Travel Trends with Dan Christian

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

Welcome to our Travel Trends Podcast, the #1 B2B global travel podcast for professionals shaping the future of travel. Hosted by Dan Christian, this show features candid conversations with global travel leaders, startup founders, tourism boards, hospitality executives, and technology innovators. Together they explore the ideas, innovations, and strategies driving the next era of travel. Whether you're building a travel startup, leading a destination, scaling a hospitality brand, or new to the industry, you’ll gain actionable insights and real-world perspectives from the leaders redefining the global travel economy.

  1. The Hidden Problem Costing Travel Companies Millions with Repayd

    4D AGO

    The Hidden Problem Costing Travel Companies Millions with Repayd

    Send us Fan Mail Payments are where travel brands quietly win or lose trust, often only becoming visible after something goes wrong: a declined card, a messy refund, a spike in chargebacks, or a drop in checkout conversion that’s hard to explain. In this episode, we dig into one of the most overlooked parts of the travel business, even though it directly impacts revenue, cash flow, and the ability to scale globally. Dan sits down with Will Plummer, CEO of Repayd, to unpack why travel payments are uniquely complex. From high booking values and long lead times to cancellations, multiple suppliers, FX exposure, and unclear merchant of record structures, the challenges run deep. Will explains how merchant of record models work in practice, why localized acquiring can improve authorization rates, and how trust accounts and insurance-backed protection can help build confidence for travelers paying months in advance. We also get tactical on what to fix first. We cover how to map your end-to-end payment flow, identify revenue leakage across cross-border fees and foreign exchange, and reduce friction without overloading checkout with unnecessary payment options. Will shares what’s changing quickly, from network tokens by Visa and Mastercard to stricter PCI expectations for phone payments, as well as how improved reporting and AI-driven analysis are turning payment data into smarter business decisions. If you’re focused on checkout conversion, payment processing, chargebacks, FX strategy, or supplier payouts, this episode will give you a clearer framework for what modern payments should look like and where to start. Learn more at repayd.com The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds.  https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    1h 7m
  2. The Rise of Agentic AI Part 3

    6D AGO

    The Rise of Agentic AI Part 3

    Send us Fan Mail Agentic AI is quickly becoming the difference between a travel experience that feels generic and one that adapts to you in real time. In the final episode of our Agentic AI Series, Dan sits down with three builders deep in the work: Jeff Kischuk, CEO of Tripian, Jessie Fischer, Founder and CEO of GuestOS, and Marius Nigond, CEO of iWander. Together, they break down what “agentic” really means for travel in 2026, AI that can make decisions, not just generate content, and the infrastructure required to make it work reliably and at scale. We get into tangible use cases you can immediately picture, from iWander creating dynamic, in-destination audio tours and recommendations, to GuestOS running hotel phone lines with AI teammates that capture conversations and turn guest needs into action. We also explore Tripian’s role as the critical data layer, structuring and connecting travel data so AI agents can deliver relevant, contextual, and dependable experiences. For anyone in tours and activities, hospitality tech, or travel startups, this conversation shows how agentic AI can reduce friction while still preserving what travelers value most, meaningful human moments. We also take an honest look at the challenges ahead: fragmented tech stacks, overtourism, personalization that risks crossing into discomfort, and the misconception that any one company will “own” the traveler. From data ownership to dynamic, real-time itineraries, including complex scenarios like cruise timing, this episode maps the trust layer the industry needs before AI-driven booking truly scales. Thanks to Maya for sponsoring this series! 👉 Listen to The Rise of Agentic AI Part 3 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/

    1h 7m
  3. The Rise of Rail Part 3: Travel, Tech, and Why Trains Are Back with Frank Marini

    6D AGO

    The Rise of Rail Part 3: Travel, Tech, and Why Trains Are Back with Frank Marini

    Send us Fan Mail Rail is having a real moment, and not for the reasons most people think. The tracks haven’t changed, but how travelers see them has. In 2026, rail is no longer the alternative to flying or driving. It’s becoming the experience itself. To close out our Rise of Rail Series with Railbookers and Rail Month itself, Dan sits down with Railbookers CEO Frank Marini to unpack what’s really driving the rail renaissance and why more travelers are choosing the journey itself, not just the destination. We also get practical about the misconceptions that hold first-timers back, from “can you even get there by train?” to the real anxieties around luggage, station timing, and transfers. Frank explains how Railbookers packages rail, hotels, sightseeing, and logistics into one seamless journey, whether it’s a scenic route through Switzerland, high-speed travel in Italy, a North American classic like The Canadian, or a future-forward itinerary in Japan. Finally, we go deep on AI in travel and why rail is one of the most complex categories to digitize. Frank shares how his time studying AI at MIT shaped his thinking, how Railbookers is building internal tools like its Fast Track knowledge system, and where AI can add value next, from search and quality control to smarter, data-driven recommendations. Whether you’re a travel advisor, building travel tech, or simply looking for a better way to explore, this episode offers a clear view of where rail is heading through 2030. Learn more at Railbookers.com and Rail Month.  The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds.  https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    1h 13m
  4. Sell More Experiences: Why the Best Operators Are Getting Connected with Bokun

