Orleans

00:15:00 Where Joy Begins

00:18:30 Becoming Part of the Story

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jorge's history is intertwined with the star. He ran the convention center for Bad Bunny's first major concert in 2018, then the Coliseo de Puerto Rico where the 2025 residency took place. That run brought roughly 420,000 visitors and more than 200 million dollars in economic impact, and his job now is turning a moment into a movement.

In this conversation, Jorge and Billie discuss:

• What the Bad Bunny Puerto Rico residency actually meant, 31 nights, visitors from 108 countries, and a wave of organic content money cannot buy
• The strategy behind it, from targeting the low season to a call to come to the island rather than tour the mainland
• Why searches for Puerto Rico jumped 245 percent after the Super Bowl halftime, and how authentic culture, including three of the world's five bioluminescent bays, keeps people coming
• How stays nearly doubled, shifting the demographic toward Europe and South America
• Turning the spike into record numbers, 8.5 million visitors in 2025 and the best quarter in the island's history in early 2026, powered in part by the World Baseball Classic and the Puerto Rico Open
• The biggest lesson Jorge took from it all, and what Puerto Rico builds next

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, destination management, and travel consumer insights. For the full story of the Bad Bunny Puerto Rico moment and why the island's momentum did not fade when the music stopped, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping the future of travel.

Chapters

0:00 Welcome to Puerto Rico, live from IPW 2:00 Inside the Bad Bunny residency: 31 nights, 108 countries 4:00 The strategy: low season, longer stays, and a search spike 8:00 Turning a spike into record-breaking numbers 9:00 The best quarter in Puerto Rico's history 11:00 Bioluminescent bays and a built-to-serve island 16:00 The biggest lesson, and what comes next

Resources

• The Afar guide to Puerto Rico
• Our Unpacked episode about exploring music on the island

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Claude has led Visit Detroit since 2021, after a decade running Huntington Place, the city's convention center. He is the person who brought the NFL Draft to town in 2024, and he makes the case that Detroit is not staging a comeback so much as becoming something entirely new.

In this episode, Claude and Billie discuss:

• Why Detroit tourism is riding a genuine shift rather than another comeback story, from five new skyscrapers to three straight years of population growth
• The number-one Riverwalk in the country, a $30 million renovation, and the stretch from Belle Isle to the Ambassador Bridge
• How Michigan Central Station went from abandoned to the epicenter of autonomous vehicles, and why Detroit is the only UNESCO City of Design in the United States
• The architecture worth the trip, from the Guardian Building to a fedora from Henry the Hatter
• How Detroit is handling a roughly 30 percent drop in Canadian visitation while still growing overall
• The Juventus jersey partnership that put Visit Detroit in front of 500 million soccer fans and drove website traffic up 400 percent from Europe
• Of course we start with the only debate that matters, which pizza is truly the best

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, travel marketing strategies, and the destination management behind a city on the rise. For a fresh read on Detroit tourism ahead of the Final Four and IPW 2028, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping the future of travel.

Chapters

0:00 Welcome to Detroit, live from IPW 2:00 The great pizza debate 4:00 Not a comeback, a complete change 6:00 The Riverwalk, Michigan Central, and a UNESCO city of design 8:00 A Canadian dip, a bigger budget, and the first-ever convention bureau 10:00 The Juventus jersey that reached 500 million fans 12:00 Eastern Market, new hotels, and an afternoon at the library

Resources:

• ⁠Visit Detroit⁠
• ⁠Detroit Riverwalk⁠
• ⁠Michigan Central Station⁠
• ⁠Henry Ford Museum⁠ at Greenfield Village
• ⁠Eastern Market⁠
• ⁠Detroit Institute of Arts⁠
• ⁠Buddy's Pizza⁠
• ⁠Afar guide to Detroit⁠

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duane has led Discover South Carolina for 15 years, and tourism is now one of the state's largest industries. In 2024 it contributed more than 30 billion dollars to the economy and generated 3.2 billion in state and local tax revenue, money that helps hold down residents' property and income taxes.

In this episode, Duane and Michelle discuss:

• Why 2025 was a record year statewide even as the Grand Strand and Myrtle Beach felt a sharp drop in Canadian snowbird visits
• How South Carolina leaned into the drive market, with 80 percent of visitors arriving by car, targeting cities like Atlanta and Charlotte to offset softer international numbers
• Why post-pandemic outdoor recreation, from golf to hiking to camping, has become one of the state's strongest domestic draws
• The Find the Undiscovered You campaign, and the pitch for off-the-grid escapes like the climb to the top of Table Rock Mountain
• How Charleston, Hilton Head, Greenville, and the up-and-coming upstate each play a different role in the state's mix
• The opening of the ⁠International African American Museum⁠ in Charleston, the ⁠Gullah Geechee Corridor,⁠ and the ⁠Civil Rights Trail⁠—and why international visitors are especially drawn to this kind of richer storytelling
• How accommodations, sales, and gas taxes turn every visit into funding for local tourism initiatives and community projects

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, destination management, and the travel industry insights that help a state grow tourism responsibly. For every reason to visit South Carolina beyond the coast, and a look at why so many already visit South Carolina each year, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping the future of travel.

Plus: the four styles of South Carolina barbecue sauce (vinegar, mustard, light tomato, heavy tomato), the 225-restaurant barbecue trail that's color-coded by sauce, and Duane's own loyalty to heavy tomato.

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar

00:01:30 A Record Year, With Exceptions

00:03:00 Doubling Down on Drive Markets

00:04:30 Find the Undiscovered You

00:06:30 Greenville's Reinvention

00:07:30 Beyond Charleston

00:08:30 How Destination Marketing Has Changed

00:10:30 The Promise and Limits of AI

00:12:30 Telling a Fuller Story

00:16:30 The Barbecue Trail

00:19:00 A South Carolina Itinerary

Resources:

• Discover South Carolina
• South Carolina Barbecue Trail
• The Afar guide to South Carolina
• Listen to our Unpacked podcast guide to Charleston, where we explore food, culture, the outdoors, and shopping

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tammy came to Visit Seattle after destination roles in Monterey, Tacoma, and Vancouver, and she has spent the last four years steering a city in the middle of a growth moment. In that time the convention center opened its new Summit building, Sea-Tac expanded its international network, and the downtown waterfront was completely rebuilt.

In this episode, Tammy and Michelle discuss:

Why Seattle tourism is booming, from a record cruise season of two million passengers as the American gateway to Alaska, to a walkable downtown built around transit and nature

What World Cup visitors will find this summer, including a walk-to-the-stadium downtown, a car-free Unity Loop through the neighborhoods, and fan zones spread across the city instead of one

The myth of the rainy city, and why the reality is closer to an Evian mist than a downpour

How regenerative and sustainable tourism became central to the Seattle brand rather than an add-on

Why the city's collaborative, long-term civic culture keeps a mid-size destination punching above its weight

Tammy's message from the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board on inbound travel, the chilling effect of a proposed visa integrity fee, and why restoring Brand USA funding matters for markets like India

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, sustainable tourism, and the travel industry challenges facing inbound U.S. travel. For a clear read on Seattle tourism at a pivotal moment, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping the future of travel.

Resources

• Visit Seattle
• A guide to Seattle's waterfront reinvention
• Afar's guide to Seattle

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar

00:01:30 Why Seattle, Why Now

00:04:00 The World Cup Surprise

00:06:30 What Travelers Need to Hear

00:08:00 A Waterfront, Reconnected

00:09:30 Beyond Pike Place

00:11:30 The Perception Problem

00:14:30 A Civic Renewal

00:17:30 Seattle's Quiet Joy

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicolas stepped into the role in February, bringing decades of international rail experience from Eurostar, Siemens, and projects in the UAE. He now leads Brightline, the privately operated passenger rail service connecting Miami to Orlando, with ambitions to bring modern high-speed rail to more of the country.

In this conversation, Nicolas and Billie discuss:

• Why American train travel is a genuine bet, and what it takes to get people out of their cars and onto a train
• The lessons from Eurostar, where Nicolas helped grow the business market from 10 to 80 percent share and sell tickets to travelers in the U.S., India, and China
• How Brightline built a high-quality railway through one of the most urbanized corridors in the country
• Why the on-board experience, the pricing, and the distribution matter as much as the tracks, right down to a signature citrus scent in every station
• The new 39 dollar fare and a philosophy of filling trains with everyone, from students to billionaires
• What all of this means for Florida destinations, from Orlando theme parks to the beaches, once the train becomes part of the trip itself
• What 3 million passengers last year, and a 20 percent jump this year, say about where American train travel goes next

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, travel innovation, and the destination management questions that come with a new way to move. For an honest read on the future of American train travel, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping the future of travel.

