Travel Trends with Dan Christian

• Innovation, Leadership & the Future of Travel with Erik Blachford

  Send us a textWant a clear-eyed look at where travel is headed next? Erik Blachford, early Expedia leader turned board member at Zillow, Hipcamp, and Fora, joins us to unpack what the future that actually works looks like — AI behind the scenes, humans up front, and real-world experiences that no screen can replace.We trace Erik’s journey from building one of the first online travel agencies to backing companies that are reshaping how people stay, plan, and explore. From outdoor escapes to modern travel advising, his perspective connects decades of innovation with what’s coming next.Erik shares how the smartest teams are using AI right now to compress product cycles, improve workflows, and sharpen marketing efficiency. He’s candid about the limits too, noting that most gains today are cost savings rather than new revenue streams. At the heart of the conversation is human connection. Travelers still crave reassurance, curation, and accountability, one reason multi-day tours remain mostly offline and travel advisors are seeing a renaissance. Platforms like Fora illustrate what “human in the loop AI” really means: powerful tools empowering trusted people. We also explore a growing countertrend to constant connectivity, including wellness travel, digital detoxes, national park road trips, RV adventures, and the return of small-group journeys. When travelers set their devices aside, communities form in trails, lodges, and around shared tables — and that’s the magic they remember.See Erik speak live at Phocuswright (Nov 18-20). Save $250 with code:TravelTrendsSpecial25. 👉 Listen to Innovation, Leadership & the Future of Travel Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Cycle, Hike & Adventure - The New Multi-Day Movement with Active England Tours

  Send us a textTravelers think they want Stonehenge - but what they remember is a pint shared with locals, the scent of wild hedgerows, and a guide who brings the landscape to life.In the final episode of our Emerging Multi-day Tour series, we sit down with Will Cairns, Managing Director of Active England Tours, to explore how a soft-adventure brand transforms repeat UK visitors—mostly American retirees—into lifelong fans through curation, kindness, and flexibility. From e-bikes and support vans to clever Sunday tour starts that lower hotel costs, Will shares the thoughtful decisions that create value without ever sacrificing soul.We also get candid about distribution, growth, and brand differentiation. With roughly 70% of bookings coming via trade partners and 30% direct, Active England is aiming for a balanced 60–40 mix. Will explains how to scale both sides by leading with guides—not logos—and designing themed itineraries that surprise and delight, such as pairing the Chelsea Flower Show with garden trails in the Cotswolds. He reveals why Avebury can outshine Stonehenge for immersion, how to expand beyond the usual hotspots into Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, and Scotland, and why standing apart is more sustainable than competing on price.We then go behind the scenes of Active England’s operator playbook—from choosing tech that fits your stage (migrating to Moonstride, layering Mailchimp and HubSpot) to hiring for empathy and building a strong management layer as the company grows.Whether you’re an emerging tour operator or a traveler curious about what makes a week in England truly unforgettable, this conversation is a masterclass in scaling travel the human way.For more information, please visit Active England Tours.👉 Listen to Cycle, Hike & Adventure - The New  Multi-Day Movement Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Event Spotlight: Arival 360 2025