    MAY 14

    Sell More Experiences: Why the Best Operators Are Getting Connected with Bokun

    Send us Fan Mail If you’re still managing tours through email threads, spreadsheets, or a “Contact Us to book” form, you’re not just adding admin, you’re likely leaving revenue on the table. In this Company Spotlight, Dan sits down with Sam Jeffries, Senior Growth Marketing Manager at Bokun, to break down what it really takes to sell more tours and activities in 2026: instant booking, smarter distribution, and the connectivity needed to show up wherever travelers are searching and buying. We start with Bokun’s origin story during Iceland’s tourism boom and how it has evolved into a global booking platform used by both independent operators and major attractions. From there, we get practical. Sam explains why expanding your reseller network can unlock step-change growth, how to choose the right mix of local, niche, regional, and global partners, and how to ease into OTAs by allocating only a portion of your inventory. He also shares what the data shows when operators move from direct-only to a multi-channel strategy, and what realistic performance gains look like. We also explore how travel discovery is changing. AI planning tools and generative search increasingly favor businesses that are widely referenced online and fully bookable with live availability. We discuss Bokun’s AI-assisted onboarding, the importance of open APIs and standards like OCTO, and where collaboration across travel tech is heading. Plus, we touch on Bokun Launchpad, an initiative designed to help bring new experiences to market in partnership with the industry. Learn more at Bokun.io. The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds.  https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    57 min

  5. MAY 13

    The Rise of Agentic AI Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail Filters, dropdowns, and endless tabs are starting to feel like the old internet, and travel is right at the center of that shift. In the second episode of our Agentic AI Series, Dan speaks with Ben Manzi, Co-founder and COO of Maya, Michelle Denogean, CMO of Mindtrip, and Brianna MacNeil, Director of AI Products and Personalization, TravelAI, to unpack what “agentic AI” really means for both travel companies and travelers, especially now that AI agents can do far more than chat. They can pull real-time pricing, generate quotes, draft emails, build itineraries, and increasingly help solve the hardest part of travel, making decisions. We get concrete on where the value shows up first, eliminating repetitive, low judgment work across email and messaging, accelerating internal workflows, and helping smaller travel brands punch above their weight. We also dig into what needs to go right for trust, including grounding agents in real data, cleaning up outdated content, and selecting the right models so costs and latency stay under control. For destinations and marketers, we explore the emergence of a new “listening layer” within conversational planning, and why AI SEO and generative engine optimization now depend on answering real traveler questions, not just publishing evergreen content. Looking ahead, we discuss persistent travel memory and why the long term winners may be the brands that truly understand the traveler across contexts, not those that simply layer on a chatbot. We close with what must remain human, taste, community validation, and the on the ground moments that make travel meaningful. Thanks to Maya for sponsoring this series! 👉 Listen to The Rise of Agentic AI Part 2 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/

    1h 18m

  6. MAY 12

    The Rise of Rail Part 2 - Luxury Rail Travel: The New Golden Age

    Send us Fan Mail Rail is having a moment and not just as a way to travel, but as a way to experience the world differently. As part of Rail Month, we are diving deeper into the category in this second episode of our The Rise of Rail Series with Railbookers, this time focusing on the return of luxury rail. Luxury rail travel is back, and it is no longer just about getting from point A to point B. Dan sits down with Railbookers leaders Gareth Jones, Director of Product Development, and Tyler Wallinger, Director of Virtual Events, to unpack what “luxury” really looks like on rails today, from elevated service and spacious suites to curated off train excursions that feel private, personal, and unforgettable. Along the way, we spotlight some of the world’s most iconic journeys, including the Venice Simplon Orient Express, Glacier Express Excellence Class, Rovos Rail in Southern Africa, and India’s Maharaja Express. We also get practical about how a luxury rail itinerary actually comes together, why some journeys allow for five star hotel extensions and multi city add ons, while others are designed as fully immersive, all in experiences with limited cabin inventory and carefully choreographed schedules. Gareth and Tyler share why culinary is at the heart of luxury rail, with fine dining in intimate settings, locally sourced ingredients, thoughtful wine pairings, and seamless accommodation of dietary needs. It is hospitality on rails, where attention to detail and consistent service create an experience that can feel even more personal than a traditional luxury cruise. Finally, we explore who today’s luxury rail traveler really is, from milestone celebrations like anniversaries, honeymoons, retirements, and birthdays, to a growing segment of repeat guests who experience one iconic train and immediately plan the next. For travel advisors, this episode offers clear positioning language to help sell the category, including how luxury rail compares to river and ocean cruising as a luxury land cruise, blending scenery, culture, and storytelling just beyond your window. Learn more at Railbookers.com and Rail Month.  Be sure to join us next Tuesday for the final episode in our Rail Series with Railbookers. The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds.  https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    54 min
  7. Event Spotlight: Arival 360 Valencia 2026