Resources

• Brightline
• Brightline West
• Afar review of the Brightline experience
• Afar coverage of Brightline West

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar

00:01:50 The Brightline Scent

00:03:00 Convincing People to Leave Their Cars

00:04:30 Lessons From Eurostar

00:07:30 The Right Train Experience

00:11:00 How Florida Travels by Rail

00:12:30 Talking About the Debt

00:14:00 The Vision for Brightline West

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kara arrived about a year and a half ago from Visit Estes in Colorado, bringing a mix of legal, marketing, and journalism experience. She inherited an organization that needed rebuilding, and a destination wrestling with a very specific challenge: huge demand, a fragile environment, and a beloved story to protect.

In this conversation, Kara and Billie discuss:

• Why Key West travel is at a record high, with more arrivals at Key West International Airport in 2025 than ever before
• How Kara rebuilt the organization from 12 staff to 30, brought agencies in house, and recruited talent from outside tourism, including a VP who spent decades at Cisco
• The shift from broadcast spray and play to targeted marketing, and the industry debate over better tourism versus more tourism
• Why protecting the coral reef is a business strategy, not just an environmental one, and how it shielded Key West during Hurricane Irma
• What it means to court the highest average daily rate in the country while asking visitors to treat the reef, the key deer, and the locals with respect
• How tourism development taxes are funding capital projects, from a refresh of Mallory Square to a new artificial reef in the Lower Keys

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, sustainable tourism, and the destination management challenges facing fragile places. For an honest take on Key West travel and the future of the wider Keys, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping what comes next.

Resources

– Visit Florida Keys website

– John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

– Fantasy Fest

– Afar guide to the Florida Keys and Key West

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar

00:01:30 Rebuilding the Team From Scratch

00:04:00 Better Tourism, Not More

00:06:30 Investing in the Community

00:11:00 Come as You Are

00:12:00 Pride, Politics, and the Path Forward

00:17:30 The Joy of the Keys

00:20:00 Becoming a Freshwater Conch

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John took the helm of Visit Huntington Beach in late 2024 after building and leading Mammoth Lakes Tourism, a move from the mountains to the sea, with earlier stops at the U.S. Travel Association and Visit California. He even married on the beach at Tower 11.

In this episode, John and Michelle discuss:

• Why only about a quarter of Huntington Beach visitors currently stay overnight, and how the team grew conference bookings from 56,000 to 87,000 room nights on the way to a six-figure goal
• The Tourism Business Improvement District funding model, how a visitor-funded assessment supports both marketing and the visitor experience, and how it fuels a more sustainable tourism strategy
• How privatizing that funding gives a smaller destination the agility to chase markets it never could before, from Japan to Australia
• What it takes to convert day-trippers into hotel guests without losing the free-spirited beach town that locals love
• How John is navigating a destination that has drawn polarizing national headlines, and his plant-more-flowers philosophy of promoting 10 miles of open coastline while welcoming all visitors
• What a beach town can learn from a mountain town about taking a destination to the next level

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, destination management, and the travel marketing strategies that reshape a place's story. For a candid look at the future of Surf City USA, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping what comes next.

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar

00:01:30 From Mammoth to the Beach

00:03:00 Building the Hotel Funding Model

00:05:30 Planting Flowers, Not Weeds

00:09:00 Live Between Waves

00:11:30 What's Next on the Waterfront

00:16:00 The World Cup and LA28 Opportunity

Resources

• Visit Surf City USA
• Find Visit Huntington Beach on Instagram and Facebook
• Explore Afar's California travel guide

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren leads tourism for a state that spent the past year in the national spotlight for reasons far beyond travel, from federal enforcement activity and tensions with Canada to a ruling on mining near the Boundary Waters. Her question became how to talk about Minnesota tourism in a way that feels human rather than tone-deaf.

In this episode, Lauren and Billie discuss:

• How the Star of the North campaign made authenticity the baseline, inviting outsiders to tell Minnesota's story because locals are too humble to brag
• The idea of neighborism, the notion that Minnesota nice means digging your neighbor out of the snowbank no matter what, and the Come Visit Your Neighbors campaign it inspired
• The love letter to Minnesota, a fast, low-budget spot mixing nostalgic footage with voices like Chef Yia Vang, Olympian Jessie Diggins, and former Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak
• Real numbers from that two-week push, 900,000 people reached and nearly 30,000 clicks at a 9.5 percent engagement rate
• Why the Explore Minnesota homepage now invites people to move there, and how tourism and relocation feed each other
• The under-the-radar Minnesota Lauren loves, from the St. Croix Valley pottery tour to Franconia Sculpture Park

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, travel marketing strategies, and the travel industry challenges of promoting a place in a hard moment. For an honest look at Minnesota tourism under pressure, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping the future of travel.

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar

00:01:50 The Tough Year Behind the Headlines

00:05:30 Defining Neighborism

00:07:30 A Love Letter to Minnesota

00:11:30 Why People Are Moving There

00:14:40 Small Towns, Big Nutcrackers

00:17:20 Lessons for Other Destinations

Resources

• Visit Explore Minnesota
• Find Explore Minnesota on Instagram and Facebook
• Explore Afar's Minnesota travel guide

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Domenic moved to Wyoming in 2008 to become the state park director and stepped into the top tourism role about six months ago. He leads a state that leans on Yellowstone and Grand Teton as hooks, then works to send visitors toward the lesser-known jewels most people never find.

In this episode, Domenic and Michelle discuss:

• How Wyoming tourism disperses crowds beyond the icons, from timing park visits to spotlighting overlooked corners of the state
• Why the market is still mostly domestic, how Canada has been the biggest drop, and why summer bookings remain solid
• Dark skies clear enough to see the Milky Way, Devil's Tower marking 120 years as the first national monument, and a food scene that surprises
• How the state hands the mic to Indigenous communities to tell their own stories
• The case for tourism as an economic engine, and why advocating for it takes constant repetition
• A hypothetical family road trip, from Fossil Butte to a working dude ranch, plus the pitchfork fondue you have to see to believe
• Why the country's highest concentration of dude ranches still draws locals on a Friday night, not just tourists
• Why winter, from snowmobiling near bison to the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody, is the season Wyoming wants you to rediscover

This is one in a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded live at IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, sustainable tourism, and the destination management ideas neighboring states are sharing. For a fresh read on Wyoming tourism in a milestone year for a state of firsts, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping what comes next.

Chapters

00:00:00 Welcome From the Floor of IPW 00:01:30 Beyond Yellowstone's Front Door 00:06:30 Devils Tower, Dark Skies, and Surprises 00:08:00 The Wind River Story 00:14:00 A Road Trip for the Bay Area Family 00:17:30 Real Dude Ranches and Pitchfork Fondue 00:20:30 What's Coming, From Sheridan to Snow

Resources

• Visit Travel Wyoming
• Find the Wyoming Office of Tourism on Instagram and Facebook
• Explore Afar's Wyoming travel guide

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week.
• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠.

This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Geoff leads the trade group that advocates for the U.S. travel industry and puts on IPW each year. He and Michelle pick up where they left off, tracing a year of striking contrasts for American travel.

In this episode, Geoff and Michelle discuss:

• The resilience of the domestic traveler, and a record quarter for hotels even through a government shutdown and hours-long TSA lines
• Why the U.S. was the only country in the world to see international visitation decline, with Canadian travel down more than 20 percent
• Geoff's blunt view of federal shutdowns, and U.S. Travel's push to carve TSA and air traffic control out of future standoffs
• The split screen in the numbers, a 2.6 trillion dollar contribution to GDP and 24.4 million jobs, set against a 5.5 percent drop in international visitors
• How a proposed 250 dollar visa fee and long visa wait times risk making the country less competitive just as demand runs high
• How competitors are capitalizing, from booming travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean to China easing entry for European visitors, even as American travel demand stays historically high
• Why the World Cup is both a huge opportunity and a test, and how travel still works as diplomacy

This is the scene-setter for a series of travel industry interviews and tourism experts interviews recorded around IPW 2026, part of View From Afar's ongoing look at travel trends 2026, travel industry news, and the travel industry challenges facing inbound U.S. travel. For the big-picture context behind the travel trends 2026 will be defined by, it is a front-row conversation with one of the hospitality industry leaders shaping the future of travel.

Chapters 00:00:00 Resilience and the Inbound Decline 00:06:00 Aviation as a Political Hostage 00:11:00 The Perception Gap 00:14:00 Winning Canadians Back 00:19:00 What's New at IPW 2026 00:28:00 Travel as Diplomacy

Resources

• Listen to last year's conversation with Geoff Freeman, recorded live at IPW Chicago
• Read Geoff's Afar op-ed, Welcoming Travelers When America Feels Challenged
• Explore Afar's World Cup guide
• Learn more about the U.S. Travel Association and IPW
• Catch the Live From IPW episodes starting May 20, featuring executives representing destinations from Seattle to Puerto Rico

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 14 IPW episodes next week

• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, it starts with reimagining ocean travel as a floating boutique hotel experience rooted in European elegance, emotional connection, and slow‑travel sensibilities.

