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One of the more ambitious plans to come out of cruisingâs pandemic pause was from Royal Caribbean International: a world cruise on the Serenade of the Seas. It was notable for being an extremely long cruise, at 274 days, and from a contemporary line â a brand not used to the nuances of a lengthy voyage. And not only did Royal Caribbean embark on what it called the Ultimate World Cruise, it took on social media influencers who chronicled the trip on a day-by-day â and even hour by hour â basis.
The cruise wrapped this month in Miami, with Royal Caribbean brass joining the Serenade for its last few days down the eastern seaboard. On this episode, host Rebecca Tobin talks with Royalâs senior vice president of sales, service and trade marketing Vicki Freed about the endeavor: Why it was conceived, how it blossomed into a nearly yearlong cruise, a big advisor sale and lessons learned for a (possible) future world cruise.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com
Related reports:
Royal Caribbean International: www.royalcaribbean.com
A TikTok sensation, Royal Caribbean's world cruise comes to an end https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Ultimate-World-Cruise-analysis
Cruise Insight: A new era of world cruising https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Insights/Holland-America-world-cruise-new-era
The Ultimate World Cruise is a social media bonanza https://www.travelweekly.com/Richard-Turen/This-might-be-the-worlds-biggest-cruise-story
Michael Bayley talks Icon and the world cruise at CruiseWorld https://www.travelweekly.com/CruiseWorld-Coverage/Bayley-talks-Royal-Caribbean-world-cruise-and-Ikon-of-the-Seas
Travel advisor books top suite on Royal's world cruise https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Travel-advisor-books-top-suite-Royal-Caribbean-world-cruise
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Southwest is having an unusual moment: An aviation industry stalwart thatâs typically posted solid results, it has attracted the attention of activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which is calling for change, including the ouster of chairman Gary Kelly and CEO Bob Jordan.
In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin, aviation editor Robby Silk and guest Gary Leff, author of the View from the Wing blog, discuss Southwestâs headwinds, why Elliott is so keen to make changes and why Southwest is such an unusual company in the aviation space.
Update: On Tuesday, Sept. 10, Southwest made changes to its board: Six members will step down, and chairman Gary Kelly will leave next spring. The shakeup comes after a meeting between Southwest and Elliott, but Elliott did not immediately withdraw its proxy challenge. https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Gary-Kelly-out-as-Southwest-chairman
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com/agent-home
Related reports:
View from the Wing https://viewfromthewing.com/
Southwest meets with investor that wants a CEO change https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Southwest-to-meet-with-activist-investor-Elliott
Will changes coming to Southwest help or hurt the brand? https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/How-will-Southwest-changes-affect-brand
Southwest now displaying fares on Kayak leisure site https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Southwest-now-displaying-flights-on-Kayak-leisure-site
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There's been a rise in demand for all-inclusive resorts, which have gotten more numerous -- and upscale -- in recent years. But in a recent story, hotels editor Christina Jelski reported that at Hyatt, a major player in the market, growth in revenue per available room for its all-inclusive properties slowed in Q2. And we heard from executives from Hyatt to Sandals that demand is moderating or normalizing as the postpandemic travel boom begins to ebb.
Whatâs happening for all-inclusives, and what should advisors and travelers expect next? We talk about his vacation category with Jelski and Geoff Millar, co-owner of Ultimate All-Inclusive Vacations and Ultimate Hawaii Vacations.
This episode was recorded Aug. 26 and has been edited for length and clarity.Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways https://www.amawaterways.com/agent-home
Related reports:
After demand boom for all-inclusive vacations, signs point to a slowdown https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Slowdown-all-inclusive-demand
Travel's boom run of bookings may be tapering off this year https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Travel-boom-may-be-tapering-off-this-year
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode we talk about the evolution of the term âovertourism,â which has been used a lot this summer as the post-pandemic tourism boom has continued on. The flash point was protests in Barcelona, where protesters squirted outdoor diners with water guns and chanted âtourists go home.â But itâs not the only place where residents and travelers are feeling frustrated.
