Travel Trends with Dan Christian

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A sun holiday may look simple on the surface, but the best ones are carefully engineered. In this episode, we’re joined by Phillip Iveson, Director of Accommodation Product and Sourcing at TUI Group, to unpack how one of the world’s most vertically integrated travel companies designs package holidays that seamlessly connect flights, resorts, experiences, and distribution. If you’ve ever wondered why certain beach destinations surge in popularity while others struggle to gain traction, this conversation reveals how airlift, hotel partnerships, and customer demand all work together.
We explore TUI’s core sun destinations for European markets and why places like Spain, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico continue to perform year after year. We also dive into the “create demand” playbook, using Cape Verde as a standout example of how strategic investment, education, and access can transform an emerging destination into a year-round favorite. Phil also highlights rising long-haul demand, including Zanzibar, where travelers are increasingly combining beach stays with safari experiences.
From there, the conversation shifts to how all-inclusive resorts are evolving. Today’s travelers are less focused on counting amenities and more interested in what they can actually experience, from family-focused programming to elevated food and beverage that reflects local culture. We also touch on accessibility innovations like sensory rooms, along with how AI-powered search and in-destination tools are enhancing trip planning and support without replacing the human touch that defines great travel.
This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to design a seamless sun holiday, and why the future of beach travel is about much more than just the destination.
Thanks to Holafly for sponsoring this series!
👉 Listen to The Evolution of Sun Destinations with TUI 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/

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The American road trip is getting a luxury upgrade, and it’s happening faster than most travelers realize. In this Company Spotlight episode, Dan sits down with David Greenberg and Becky Goodell of Blacksford to explore why premium RV travel is emerging as one of the most compelling ways to experience the United States in 2026, especially as demand grows around Route 66, major sporting events, and record-breaking visits to national parks.
They break down what “luxury RV rental” really means today, from brand-new high-end vehicles and white-glove airport pickup to fully equipped interiors, optional grocery delivery, and 24/7 human support. What started as a personal RV trip during COVID in 2020 has evolved into a business built on a simple idea: creating customers for life. If your perception of RV travel feels outdated, this conversation will completely reframe it.
The episode also explores how travel advisors are beginning to package premium RV itineraries for clients seeking a blend of adventure, flexibility, and comfort without the hassle of constant hotel changes. From hybrid RV and glamping experiences to key gateway markets like Bozeman, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Seattle, this is a look at how road trips are being reimagined for a new generation of travelers.
Learn more at blacksford.com.
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. 
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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Club Med is one of those travel brands people think they understand until they hear the full story. In the second episode of our Sun Destinations Series, Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean, shares how a bold idea launched in 1950 built around sport, nature, and human connection went on to pioneer the all-inclusive concept that has since shaped the modern resort industry. What began as a simple, communal approach to vacationing evolved into a seamless experience where everything is taken care of, removing friction and allowing travelers to fully disconnect and engage.
Carolyne brings the Club Med spirit to life, from the iconic GO host culture to its distinct culinary identity and activity driven programming designed to create both freedom and connection. She also reflects on how Club Med helped shape some of today’s most iconic sun destinations like Cancun and Punta Cana, offering a behind the scenes look at how early development decisions continue to influence the premium travel experience today.
The conversation then turns to what travelers are seeking in 2026, including the rise of family and multigenerational travel and the growing demand for spaces that balance togetherness with individuality. From kids clubs starting as early as four months to adult only Zen zones and signature experiences like the trapeze, Club Med continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. Looking ahead, Carolyne shares where the brand is going next, from its Exclusive Collection luxury offerings to sustainability commitments, wellness focused experiences, and new global destinations that continue to redefine what all-inclusive travel can be.
Thanks to Holafly for sponsoring this series!
👉 Listen to How Club Med Created All-Inclusive Holidays and Continues to Lead the Way 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/

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A single incident can turn a “dream trip” into a legal and operational nightmare, and most travel businesses don’t realize where they’re exposed until it’s too late.
We kick off the 2026 Travel Trends and Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) Adventure Travel Series with an honest look at the legal risks behind every itinerary. Dan, alongside co-host Shannon Stowell, CEO of ATTA, sits down with two leading voices in travel law, Jeff Ment of The Ment Law Group and Chun Wright of The Law Office of Chun T. Wright. Together, they unpack what actually protects an adventure travel operator when things go wrong, from serious injuries to partner disputes to fast-moving cross-border complaints.
The conversation breaks down duty of care in practical terms, including vendor vetting, layered supplier relationships, and why tour operators are often held accountable even when a DMC or local provider is running the activity. They also highlight the highest ROI legal moves for small and mid-sized operators, such as clear and properly accepted booking terms and conditions, and the critical insurance conversations too many companies overlook, especially when it comes to exclusions.
Along the way, they explore why even the most trusted partnerships still require contracts, how settlement agreements can prevent repeat disputes, and how crisis planning doesn’t need to be complex but does need to be real, documented, and practiced.
The episode also tackles a growing trend in 2026: using AI tools like ChatGPT for legal documents. The group explains why generic outputs often fail to reflect the realities of your business, can create more work later, and may even compromise confidentiality.
Finally, the discussion zooms out to succession planning and acquisition readiness, covering what buyers are really looking for, from intellectual property and brand value to organized records and a clear understanding of EBITDA.
If you run tours, sell travel, or manage suppliers, this is a conversation worth listening to with a notepad in hand. Start by identifying one legal gap you can address this month.
Learn more adventuretravel.biz.
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. 
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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A career that starts on Wall Street and shifts into whitewater guiding sounds like a movie plot, but for Julie Thorner it became the foundation for building Liquid Spark, one of the most trusted names in adventure travel marketing. We talk about the moment she realized life is short, why she chose to walk away from “safe” roles, and how she built her agency as a single mom who needed both flexibility and purpose.
From there, we get practical. Julie breaks down what she sees when tour operators say their marketing isn’t working, from wasted Google Ads spend and unclear messaging to missing email automation, weak conversion paths, and websites that fail to answer real traveler questions. We explore what actually works in tourism marketing in 2026, including strong content strategy, SEO fundamentals, earned media, and building trust through clear, accessible storytelling.
We also dive into AI and marketing workflows. Julie shares Liquid Spark’s human centered, AI supported approach, why transparency matters, and what agentic AI means for the future of search, websites, and always-on traveler expectations. The conversation also touches on values in action, from 1% for the Planet to the Liquid Spark Foundation in Tibet, and why waiting until you have “enough profit” often means never giving back.
If you care about adventure tourism, growing a travel business, and using AI without losing the human touch, this episode is for you. 
Learn more at liquidspark.com.
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds. 
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/