In this episode of View From Afar, Anna joins Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how Explora Journeys is redefining cruising for a new generation of travelers — from sustainability innovations and destination stewardship to culinary excellence and family‑forward programming that avoids the typical mega‑ship clichés.

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How Explora Journeys blends luxury hotel DNA with ocean travel to attract the “cruise‑averse” guest.

• Why European ownership and MSC Group’s maritime heritage shape the brand’s culture, design, and global mix of guests.

• How Explora approaches sustainability — from LNG‑powered ships to shore‑power readiness and MSC Foundation partnerships.

• What smaller‑port itineraries, longer stays, and curated excursions mean for combating overtourism.

• How the brand balances sophistication with thoughtful, screen‑free family programming.

Key Moments

• [06:12] Why Explora thinks of its ships as “floating boutique hotels.”

• [12:40] How European elegance and a global guest mix shape the onboard experience.

• [18:55] What LNG power and shore‑power capabilities mean for sustainability.

• [25:10] How Explora designs itineraries to avoid crowds and support local economies.

• [33:22] A monastery visit in Patmos that surprises even cruise skeptics.

• [41:05] Why thoughtful kids’ programming doesn’t require waterslides.

• [48:30] A preview of Explora III, Asia itineraries, and the brand’s first World Journey.

Resources

• Explore Explora Journeys itineraries and ships
• Learn more about the MSC Foundation
• Follow Anna Nash on LinkedIn

Stay Connected

• Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

View From Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Leo Ghitis, CEO of Nayara Resorts, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to discuss how the luxury resort group is addressing both environmental devastation and social inequality in Latin America's rural communities.

Leo shares Nayara's 15-year evolution from "improvising" regenerative travel to implementing a 10-year strategic plan with environmental consultants. The results include planting 40,000 trees to restore a barren mountain in Costa Rica, creating the only carbon-neutral luxury hotel in Chile, and operating a 100 percent off-grid island resort in Panama powered entirely by solar energy.

But it's Nayara's housing project that represents its most ambitious social initiative—subdividing land near its Costa Rica properties to provide subsidized lots and mortgages to female-headed households, with no requirement that recipients continue working at the resort.

As Leo explains, meaningful luxury today isn't about escaping the world but engaging with it in a safe, sensitive way—and younger travelers increasingly choose hotels based on their positive impact rather than their amenities.

What You'll Learn

• Nayara eliminated plastics 15 years ago and now operates carbon-neutral properties across Costa Rica, with its Chilean property earning the country's highest ecological certification
• The resort's reforestation project transformed a barren mountain into a thriving ecosystem with birds, monkeys, and sloths after 10 years and 40,000 planted trees
• Short-term rentals like Airbnb have created a housing crisis in rural tourism areas by pricing out local workers from traditional rental housing
• Younger travelers ask Nayara's reservation team about environmental and community impact before asking about rates or amenities

Key Moments [3:11] Leo reveals how hiring environmental consultants transformed Nayara from "improvising" sustainability to following a strategic 10-year plan with measurable goals [10:36] Discussion of tourism's dark side: how fathers leave rural communities for city work and never return, leaving vulnerable families behind [13:00] The housing project details: providing subsidized land and mortgages to female-headed households with no strings attached to employment [21:09] Leo's observation that meaningful luxury has shifted from "extravagance and hedonistic luxury" to guests wanting to connect with nature, place, and themselves

Resources

• Visit the Nayara Resorts website for property information
• Read an in-depth, first-person review of Nayara Bocas del Toro in Panama on afar.com.

• Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded
• Explore Nayara's sustainability initiatives and community programs

Stay Connected

• ⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 

• Explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Unpacked,⁠⁠⁠⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

View From Afar is part of⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this ILTM⁠ (International Luxury Travel Market), recorded live in Cannes, Bob van den Oord, CEO of Langham Hospitality Group, joins Afar editor-in-chief Julia Cosgrove to share how he's guided the 160-year-old brand through thoughtful expansion that honors its British legacy while embracing modern wellness, design, and guest expectations.

Bob discusses Langham's journey from opening Europe's first grand hotel with elevators in 1865 to current projects converting iconic buildings—from Chicago's former IBM building to Bangkok's historic Custom House—into luxury properties that tell compelling local stories. The brand now operates with what Bob calls "a British heart, an Asian soul, and a global mindset," creating spaces where posh pubs coexist with traditional Chinese medicine spas and cooking schools share space with world-class bars.

Bob also explores the challenge of attracting Gen Z talent to hospitality through specialized academies and how the "Langham Way" of unscripted, authentic service remains the brand's non-negotiable standard across all properties.

What You'll Learn

• The "Langham Way" emphasizes unscripted, authentic service where staff have freedom to engage personally with guests and tell their own stories
• Modern luxury travelers seek "freedom of time and freedom of space," driving Langham to expand room sizes to 50 square meters and invest millions in garden landscapes
• Langham selects properties with compelling stories—from Venice's glass factory to Boston's Federal Reserve bank—that help connect guests to local heritage
• The brand operates four specialized academies (Chinese cuisine, traditional Chinese medicine, pastry, and bar) to attract and develop young talent in hospitality

Key Moments [2:30] Bob reveals why he decided to add a "posh pub" to the London property, proving luxury can embrace unexpected elements [3:37] Discussion of a guest's "love letter" describing how staff remember his martini preference and cappuccino style, embodying the Langham Way [9:53] Bob explains Langham's wellness expansion, from traditional Chinese medicine spas to pickleball courts and partnership with Sleep Matters for comprehensive sleep programs [13:27] The talent challenge: How Langham's academy system aims to make hospitality "sexy again" for Gen Z workers

Resources

• Visit the Langham Hospitality Group website for property information and bookings
• Read our coverage of Langham on afar.com, including a conversation between Bob and Afar senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers.
• Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded

Stay Connected

• Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

View From Afar is part of⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Afar cofounder Joe Diaz sits down with Matthew to discuss how the luxury sector is evolving, what personalization really means today, and where he sees the next opportunities for meaningful travel experiences.

The conversation explores how AI is reshaping the advisor role, why debriefing clients is the most underrated skill in the business, and how intergenerational collaboration is breathing new life into travel advising.

What You'll Learn

•       Matthew's philosophy of "automate the predictable so you can humanize the exceptional" and how AI amplifies rather than replaces advisors

•       The critical difference between service (what you do) and hospitality (how you make someone feel doing it)

•       Why the quality of the post-trip debrief is the number one factor that separates transactional agents from trusted advisors

•       The concept of "unique ability teams" and why pairing right-brain relationship builders with left-brain logistics experts creates exponential value

•       How the travel advisor profession has evolved from GDS "human ATMs" to unchained creative professionals

•       The "FOMO to Slowmo" trend and other shifts in how luxury travelers approach their journeys

Key Moments

•       [02:00] Matthew introduces his most quoted line: "Automate the predictable so that you can humanize the exceptional"

•       [03:30] Will Guidara's definition of hospitality: "Service is that thing you do. Hospitality is how you make somebody feel doing that thing you do"

•       [05:00] The framework: what do you do before, during, and after travel—and why the debrief matters most

•       [08:00] Anne Scully's game-changing question: "If you could change one thing about that trip, what would it be?"

•       [09:30] The evolution of travel advisors from the 1950s Pan Am era through GDS to the iPhone-enabled present

•       [12:00] The unique ability concept: what drains you vs. what recharges you, and building teams around this distinction

•       [14:00] Chip Conley's wisdom: "I'll lend you some of my EQ for some of your DQ"—the power of intergenerational collaboration

•       [18:00] The creative tension of sophisticated travelers: returning to beloved places vs. exploring the new

•       [20:00] Why advisors should help clients think strategically about their "most valuable non-renewable asset"—free leisure time

Resources

•       Learn more about Virtuoso and their global network of travel advisors

•       Read Patrick Lencioni's The Advantage and Five Dysfunctions of a Team, referenced by Matthew

•       Explore Chip Conley's book Wisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder

•       Learn about ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded

Stay Connected

• ⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 

• Explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠ ⁠Unpacked,⁠⁠⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

View From Afar is part of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Anant Sharma, founder and CEO of Matter of Form, joins Afar cofounder Joe Diaz to dissect why luxury hospitality has become awash with homogenized language and how brands can reclaim their confidence through clarity of purpose. With 60 people working across continents, the London-based Matter of Form has transformed hospitality giants like Aman Resorts, Belmond, Mandarin Oriental, and Lindblad by finding the unspoken truths within organizations.

