Travel Trends with Dan Christian

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The travel industry loves to talk about innovation, but Felix Shpilman brings a sharper lens: what has actually changed in travel distribution over the past decade, and what challenges still remain unsolved.
Felix is the President and CEO of Emerging Travel Group and the driving force behind RateHawk. Joining Dan from Dubai, he shares an inside look at what it takes to build and scale one of the world's leading B2B travel platforms.
We begin with Felix’s journey into travel technology, from investing in high-growth companies to becoming an operator in one of the most complex industries in the world. From there, we explore how RateHawk emerged from ETG’s experience competing in the B2C space, revealing a much larger opportunity: helping travel advisors navigate fragmented hotel supply through a faster, more intuitive booking experience.
The conversation dives into the realities of modern travel distribution, including multi-supplier strategies, inventory aggregation, localization challenges, and the operational complexities that continue to frustrate travel sellers. Felix explains why fragmentation persists across channel managers, PMSs, CRS platforms, wholesalers, DMCs, and consolidators, and why he believes AI, particularly agentic AI, could become the connective tissue that finally brings the ecosystem together.
We also discuss the evolving role of travel advisors, why they remain more relevant than ever, and how technology is transforming them into highly efficient digital travel experts. Throughout the episode, Felix shares practical insights on product development, mobile-first workflows, automation, and the future of B2B travel technology.
If you care about travel distribution, hotel supply, travel advisor tools, AI-powered workflows, or the future of travel technology, this episode offers a thoughtful and candid perspective from one of the industry's leading innovators.
Interested in hearing more from Felix? Join him online at Ratehawk FutureCast 2026 on June 23, where travel leaders and innovators will explore the trends shaping the future of the industry. Register here: https://futurecast2026.ratehawk.com/
Learn more at ratehawk.com.
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. 
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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Price used to win bookings. In 2026, elite status is quietly winning loyalty and it may be the most underleveraged ancillary revenue opportunity in travel.
In the first episode of our Loyalty Series, Dan is joined by Loyalty Status Co. CEO Mark Ross-Smith and CTO Stuart Melim to unpack why “status currency” is emotional, identity-driven, and far more powerful than traditional points and miles strategies. If you’ve ever felt the sting of losing status or gone out of your way to avoid being treated like a base member, you already understand the behavior this creates.
We get specific on where the real value sits. Stuart breaks down how the top three to seven percent of members can drive 20 to 30 percent of airline revenue, and why smarter tier management can convert high-potential customers into future elites without adding operational strain. Mark shares what’s actually working today, from milestone-based benefits to status-driven perks that extend well beyond the airport and why experiences and access are becoming the true drivers of loyalty.
We also challenge the hype. AI-powered personalization has been promised for years, yet many programs still struggle to consistently recognize their most valuable customers. Meanwhile, as AI search tools push travelers deeper into price comparison, the importance of retaining and rewarding your highest-value members only grows.
If you’re building or rethinking a loyalty strategy, the takeaway is clear: stop copying competitors, move beyond the mega-program playbook, and design for the customers who actually drive your business.
Thanks to Loyalty Status Co for sponsoring this series!
👉 Listen to State of Loyalty in Travel Now
🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 7 Title Sponsors for their Support: Bokun, Civitatis, Intrepid, Kaptio, Propellic and Protect Group
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. 
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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Recorded live from the Bellagio at ARDA’s Spring Conference in Las Vegas, Dan sits down with the leaders reshaping vacation ownership into something far more flexible, experience-led, and dynamic than most travelers realize. This conversation explores why the industry is having a real moment and how shifting traveler priorities around access, identity, and unforgettable experiences are redefining what ownership looks like today.
This is the second episode in our 3-part series exploring the evolution of timeshare.
