Travel Trends with Dan Christian

Dan Christian
  • 5.0 (4)
  • LEISURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

#1 B2B Travel Podcast. If you are looking to stay ahead in the travel industry, this new podcast hits all the highlights! The Travel Trends Podcast is where industry leaders converge to share & shape the future.  Whether you're an emerging entrepreneur, a seasoned industry executive, or a dedicated travel professional, you’ll be able to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.  Uncover valuable insights, innovative strategies, and meaningful connections that will elevate your travel business or career to new heights.

  1. Where Sustainable Travel Meets Impact Investing with Jonathan Coleman, CEO, UnTours

    10H AGO

    Where Sustainable Travel Meets Impact Investing with Jonathan Coleman, CEO, UnTours

    Send us a text Imagine a travel company where the business itself fuels impact, not just through donations but through ownership. That is the UnTours story. In this episode, CEO Jonathan Coleman shares how the world’s first certified B Corp tour operator became part of a foundation that invests every dollar into small businesses creating meaningful change in destinations. Jonathan walks us through Hal and Norma Taussig’s remarkable origin story, beginning with apartment-based, slow travel in the 1970s and evolving into a vow of poverty that redirected profits into a foundation, eventually transferring company ownership. We then explore the Reset Tourism Fund, which transforms corporate philanthropy from partners such as Expedia Group, TUI Care Foundation, Skyscanner, Tourism Cares, Agoda and XO into flexible, low-interest loans for small tourism enterprises. The results are tangible and people-centered, from Invisible Cities training individuals who experienced homelessness to become tour guides, to Greether creating safer experiences for solo women, to inclusive LGBTQ+ travel initiatives in Colombia that combine safety with cultural immersion. The conversation also moves beyond offsets into the deeper work of sustainability. Jonathan explains why aligning all foundation assets with mission is essential, how consumer expectations are shifting as greenwashing becomes easier to spot, and why measurement must come before management. Listeners will come away with clear guidance on what to look for as travelers, including transparent certifications and local ownership, and what to prioritize as industry leaders, from supplier selection to risk-sharing models that build more equitable and climate-conscious tourism systems. Tourism represents about 10% of global GDP, jobs, and emissions. Where our industry goes, the world follows.  Thanks to Intrepid for sponsoring this series!  👉 Listen to Where Sustainable Travel Meets Impact Investing Now 🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoad The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    1h 20m
  2. Travelzoo Best Bets: Where to Go in 2026 with Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona

    23H AGO

    Travelzoo Best Bets: Where to Go in 2026 with Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona

    Send us a text A century-old highway is about to steal the spotlight again. In episode three of our 10-part Travelzoo Best Bets Series, Dan and Travelzoo Senior Editor (and co-host) Gabe Saglie head to Arizona’s storied stretch of Route 66 with guest Nikki Terlesky, Director of Operations for the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. Together, they explore why the Mother Road still embodies freedom, spontaneity, and Americana—especially as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday. From neon-lit motor lodges to desert bends that test your steering, this is road-tripping at its most evocative. You’ll get a practical 2026 game plan: the best times to go, how weather shifts with elevation from Kingman to Flagstaff, and how to layer in icons like the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Meteor Crater. Expect insider picks too including Winslow’s famous corner and La Posada, Flagstaff’s restored vintage motels and centennial exhibits, and the GuideAlong GPS tour that turns the drive into a living museum. Along the way, we trace the roots of diner and motel culture, the postwar birth of the family road trip, and why international travelers still flock here for classic burgers, milkshakes, and glowing neon. The result isn’t just nostalgia—it’s an authenticity-rich, digital-detox adventure where the road itself becomes the destination. If 2026 is your year to rediscover the open road, Arizona’s Route 66 delivers history, scenery, and pure fun in one timeless drive. New episodes drop every Tuesday, each featuring local experts who bring these Best Bets to life. Become a member at travelzoo.com to access exclusive offers. The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    42 min
  3. The RenAIssance of Rail with Railbookers

