The Folo by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

  1. The shape of the U.S. economy -- our Winter Series finale

    2D AGO

    The shape of the U.S. economy -- our Winter Series finale

    In a so-called k-shaped economy, higher earners head up on an upward angle, but lower earners, on the lower leg of the “k” drop behind. This bifurcation is also playing out in some corners of the travel industry as ultrahigh-net worth travelers spend to snap up the top level suites, but travelers with less resources are slower to book entry-level rooms. In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin talks with hotels editor Christina Jelski and Jon Makhmaltchi, the founder of J.Mak hospitality, about how hotel companies are physically configuring their properties to appeal to those at top of the k, the pitfalls of over-relying on one market segment and how hotels and advisors are working to attract entry-level and aspirational luxury travelers. This episode was recorded Jan. 22 and has been edited for length and clarity. Winter series: This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Jan. 26 and has been edited for length and clarity.  New episodes return next week! Episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com Related links Luxury hotels and the K-shaped economy: A tale of two markets https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/K-shaped-economy-for-luxury-hotels J.Mak Hospitality https://www.jmak.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  2. A Japan-based line wants to attract U.S. cruisers -- a Winter Series episode

    MAR 24

    A Japan-based line wants to attract U.S. cruisers -- a Winter Series episode

    Last summer, Folo host Rebecca Tobin got the opportunity to cruise Mitsui Ocean Cruises, a line that’s based in Japan and created for and curated for and sold to Japanese travelers – but is also now marketing to North Americans. On this episode, Anthony Kaufman, a cruise veteran who is now Mitsui’s head of commercial strategies, talks about how to take a cruise experience devoted to one market and entice another, and how Mitsui is a different experience from a U.S. based cruise line with Asia-positioned ships. This episode was recorded on Dec. 5, and has been edited for length and clarity. Winter series: This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Jan. 12 and has been edited for length and clarity.  Episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com Related links Japan by sea https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Japan-by-sea-Mitsui-Ocean-Cruises Cruise lines increase Asia sailings to meet Japan's blossoming appeal https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Increase-Asia-sailings-with-Japan-high-demand The sun rises on Japan tourism https://www.travelweekly.com/Asia-Travel/The-sun-rises-on-Japan-tourism Mitsui Ocean Cruises https://www.mitsuioceancruises.us/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    43 min
  3. The thinking behind airplane meals -- a Winter Series episode

    MAR 18

    The thinking behind airplane meals -- a Winter Series episode

    On this episode we’re going to tuck in to a portion of the flying experience that you might be surprised to hear about: food. In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin, aviation editor Robert Silk and Joe Leader, the CEO of the International Flight Services Association, talk about the growth of good eating in all cabins, tech developments that make food service more efficient and more interesting, and why food tastes different at cruising altitude. Plus: Pre-ordering and new complimentary meal service on transcontinental routes. Winter series: This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Sept. 29 and has been edited for length and clarity.  Related links: Airline food innovators have high aspirations: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Airline-food-innovators-have-high-aspirations International Flight Services Association: https://ifsa.aero/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    42 min
  4. How agentic AI could change travel. Is it a threat? -- a Winter Series episode

    MAR 9

    How agentic AI could change travel. Is it a threat? -- a Winter Series episode

    We're focusing on an emerging branch of artificial intelligence called agentic AI – that is, an AI tool that can, essentially, act like a booking agent, all the way up to making a reservation on the traveler’s behalf. It acts like an agent – but is it a threat to human travel advisors? And what does agentic AI mean for the OTA model, supplier customer service and travelers themselves? On this episode, McKinsey and Co.’s Vik Krishnan and Travel Weekly aviation editor Robert Silk talk with host Rebecca Tobin about the latest developments in agentic AI and travel and where the technology could lead us.  Episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com Winter series: This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Nov. 24 and has been edited for length and clarity.  Related links Agentic AI turns searches into sales https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Technology/Agentic-AI-turns-searches-to-sales Hotel and flight bookings are coming to Google's AI Mode https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Technology/Hotel-and-flight-bookings-coming-to-Google-AI-Mode See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  5. How cruising's top suites got so opulent -- a Winter Series episode