Our tours editor Nicole Edenedo, in writing about the Barcelona protests, wrote that travel experts "pointed out that a pitfall in discussing "overtourism" is how the term is often used as a blanket statement.â Today weâre teasing that sentiment out with Simon Hudson, a professor of tourism and hospitality at the University of South Carolina, and Tom Jenkins, the CEO of the European Tour Operators Association. and looking at the issues in a few big cities in Europe â Barcelona, Amsterdam, Venice to name a few.This episode was recorded July 30 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Allianz Advantage https://www.allianzadvantage.com
Related reports
Barcelona protestors use water guns to squirt tourists in overtourism protest
A focus on overtourism overlooks destinations' problems
Overtourism solutions: putting residents first
Dispatch, Venice: How the city enforces a tourism tax on day-trippers
Cruise control: Overcrowding, pushback and how the industry is trying to help
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Welcome back to the Folo by Travel Weekly. After our annual summer break, weâre back with all-new episodes! Weâre kicking off this series with a discussion into whatâs happening on Maui, a year after the devastating, deadly fires.
The conversation builds off a cover story written by news editor Johanna Jainchill, who is joined by Sherry Duong, executive director of the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, and David Taylor, marketing director at Maui activities operator Kai Kanani.
In the episode Johanna, Sherry, David and host Rebecca Tobin talk about the anniversary of the fires, why visitor numbers and spending on Maui is still below average, whether visitors are welcome on Maui, the perception of Hawaii as an expensive vacation choice and more.
This conversation was recorded Monday, August 12 and has been edited for length and clarity.Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Allianz Advantage https://www.allianzadvantage.com
Related reports
Going back to Maui, a year after the wildfires https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Going-back-to-Maui
On the Record: Ilihia Gionson of the Hawaii Tourism Authoirty on the state's tourism slump https://www.travelweekly.com/On-The-Record/Ilihia-Gionson-on-Hawaii-tourism-slump
Hawaii arrivals and spending remain down, a year after the Maui fires https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Hawaii-arrivals-remain-down-year-after-Maui-fires
Related links
Kai Kanani sailing and snorkeling tours https://kaikanani.com/
Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau https://www.hvcb.org/about-hvcb/island-chapters/maui-visitors-convention-bureau/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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On this episode weâre delving into one of the more unique aspects of the cruise experience, and thatâs the part that takes place on land. Weâre talking, of course, about private islands and private destinations: areas on land that are managed by the cruise line and provide a dedicated area and special amenities to cruise passengers.
Senior cruise editor Andrea Zelinski and Cruise Planners advisor Mike Matthews talk with host Rebecca Tobin about the appeal of these places, the explosion of upgrades and expansions and why this is taking place.
This episode is the finale to our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded May 23 and has been edited for length and clarity.
New episodes begin next week!
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Allianz Advantage https://www.allianzadvantage.com
Related links:
Cruise lines and crowd control https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruise-lines-crowd-control
The evolution of cruisingâs private islands https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/evolution-of-cruising-private-islands
Mike and Amy Matthews of Cruise Planners Fernandia Beach https://www.mmcruisetravel.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode we look at a company called Black In that's building tours to celebrate Black history and support Black-owned businesses in each destination. Our guests are the founders of Black In: Martinique Lewis, the creator of ABC Travel Greenbook and the president of the Black Travel Alliance, and Ashley Company, the owner of Jelani Travel. Tours editor Nicole Edenedo leads the discussion about Black In, how the tours are created and why.
In the second half of the episode, we discuss where the travel industry is overall in terms of diversity programs and inclusion efforts -- and what it could or should do next.
This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded April 23 and has been edited for length and clarity.
The Summer Series ends, and new episodes begin, later this month!
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Allianz Advantage https://www.allianzadvantage.com
Related reports
Black travel entrepreneurs launch tour company https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Black-travel-entrepreneurs-launch-tour-company
Shifting landscape of DEI in travel https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Shifting-landscape-of-DEI-in-travel
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Weâve got a two-parter episode for you this week. In our first segment weâre talking about one of the more heartwarming hospitality trends weâve seen recently: Dogs in residence at hotels.
Hotels editor Christina Jelski brings on Joel Morales of Castlerock Asset Management, which manages the Bobby Hotel in Nashville, and Rauni Kew of the Inn by the Sea in Maine to talk about some of the logistics of training and managing a lobby dog; how it benefits the guests and the hotel; and the rescue, shelter, training and adoption partnerships that all feed into this pretty awesome trend.
In our second segment: In a previous episode we had antitrust lawyer Scott Wagner and aviation editor Robert Silk on to talk about the Spirit-JetBlue merger, and within three days of recording both airlines announced the agreement was ending. So we brought them back for a talk about what may have happened â and how executives or boards might feel when a deal goes kaput.