    4D AGO

    The RenAIssance of Rail with Railbookers

    Send us a text The rails are buzzing for a reason: travelers want flexible journeys, city-center convenience, and window-seat scenery without the stress. At the Railbookers Global Summit, we sat down with CEO Frank Marini and three of his senior leaders to explore how a remote-first culture, deep trade partnerships, and an ambitious AI strategy are powering the renaissance of rail travel. Frank breaks down a record year—27% growth overall and 39% in luxury rail—and why small groups and pre- and post-cruise extensions are surging. VP of Marketing Kaitlyn Birkinshaw reveals how AI-driven content, conversational podcasts, and a global advisor toolbox are making travel advisors rail-fluent. SVP of Product Andrew Channell previews 2026 highlights: Switzerland–Italy combinations, rising demand for Norway, Alaska and the Canadian Rockies, and the new Stars and Stripes Collection celebrating America’s 250th with itineraries inspired by Route 66, Colonial America, and Lewis and Clark. SVP of Strategic Partnerships Jim Marini explains how advisors win with instant quotes, two-year booking windows, and one-to-one support that simplifies even the most complex FIT. From national rail networks to luxury icons, Railbookers packages trains, hotels, sightseeing, and transfers into seamless global itineraries. Their proprietary Fast Tracks AI, a system that captures “every answer, every time”transforms 4,000 weekly calls and frontline expertise into smarter service, sharper product, and faster marketing. If you’ve ever dreamed of connecting Basel to Zermatt to St. Moritz to Milan, or pairing a cruise with a scenic sleeper, this conversation shows how rail has become one of the most modern and inspiring ways to travel today. Learn more at railbookers.com The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    1h 19m
  4. Leadership Lessons in Sustainability that Matter with Shannon Guihan

    6D AGO

    Leadership Lessons in Sustainability that Matter with Shannon Guihan

    Send us a text The rules of “green travel” have changed. We’re moving beyond feel-good labels to a world where travelers, advisors, and investors expect real proof, data, targets, and measurable benefits for the places we visit. To open our Sustainability Series, Shannon Guihan, Chief Sustainability Officer at The Travel Corporation, joins us to unpack what credible impact looks like in 2026 and how operators of any size can demonstrate it. We trace an origin story from Newfoundland’s cod collapse to the surge of unplanned tourism that followed, illuminating why sustainability is really destination quality control. Shannon cuts through the sustainable vs. regenerative debate by grounding it in evidence: climate action plans, supplier standards, transparent reporting, and guest experiences that keep money in local communities. She also details The Travel Corporation's approach from aligning with the UN SDGs and creating internal carbon funds to supporting ecosystem and cultural restoration through the TreadRight Foundation. We confront the price question head-on: sustainability isn’t altruism; it’s risk management, resilience, and competitive advantage. Shannon shares a clear starting framework for small inbound operators and practical guidance for advisors and travelers on what to look for—transparent data, time-bound goals, and verifiable outcomes. We end by exploring a major shift already underway: host communities asserting more control over visitor flows, seasonality, and shared value. Thanks to Intrepid for sponsoring this series!  👉 Listen to Leadership Lessons in Sustainability that Matter Now 🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoad The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    1h 9m
  5. Travelzoo Best Bets: Where to Go in 2026 with Andrew Young