The conversation explores luxury travel's eight percent compound annual growth and $1.38 trillion market size, and why bigger isn't always better when everyone's competing with identical promises.

What You'll Learn

• The luxury travel market's growth creates more competition and pushes brands toward clichéd language like "elevated experiences" and "being in the heart of" destinations
• Successful luxury brands must identify which aspect of their guests' personality they're appealing to and deliver on that singular promise
• Matter of Form provides three key values: outside perspective, forcing clients to make time for change, and understanding what's not explicitly stated
• Organizational design and stakeholder values reveal more about a brand's true identity than their marketing materials

Key Moments [2:25] Anant traces his path from magazine-obsessed kid with authority issues to luxury brand consultant via a 10-year transformation journey with Aman Resorts [7:36] The homogenization problem: "You can't tell people how to feel. You need to invite them into a stage that makes them feel something" [10:17] Why branding is like therapy: helping intelligent, creative leaders see past their blind spots and find what's naturally special about their culture [12:20] Joe identifies the core issue: luxury brands lack confidence to step into who they truly are, and matter of form gives them permission to be themselves

Resources

• Visit the Matter of Form website for case studies and insights
• Listen to Anant's podcast, What The Luxe, exploring modern luxury concepts
• Learn about ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded

Stay Connected

• ⁠Sign up⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠ ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 

• Explore our other podcasts,⁠ ⁠Unpacked,⁠⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and⁠ ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

View From Afar is part of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode, recorded live in Cannes, Catherine Powell, the new CEO of AmaWaterways, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to reveal the brand's fresh visual identity and expansion plans, including eight new European ships and pioneering Colombian routes.

Catherine brings expertise from Disney Parks and Airbnb to the family-founded company, applying her knowledge of memorable guest experiences to river cruising.

Under her leadership since early 2025, AmaWaterways is cutting through the "sea of sameness" with distinctive branding and curated experiences, from Smithsonian journeys to Soulful Experiences cruises celebrating Black culture. The conversation also explores the brand's pioneering spirit—and how it maintains intimacy while scaling.

What You'll Learn

• AmaWaterways is launching several new ships through 2027, including the AmaRudi (named after co-founder Rudi Schreiner)
• Every AmaWaterways ship has a dedicated wellness host leading programs from morning yoga to differentiated hiking levels for "gentle walkers" and active adventurers
• The brand offers specialized cruises including Adventures by Disney partnerships, Soulful Experiences, Latin Touch, and Smithsonian Journeys to connect like-minded travelers
• Solo travelers are thoughtfully accommodated with dedicated tours, strategic table arrangements with a fifth chair, and inclusive programming during holidays

Key Moments [1:59] Catherine unveils AmaWaterways' brand refresh at ILTM, explaining the need to stand out in a market full of "blue and gold sameness" [4:26] Discussion of Catherine's Disney and Airbnb background: deconstructing hospitality to its core elements of welcome, communication, care, and surprise [6:18] Julia shares her personal experience sailing with young children, highlighting how crew members embodied the family-founded company's warmth

[13:35] What wellness on board looks and feels like [16:31] Catherine's vision for innovation: from Colombia's Magdalena River infrastructure to using AI to enhance rather than replace human connections

Resources

• Visit the AmaWaterways website for cruise information and bookings
• Explore our river cruise coverage featuring AmaWaterways on afar.com
• Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded

Stay Connected

• Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

View From Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The conversation covers how Forbes protects inspector anonymity—even from Hermann himself—and why the Standards Advisory Committee includes industry voices to ensure ratings evolve with traveler expectations. Hermann also explores how the five-star standard has become synonymous with excellence across industries and shares its expansion into river cruises, the Edge List for emerging properties, Star Bars, and the Icons List for legendary establishments.

What You'll Learn

• Forbes Travel Guide inspectors remain anonymous even to the CEO, with only two people knowing their identities to maintain rating integrity
• Service accounts for the majority of scoring over facilities—a property can have dated décor but achieve five stars through exceptional service
• The Guide has expanded to include Verified Air Travel Awards, cruise and river cruise ratings, the Edge List for up-and-coming properties, Star Bars, and the Icons List
• Standards evolve through an industry Advisory Committee that ensures ratings reflect current luxury expectations while maintaining consistency

Key Moments [3:28] Discussion of how Forbes maintains inspector anonymity and why third-party verification matters more than ever in the age of online reviews [6:11] Hermann reveals the Guide's expansion strategy: cruise lines, air travel awards, Edge List, Star Bars, and Icons List to cover the full luxury travel journey [10:11] Behind the curtains of how these iconic lists come together.

Resources

• Visit the Forbes Travel Guide website for star ratings and travel planning
• Explore the Verified Air Travel Awards and Edge List for emerging properties
• Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded

Stay Connected

• Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland.

View From Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henley discusses her journey from running a traditional agency to launching Fora in 2021, frustrated by having to turn away talented people who couldn't commit to full-time travel planning due to other careers or family obligations. The conversation covers Fora's innovative technology like "bookable quotes" that update in real-time, price monitoring AI that alerts clients to rate changes, and how the platform turns advisors into "wingpeople" rather than middlemen.

Henley also explores the challenge of maintaining community intimacy while scaling to thousands of advisors and why transparency and human connection remain essential even as AI transforms the industry.

What You'll Learn

• Fora operates as a host agency with a $299 annual membership fee, splitting commissions with advisors while handling all back-office operations
• The platform's "bookable quote" feature allows clients to book travel in real-time while keeping advisors in the loop for expert guidance
• Fora employs 180 staff members, with half being engineers focused on modernizing legacy travel technology
• Price monitoring AI tracks all bookings and alerts advisors and clients when rates change by more than 5 percent or $50

Key Moments [2:01] Henley explains how COVID pushed her to rethink the industry: "I was tired of saying no to people" who had travel expertise but couldn't work traditional advisor hours

[5:59] Joe reveals he's actually a Fora advisor himself, surprising Henley and demonstrating the platform's accessibility to non-traditional users [8:41] Discussion of scaling community through chapters, with local leaders organizing everything from partner events to hiking meetups across 92 countries [12:37] Henley's vision for advisors as "wingpeople not middlemen"—using technology to handle administrative tasks while humans provide expertise when it matters most

Resources

• Visit the Fora Travel website to learn about becoming an advisor
• Explore Fora's annual conference that grew from 40 to 800-plus attendees
• Learn about ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded

Stay Connected

• Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and part of the Airwave Media podcast network. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland with assistance from Jenn Flowers, Julia Cosgrove, and Joe Diaz.

View From Afar is part of⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of View From Afar, he chats with Afar director of podcasts Aislyn Greene about how he's steering one of the world's most beloved adventure travel companies through challenges like overtourism, climate change, and the evolving expectations of modern travelers.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How Intrepid creates its annual Not Hot List of emerging destinations and ensures they're ready for sustainable tourism.
• Why the company banned elephant rides in 2014 and how transparency drives trust with travelers.
• What it takes to become a B Corp- certified travel company—and why it took three years.
• How Intrepid co-designs trips with Indigenous communities and women-focused travel groups.

Don't miss these moments:

[01:45] How James Thornton got into the travel space.

[03:00] Examples from Intrepid's 2025 Not Hot List, including the island in Croatia that was a military zone until the 1980s—and why it's perfect for travelers seeking authentic experiences. [10:30] Why women are the primary decision-makers in travel and how Intrepid is responding with women-only expeditions. [18:00] The challenging three-year journey to B Corp certification and why it was worth it. [24:00] James's pandemic-era crisis leadership and his open letter to travelers. [32:00] The loneliness pandemic and why human connection matters more than ever in travel.

Featured in this episode

• Intrepid's 2025 Not Hot List destinations including Vis Island, Croatia; Sierra Leone; and the Tian Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan
• Intrepid's women-only expeditions in Jordan, Morocco, Iran, India, Turkey, and many more countries
• Intrepid's Reconciliation Action Plan for Indigenous tourism in Australia

Resources

• Explore Intrepid's 2025 Not Hot List
• Download Intrepid's open-source B Corp Guide for purpose-led businesses
• Explore Intrepid Travel's trips and experiences

Stay Connected

• Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

View From Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of View From Afar—the first in a larger safari series that will continue into 2026—Afar senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers speaks with two veteran safari industry leaders about the crisis threatening the Great Migration and what can be done to ease overtourism, while protecting wildlife and local livelihoods.