This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. The Spirit-JetBlue segment was recorded March 5, and the dogs-in-hotels segment was recorded March 8. Both were edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. https://www.iberostar.com
Related links:
Lobby dogs:
Resident dogs bring friendly, furry faces to hotel lobbies https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Hotels-with-pet-dogs-in-residence
Podcast episode from 2020: Have pet, will travel https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Travel-goes-to-the-dogs
A warm welcome at Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa (featuring lobby dog Scout) https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Warm-welcome-at-renovated-Teton-Mountain-Lodge-Spa
Spirit-JetBlue:
Regulatory hurdles were too much for Spirit and JetBlue to overcome https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Regulatory-hurdles-too-high-for-Spirit-JetBlue
Previous podcast episode: Spirit, JetBlue and antitrust law https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/Spirit-JetBlue-merger-antitrust-law
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Imagine a guided tour, and your transportation is a Boeing 757 outfitted with 50 first-class seats. And the plane will fly you around the world in ultimate comfort to off-the-beaten-path locations to get rare glimpses of wildlife, immerse you in local culture and stay at fine, luxury resorts. Though it's not cheap to buy a seat on one of these tours, the world of private-jet touring is a steadily growing niche.
In this episode, Ann Epting, Abercrombie & Kent's senior vice president of private jet and special interest travel, and Rob Clabbers, the president of Q Cruise + Travel talk with host Rebecca Tobin about the type of traveler who books a private-jet tour, how the whole thing operates, the work that goes into planning and delivering an over-the-top private jet experience, the price of private-jet vacations and of course, the plane itself.
This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded March 29 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. https://www.iberostar.com
Related links
Travel Weekly's cover story on private jet travel https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Height-of-luxury-private-jet-tours
Abercrombie & Kent's fall private jet tour, "Wildlife and Nature Around the World" https://assets.abercrombiekent.com/pageflip/2024/Wildlife-Nature-ATW-PJ-2024/index.html
TCS World Travel https://www.tcsworldtravel.com/
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Earlier this year, Carnival Corp. ordered an 180,000-gross-ton ship that will be the fourth in its Excel class. The very next day, Royal Caribbean International came through with another order for another Oasis class vessel -- its seventh. And after the episode was published, Carnival ordered a fifth Excel class ship. These ships, which all clock in the 6,000-passenger-plus size, will join megaships from MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
With Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class Utopia of the Seas debuting in Port Canaveral this week, it seemed like a perfect time to revisit this phenom. In this episode, Host Rebecca Tobin, cruise editor Andrea Zelinski and Geoff Cox, the vice president of sales and marketing for KHM Travel Group discuss: What these ship orders mean for Carnival and Royal in terms of corporate direction and passenger demands; the prevailing love for big, big ships; and how far the industryâs come since its Sovereign days.
This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded Feb. 16 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. https://www.iberostar.com
Related reports:
Cruise Insight: How cruise lines organize megaships: Inside the 'zone' trend https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Insights/how-cruise-lines-organize-megaships
Carnival to add fifth Excel-class ship https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Carnival-Cruise-Line-will-add-fifth-Excel-ship
Royal Caribbean orders a seventh Oasis-class ship https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-orders-seventh-Oasis-class-ship?ct=cruise
Royal Caribbean sets a new benchmark with Icon of the Seas https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-sets-new-benchmark-with-Icon
KHM Travel Group https://khmtravel.com/
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What do Taylor Swift, March Madness, Formula 1 and a tiny weekend festival in Florida have in common? Theyâre all events-based travel, a category that is bringing in a tidal wave of business -- and standing the travel-booking process on its head.
In this episode host Rebecca Tobin talks with senior editor Nicole Edenedo; Kier Matthews, vice president of global luxury sales for On Location Experiences, a wholesale and hospitality supplier for sports and entertainment events; and Douglas Quinby, the CEO of Arival, about the types of events people travel for, whoâs doing the traveling, how much theyâre spending and how the travel industry should be thinking about catering to them, from stans to casual fans.This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded March 18 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. https://www.iberostar.com
Related links:
That's the ticket: Events travel hits the big time https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Events-travel-thats-the-ticket
Events travel is a hot ticket this summer https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Allianz-Partners-USA-event-travel-numbers
On Location Experiences http://www.onlocationexp.com
Arival's research study "The Power of Events: How sports and performing arts drive tourism" (for purchase) https://arival.travel/research/the-power-of-events-how-sports-and-performing-arts-drive-tourism/a
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Wellness travel is entering a new golden era: Spending is predicted to grow to $1 trillion annually in the next three years, according to the Global Wellness Institute. So what does it mean to travel for wellness in 2024?