    MAY 8

    Event Spotlight: Arival 360 Valencia 2026

    Send us Fan Mail Recorded live from Valencia, Spain, this episode brings together insights from 14 industry leaders across technology, distribution and marketing, capturing what’s actually working in travel in 2026 at Arival 360. Multi-day tours take center stage with Dan moderating sessions with leaders from TourRadar, G Adventures, WeRoad, Contiki, The Travel Corporation, Exoticca, kimkim, Evaneos, Evan Evans and more.  And in this recording these execs share the strategies driving growth today, from gateway products that introduce travelers to the category, to smarter tech stack decisions that enhance the customer journey. Want to dive straight into the conversations that matter most to you? Just scroll down for timestamps and guest highlights from each interview. And don’t forget — we hope to see you at Arival 360 in Spokane, Washington, this October 13-16 2026. Highlights & Timestamps 3m11s - Maya Patel, Sr. Specialist, Partner Marketing, Bokun 14m24s - Enrique Espinel, COO, Civitatis 31m44s - Brennen Bliss, CEO, Propellic 49m18s - Brian Young, UK Managing Director, G Adventures 1hr12m - Natasha Lawrence, Director of Product Strategy, Contiki 1hr34m - Tom Macklin, Managing Director, Evan Evans 1hr48m - Roberta Scott, Marketing Director, ATTA 1hr56m - Yenyi Fu, Head of Product, kimkim 2hr5m - Sarah Hillman, Director of Technology for CRM & Data, The Travel Corporation 2hr27m - Juanjo Duran, Chief Product & Marketing Officer, Exottica 2hr44m - Pere Valles, CEO, Exottica 3hr7m - Will Holmberg, Business Development Manager, Protect Group 3hr18m - Roberto Bermúdez, Managing Director, Go Nexus Group 3hr31m - John Boulding, Strategic Advisor The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds.  https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

    3h 43m
  8. The Rise of Agentic AI in 2026

    MAY 6

    The Rise of Agentic AI in 2026

    Send us Fan Mail AI that writes is no longer the headline. AI that acts is. In the first episode of our Agentic AI Series, we sit down with Gilad Berenstein of Brook Bay Capital, Tahnee Perry, AI Expert Consultant, and Christian Watts of Magpie to break down agentic AI in plain terms. We unpack how it differs from generative AI, and why this next phase is less about single tools and more about systems of agents that can take real action across your workflows, data, and operations. We also get candid about what this shift means for the travel industry right now. Gilad explains how agentic AI is reshaping startup economics, where technical moats are shrinking and advantages are shifting toward trust, distribution, customer lock in, and proprietary data. Christian challenges how travel tech teams think about capability, arguing that leaders need to understand what’s possible with today’s tools, not what was true even a year ago. Tahnee brings it down to reality with practical, field tested use cases, from data analysis and market research to automations that remove friction without losing the human touch. From there, we map the traveler journey. Discovery and inspiration are rapidly moving toward chat and voice, while booking still rewards simplicity and clarity. We dig into AI visibility, including SEO, AEO, and GEO, the importance of context, and why seamless human handoffs still matter when agents fail. We also explore why travel advisors are not going away. Instead, they are becoming more valuable when they double down on taste, judgment, and human connection while automating everything else. If you are leading a travel brand, tour operator, OTA, hotel team, or agency, this episode will give you a clearer lens on where to start, what to automate, where to stay human, and how to move forward without getting stuck in the hype. Because the real shift is not just AI getting smarter. It is AI getting things done. And the companies that understand that early will not just adapt. They will lead. Thanks to Maya for sponsoring this series! 👉 Listen to The Rise of Agentic AI 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/

    1h 15m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to our Travel Trends Podcast, the #1 B2B global travel podcast for professionals shaping the future of travel. Hosted by Dan Christian, this show features candid conversations with global travel leaders, startup founders, tourism boards, hospitality executives, and technology innovators. Together they explore the ideas, innovations, and strategies driving the next era of travel. Whether you're building a travel startup, leading a destination, scaling a hospitality brand, or new to the industry, you’ll gain actionable insights and real-world perspectives from the leaders redefining the global travel economy.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Christian
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    225
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Travel Trends with Dan Christian
  • Show Website
    Travel Trends with Dan Christian

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