  Send us a textRecorded live from Washington, D.C., Arival 360 is the premier gathering for what many call the “1% of the experiences sector.” This meticulously curated event brings together visionary creators, resellers, technologists, and leaders from across the travel ecosystem — from day tour operators and multi-day specialists to innovative startups and global platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator — all united by one goal: shaping the future of travel experiences.This special 5-hour event spotlight episode captures the energy and insight of the conference, featuring 15 exclusive interviews recorded on-site in September.Want to jump straight to the conversations that matter most to you? Scroll down for timestamps and guest highlights from each interview.Highlights & Timestamps:4m41s - Stephen Joyce, Global Travel Lead, Protect Group24m17s - Lauren Shannon, GM, Arigato Travel42m35s - Joe Pine, Author, The Transformation Economy1hr16m - Michael Zeissner, Managing Partner, FMZ Ventures 1h42m - Marica Mackenroth Brewster, CEO & Founder, Von Mack Agency2h 3m - Craig Dodge, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing, Phare, The Cambodian Circus2h24m - Cindee Brown Mills, Owner, Breathe Alaska 2h47m - Rob Keen, Co-founder, Project Expedition 3h - Arnaud (Arno) Azoulay, Founder &  CEO, Babylon Tours3h19m - Gabriela Radimáková , GabiGo s.r.o3h35m - Marc Eder, Founder, DayOf3h54m - Tony Carne, Co-founder, Videreo4h1m - Daniel Cerda, Founder & CEO, Eating with Carmen Food Tours 4h13m - Alex Ragin, CEO, Tourseta4h28m - Douglas Quinby, Co-founder & CEO, ArivalThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Uncharted Worlds: Perspective-Shifting Journeys with Crooked Compass

  Send us a textCuriosity changes everything. That’s the thread running through our conversation with Crooked Compass founder and CEO Lisa Pagotto, whose frontier-travel philosophy favors depth over dazzle and local impact over checklists. In this second episode of our Emerging Multi-Day Tour Operators series, we explore how she designs perspective-shifting journeys in safe yet overlooked destinations — from Papua New Guinea’s highland festivals and WWII relics to Mongolia’s sweeping steppe — and why honesty about difficulty, logistics, and culture leads to more meaningful travel.Lisa reveals the craft behind the brand: small-group tours capped at 12, a post-pandemic rise in private touring, and a rigorous duty of care that comes before any itinerary is built. For her, sustainability isn’t about box-ticking — it’s about keeping money in local communities and creating genuine cultural exchange. We also look at who’s booking these trips: often 55-plus, well-traveled, with a growing solo-female segment seeking connection, storytelling, and transformation.We chart what’s next in frontier travel — from the Balkans and the Silk Road’s five Stans to North Africa’s unsung gems like Tunisia and Algeria. Lisa also shares how she evaluates post-conflict destinations such as Iraq or Syria through careful risk frameworks, and why transparent pre-trip education turns hesitation into confidence. Along the way, a remarkable field story from North Korea challenges perceptions and captures the true spirit of perspective-shifting travel.Come for the inspiration, stay for the playbook — how to spot emerging destinations, build local partnerships, and choose journeys that make a difference. Learn more at crooked-compass.com.👉 Listen to Uncharted Worlds: Perspective-Shifting Journeys with Crooked Compass Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Girl Gone Global: Building a Bold New Kind of Travel Brand with A Dose of Travel

  Send us a textWe’re kicking off our new Emerging Multi-Day Operators series - spotlighting how a new wave of founders is reinventing group travel for modern explorers. The multi-day category is poised for growth in the next 5-10 years an impressive average of 20–30% annually, driven by travelers seeking deeper connection, curated itineraries, and shared experiences.In this episode, we meet Dr. Nabila Ismail, pharmacist turned founder and creator of A Dose of Travel, who turned her solo travel storytelling into a thriving small-group brand that celebrates belonging for South Asian travelers while welcoming all who share that spirit of curiosity and connection.Nabila shares how her first “MVP” trip to Bali sold out without even a website, and how scaling meant moving from spreadsheets to modern systems, partnering locally, and building SOPs that protect traveler experience. We unpack how A Dose of Travel differentiates through community rituals, women-only and singles formats, immersive local partnerships, and value-forward stays that prioritize culture over flash.We also explore how distribution is evolving beyond social—through tourism board collaborations, co-branding, and the growing role of travel advisors as travelers crave human guidance in a digital world. As multi-day travel continues to surge, A Dose of Travel shows how small, tech-enabled brands can punch above their weight - staying human, connected, and true to their mission. For more information on A Dose of Travel, please visit doseoftravel.co/.👉 Listen to Girl Gone Global: Building a Bold New Kind of Travel Brand Now🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoadThe #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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