Guests

• Nicky Fitzgerald - Co-founder of Angama, with 45 years in the safari industry
• Joss Kent - CEO of &Beyond, lifelong Kenya resident and conservation advocate

In this episode you'll learn

• How social media's "seven-second soundbites" have reduced the year-round Great Migration to a single Instagram moment
• Why guides face enormous pressure to deliver river crossings, even when it harms wildlife
• The role of government regulation, park fees, and resource management in controlling crowds
• How global hotel brands entering the safari space are changing the landscape
• What travelers can do to experience the migration responsibly

Key moments

• [03:13] How the industry arrived at this moment
• [07:56] Why this isn't just about river crossings - every major wildlife sighting faces vehicle pressure
• [10:16] The complex question of who's responsible: guests, operators, guides, or governments
• [20:28] The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara controversy and environmental impact concerns
• [30:05] How to encourage travelers to see the migration responsibly
• [33:42] The role of social media
• [39:33] What's at stake if the industry doesn't change course

Resources

• Read Jenn's full interview with safari guide Nick Kleer (who filmed the viral video)
• Read the transcript of the episode
• Learn more about Angama's safari lodges
• Explore &Beyond's lodges and experiences

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠Travel Tales⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

View From Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The conversation covers Boston's ongoing America 250 celebrations, which began early with events like the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party in 2023 and will culminate in a spectacular Fourth of July 2026 celebration featuring the World Cup and tall ships. Martha also discusses emerging neighborhoods like Allston-Brighton with its New Balance development and the Boston Art Triennial running through October, which uses public art installations to guide visitors through over 20 neighborhoods.

Addressing current challenges in international tourism, Martha emphasizes Boston's welcoming message under diverse leadership and the city's continued appeal for business travelers, evidenced by major conventions like Bio bringing 20,000 scientists from around the world. She concludes by highlighting Boston's unique characteristic: the ability to experience vastly different cultures and atmospheres within a 10-minute walk between neighborhoods.

What You’ll Learn

• The city’s governor, lieutenant governor, and mayor are all women

• 2023 was the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party

• Boston is planning a massive 4th of July celebration for 2026 and will host several World Cup matches. 

• This year is the very first Boston Triennial, through October 2025.

• Boston has 23.5 (yes, .5) diverse neighborhoods. 

Key Moments

[05:07] The city’s governor, lieutenant governor, and mayor are all women, and Sheridan credits this trio with helping make Boston an open and welcoming city.

[06:01] Boston has been celebrating since 2023, which was the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

[9:02]: Allston–Brighton is one neighborhood that may be less known to tourists, and New Balance built a track there surrounded by a development with restaurants, shops, and activities. 

[10:37] Sheridan stresses that tourism can support community needs by creating jobs, attracting new businesses, and helps strengthen local businesses such as restaurants.  

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about Meet Boston

Listen to Martha's podcast, Boston Found

Find Meet Boston on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

Read Afar’s recent Boston coverage I

🇺🇸 America 250 Update: In 2026, Boston will host seven World Cup matches and has a blowout 4th of July celebration planned.

• Previous Episode: Julie Coker, President and CEO of NYC Tourism and Conventions, on how the city is unlike any other in the world.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Also in this IPW series: Hear from Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, on how the City of Brotherly Love lives up to its name.

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julie, who started her role in December 2024, brings extensive experience from leading tourism organizations in Philadelphia and San Diego. The conversation covers New York's remarkable resilience and recovery speed compared to other major metropolitan areas, particularly following COVID-19.

Julie also discusses the city's ambitious plans for upcoming major events, including hosting eight FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, celebrating the city's 400th anniversary in 2025, and participating in America's 250th anniversary celebrations with events like Sail Forth 250, featuring over 30 tall ships gathering in New York Harbor.

Julie also addresses current challenges facing international tourism, including geopolitical tensions and visa wait times, while emphasizing her commitment to ensuring tourism benefits reach all five boroughs and underserved communities.

What You’ll Learn

• Etihad Park, a dedicated soccer stadium, will open in Willets Point, Queens in 2027.

• How Coker and her team aim to spread the wealth of tourism across all five boroughs. 

• The big plans for NYC's 400th birthday celebration and America 250. 

Key Moments:

[06:28] Coker believes NYC bounced back from the pandemic more quickly than other cities because of “the diversity of the economy, the people, and the resources that we have.”

[08:41] Diversity of offerings is key, and NYC continues to add new attractions, like Etihad soccer stadium, opening in Queens in 2027.  

[12:09]: NYC will celebrate its 400th birthday this year on September 7th with a huge, free event around Broadway. 

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about NYC Tourism + Conventions

Find NYC Tourism + Conventions on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

Read Afar’s recent New York City coverage

🇺🇸 America 250 Update: NYC will host eight World Cup matches in 2026. Etihad soccer stadium is set to open in Willets Point, Queens in 2027.

📊 By the Numbers:  International travelers are just 20 percent of NYC’s visitors but make up 50 percent of its visitor spending. 

• Previous Episode: Tamara Pigott, Executive Director of Visit Fort Myers, on transforming southwest Florida into a world-class destination
• Up Next: Martha Sheridan, President and CEO of Meet Boston.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Also in this IPW series: Hear from Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO of Choose Chicago, on how the city celebrates diversity, inclusion, and the Pope (of course).

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tamara discusses how Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island have become household names while balancing tourism growth with environmental conservation. The region stands out as the "seashell capital of America" and maintains nearly 70 percent of Sanibel Island as preserved land with strict building height restrictions.

The conversation covers the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ian, a Category 5 storm that hit in 2022, and how the tourism industry has rebounded with over 80 percent of accommodations now reopened destination-wide. Tamara also explores emerging trends like solo travel and how the region's vibrant downtown districts are creating urban experiences that complement the natural coastal attractions.

What You'll Learn

• Sanibel Island is home to the Bailey-Matthews National Seashell Museum with interactive experiences for all ages
• Nearly 70 percent of Sanibel Island remains preserved land with strict development guidelines
• Fort Myers has developed beyond beaches with vibrant downtowns, breweries, entertainment districts, and cultural attractions
• The region attracts visitors with household incomes over $100,000 who are seeking "respite getaway without a passport."

Key Moments [Beginning] Tamara explains how the Fort Myers region offers a "natural experience" with migratory birds, dolphins, and manatees beyond traditional beach tourism [Middle] Discussion of Hurricane Ian recovery efforts, with over 50 percent of island accommodations now reopened and destination-wide recovery at over 80 percent [Middle] Tamara shares advice for other DMOs facing natural disasters: build deep relationships with emergency management, mayors, and community leaders before crisis hits [End] Exploration of solo travel trends and how Fort Myers caters to travelers aged 45-55 seeking peaceful getaways

Resources

• Read the transcript of the episode.
• Visit the Visit Fort Myers website and social media handles.
• Learn more about the Bailey-Matthews National Seashell Museum on Sanibel Island.
• Explore Fort Myers' downtown district with the Luminary Autograph hotel and entertainment options.
• Discover Bonita Springs' riverside downtown area with breweries and parks.

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drawing from her aviation industry background—her father was a Pan Am pilot and she worked as a flight attendant—Carolann brings a traveler's perspective to destination marketing. Her strategy focuses on connecting like-minded but disparate groups to create authentic experiences, from boutique hotels in historic properties to unique outdoor adventures. Under her "Forged by Nature" brand platform, Maine is positioning itself as a destination where landscape inspires everything from outdoor recreation to artisanal crafts and culinary experiences.

What You’ll Learn

• Why Ouellette created Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation

• How tourism can really have an impact at a very local level in a small state like Maine. 

• Maine now has its first professional soccer team, the Hearts of Pines

• For America 250, the state is creating the 250-entry Maine Atlas.

Key Moments

[06:17] The state has had a lot of investment in historic buildings like windmills and mansions being turned into hotels. 

[11:17] Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation works with high schools, community colleges, and universities to help students learn more about working in the outdoor recreation economy.

[14:39]: The tourism office is focused on finding things that attract visitors that also have an impact at a very local level. 

[16:12]: For America 250, the state is putting together the Maine Atlas with 250 entries covering its recent history.  

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about the the Maine Office of Tourism and Visit Maine

Find Visit Maine on Instagram and Facebook

Read Afar’s recent Maine coverage

• Previous Episode: Anne Sayers, Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism.
• Up Next: Tamara Pigott, Executive Director of Visit Fort Myers.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Also in this IPW series: Hear from Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, on ensuring Fort Lauderdale is welcoming to every type of traveler. 

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A key part of Anne's strategy has been reframing Wisconsin as a four-season destination, showcasing winter activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and cozy cabin experiences to combat the perception that it's only a summer getaway. She emphasizes Wisconsin's unique blend of iconic American brands like Harley-Davidson, architectural treasures from Frank Lloyd Wright, and genuine Midwestern hospitality that creates unexpected discoveries for visitors.

As Wisconsin rides momentum from hosting major events like the Ryder Cup and political conventions, Anne's vision is to establish the state as a must-visit domestic leisure destination where travelers can "discover the unexpected" throughout the entire state, from the Apostle Islands in the north to countless surprises in between.