    MAR 3

    How cruising's top suites got so opulent -- a Winter Series episode

    This week we’re talking about a story that came to be after unveiling of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ upcoming Skyview Regent Suite. It's a veritable mansion-at-sea with a private gym, sauna, bar and dining room that seats 12. And what's more surprising than the price? The fact that it was booked within one minute on 10 of 13 itineraries. Or perhaps that's not a surprise. Advisors tell us that there are countdowns to sales launches and wait lists for the newest crop of ultra-palatial, ultra-big, ultra-luxurious cruise ship suites. With luxury advisor Carlos Edery and cruise editor Teri West, we look at what these top suites look like and what amenities they come with. Who are the customers and what do they want in a vacation? Is there a challenge of keeping up with guest expectations? And, of course, what might come next.  Episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com Winter series: This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Nov. 3 and has been edited for length and clarity.  Related links:  Focus on Cruise cover story: The megasuite is bigger than ever https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/The-cruise-megasuite-is-bigger-than-ever Regent Seven Seas Prestige suite will reach for new levels of opulence https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Skyview-Regent-Suite-unveiled-for-Seven-Seas-Prestige From the archives: A look at luxury accommodations at sea (August 2005) https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/A-look-at-luxury-accommodations Luxury Cruise Connections https://luxurycruiseconnections.com/ CruiseWorld: https://www.cruiseworldshow.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  6. The travel advisor's travel-planning source -- a Winter Series episode

    FEB 24

    The travel advisor's travel-planning source -- a Winter Series episode

    This week we’re talking about destination management companies, or DMCs, which are companies embedded in specific locations that give travel planners an ultra-boost when it comes to planning a vacation there. Insider knowledge, special tours, recommendations, an expert shoulder to lean on – that’s what a DMC can provide. DMCs aren’t new, but a recent story by Jamie Biesiada talked about why they’re suddenly on everyone’s must-have list. In this episode with Haisley Smith, the senior vice president of partner relations at Internova Travel Group, we talk about why advisors and clients are hyping DMCs, the pitfalls and the critical need to vet your in-destination partner and what’s next for DMCs, tour operators and advisors. We hope you enjoy this peek into travel planning – and advisors, let us know what you think of your top DMCs. Episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Globus family of brands https://www.globusandcosmos.com Winter series: This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Nov. 17 and has been edited for length and clarity.  Related links:  Jamie Biesiada's cover story: DMCs help bring the wow factor https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/DMCs-help-bring-the-wow     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min
  7. The 25 years that changed travel -- a Winter Series episode

    FEB 16

    The 25 years that changed travel -- a Winter Series episode

    We look back at the first quarter-century and the biggest events that had an outsized impact on the travel business, from mega-events that changed the world to milestone product launches and business decisions that portended major shifts to come. In this episode, our top editors unpack the list and some of the decisions behind it, as well as those reminisces about the old times and what’s happening in travel today.  Episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Globus family of brands https://www.globusandcosmos.com Winter series: This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Oct. 6 and has been edited for length and clarity.  Related links: The 25 years that changed travel https://www.travelweekly.com/25-years See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    43 min
  8. What we learned in our travel advisor survey -- a Winter Series episode

    FEB 9

    What we learned in our travel advisor survey -- a Winter Series episode

    We're taking an in-depth look at our annual Travel Industry Survey of travel agency business with then-editor in chief Arnie Weissmann and news editor Johanna Jainchill. In this episode we delve into survey data: Advisors’ use of AI – how they use it and what they’re concerned about; which travel categories are growing; advisors’ use of social media; their relationships with preferred suppliers; where they work; and what they’re booking. And, of course, whether they’re optimistic or pessimistic about their business going forward.  This survey was produced in partnership with Phocuswright, a sister brand to Travel Weekly. It surveyed more than 1,500 advisors during August and early September and was published Nov. 23. Episode sponsor This episode is sponsored by the Globus family of brands https://www.globusandcosmos.com Winter series: This episode is part of our annual Winter Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was originally published Dec. 1 and has been edited for length and clarity.  Since this episode was published, Johanna was promoted to editor in chief, and Arnie took the title of explorer at large for parent company Northstar Travel Group.  Related links: The 2025 Travel Industry Survey https://www.travelweekly.com/industry-survey-2025 Previous Industry Surveys https://www.travelweekly.com/For-Travel-Agents/Travel-Industry-Survey See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
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4.6
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Information

  • Creator
    Travel Weekly
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Travel Weekly
  • Show Website
    The Folo by Travel Weekly

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