    DEC 16

    Travelzoo Best Bets: Where to Go in 2026 with Andrew Young

    Send us a text Ready to travel smarter in 2026? In episode two of our 10-part Travelzoo Best Bets Series, Dan and Travelzoo Senior Editor (and co-host) Gabe Saglie sit down with Andrew Young, Senior Producer, Content & Tourism Board Lead, to reveal Travelzoo’s Best Bets for the U.S. and Canada and unpack the “why now” behind each destination so you can plan trips that feel timely, meaningful, and great value. In the U.S., anniversaries take center stage: Pennsylvania’s 250th and Arizona’s Route 66 centennial bring fresh energy to American nostalgia, while Chicago’s Obama Presidential Center and Savannah’s living history round out a lineup tailor-made for culture lovers and road trippers. Globally, Best Bets lean contrarian. Northern Italy’s quieter regions shine, Finland surprises with its happiness formula, Ghana steps forward as flight access grows and heritage travel deepens, and Chile delivers Patagonia peaks, Atacama skies, remarkable wine—and standout value. Across the Pacific, Singapore blends four cultures and world-class food into the perfect first step into Asia, while Saudi Arabia opens wide with Red Sea resorts, AlUla’s ancient wonders, and infrastructure built for global travelers. Canadian picks add even more depth: Colombia for enormous value, Niagara-on-the-Lake for slow travel and ice wine, Mexico’s evolved all-inclusive scene for “sun with substance,” and Albania as the Adriatic dupe offering blue-water bliss at half the price. We close with a simple strategy to travel better in 2026: follow shoulder seasons, watch new flight routes, and choose destinations investing in sustainability and authentic local experiences. New episodes drop every Tuesday, each featuring local experts who bring these Best Bets to life. Become a member at travelzoo.com to access exclusive offers.  The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    57 min
  6. Event Spotlight: Phocuswright 2025

    DEC 16

    Event Spotlight: Phocuswright 2025

    Send us a text We’re wrapping up our 2025 events spotlights with our biggest event episode ever, a 5+ hour special recorded live at Phocuswright San Diego. This landmark episode features 25 exclusive interviews with industry leaders shaping the future of travel, technology, distribution, and the in-destination experience. This year’s Phocuswright was a standout event for Travel Trends, and we’re grateful to the entire Phocuswright team — especially Pete Comeau and Eugene Ko — for their partnership and support in making this recording possible so we can share these valuable insights with our global audience. If you’d like to jump straight to the voices that matter most to you, scroll down — we’ve included timestamps for every amazing guest that Dan had the chance to sit down with. Highlights & Timestamps  6m - Lorraine Sileo, Travel Insights, Research & Analysis, Phocuswright31m46s - Jessie Fisher, Founder & CEO, GuestOS42m59s - Marius Nigond, CEO iWander.io 51m39s - Ben Sann, CEO, TourOptima1hr6m - Stephen Joyce, Global Strategy Lead - Travel & Tours, Protect Group1hr23m - Lourdes Losada Frances, Director & Site Lead Americas, Skyscanner1hr47m - Jo Lai, SVP AI Solutions & Customer Experience, Hopper2hr - Dylan Conroy - Host of The Ad Podcast2hr11m - Lauren Atlass - VP, Partnerships - Americas, HBX Group2hr26m - Tim Qin, CEO, Roame2hr31m - Charlotte Lamp Davies, Founder & CEO, A Bright Approach & Markus Stumpe, Founder & CEO, Alyza2hr42m - Grant Palmer - Head of Enterprise Travel, Azira2hr59m - Heather C. Dahl, Co-founder & CEO, Indicio3hr17m - Elad Schaffer, Co-founder & CEO, Faye3hr32m -  Benjamin Manzi, COO, Maya AI3hr47m - Rohit Khanna, Chief AI & Innovation Officer, ITbyus3hr57m - Jen Barnwell, President, Curator Hotel & Resort Collection 4hr8m - Paul Lipson, CEO & Founder, Triprecos 4hr25m - Francesco Deledda, CEO, Yanolja Go Global4hr36m - Layton Han, Co-founder & CEO, Bonafide4hr54m - Mike Petrakis, Founder & CEO, Batch5hr - Evan Tzeng, Founder, Hospitalities.AI5hr12min - Noam Toister, CEO & Founder, Travelier5hr22m - Jesus Ordoñez, General Director for the Board of Tourism of Baja California Sur5hr32m - Jelani Millard, Head of Growth - North America, Maya AIWe hope you benefit from these valuable insights as you start 2026! The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    5h 44m
  7. TourRadar’s Social Playbook: How to Turn Followers into Bookings with Travis Pittman, CEO

    DEC 10

    TourRadar’s Social Playbook: How to Turn Followers into Bookings with Travis Pittman, CEO