What You’ll Learn: 

• Wisconsin is bursting with outdoor activities, including winter surfing and rockclimbing

• Wisconsin has a festival dedicated to when a piece of Sputnik fell in Manitowoc

• Wisconsin has 600 varieties of cheese.

• Wisconsin is the birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Key Moments:

[02:38] Sayers started her role in December 2020, and Wisconsin Tourism has now had its third record-breaking year in a row.

[06:49] Wisconsin excels in celebrating winter with all kinds of outdoor fun, including skiing, snowmobiling, and walking on frozen lakes.  

[8:53]: Visitors can see Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and a school, place of worship, and conference center all designed by him.

[11:13]: Wisconsin is home to the world’s largest refracting telescope.  

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about Travel Wisconsin

Find Travel Wisconsin on Facebook and Instagram

Read Afar’s recent Wisconsin coverage

• Previous Episode: Brad Dean, President & CEO of Explore St. Louis, on the city’s incredible momentum.
• Up Next: Carolann Ouellette, President of the Maine Office of Tourism.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Also in this IPW series: Hear from Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO of Choose Chicago, on how the city celebrates diversity, inclusion, and the Pope (of course).

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ferguson, a seasoned tourism leader who's navigated everything from 9/11 to January 6th, explains D.C.'s unique challenge of marketing a destination that's both the seat of government and home to 700,000+ diverse residents. He reveals how the city's "There's Only One DC" campaign showcases its international character—with over 175 embassies and a thriving cultural scene—beyond the traditional monuments and museums experience.

What You'll Learn

• Ferguson describes D.C.'s vibe as globally diverse, where residents embrace people from all backgrounds in a city with 175+ embassies.
• Prior to leading tourism efforts, Ferguson has been with Destination DC since 2001, becoming CEO in 2009.
• How to position D.C. as more than just suits and politics—showcasing neighborhoods, architecture, and local culture.
• Where visitors can experience the "real D.C." beyond federal buildings, including festivals, restaurants, and community celebrations.

Key Moments 

[08:45] Ferguson jokes about not wearing a suit on stage to counter the stereotype that everyone in D.C. talks politics and wears formal attire.

[12:30] Asked about D.C.'s appeal, Ferguson notes that families might initially choose Disney World, but D.C. visitors are "wowed" by free, interactive museum experiences.

[18:15] A big challenge is separating the 535 members of Congress from the 700,000+ residents who call D.C. home and embrace diversity.

[24:20] Ferguson emphasizes that despite political climate changes, D.C. hasn't "taken our foot off" DEI efforts or run from the acronym.

Resources ⁠

Read the transcript of this episode⁠ .⁠

Learn more about Destination DC⁠ .

Find Destination DC on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠ .

Read Afar's Washington D.C. coverage⁠.

• Previous Episode: ⁠Walt Leger of New Orleans & Co on recovering from crises and how his city is "built to host."
• Up Next: Brad Dean, president and CEO of Explore St. Louis
• Complete Series: ⁠View From Afar⁠ 

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dean, who officially started his role in February 2025, chose St. Louis over offers from New York, Chicago, and San Francisco because of the city's incredible momentum—including major downtown redevelopment, a newly approved entertainment district, and massive investments in the airport and convention center.

The conversation reveals the surprising gap between visitor and local perceptions of St. Louis, with guests consistently ranking the dining, history, art, and culture as extraordinary. Dean also highlights St. Louis's remarkable commitment to accessibility—residents voted to tax themselves so major attractions like the world-class zoo and art and history museums remain free to visitors.

What You'll Learn

• Dean describes St. Louis as the "original gathering place" where rivers converged and westward expansion began, now evolving into a playground for urban exploration.
• Prior to leading Explore St. Louis, Dean helped transform Myrtle Beach and rebuild Puerto Rico's tourism after Hurricane Maria.
• How St. Louis residents voted to tax themselves to make major attractions free, demonstrating the community's commitment to hospitality.
• Where visitors can experience authentic St. Louis beyond downtown, including unique neighborhoods with rich history and vibrant culture.

Key Moments [03:15] Dean reveals that St. Louis was the first place he vacationed as a seven-year-old from rural Illinois, planting the travel seed that shaped his career. [08:45] Asked about St. Louis pizza, Dean explains how the thin-crust style originated from local farms and today Imo's makes every pizza downtown near the convention center. [15:30] Dean discusses how the gap between visitor and local perceptions is "as big as I've ever seen," with visitors consistently surprised by the quality of dining and culture. [22:40] The recently reopened old courthouse showcases consequential American history, including Dred and Harriet Scott cases and Virginia Minor's fight for women's voting rights.

Resources ⁠Read the transcript of this episode. ⁠ ⁠Learn more about Explore St. Louis⁠. Find Explore St. Louis on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠. ⁠Read Afar's St. Louis coverage⁠.

• Previous Episode: ⁠Elliott Ferguson of Destination DC on separating politics from place⁠.
• Up Next: Anne Sayers, Wisconsin's secretary of tourism
• Complete Series: ⁠View From Afar⁠

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leger, a former Louisiana state legislator turned tourism leader, explains New Orleans' unique "vibe," a place where music emerges from every corner. He reveals how the city's two-mile triangle connecting the French Quarter, convention center, and Superdome creates a campus-like experience with 26,000 hotel rooms, but emphasizes that infrastructure alone doesn't make a destination—it's the people who truly make New Orleans "built to host."

The conversation addresses the New Year's Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street and how the city responded with defiance rather than fear, doubling down on joy in a distinctly American fashion. Leger shares current safety data showing violent crime down 70 percent and explains how the community rallied to successfully host major events just days after the tragedy, while also discussing challenges like balancing 385,000 residents with 19 million annual visitors.

What You’ll Learn

• Leger describes the vibe of New Orleans as music everywhere, all the time.
• Prior to heading the tourism board, Leger was a lawyer and a state legislator.
• How to balance making New Orleans attractive for tourists while still supporting residents and local communities.
• Where you can find green space in New Orleans and avoid the French Quarter’s crowds. 

Key Moments

[04:02] In a two mile triangle, New Orleans has the French Quarter, the Superdome, and the convention center, plus 26,000 hotel rooms. 

[06:26] Asked what is the vibe of New Orleans, Leger says “long before people were talking about work-life balance, we were living it.”

[11:45]: A big challenge right now is short-term rentals, which can cause locals to see visitors in a less positive light. 

[16:38]: New Orleans wants to ensure that one single act of terror doesn’t deter people from enjoying Bourbon Street, which remains very safe. 

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about New Orleans & Company

Find New Orleans & Company on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Read Afar’s New Orleans coverage

• Previous Episode: Caroline Beteta of Visit California on sustainable tourism.
• Up Next: President & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Also in this IPW series: Hear from Helen Hill, President and CEO of Explore Charleston, about how the city showcases all of its history, good and bad.

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kaler highlights Buffalo's architectural treasures, including one of the world's most complete Frank Lloyd Wright restoration projects at the Martin House the former Buffalo State Hospital for the Insane, which has been transformed into a boutique hotel and architecture center called the Richardson Hotel. He also explores the emerging African American Heritage Corridor, featuring revitalized historic sites like the Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum and Michigan Street Baptist Church, a former Underground Railroad stop.

The conversation addresses Buffalo's current challenge—a 20 percent drop in Canadian visitation due to political tensions rather than economic factors. Kaler shares how the destination is pivoting to domestic markets like Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago while maintaining outreach to Canadian travel writers through creative care packages, positioning for recovery when diplomatic relations improve.

What You’ll Learn

• Where to find Kaler’s favorite Buffalo wings 

• That the city is home to one of the largest and most completely restored Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the country.

• Buffalo has a rich Black history; sites include the Colored Musicians Club and Michigan Street Baptist Church, once an Underground Railroad stop.

Key Moments

[5:54] Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, which had been sitting vacant, was brought back to life thanks to grassroots investments and community organizing. 

[09:13] Buffalo has been restoring sites central to the city’s rich Black heritage, such as the Colored Musicians Club and Michigan Street Baptist Church, a stop on the Underground Railroad. 

[11:50]: Visitation from Canada is down 20 percent, due to political messaging.

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode.

Learn more about Visit Buffalo Niagara

Find Visit Buffalo Niagara on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

Read Afar’s Buffalo coverage

• Previous Episode: Walt Leger of New Orleans & Company on New Orleans’ unbeatable vibe.
• Up Next: Elliot Ferguson, Destination DC.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Also in this IPW series: Hear from Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Explore Lauderdale, about how Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes every single traveler with open arms.

Stay Connected

Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beteta reveals the counterintuitive challenge of mega-events like the ⁠2026 World Cup⁠ and ⁠2028 Olympics⁠—how they can actually deter leisure travelers despite the global spotlight—and shares lessons learned from Paris about maximizing these opportunities. She also discusses California's approach to crisis communication, from putting recent L.A. wildfires and protests into proper context to reassuring international visitors that "everyone is welcome."

