Check-in Podcast by TMR

Travel Market Report
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL

Check-In is a new kind of travel podcast where the faces and names working in the industry give their take on the state of travel and tell their own personal stories about how they fell in love with travel and with the industry.

  1. FEB 10

    Check-In: KORE's Diana Hnatov on Training the Industry's Newest Advisors

    Diana Hnatov serves as the Director of Sales and Services for KORE, a travel education program specifically designed to bridge the gap for new advisors entering the industry. KORE’s mission is to provide these entrants with the foundational training, practical knowledge, and professional confidence they need to build a successful career.   Hnatov, who joined the organization in 2024, recently sat down with TMR’s VP and Editor-in-Chief Daniel McCarthy to discuss the changing landscape of travel education. In the interview, she shares insights on where new entrants are coming from, the specific areas where they require the most support, and why robust training is the key to bringing in the high-quality talent the industry currently needs.

    32 min

  2. 10/07/2025

    Checking-In on the Growth of Culinary Travel with Eating Europe

    Kenny Dunn is the founder and managing director of Eating Europe, one of the continent's first and now largest tour operators specializing in culinary tours in Europe. Dunn, originally from Philadelphia, joined TMR to talk about how he went from working for the United Nations, to being potentially stranded in Europe, jobless, to building a small day tour operator focusing on the best eats around Rome.   The episode covers Dunn’s take on why culinary travel has exploded around the world, the most underrated food cities in Europe, and being an entrepreneur in travel.

    42 min

  3. 09/08/2025

    Checking-In with G Adventures' Steve Lima on G's Record Year

    TMR's Daniel McCarthy sits down with G Adventures' Steve Lima on the back of its record July, and record 2025, to hear what those results tell us about G and also about the U.S. consumer. Lima is the Vice President of Growth for the U.S. and Latin America for G Adventures. A long-time veteran of the company, he was part of the team that initially launched G Adventures in the U.S. and has held a variety of leadership roles over his more than 10-year tenure, including Director of Marketing for the region.

    31 min

  4. 08/19/2025

    Checking in with Rental Escapes' WIllie Fernandez as the Villas Segment Explodes

    Willie Fernandez is a seasoned marketing executive with over 34 years of experience in the travel industry, spanning the cruise, hotel, vacation, and villa segments. As the chief marketing officer for Rental Escapes, he is a key driver of the company’s brand strategy and marketing initiatives. An accomplished, award-winning digital marketer, Willie has been instrumental in transforming some of the industry's most recognized brands.

    30 min

  5. 05/30/2025

    Checking-In with John Chernesky, Two Years Into His NCL Tenure

    John Chernesky, the SVP of North American Sales at NCL, has spent more than three decades in travel, but only just celebrated his two-year anniversary with NCL. In this episode, Chernesky takes some time to talk to TMR's Dan McCarthy about raising twins, celebrating Prince, and grading NCL's partnership with the travel trade.

    36 min

  6. 05/28/2025

    Checking-In with Courtnie Nichols: Why This Travel Advisor Ditched One-Off Bookings for a Retainer Model

    After relocating eight times in 17 years, Courtnie Nichols learned how to adapt and connect — skills that now drive her success as a travel advisor. She began her career in fundraising but made the leap into travel and never looked back. Today, she works on retainer, offering clients concierge-level planning and the long-term partnership they value.

    49 min

  7. 03/20/2025

    Check-In Episode 35: Checking in on the Future, and Present, of Travel Advisors with Jenn Lee

    In this episode, TMR's Daniel McCarthy chats with Jenn Lee, President and Chief Marketing Officer of TPI and Vacation Planners, about the evolving travel industry. Jenn shares insights on the growth of franchise models, the importance of creating a consistent consumer experience, and how AI is enhancing—not replacing—the role of travel advisors.

    31 min

  8. 07/25/2023

    Check-In Episode 34: How The Travel Industry Can Change Lives

    So many talk about the travel industry because of its ability to improve lives. Travel broadens horizons, exposing individuals to diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for what else is out here, and giving families and friends the time and experiences they need but it can also change the lives of others.  Last month, as part of TMR’s Travel Market Place conference in Toronto, editor-in-chief and vice president Daniel McCarthy was joined onstage by Max and Viktoriia Shkurupii and Cathy Scott of British Colombia’s Departures Travel, to talk about a story of how the industry can change lives.  Hear their story, about an escape from war-torn Ukraine and new lives in Canada, on this episode of Check-In.

    29 min
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About

Check-In is a new kind of travel podcast where the faces and names working in the industry give their take on the state of travel and tell their own personal stories about how they fell in love with travel and with the industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Travel Market Report
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Check-in Podcast by TMR