    Send us a text The way travelers discover and book multi-day adventures is shifting fast, and TourRadar is leaning all the way in. In this episode, TourRadar co-founder and CEO Travis Pittman breaks down how a $200B category is rewriting its playbook around creators, mobile, and practical AI to turn social inspiration into real, bookable demand. From a new social commerce layer that links traveler reels directly to itineraries, to a mobile app already driving meaningful high-ticket transactions, Travis shares what’s working now and what’s still just hype. We start with the hardest challenge in travel today: customer acquisition. With AI overviews reshaping search and SEO volatility hitting nearly every brand, the old playbook simply doesn’t hold. Travis explains how TourRadar diversified demand by investing in micro- and nano-creators, building an ambassador program that pays on value, and focusing on content that feels native to the trip. The hook isn’t a hotel shot—it’s the Serengeti moment, the river crossing, the sunrise market—and it’s now just one tap away from a bookable tour. Behind the scenes, AI is doing real, measurable work. TourRadar’s chatbot resolves 80% of inbound chats thanks to clear guardrails and training data drawn from millions of past conversations. That backbone powers better FAQs, itinerary recommendations based on traveler patterns, and the infrastructure that agentic systems need: structured content, live availability, and payments that make LLM-driven planning truly actionable. We also explore why mobile matters for high-consideration trips, how B2B agents fit into the omnichannel model, and what it means to optimize for LLMs the way we once optimized for search engines. If you’re interested in the future of multi-day travel, social commerce, or AI that actually drives performance, this episode offers a roadmap from creator partnerships to algorithmic distribution to the booking rails that tie it all together. For more information, visit TourRadar.com. 👉 Listen to TourRadar’s Social Playbook: How to Turn Followers into Bookings Now 🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoad The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    31 min
  8. Travelzoo Best Bets: Where to Go in 2026 with Jonathan Jones, Head of Publishing, Travelzoo

    DEC 9

    Travelzoo Best Bets: Where to Go in 2026 with Jonathan Jones, Head of Publishing, Travelzoo

    Send us a text We’re kicking off a 10-part Travelzoo Best Bets Series to explore how smarter and more meaningful travel is taking center stage and how to book it at real value. Dan and Travelzoo’s Senior Editor and co-host Gabe Saglie are joined by Jonathan Jones, Travelzoo’s Head of Publishing, who leads the team behind the brand’s most trusted deals, including the iconic Top 20. A champion of price transparency and member-first storytelling, Jonathan shapes the editorial voice that reaches millions each week and helps maintain Travelzoo’s reputation as the trusted guide for its global community of travel enthusiasts. In today's episode, we trace the personal and professional roots of this partnership, then go inside Travelzoo’s selection process. Editors around the world nominate destinations with genuine relevance, from major anniversaries and cultural moments to sustainability breakthroughs or new flight access that turns a “maybe” into a must. Jonathan explains why Best Bets isn’t about chasing trends for clicks; it’s about spotlighting places with meaningful stories, strong timing, and real value. Expect a tease of a 2026 U.S. city known for its blues scene and recently crowned the country’s best, along with surprising picks across continents. Along the way, we explore the shift toward lifestyle travel, including Michelin-recommended dining, spa experiences, and immersive events, and why those local moments matter between major trips. We also dig into three forces shaping the year ahead: the rise of quiet travel, the pairing of generative AI with human editorial judgment, and the move toward intentional journeys that feel purposeful and restorative. If you want fewer tabs and more truth, this series is for you. Stay tuned for next week’s episode featuring Andrew Young, Senior Producer & Tourism Board Lead who will walk us through the full Travelzoo Best Bets list for 2026. Become a member at travelzoo.com to access exclusive offers.  The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

#1 B2B Travel Podcast. If you are looking to stay ahead in the travel industry, this new podcast hits all the highlights! The Travel Trends Podcast is where industry leaders converge to share & shape the future.  Whether you're an emerging entrepreneur, a seasoned industry executive, or a dedicated travel professional, you’ll be able to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.  Uncover valuable insights, innovative strategies, and meaningful connections that will elevate your travel business or career to new heights.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Christian
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    177
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Travel Trends with Dan Christian
  • Show Website
    Travel Trends with Dan Christian

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