Beteta also highlights what's transforming the Golden State—billions in new infrastructure including LAX's $30 billion upgrade, ⁠Disneyland's 70th anniversary⁠ celebrations, and emerging destinations like the new tent resort ⁠The River Electric⁠ in Sonoma—all while maintaining the state's commitment to sustainable tourism through comprehensive stewardship planning.

What You’ll Learn

• Though the fires in January 2025 were severe, they impacted only 2 percent of LA County
• Domestic tourism is strong in California—80 percent of visitors come from the U.S.—and, like many others, the state has seen a dip in international inbound travel.
• New developments are in the works, including a $30 billion expansion at LAX and a hospitality campus in Orange County.
• California is ready to welcome visitors before and after the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics

Key Moments

[09:15] Over 80 percent of California's visitors are domestic travelers. 

[11:34]: According to Beteta, they have not had any reports of visitors on tourist visas being detained at a California airport. 

[13:29]: New hotel openings include Gaylord Pacific Resort on the water in Chula Vista, just outside San Diego, and The River Electric, a glamping resort and swim club in Sonoma. 

[15:09] Beteta explains that being green and sustainable is part of California's DNA, and that extends to the hospitality industry.

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about Visit California

Find Visit California on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

Read Afar’s recent California coverage

🇺🇸 America 250 Update: California will host several World Cup games in 2026 and LA will host the 2028 Summer Olympics. 

• Previous Episode: Kristen Reynolds, Choose Chicago.
• Up Next: Walt Leger, New Orleans & Company.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Also in this IPW series: Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, talking about Greater Fort Lauderdale’s impressive diversity, welcoming mindset, and beautiful beaches.

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reynolds shares how Chicago is doubling down on its "Never Done, Never Outdone" campaign to celebrate the city's diversity and inclusion values, even while challenging false narratives about urban safety.

Reynolds also reveals what's on the horizon—the Obama Presidential Center opening in 2026, America 250 celebrations highlighting Chicago's role in the nation's evolution, and the city's record-breaking $20 billion tourism impact—as well as her newfound appreciation for Chicago's unmatched culinary scene and James Beard Award winners.

What You’ll Learn

• Three Chicago restaurants/bars won James Beard awards this year
• The Pope’s appointment will be a tourism boon for the city
• The ⁠Obama Presidential Center⁠ is opening in 2026 and will include a garden and athletics complex
• One of the biggest tourism challenges is a false narrative about the city’s safety
• Chicago’s biggest international source markets
• Where Kristen Reynolds takes her friends and family when they visit Chicago

Key Moments

[08:42] Chicago’s biggest tourism challenge is a false narrative about the city’s safety.

[11:00]: Winter in Chicago may be tough, but this is when you’ll find the best deals and fewest tourists

[12:08]: It’s essential that any elected official understands the value of what the tourism industry brings to the community 

[13:42] Chicago had 55 million visitors in 2024 and saw over $20 billion in tourism economic impact.

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about Choose Chicago

Find Choose Chicago on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

Read Afar’s recent Chicago coverage

📊 By the Numbers:  Chicago has 77 neighborhoods and, in 2024, saw more than 55 million visitors. 

• Previous Episode: Stacy Ritter, Visit Lauderdale.
• Up Next: Caroline Beteta, Visit California.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Also in this IPW series: Hear from Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, about how this welcoming city is the birthplace of democracy.

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ritter shares how Fort Lauderdale has doubled down on its "Everyone Under the Sun" campaign to celebrate diversity and inclusion, even amid challenging political climates in Florida—all while successfully differentiating the region from Miami as a diverse, more relaxed, flip flop–friendly destination.

Ritter also reveals what's on the horizon—Fort Lauderdale is hosting IPW 2026 at its newly expanded convention center with an 801-room Omni Fort Lauderdale hotel on the Intracoastal Waterway—as well as her newfound obsession with pickleball and the destination's first Michelin-starred restaurant.

What You’ll Learn

• How Greater Fort Lauderdale ensures visitors know that everyone is welcome here

• That Fort Lauderdale represents 170 nations and people who speak 148 languages, all united in making visitors feel genuinely welcome and at home

• An Omni hotel at Fort Lauderdale’s convention center opens in September 2025

• Fort Lauderdale is not a suburb of Miami, despite what a map may show you

• That Visit Lauderdale is a tourism agency that leads with its values: being open and inclusive to everyone

• Ritter’s insider tips for the best of Fort Lauderdale

Key Moments

[04:25] When Florida's tourism site removed its LQBTQ+ content, Greater Fort Lauderdale—the LGBTQ+ capital of Florida—doubled down, embracing its history. 

[07:31] A new facility has opened in Snyder Park with more than 40 pickleball courts, a bar and restaurant, and a lake with a beach. (You’ll find Ritter there.)

[9:44]: Ritter reminders listeners that “failure is an option in life, but not trying is never an option” 

[13:06] What makes Ft. Lauderdale so enticing? Warm water, top-rated restaurants you can access by boat, and great shopping. 

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode.

Learn more about the Visit Lauderdale.

Find Visit Lauderdale on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Read Afar’s Fort Lauderdale coverage.

📊 By the Numbers:  Broward County’s 2 million residents come from 170 countries and speak 140 languages. Ten percent of Broward’s residents are directly or indirectly employed in tourism. Fort Lauderdale has 24 miles of beach.

• Previous Episode: Josh Earnest, Executive Vice President of Communications and Advertising of United Airlines.
• Up Next: Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. Complete Series: View From Afar

Also in this IPW series: Hear from Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, about how this welcoming city is the birthplace of democracy.

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Josh Earnest sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss United's ambitious strategic vision, from massive international route expansion to onboard innovations like Starlink WiFi across their entire fleet.

Earnest candidly addresses the Newark Airport challenges that plagued travelers earlier this year, explaining how government-imposed flight limits have transformed it into the most reliable airport in the New York area with 85 percent on-time performance.

Drawing from his experience as former White House Press Secretary, he also tackles the intersection of travel and politics, discussing how changing perceptions about America affect international tourism while advocating for crucial air traffic control infrastructure investments that could revolutionize the flying experience for everyone.

What You’ll Learn

• How United asked the government for help to deal with the Newark challenges
• How the pandemic changed the way United designs its route network planning
• That United may not have the cheapest tickets, but believes it offers the most value by having good service, reliability, and convenience. 
• That United flies to about 144 international destinations, 34 of which have no flights from other U.S. carriers. 
• That United’s 10-20 year plan includes not only offering the best possible customer experience but also one that’s kinder to the environment.

Key Moments

[03:46] Following challenges at Newark, including limited capacity and staffing shortages, United asked for and received more federal regulations for the airport. 

[05:37] By far the biggest thing the federal government can do that would have the most impact on air travel is to invest in the infrastructure of air traffic control. 

[09:26] 80-85 percent of United’s travelers are people in the U.S. buying tickets to travel internationally, so the airline hasn’t seen a huge impact from the major decrease in inbound international tourism.

[10:43] Earnest would like potential international visitors to try not to judge the country based on what our politicians say or what they may see on social media, but to come see the U.S. for themselves.

[12:44] During the winter 2025 season, United will be increasing its flights from Chicago to warm weather places like Florida by as much as 15-20 percent.

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Book a flight with United

Find United on Instagram and Facebook

Afar’s air travel coverage 

• Previous Episode: Adam Burke, President and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.
• Up Next: Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From navigating the aftermath of January's devastating wildfires and recent protests to preparing for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, Burke shares how the city's incredible diversity—with residents from 140 countries speaking over 220 languages—makes it uniquely positioned as a welcoming global destination.

What You’ll Learn

• Though the wildfires were catastrophic, less than 2 percent of the L.A. region was affected. 

• The U.S. has gone from having a $50 travel trade surplus to a $50 million deficit

• L.A. is the first urban destination in the U.S. to join the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

• How Los Angeles Tourism helps smaller, diverse-owned businesses have better access to the power of tourism

Key Moments

[04:13] LA. is a true global city; residents come from 140 different countries and speak over 220 different languages.

[08:08] During Dine LA restaurant week, Los Angeles Tourism and Bank of California were able to donate $100,000 to wildfire relief efforts.

[11:12]: One of the most important things a tourism organization can do is be a trusted and reliable source of information.

[12:48]: Over the last 15 years, Brand USA has generated $24 for every $1 it spent promoting tourism across the country. 

Featured Topics

• L.A. as one of the most diverse and inclusive destinations globally

• The 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics

• How community support helped LA businesses recover after the January 2025 wildfires

• Travel and tourism as a form of diplomacy

• Where Burke takes his family and friends when they visit—all without a car.