In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin, senior editors Robert Silk and Christina Jelski and news editor Johanna Jainchill delve into their recent wellness-travel trips: Mindful surfing in Costa Rica, exclusive golfing at the new Sensei resort in California and a traditional wellness retreat in the Berkshires. What is âhardâ and âsoftâ wellness travel? Is wellness travel expensive, or is that just a perception? And for the skeptics out there: Do the treatments work?
This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded March 8 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by JOIA Aruba by Iberostar. https://www.iberostar.com
Related reports:
Diving into wellness resorts: Three editors sample three takes on self-care https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Diving-into-wellness-resorts
Wellness travel is still in demand, bringing new resorts to bloom https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Wellness-travel-new-resorts
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Wanted: Travel agency seeks enthusiastic advisors eager for training.
Good travel sellers need training â on systems, on suppliers, on sales tactics and more. How does a travel agency train up new advisors? How long does it take to create a great advisor?
In honor of the 2024 Power List of the world's biggest travel agencies, which goes live this week, we're celebrating great travel agents by reissuing this episode. Folo host Rebecca Tobin and retail editor Jamie Biesiada speak with Gayle Smith and Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel -- hosted by Montecito Village Travel, No. 40 on the 2024 Power List -- about their innovative partnership with the University of Georgiaâs hospitality-management program, as well as Smithâs passion for mentorship and which skills are critical to teach agents entering the business.
This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded May 9 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. https://www.globusandcosmos.com and https://www.avalonwaterways.com
Related links:
Mentorship brings on the next generation of travel advisors https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Mentorship-next-generation-travel-advisors
Prescription Travel: https://prescriptiontravel.com/
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Welcome to our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly episodes. In honor of Juneteenth, this week we're highlighting an episode about Henderson Travel, the first Black-owned, accredited travel agency in the U.S.
Among the topics owner Gaynelle Henderson and host Rebecca Tobin discuss: How Henderson Travel came to be in Atlanta in the 1950s, convincing Black Americans to travel abroad, its eventual focus on travel in West Africa, and the agencyâs work with Black giants like Martin Luther King Jr.This episode was initially published Feb. 20 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. https://www.globusandcosmos.com and https://www.avalonwaterways.com
Related links:
The first Black travel agency flourished, overcoming immense challenges: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/The-first-Black-travel-agency-Henderson
Henderson Travel https://hendersontravel.com/
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With this yearâs NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference just wrapped, it is a good time to look at the state of U.S. hotel business. And what we heard might surprise you. According to industry researchers STR, growth of RevPAR â thatâs ârevenue per available roomâ -- is now projected to be 2% this year, down from 4%. And luxury-hotel RevPAR growth is now predicted to be down 0.2%, instead of up 5%.
But is this downgrade troubling, or is it just a correction from the last few years of postpandemic growth? At the conference, hotel executives talked up the return of corporate travel, the growth of group bookings and the need to grow their brands' room counts. We delve into all that in this episode with Nicolas Graf, a clinical professor at NYUâs Jonathan Tisch Center of Hospitality, and hotels editor Christina Jelski.
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. https://www.globusandcosmos.com and https://www.avalonwaterways.com
Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a special sponsored interview with Globusâ chief sales officer Camille Olivere, led by Mary Pat Sullivan, executive vice president of marketing and partnerships for Northstar Travel Group.
Related links
Demand for U.S. hotels drops, forecast adjusted https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Demand-for-US-hotels-drops-forecast-adjusted
With leisure leveling off, hotel CEOs welcome a surge in business travel and groups https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Hotel-CEO-panel-NYU-hotel-conference-2024
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Last month ultra low cost carrier Frontier made a surprise pricing move: It introduced a package of fare products designed to pull passenger away from its traditional unbundled offering.