We begin with Louis Acosta (SVP, Sports, Entertainment, Event Marketing & Sales, Travel + Leisure Co.), who shares how building an ecosystem of experiential brands, from Margaritaville Vacation Club to Sports Illustrated Resorts, is unlocking “money-can’t-buy” moments and turning owners into true insiders.
From there, we discuss the trends driving this transformation:
Experience-first travel replacing fixed ownership models
Partnerships that extend beyond hospitality into sports, media, and entertainment
Events and access as core to the ownership value proposition
The growing importance of identity and belonging in travel
Mike Flaskey (President & COO, Marriott Vacations Worldwide) shares how scale, loyalty, and premium experiences are converging, including how owners can tap into broader ecosystems like Marriott Bonvoy and access curated, high-end travel moments.
Gordon Gurnik (SVP & COO, Hilton Grand Vacations) unpacks how points-based vacation ownership is changing the game from shorter, more flexible stays to multi-trip years and seamless integration with Hilton Honors.
Together, the conversation highlights a clear shift: experiences are no longer an add-on, they are the product. From flexibility and personalization to loyalty integration and AI-driven engagement, this episode offers a sharp look at where vacation ownership is heading next.
Learn more at arda.org.
Be sure to join us next Tuesday for the final episode in our series with ARDA.
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. 
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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Travel feels more unpredictable than it did a few years ago, and that’s exactly why guided travel is winning again. In this Captains of Industry episode, Dan sits down with Terry Dale, President and CEO of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), to unpack what’s really driving the surge in tour operators, packaged tours, and high-touch planning in 2026. Terry explains how USTOA is built on integrity and why trust has become a deciding factor for travelers who can’t afford to waste their money or their limited vacation time.
We break down what makes a USTOA member different, including the unique $1 million Traveler’s Assistance Program that helps protect consumer deposits, along with the rigorous vetting and industry references required for membership. Terry also shares why travel advisors are experiencing a true renaissance, and how the certainty of expert guidance is outperforming endless DIY planning, even for travelers who begin their journey with AI tools.
From there, we zoom out to the biggest trends shaping demand today: smaller group travel, increased customization, the continued rise of river cruising, and multi-generational trips that turn vacations into lasting shared memories. Terry and Dan also explore where Americans are heading next, from Europe’s enduring appeal to growing interest in destinations like Portugal, Japan, Vietnam, Colombia, Morocco, and even Antarctica.
They also address the realities tour operators are navigating behind the scenes, from rising costs and staffing challenges to planning for disruption, before closing on what responsible travel really looks like in practice.
If you want to understand where travel is heading and why trust, curation, and expertise are becoming the new luxury, this episode is essential listening.
👉 Listen to Why Tour Operators Matter More In 2026
🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 7 Title Sponsors for their Support: Bokun, Civitatis, Intrepid, Kaptio, Propellic and Protect Group
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. 
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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Travel is being rewritten in real time, and it’s not being led by hotels or airlines. It’s being led by experiences that create real connection to place.
Dan sits down with David Barry, President and CEO of Pursuit, to unpack how a true “category of one” company gets built. With a 40-year career across hospitality, aviation, and travel, David shares how Pursuit has evolved into a global portfolio of attractions, lodging, and transportation designed to connect guests to some of the world’s most iconic destinations.
We break down Pursuit’s concept of experiential infrastructure, why owning access to extraordinary places, and building the systems around them, is becoming one of the most valuable strategies in travel. From Banff and Jasper to Alaska, Iceland, and Costa Rica, David explains the criteria behind expansion: iconic, hard-to-replicate locations paired with strong local teams and long-term demand.
The conversation also explores how Pursuit’s model turns experiences into a compounding growth engine, where great guest moments drive demand, reinvestment, and sustained growth over time . We also discuss Promise to Place, responsible tourism, and the operational realities of scaling experiences while protecting authenticity.
David closes with practical leadership insights you can apply immediately, from simple decision-making frameworks to how to build and lead high-performing hospitality teams.
Learn more at pursuit.com.
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. 
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/