Travel Trends with Dan Christian

• Special Hospitality Series: Forbes Travel Guide’s Expansion with ATELIER CX & BOND CO.LAB

  Send us a textWelcome back to episode 8 of our 10-part Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide! This week, we continue our "Leaders Behind the Stars" spotlight with two groundbreaking announcements from CEO Hermann Elger, shared at The Summit in Monaco.  First, Hermann revealed ATELIER CX, a pioneering consulting studio dedicated to reshaping the customer experience for brands worldwide. Helmed by Silvia Nauta, a luxury hospitality executive with over 20 years of experience, ATELIER CX is poised to revolutionize how brands design and deliver exceptional customer journeys.  We also hear from Alyssa Bushey of BOND CO.LAB, a unique platform fostering impactful collaborations between luxury hotels and ultra-luxury consumer brands. Together, these partnerships are redefining how service providers meet the expectations of modern travelers.  One recurring theme emerged from our conversations with Silvia and Alyssa that challenges traditional hospitality norms: "Take care of your team, and they’ll take care of your guests." This human-centered philosophy resonates deeply in today's landscape, showcasing how internal team bonds and external partnerships are key to creating unparalleled experiences.  For a new generation of luxury consumers, including experience-driven millennials and Gen Z, these innovative approaches deliver the kind of personalized, memorable moments that define true five-star hospitality.  New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay tuned as we feature industry leaders across the globe—from Beverly Hills to the Seychelles.Season 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Lessons in Leadership & Operational Excellence with Ben Hall, CEO, AAT Kings

  Send us a textJoin us for the final instalment in our Guided Touring series as we chat with Ben Hall, CEO of AAT Kings, Australia and New Zealand's leading guided touring provider. This episode dives into the legacy of AAT Kings, a 100-year-old tour company renowned for creating immersive experiences that celebrate authentic cultural connections and sustainability.  What You’ll Discover in This Episode:  How AAT Kings evolved from a transportation service to a leader in guided tours across Australia and New Zealand.  Why modern guided tours are far from inflexible, featuring customizable options and exclusive, hard-to-access experiences.  The unique value local guides bring with personal anecdotes, historical context, and a deep understanding of the culture.  Highlighted Indigenous experiences that connect travelers to the world’s oldest continuous culture, dating back over 60,000 years.  Small group adventures with Inspiring Journeys, offering access to remote and pristine destinations.  Sustainability efforts focusing on local community support, wildlife conservation, and environmental restoration.  How technology enhances tours, with guest portals that allow travelers to personalize their journeys.  The vast scale of Australia and how guided tours address logistical challenges for travelers who often underestimate distances.  Immersive cultural experiences that connect travelers with local families, farms, and Indigenous communities.  The role of travel directors, carefully selected for their expertise, people skills, and passion for sharing the local culture with guests.  Enjoy a fascinating discussion that highlights the innovation behind modern guided touring and explore how AAT Kings provides meaningful, sustainable, and memorable travel experiences.  👉 Listen to Lessons in Leadership & Operational Excellence Now🔥 Season 5 Title Sponsors: TravelAI, Stay22, Propellic, Flight Centre, Collette, Flywire, Traveltek and Protect GroupSeason 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Special Hospitality Series: The First FTG Five-Star Hotel in the Seychelles

  Send us a textImagine stepping off a small turboprop plane onto a pristine island less than a mile long, where coconut trees sway in gentle breezes and sea turtles nest undisturbed along protected shores. Welcome to the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, where luxury meets untouched nature in perfect harmony.Join us for the latest episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, where we shine a light on one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars"—Mark Basaloga, Resort Manager at Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island. Mark takes us behind the scenes of this extraordinary property that earned Forbes Travel Guide's first Five-Star rating in the Seychelles just one year after opening. Experience the extraordinary magic of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island for yourself – where luxury meets conservation, disconnection leads to deeper connection, and authentic experiences create memories that last a lifetime. We will be releasing new episodes every Thursday—don’t miss this exceptional 10-part series featuring hospitality leaders from Beverly Hills to the Seychelles.Season 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Small Groups, Big Adventures with Michael Edwards, MD, Explore Worldwide

  Send us a textListen to the latest episode of our Guided Touring series, where Dan is joined by Michael Edwards, Managing Director at Explore Worldwide, to discuss the rising popularity of small group adventures. Michael shares why he calls this moment the “golden age” of small group travel and highlights how intimate group sizes (12-16 people) foster meaningful "micro-communities," delivering the connection and camaraderie so many crave today.What You'll Learn:Why small groups are creating big travel impactHow shared experiences foster instant communityExplore’s approach to sustainability and responsible tourismBreaking down barriers to make adventure travel more inclusiveThe surprising truth about who today’s adventure travelers really areThis episode is packed with insights on how small group travel is evolving and why it’s more relevant than ever. Tune in now to learn how these adventures are redefining the way we explore the world.👉 Listen to Small Groups, Big Adventures Now🔥 Season 5 Title Sponsors: TravelAI, Stay22, Propellic, Flight Centre, Collette, Flywire, Traveltek and Protect GroupSeason 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Earth Day: Lessons in Sustainability with Shannon Stowell, CEO ATTA and Greg Takehara, CEO, Tourism Cares

  Send us a textThis Earth Day, we’re proud to share present our first ATTA & Travel Trends Adventure Series discussion focused on important lessons in sustainability.  In this powerful episode, Travel Trends host Dan is joined by co-host Shannon Stowell, CEO of ATTA and together they interview the CEO of Tourism Cares  Greg Takehara.Greg & Shannon unpack the current state of sustainable travel and share many actionable insights on how the industry, along with travelers, can move past surface-level greenwashing to drive meaningful, long-term impact.Key Highlights from this discussion include:Environmental Responsibility: Moving beyond buzzwords, learn how real practices can protect delicate ecosystems.Adventure Travel's Role: Did you know that adventure travel retains 65–70% of spending in local communities compared to only 10–15% for large-scale tourism? These numbers showcase the moral and economic power of mindful travel decisions.Cultural Preservation: Why Travel is an important bridge to connect and honor diverse customs and traditions.Human Connection: How this style of travel realizes the ultimate goal—forging connections that last a lifetime.Key Upcoming Events to Learn MoreDeepen your commitment to responsible travel with these powerful events curated by Tourism Cares and ATTA:Tourism Cares’ Meaningful Travel RoadshowMiami, FL - MayPittsburgh, PA - OctoberGalveston, TX - NovemberATTA Featured EventsAdventureNEXT in Bonito, Brazil - AprilAdventureELEVATE in Denver, CO - MayAdventure Travel World Summit in Puerto Natales, Chile - NovemberAs Shannon reminds us on this Earth day: “Once you destroy a culture or environment, some things are gone forever.” A profound and important reminder for us all. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation and a call to us all—to travel responsibly, drive local impact, and honor the environments and communities we visit.Season 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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