In this episode, Travel Weekly aviation editor Robert Silk and Cranky Flier founder Brett Snyder discuss with host Rebecca Tobin: Why did Frontier make this move? What are the challenges facing ultra-low cost carriers? And will there be a response from its nearest discount-fare competitor Spirit?
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands https://www.globusandcosmos.com https://www.avalonwaterways https://traveladvisorportal.com
Related links:
A new Frontier: Airline adds bundled fare options https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Frontier-Airlines-adds-bundled-fare-options
Spirit matches Frontier, ditching change and cancellation fees https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Spirit-matches-Frontier-eliminating-change-fees
JetBlue cuts cities and routes https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/JetBlue-cuts-cities-and-routes
Regulatory issues are too much for Spirit and JetBlue to overcome https://www.travelwekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Regulatory-hurdles-too-high-for-Spirit-JetBlue
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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On this episode weâre delving into one of the more unique aspects of the cruise experience, and thatâs the one that takes place on land. Weâre talking, of course, about private islands â or destinations â that are managed by the cruise line and provide dedicated spaces and special amenities to cruise passengers.
Senior cruise editor Andrea Zelinski and Mike Matthews, an advisor with Cruise Planners, talk with host Rebecca Tobin about the appeal of private cruise destinations, the explosion of upgrades and expansions and why this is taking place. Why some cruisers specifically seek out itineraries with private destinations. How private destinations are a solution to angst over cruise overtourism. Whether the private island concept could be expanded from the Caribbean to other areas of the globe. And how cruisers can find local culture in these places.
This episode was recorded May 23 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/
Related links:
The evolution of cruisingâs private islands https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/evolution-of-cruising-private-islands
Cruise lines and crowd control https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruise-lines-crowd-control
Mike and Amy Matthews of Cruise Planners Fernandia Beach https://www.mmcruisetravel.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This week we return to one of our favorite topics on the folo: The post-pandemic cost of travel. With pricing remaining high, we are continually asking our sources whether theyâre seeing any resistance. In this episode, Travel Weekly's hotels editor Christina Jelski and host Rebecca Tobin talk about whether travelers on the upscale and luxury end of the travel spectrum are beginning to balk at high prices -- especially those who might be considered "aspirational" luxury travelers. We look at a new report from Mastercard Economics Institute, and examine data from travel consortium Virtuoso. The conclusion? As they say .... it might surprise you.
This episode was recorded Friday, May 17 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/
Related links
Have luxury travelers finally hit a price ceiling? https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Have-luxury-travelers-finally-hit-a-price-ceiling
Mastercard Economics Institute's report "Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries" https://www.mastercardservices.com/en/industries/travel/insights/travel-trends-2024-breaking-boundaries
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In the past few years, travel agencies have been inundated with business from travelers seeking expert advice and booking assistance on their travel. At the same time, we saw an influx of travel advisors into the business and some career-shifting during Covid from people who wanted to follow their passions. But good travel advisors need training â on systems, on suppliers, on sales tactics and more.
How does a travel agency train up new advisors? How long does it take to create a great advisor? What do experienced advisors need to know if they're planning on mentoring someone new to the business?
In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin and retail editor Jamie Biesiada speak with Gayle Smith and Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel about their innovative partnership with the University of Georgiaâs hospitality-management program to create a travel agency internship program, as well as Smithâs passion for mentorship and what skills are critical to teach agents entering the business.
This episode was recorded May 9 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/
Related reports:
Mentorships bring on the next generation of travel advisors https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Mentorship-next-generation-travel-advisors
Prescription Travel https://prescriptiontravel.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Weâre talking about final rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation about when and how airline passengers qualify for a refund. This rule is widely seen as a win for customers -- but there is at least one provision of the rule that could make things tricky for parts of the travel-sales business. In addition, the DOT ruled on when flyers must be told about certain ancillary fees.
In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin goes over both rules with Laura Chadwick of the Travel Technology Association and our aviation editor Robert Silk.
This episode was recorded Friday, May 3, and has been edited for length and clarity.Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/
Related reports:
Biden administrations finalizes rule establishing airline refund requirements https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/DOT-rule-finalized-airline-refunds
New airfare refund regulations are a win for consumers https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/New-airfare-refund-regulations-strike-a-blow-for-the-consumer
Mark Pestronkâs Legal Briefs column: Is the DOT refund rule still anti-agent? https://www.travelweekly.com/Mark-Pestronk/Is-the-DOT-refund-rule-still-anti-agent
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