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about Discover Los Angeles

Find Discover Los Angeles on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

• Previous Episode: Bill Hornbuckle on the importance of government-travel industry collaboration
• Up Next: Josh Earnest, Executive Vice President of Communications and Advertising of United Airlines.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hornbuckle has watched Vegas transform from a "free food, free rooms, come gamble" destination to a sports and entertainment hub where, for hotels like the Bellagio, 70 percent of its revenue is non-gaming.

Now he's applying those lessons to America's bigger challenge: turning a $50 billion tourism deficit into a surplus while preparing for major events like the World Cup and America's 250th anniversary.

With Chinese visitors down 50 percent, lengthy visa wait times, and travelers facing hours-long immigration lines, Hornbuckle argues that America's fragmented approach to tourism—spread across multiple government departments—is holding the nation back.

His solution mirrors what worked in Vegas: bringing everyone together behind a unified vision.

What You’ll Learn

• How spending in Vegas has changed since the 1980s

• What major sports events are coming to Las Vegas in 2025, 2026, and beyond. 

• That funding the FAA is crucial for increasing inbound international tourism

• How long it can take for a train line to open without public sector support

• That the U.S. tourism sector needs government support to survive

Key Moments

[04:45] In the 1980s, 80 percent of revenue was tied to the casino and 20% to rooms; today 70 percent of revenue at the Bellagio, for example, is not related to the casino.

[09:51] How can the tourism industry work with the government to ensure visas are processed faster and airport lines move more quickly?

[13:45] The Brightline train connecting LA and Las Vegas is $10 billion project 25 years in the making. 

[16:52]: The U.S. Travel Association wants visitors to know that, despite the rhetoric people may hear, they’re very welcome.

Featured Topics

• The way travel to Vegas has evolved in the past few decades

• The U.S. travel industry needs significant government support to continue

• The essential need for visitors to feel welcome, starting with faster visa processing

• How critical it is to have enough staff at airports across the country

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about the U.S. Travel Association

Find U.S. Travel Association on Instagram and Facebook

• Previous Episode: Angela Val on how Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy, is for everyone.
• Up Next: Adam Burke, CEO and President of Los Angeles Tourism.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Vic Isley—president and CEO of Explore Asheville—sits down with editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss what she loves about living in Asheville and how community has been key to the area's recovery, with restaurants and farms collaborating with distillers and breweries in new ways, musicians signing on for a concert to raise money for recovery efforts, and so much more.

What You’ll Learn

• That Asheville is surrounded by two of the most-visited national parks in the country

• How community was essential in Asheville and Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helen

• About Asheville’s role as a live-music powerhouse

Key Moments

[01:22] Vic’s top three reasons you should visit Asheville 

[03:57] A beloved local restaurant is expanding and opening an oyster bar

[05:22] Community collaboration is a major part of Asheville’s rebound after Hurricane Helene

[15:07] Why an Asheville rooftop bars tour is a unique way to get to know the city

Featured Topics

• The role that community played in post–Hurricane Helene recovery

• The importance of building strong relationships with partners

• Lesser-known ways to explore Asheville

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode.

Find Explore Asheville on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok  

Listen to Eric Church’s “Carolina” IPW 2025 conference information

Want to plan your own Asheville trip? Here’s where Afar’s co-founders, Joe and Greg, went in January 2025.

Hotels

• The Restoration
• Radical HotelThe Kimpton Hotel Arras

Restaurants and Bars

• The Draftsman
• Afterglow
• Golden Hour
• The Med
• Chestnut
• Huli Sue’s BBQ
• The Admiral
• Ukiah

Up Next in This Special Live IPW Series

Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S Travel Association

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Val sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss Philadelphia's "In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union" initiative, the groundbreaking TED Democracy event launching in June, and how the birthplace of democracy is hosting six FIFA World Cup matches, the MLB All-Star Game, and a supersized July 4th concert as part of America's 250th celebration.

What You’ll Learn

• Philadelphia has James Beard Award winning- and Michelin-starred restaurants 

• TED Democracy and Visit Philadelphia have partnered for a three-year series of TED talks on the impacts of democracy.

• How to get off the tourist trail in Philadelphia

• Where Angela takes her friends and family when they visit

• Visit Philly and Angela’s hopes for the next 10 years in Philadelphia

Key Moments

[07:04] Visit Philadelphia signed a three-year partnership with TED Democracy for a series of talks about the impact of democracy.

[09:23] Philadelphia is a walkable, green city easy to reach from New York and Washington, D.C.

[15:50]  Philadelphia is celebrating 52 things that happened in Philadelphia and changed the world, like democracy.

[17:30]: Angela would like to see Philadelphia able to put more into its artists, the people who actually produce art.

Featured Topics

• Philadelphia is a welcoming place for everyone

• The city as the birthplace of democracy and the epicenter of America 250 celebrations

• Major upcoming events include the PGA championship, six World Cup matches, and the MLB All-Star Game

• Exploring lesser-visited parts of the city

Resources

Read the transcript of this episodeListen to Visit Philadelphia x TED Democracy 

Visit Philadelphia’s site

Find Visit Philadelphia on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube

How to explore Philadelphia like a local

🇺🇸 America 250 Update: Big upcoming events for Philadelphia in 2026 include the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championships, and six World Cup matches.

• Previous Episode: Helen Hill on how Charleston showcases all of its history.
• Up Next: Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts International and chair of the U.S. Travel Association.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 19 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Explore Charleston president and CEO Helen Hill sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to share how Charleston recently broke records for hotel nights and airport passengers—and how the city has expanded its tourism impact over the years.

As Charleston celebrates more than 350 years of history and gears up for America's 250th anniversary, Hill reveals how the city ditched the "Moonlight and Magnolias" narrative to tell authentic stories—from their capitalist Tea Party to the Revolutionary War fort built with spongy palmetto logs that absorbed British cannonballs. Plus, she shares why heirloom tomatoes and Gullah Geechee cuisine are helping bring the community together.

What You’ll Learn

• That Charleston is home to the country’s very first museum, the Charleston Museum.

• That Charleston is showcasing its true, sometimes painful history with sites such as the International African American Museum.

• The unusual role Palmetto trees played in the revolutionary war

• The country’s oldest synagogue is in Charleston, the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue.

Key Moments

[02:56] New luxury properties are opening, including a Four Seasons.

[04:55] Explore Charleston’s decision to showcase all of its complex history

[8:28] Some of the city’s most celebrated chefs are bringing Gullah Geechee food culture to a wider audience 

[17:07] South Carolina’s deep agricultural traditions lead to plenty of local produce 

Featured Topics

• The impact increased flights to Charleston has had on tourism

• The oldest museums and synagogues in the country

• The importance of reconciling with and showcasing painful history

• Visitors booking trips closer to their travel dates

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Visit Explore Charleston’s site

Find Explore Charleston on Instagram and Facebook

See Afar’s take on what to do in Charleston

🇺🇸 America 250 Update: The fall 2025 opening of the Cooper Hotel on Charleston Harbor, a Revolutionary War site

• Previous Episode: Geoff Freeman on how the U.S. can welcome more international visitors.
• Up Next: Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 19 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Geoff Freeman sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about the state of international inbound travel.

As the U.S. travel industry works to recover from a $12 billion loss in international tourism revenue while preparing for America's 250th anniversary, the U.S. Travel Association is encouraging international visitors to book their tickets to come and enjoy a series of major events across the country, including two World Cups and two Olympic Games.

What You’ll Learn

• What major events are planned across the country in the next few years

• How many trillions of dollars are spent on travel in the U.S.

• The importance of making travel to the U.S. easier

• The U.S. has competitors when it comes to international travel made easy

Key Moments

[04:20] Major upcoming events include the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics in L.A. 

[07:25] Travel drives about $2.9 trillion a year in spending, supporting 15 million jobs across the U.S.

[10:59] Travel satisfies a human need for connection.

[12:32] The need for policy-makers to improve travel efficiency in the U.S. 

Featured Topics

• The importance of making inbound travel to the U.S. easier

• A decade of major events planned to celebrate the country’s 250 birthday

• Why U.S. policymakers need to support the travel industry

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode

Visit U.S. Travel Association

Find U.S. Travel Association on Instagram and Facebook IPW 2025 conference information

🇺🇸 America 250 Update: Upcoming events include the FIFA Club World Cup this year, the 2026 World Cup, and the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

📊 By the Numbers: Travel drives about $2.9 trillion a year in spending, supporting 15 million jobs across the country. In New York City, international travelers make up 17% of all visitors, but make up 50% of all spending that takes place; for Washington, D.C. that’s 8% and 25%, respectively.

• Previous Episode: Explore Asheville’s Vic Isley on the power of community.
• Up Next: Helen Hill, President and CEO of Explore Charleston.
• Complete Series: View From Afar

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.

• Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.

• Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.

• Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.

• Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices