How do you redefine luxury hospitality in 2025? For Maud Bailly, the CEO of four of Accor’s luxury hotel brands—Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems—it starts with empathy.  In this episode of View From Afar, she chats with host Jennifer Flowers about how she’s reshaping luxury hospitality through bold sustainability, diverse teams and a global vision rooted in local impact.  In this episode you’ll learn:  The distinct identities of Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems and how they serve distinct types of travelers.  How Accor Group is utilizing AI to reduce food waste and eco certify all of their luxury hotels by 2025.  What it’s like to be a woman in hospitality leadership and why diversity is a must for the hospitality industry.  Don’t miss these moments:  [04:07] How Sofitel offers travelers a little bit of France all over the world.  [13:42] This hotel in Panama brought tears to the local community.  [16:34] What it’s really like for a female leader in the luxury hospitality industry.  [22:59] Why hoteliers need more, not less, diversity in 2025.  Featured in this episode:  Sofitel Cotonou, Benin Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama City MGallery Nairobi Gem Forest, Kenya Emblems Collection by Accor Resources:  Read the transcript of this episode Read this Afar review of Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo. Connect with Maud Bailly on LinkedIn. Explore the websites of Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems. Learn more about Accor’s upcoming openings in Prague, Jaipur and Cairo. Subscribe to the newsletter, Afar Advisor to get a smart summary of need-to-know information for travel professionals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne Kalosh is the editor of Seatrade Cruise News and she has decades of experience covering the cruise industry—so much experience, in fact, that she recently appeared on Netflix’s Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney.  On this episode of View From Afar, she joins host Aislyn Greene at Seatrade Cruise Global for a deep dive into the ways cruising is evolving to attract new travelers. From groundbreaking sustainability efforts to the growing influence of local communities—this is the future of cruising.  On this episode you’ll discover:  How Gen Z and millennials are impacting the cruising industry Which new cruise destinations to sail to in 2025, from Japan to Greenland Why Viking’s new ship marks a major milestone in the race to zero-emission cruising.   Don’t miss these moments:  [02:53] How local communities are transforming the cruise experience.  [07:03] Don’t miss these emerging cruise destinations in 2025.  [11:11] Viking announces a major leap in the race to net-zero cruising.  [14:11] Cruise recommendations for Anne’s celebrity costars, including John Mulaney and Quinta Brunson.  Featured cruise lines:  Viking  Carnival Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line Ponant  Explora Journeys Mitsui Ocean Cruises Four Seasons Yachts  Resources:  Read the transcript of this episode. Read Anne’s work at Seatrade Cruise News or connect with her on LinkedIn.  Explore 8 of the Most Exciting Cruise Destinations in 2025 Subscribe to the newsletter, Afar Advisor to get a smart summary of need-to-know information for travel professionals.  Dive into cruise news and resources on afar.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cruising is evolving—and appealing to more people than ever. Live from Seatrade Cruise Global, this episode of View from Afar, unpacks the cruise news and innovations that surprised and inspired host Aislyn Greene and Afar co-founder Joe Diaz, during the world’s largest cruise industry conference.  From hydrogen-powered ships to hotel brands getting in on the action, these are the cruising trends to watch in 2025.  On this episode you’ll learn:  What the cruise industry’s commitment to sustainability really looks like Why the value proposition for cruising has never been better.  How hotel brands and destinations are banking on cruising.  The unique access cruise lines can offer travelers in 2025.  Don’t miss these moments:  [05:43] This little-known secret is the most inspiring thing about modern cruising.  [10:15] Why the value proposition for cruising has never been better.  [11:55] The off-the-beaten-path cruise we can’t wait to book.  Featured in this episode:  Viking Ponant Paul Gauguin Cruises Windstar Cruises Atlas Ocean Voyages Aurora Expeditions Scenic Luxury Cruises Hurtigruten Seabourn Silversea Explora Journeys Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection AmaWaterways Four Seasons Yachts Resources:  Read the transcript of this episode. Explore more Seatrade content on Unpacked by Afar, like this episode about sustainable cruising or this episode covering innovations.  Dive into cruise news and resources on afar.com. Sign up for the Afar Advisor newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to View From Afar, a podcast by the travel industry, for the travel industry. In our inaugural episode, we hear from Barbara Muckermann, the first female CEO of Kempinski Hotels, a 128-year old global brand.  On this episode, Barbara chats with Afar senior deputy editor, Jennifer Flowers, about her plans to restore Kempinski’s luxury legacy, why places like Munich’s Nymphenburg Palace are key to the brand’s future, and what it takes to succeed as a woman—and elevate others— in the male-dominated hospitality industry.  Inside the Hotels Where History Happens On this episode you’ll learn:  How Kempinski hotels serve as cultural hubs in major cities like Bangkok, Istanbul, and Munich.  How a 128-year old, global brand plans to pivot in 2025.  Candid advice for women in hospitality and how Kempinski’s new CEO elevates future leaders.  How Kempinski Hotels Plans to Reclaim Luxury Don’t miss these moments:  [01:24] Liza Minelli and Einstein: Harnessing the past to build the future.  [04:46] What is the future of Kempinski Hotels? Think: the luxury of porcelain parrots.  [16:42] Kempinski palaces are cultural staples for travelers and locals alike.  [21:17] Advice on how women can continue to break the glass ceiling in hospitality.  Resources:  Read the transcript of the episode. Read Jenn’s ⁠feature ⁠about six women who are changing the future of hotels.  Explore Kempinski hotels on their ⁠website⁠ or ⁠Instagram⁠.  Connect with Barbara Muckermann on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠or ⁠Instagram⁠. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California's tourism powerhouse is gearing up for its biggest decade yet. In this ⁠IPW 2025⁠ episode,  recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, ⁠Visit California⁠ president and CEO Caroline Beteta sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how nearly three decades of experience has shaped her strategy for promoting the nation's top tourism revenue generator. Beteta reveals the counterintuitive challenge of mega-events like the ⁠2026 World Cup⁠ and ⁠2028 Olympics⁠—how they can actually deter leisure travelers despite the global spotlight—and shares lessons learned from Paris about maximizing these opportunities. She also discusses California's approach to crisis communication, from putting recent L.A. wildfires and protests into proper context to reassuring international visitors that "everyone is welcome." Beteta also highlights what's transforming the Golden State—billions in new infrastructure including LAX's $30 billion upgrade, ⁠Disneyland's 70th anniversary⁠ celebrations, and emerging destinations like the new tent resort ⁠The River Electric⁠ in Sonoma—all while maintaining the state's commitment to sustainable tourism through comprehensive stewardship planning. What You’ll Learn Though the fires in January 2025 were severe, they impacted only 2 percent of LA County Domestic tourism is strong in California—80 percent of visitors come from the U.S.—and, like many others, the state has seen a dip in international inbound travel. New developments are in the works, including a $30 billion expansion at LAX and a hospitality campus in Orange County. California is ready to welcome visitors before and after the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics Key Moments [09:15] Over 80 percent of California's visitors are domestic travelers.  [11:34]: According to Beteta, they have not had any reports of visitors on tourist visas being detained at a California airport.  [13:29]: New hotel openings include Gaylord Pacific Resort on the water in Chula Vista, just outside San Diego, and The River Electric, a glamping resort and swim club in Sonoma.  [15:09] Beteta explains that being green and sustainable is part of California's DNA, and that extends to the hospitality industry. Resources Read the transcript of this episode Learn more about Visit California Find Visit California on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok Read Afar’s recent California coverage 🇺🇸 America 250 Update: California will host several World Cup games in 2026 and LA will host the 2028 Summer Olympics.  Previous Episode: Kristen Reynolds, Choose Chicago. Up Next: Walt Leger, New Orleans & Company. Complete Series: View From Afar Also in this IPW series: Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, talking about Greater Fort Lauderdale’s impressive diversity, welcoming mindset, and beautiful beaches. Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chicago is poised for a global spotlight with the historic appointment of Chicago-born Pope Leo. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Choose Chicago president and CEO Kristen Reynolds sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how her unconventional journey from Arizona tourism to Long Island destination transformation has prepared her to lead the Windy City's bold marketing vision. Reynolds shares how Chicago is doubling down on its "Never Done, Never Outdone" campaign to celebrate the city's diversity and inclusion values, even while challenging false narratives about urban safety. Reynolds also reveals what's on the horizon—the Obama Presidential Center opening in 2026, America 250 celebrations highlighting Chicago's role in the nation's evolution, and the city's record-breaking $20 billion tourism impact—as well as her newfound appreciation for Chicago's unmatched culinary scene and James Beard Award winners. What You’ll Learn Three Chicago restaurants/bars won James Beard awards this year The Pope’s appointment will be a tourism boon for the city The ⁠Obama Presidential Center⁠ is opening in 2026 and will include a garden and athletics complex One of the biggest tourism challenges is a false narrative about the city’s safety Chicago’s biggest international source markets Where Kristen Reynolds takes her friends and family when they visit Chicago Key Moments [08:42] Chicago’s biggest tourism challenge is a false narrative about the city’s safety. [11:00]: Winter in Chicago may be tough, but this is when you’ll find the best deals and fewest tourists [12:08]: It’s essential that any elected official understands the value of what the tourism industry brings to the community  [13:42] Chicago had 55 million visitors in 2024 and saw over $20 billion in tourism economic impact. Resources Read the transcript of this episode Learn more about Choose Chicago Find Choose Chicago on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok Read Afar’s recent Chicago coverage 📊 By the Numbers:  Chicago has 77 neighborhoods and, in 2024, saw more than 55 million visitors.  Previous Episode: Stacy Ritter, Visit Lauderdale. Up Next: Caroline Beteta, Visit California. Complete Series: View From Afar Also in this IPW series: Hear from Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, about how this welcoming city is the birthplace of democracy. Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fort Lauderdale—Florida's LGBTQ+ capital—has proved that staying true to your values can be the best marketing strategy of all. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Lauderdale President and CEO Stacey Ritter sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how her unconventional path from lawyer to politician to tourism leader has shaped her bold approach to destination marketing. Ritter shares how Fort Lauderdale has doubled down on its "Everyone Under the Sun" campaign to celebrate diversity and inclusion, even amid challenging political climates in Florida—all while successfully differentiating the region from Miami as a diverse, more relaxed, flip flop–friendly destination. Ritter also reveals what's on the horizon—Fort Lauderdale is hosting IPW 2026 at its newly expanded convention center with an 801-room Omni Fort Lauderdale hotel on the Intracoastal Waterway—as well as her newfound obsession with pickleball and the destination's first Michelin-starred restaurant. What You’ll Learn How Greater Fort Lauderdale ensures visitors know that everyone is welcome here That Fort Lauderdale represents 170 nations and people who speak 148 languages, all united in making visitors feel genuinely welcome and at home An Omni hotel at Fort Lauderdale’s convention center opens in September 2025 Fort Lauderdale is not a suburb of Miami, despite what a map may show you That Visit Lauderdale is a tourism agency that leads with its values: being open and inclusive to everyone Ritter’s insider tips for the best of Fort Lauderdale Key Moments [04:25] When Florida's tourism site removed its LQBTQ+ content, Greater Fort Lauderdale—the LGBTQ+ capital of Florida—doubled down, embracing its history.  [07:31] A new facility has opened in Snyder Park with more than 40 pickleball courts, a bar and restaurant, and a lake with a beach. (You’ll find Ritter there.) [9:44]: Ritter reminders listeners that “failure is an option in life, but not trying is never an option”  [13:06] What makes Ft. Lauderdale so enticing? Warm water, top-rated restaurants you can access by boat, and great shopping.  Resources Read the transcript of this episode. Learn more about the Visit Lauderdale. Find Visit Lauderdale on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Read Afar’s Fort Lauderdale coverage. 📊 By the Numbers:  Broward County’s 2 million residents come from 170 countries and speak 140 languages. Ten percent of Broward’s residents are directly or indirectly employed in tourism. Fort Lauderdale has 24 miles of beach. Previous Episode: Josh Earnest, Executive Vice President of Communications and Advertising of United Airlines. Up Next: Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. Complete Series: View From Afar Also in this IPW series: Hear from Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, about how this welcoming city is the birthplace of democracy. Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The single biggest thing that will improve our air travel system and make it better for everyone involved? Government investment, says Josh Earnest, Executive Vice President of Communications and Advertising of United Airlines. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Josh Earnest sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss United's ambitious strategic vision, from massive international route expansion to onboard innovations like Starlink WiFi across their entire fleet. Earnest candidly addresses the Newark Airport challenges that plagued travelers earlier this year, explaining how government-imposed flight limits have transformed it into the most reliable airport in the New York area with 85 percent on-time performance. Drawing from his experience as former White House Press Secretary, he also tackles the intersection of travel and politics, discussing how changing perceptions about America affect international tourism while advocating for crucial air traffic control infrastructure investments that could revolutionize the flying experience for everyone. What You’ll Learn How United asked the government for help to deal with the Newark challenges How the pandemic changed the way United designs its route network planning That United may not have the cheapest tickets, but believes it offers the most value by having good service, reliability, and convenience.  That United flies to about 144 international destinations, 34 of which have no flights from other U.S. carriers.  That United’s 10-20 year plan includes not only offering the best possible customer experience but also one that’s kinder to the environment. Key Moments [03:46] Following challenges at Newark, including limited capacity and staffing shortages, United asked for and received more federal regulations for the airport.  [05:37] By far the biggest thing the federal government can do that would have the most impact on air travel is to invest in the infrastructure of air traffic control.  [09:26] 80-85 percent of United’s travelers are people in the U.S. buying tickets to travel internationally, so the airline hasn’t seen a huge impact from the major decrease in inbound international tourism. [10:43] Earnest would like potential international visitors to try not to judge the country based on what our politicians say or what they may see on social media, but to come see the U.S. for themselves. [12:44] During the winter 2025 season, United will be increasing its flights from Chicago to warm weather places like Florida by as much as 15-20 percent. Resources Read the transcript of this episode Book a flight with United Find United on Instagram and Facebook Afar’s air travel coverage  Previous Episode: Adam Burke, President and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board. Up Next: Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. Complete Series: View From Afar Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles is proving that resilience and opportunity go hand in hand. In this IPW 2025 episode,  recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Bureau President and CEO Adam Burke sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how L.A. is transforming challenges into catalysts for growth. From navigating the aftermath of January's devastating wildfires and recent protests to preparing for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, Burke shares how the city's incredible diversity—with residents from 140 countries speaking over 220 languages—makes it uniquely positioned as a welcoming global destination. What You’ll Learn Though the wildfires were catastrophic, less than 2 percent of the L.A. region was affected.  The U.S. has gone from having a $50 travel trade surplus to a $50 million deficit L.A. is the first urban destination in the U.S. to join the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. How Los Angeles Tourism helps smaller, diverse-owned businesses have better access to the power of tourism Key Moments [04:13] LA. is a true global city; residents come from 140 different countries and speak over 220 different languages. [08:08] During Dine LA restaurant week, Los Angeles Tourism and Bank of California were able to donate $100,000 to wildfire relief efforts. [11:12]: One of the most important things a tourism organization can do is be a trusted and reliable source of information. [12:48]: Over the last 15 years, Brand USA has generated $24 for every $1 it spent promoting tourism across the country.  Featured Topics L.A. as one of the most diverse and inclusive destinations globally The 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics How community support helped LA businesses recover after the January 2025 wildfires Travel and tourism as a form of diplomacy Where Burke takes his family and friends when they visit—all without a car. Resources Read the transcript of this episode Learn more about Discover Los Angeles Find Discover Los Angeles on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok Previous Episode: Bill Hornbuckle on the importance of government-travel industry collaboration Up Next: Josh Earnest, Executive Vice President of Communications and Advertising of United Airlines. Complete Series: View From Afar Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a casino CEO takes on America's tourism challenges? In this IPW 2025 episode,  recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, MGM Resorts CEO and U.S. Travel Association Chair Bill Hornbuckle sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss the state of international inbound travel. Hornbuckle has watched Vegas transform from a "free food, free rooms, come gamble" destination to a sports and entertainment hub where, for hotels like the Bellagio, 70 percent of its revenue is non-gaming. Now he's applying those lessons to America's bigger challenge: turning a $50 billion tourism deficit into a surplus while preparing for major events like the World Cup and America's 250th anniversary. With Chinese visitors down 50 percent, lengthy visa wait times, and travelers facing hours-long immigration lines, Hornbuckle argues that America's fragmented approach to tourism—spread across multiple government departments—is holding the nation back. His solution mirrors what worked in Vegas: bringing everyone together behind a unified vision. What You’ll Learn How spending in Vegas has changed since the 1980s What major sports events are coming to Las Vegas in 2025, 2026, and beyond.  That funding the FAA is crucial for increasing inbound international tourism How long it can take for a train line to open without public sector support That the U.S. tourism sector needs government support to survive Key Moments [04:45] In the 1980s, 80 percent of revenue was tied to the casino and 20% to rooms; today 70 percent of revenue at the Bellagio, for example, is not related to the casino. [09:51] How can the tourism industry work with the government to ensure visas are processed faster and airport lines move more quickly? [13:45] The Brightline train connecting LA and Las Vegas is $10 billion project 25 years in the making.  [16:52]: The U.S. Travel Association wants visitors to know that, despite the rhetoric people may hear, they’re very welcome. Featured Topics The way travel to Vegas has evolved in the past few decades The U.S. travel industry needs significant government support to continue The essential need for visitors to feel welcome, starting with faster visa processing How critical it is to have enough staff at airports across the country Resources Read the transcript of this episode Learn more about the U.S. Travel Association Find U.S. Travel Association on Instagram and Facebook Previous Episode: Angela Val on how Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy, is for everyone. Up Next: Adam Burke, CEO and President of Los Angeles Tourism. Complete Series: View From Afar Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Asheville, North Carolina, is known for many things: a pristine location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, an incredible arts and music scene—and more recently, Hurricane Helene, one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history. But since the storm hit in September 2024, the town has invested heavily in rebuilding, and it (and most of Western North Carolina) are eagerly welcoming visitors once more. In this special IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Vic Isley—president and CEO of Explore Asheville—sits down with editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss what she loves about living in Asheville and how community has been key to the area's recovery, with restaurants and farms collaborating with distillers and breweries in new ways, musicians signing on for a concert to raise money for recovery efforts, and so much more. What You’ll Learn That Asheville is surrounded by two of the most-visited national parks in the country How community was essential in Asheville and Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helen About Asheville’s role as a live-music powerhouse Key Moments [01:22] Vic’s top three reasons you should visit Asheville  [03:57] A beloved local restaurant is expanding and opening an oyster bar [05:22] Community collaboration is a major part of Asheville’s rebound after Hurricane Helene [15:07] Why an Asheville rooftop bars tour is a unique way to get to know the city Featured Topics The role that community played in post–Hurricane Helene recovery The importance of building strong relationships with partners Lesser-known ways to explore Asheville Resources Read the transcript of this episode. Find Explore Asheville on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok   Listen to Eric Church’s “Carolina” IPW 2025 conference information Want to plan your own Asheville trip? Here’s where Afar’s co-founders, Joe and Greg, went in January 2025. Hotels The Restoration Radical HotelThe Kimpton Hotel Arras Restaurants and Bars The Draftsman Afterglow Golden Hour The Med Chestnut Huli Sue’s BBQ The Admiral Ukiah Up Next in This Special Live IPW Series Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S Travel Association Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Philadelphia president and CEO Angela Val shares her hope that "everybody sees each other as human beings first." And she explains how Philadelphia's core value as the City of Brotherly Love means that no matter your lifestyle, religion, race, or ethnicity, "in this place you will be able to be yourself, feel a sense of belonging and be welcomed." Val sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss Philadelphia's "In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union" initiative, the groundbreaking TED Democracy event launching in June, and how the birthplace of democracy is hosting six FIFA World Cup matches, the MLB All-Star Game, and a supersized July 4th concert as part of America's 250th celebration. What You’ll Learn Philadelphia has James Beard Award winning- and Michelin-starred restaurants  TED Democracy and Visit Philadelphia have partnered for a three-year series of TED talks on the impacts of democracy. How to get off the tourist trail in Philadelphia Where Angela takes her friends and family when they visit Visit Philly and Angela’s hopes for the next 10 years in Philadelphia Key Moments [07:04] Visit Philadelphia signed a three-year partnership with TED Democracy for a series of talks about the impact of democracy. [09:23] Philadelphia is a walkable, green city easy to reach from New York and Washington, D.C. [15:50]  Philadelphia is celebrating 52 things that happened in Philadelphia and changed the world, like democracy. [17:30]: Angela would like to see Philadelphia able to put more into its artists, the people who actually produce art. Featured Topics Philadelphia is a welcoming place for everyone The city as the birthplace of democracy and the epicenter of America 250 celebrations Major upcoming events include the PGA championship, six World Cup matches, and the MLB All-Star Game Exploring lesser-visited parts of the city Resources Read the transcript of this episodeListen to Visit Philadelphia x TED Democracy  Visit Philadelphia’s site Find Visit Philadelphia on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube How to explore Philadelphia like a local 🇺🇸 America 250 Update: Big upcoming events for Philadelphia in 2026 include the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championships, and six World Cup matches. Previous Episode: Helen Hill on how Charleston showcases all of its history. Up Next: Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts International and chair of the U.S. Travel Association. Complete Series: View From Afar Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 19 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charleston hid their tea instead of throwing it in the harbor—and that's just one of the surprising stories that the historic city has to share with visitors. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Explore Charleston president and CEO Helen Hill sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to share how Charleston recently broke records for hotel nights and airport passengers—and how the city has expanded its tourism impact over the years. As Charleston celebrates more than 350 years of history and gears up for America's 250th anniversary, Hill reveals how the city ditched the "Moonlight and Magnolias" narrative to tell authentic stories—from their capitalist Tea Party to the Revolutionary War fort built with spongy palmetto logs that absorbed British cannonballs. Plus, she shares why heirloom tomatoes and Gullah Geechee cuisine are helping bring the community together. What You’ll Learn That Charleston is home to the country’s very first museum, the Charleston Museum. That Charleston is showcasing its true, sometimes painful history with sites such as the International African American Museum. The unusual role Palmetto trees played in the revolutionary war The country’s oldest synagogue is in Charleston, the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue. Key Moments [02:56] New luxury properties are opening, including a Four Seasons. [04:55] Explore Charleston’s decision to showcase all of its complex history [8:28] Some of the city’s most celebrated chefs are bringing Gullah Geechee food culture to a wider audience  [17:07] South Carolina’s deep agricultural traditions lead to plenty of local produce  Featured Topics The impact increased flights to Charleston has had on tourism The oldest museums and synagogues in the country The importance of reconciling with and showcasing painful history Visitors booking trips closer to their travel dates Resources Read the transcript of this episode Visit Explore Charleston’s site Find Explore Charleston on Instagram and Facebook See Afar’s take on what to do in Charleston 🇺🇸 America 250 Update: The fall 2025 opening of the Cooper Hotel on Charleston Harbor, a Revolutionary War site Previous Episode: Geoff Freeman on how the U.S. can welcome more international visitors. Up Next: Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia. Complete Series: View From Afar Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 19 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can the U.S. more warmly welcome international travelers? U.S. Travel Association president Geoff Freeman has a few ideas. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Geoff Freeman sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about the state of international inbound travel. As the U.S. travel industry works to recover from a $12 billion loss in international tourism revenue while preparing for America's 250th anniversary, the U.S. Travel Association is encouraging international visitors to book their tickets to come and enjoy a series of major events across the country, including two World Cups and two Olympic Games. What You’ll Learn What major events are planned across the country in the next few years How many trillions of dollars are spent on travel in the U.S. The importance of making travel to the U.S. easier The U.S. has competitors when it comes to international travel made easy Key Moments [04:20] Major upcoming events include the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics in L.A.  [07:25] Travel drives about $2.9 trillion a year in spending, supporting 15 million jobs across the U.S. [10:59] Travel satisfies a human need for connection. [12:32] The need for policy-makers to improve travel efficiency in the U.S.  Featured Topics The importance of making inbound travel to the U.S. easier A decade of major events planned to celebrate the country’s 250 birthday Why U.S. policymakers need to support the travel industry Resources Read the transcript of this episode Visit U.S. Travel Association Find U.S. Travel Association on Instagram and Facebook IPW 2025 conference information 🇺🇸 America 250 Update: Upcoming events include the FIFA Club World Cup this year, the 2026 World Cup, and the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. 📊 By the Numbers: Travel drives about $2.9 trillion a year in spending, supporting 15 million jobs across the country. In New York City, international travelers make up 17% of all visitors, but make up 50% of all spending that takes place; for Washington, D.C. that’s 8% and 25%, respectively. Previous Episode: Explore Asheville’s Vic Isley on the power of community. Up Next: Helen Hill, President and CEO of Explore Charleston. Complete Series: View From Afar Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America's birthplace of the revolution is writing new chapters while honoring its historic legacy. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of Meet Boston, joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how the city balances its Revolutionary War heritage with contemporary attractions and diverse neighborhoods. The conversation covers Boston's ongoing America 250 celebrations, which began early with events like the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party in 2023 and will culminate in a spectacular Fourth of July 2026 celebration featuring the World Cup and tall ships. Martha also discusses emerging neighborhoods like Allston-Brighton with its New Balance development and the Boston Art Triennial running through October, which uses public art installations to guide visitors through over 20 neighborhoods. Addressing current challenges in international tourism, Martha emphasizes Boston's welcoming message under diverse leadership and the city's continued appeal for business travelers, evidenced by major conventions like Bio bringing 20,000 scientists from around the world. She concludes by highlighting Boston's unique characteristic: the ability to experience vastly different cultures and atmospheres within a 10-minute walk between neighborhoods. What You’ll Learn The city’s governor, lieutenant governor, and mayor are all women 2023 was the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party Boston is planning a massive 4th of July celebration for 2026 and will host several World Cup matches.  This year is the very first Boston Triennial, through October 2025. Boston has 23.5 (yes, .5) diverse neighborhoods.  Key Moments [05:07] The city’s governor, lieutenant governor, and mayor are all women, and Sheridan credits this trio with helping make Boston an open and welcoming city. [06:01] Boston has been celebrating since 2023, which was the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. [9:02]: Allston–Brighton is one neighborhood that may be less known to tourists, and New Balance built a track there surrounded by a development with restaurants, shops, and activities.  [10:37] Sheridan stresses that tourism can support community needs by creating jobs, attracting new businesses, and helps strengthen local businesses such as restaurants.   Resources Read the transcript of this episode Learn more about Meet Boston Listen to Martha's podcast, Boston Found Find Meet Boston on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok Read Afar’s recent Boston coverage I 🇺🇸 America 250 Update: In 2026, Boston will host seven World Cup matches and has a blowout 4th of July celebration planned. Previous Episode: Julie Coker, President and CEO of NYC Tourism and Conventions, on how the city is unlike any other in the world. Complete Series: View From Afar Also in this IPW series: Hear from Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, on how the City of Brotherly Love lives up to its name. Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York City continues to set the global standard for urban tourism, and its newest tourism leader is ready to build on that legacy. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Julie Coker, president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions, joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss her vision for the Big Apple's tourism future. Julie, who started her role in December 2024, brings extensive experience from leading tourism organizations in Philadelphia and San Diego. The conversation covers New York's remarkable resilience and recovery speed compared to other major metropolitan areas, particularly following COVID-19. Julie also discusses the city's ambitious plans for upcoming major events, including hosting eight FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, celebrating the city's 400th anniversary in 2025, and participating in America's 250th anniversary celebrations with events like Sail Forth 250, featuring over 30 tall ships gathering in New York Harbor. Julie also addresses current challenges facing international tourism, including geopolitical tensions and visa wait times, while emphasizing her commitment to ensuring tourism benefits reach all five boroughs and underserved communities. What You’ll Learn Etihad Park, a dedicated soccer stadium, will open in Willets Point, Queens in 2027. How Coker and her team aim to spread the wealth of tourism across all five boroughs.  The big plans for NYC's 400th birthday celebration and America 250.  Key Moments: [06:28] Coker believes NYC bounced back from the pandemic more quickly than other cities because of “the diversity of the economy, the people, and the resources that we have.” [08:41] Diversity of offerings is key, and NYC continues to add new attractions, like Etihad soccer stadium, opening in Queens in 2027.   [12:09]: NYC will celebrate its 400th birthday this year on September 7th with a huge, free event around Broadway.  Resources Read the transcript of this episode Learn more about NYC Tourism + Conventions Find NYC Tourism + Conventions on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok Read Afar’s recent New York City coverage 🇺🇸 America 250 Update: NYC will host eight World Cup matches in 2026. Etihad soccer stadium is set to open in Willets Point, Queens in 2027. 📊 By the Numbers:  International travelers are just 20 percent of NYC’s visitors but make up 50 percent of its visitor spending.  Previous Episode: Tamara Pigott, Executive Director of Visit Fort Myers, on transforming southwest Florida into a world-class destination Up Next: Martha Sheridan, President and CEO of Meet Boston. Complete Series: View From Afar Also in this IPW series: Hear from Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO of Choose Chicago, on how the city celebrates diversity, inclusion, and the Pope (of course). Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Southwest Florida is proving that beach destinations can evolve beyond sun and sand while maintaining their natural magic. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Tamara Pigott, executive director of Visit Fort Myers, joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to share how she's helped transform the region into a world-class travel destination over her 25 years with the organization, including 10 years in the top position. Tamara discusses how Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island have become household names while balancing tourism growth with environmental conservation. The region stands out as the "seashell capital of America" and maintains nearly 70 percent of Sanibel Island as preserved land with strict building height restrictions. The conversation covers the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ian, a Category 5 storm that hit in 2022, and how the tourism industry has rebounded with over 80 percent of accommodations now reopened destination-wide. Tamara also explores emerging trends like solo travel and how the region's vibrant downtown districts are creating urban experiences that complement the natural coastal attractions. What You'll Learn Sanibel Island is home to the Bailey-Matthews National Seashell Museum with interactive experiences for all ages Nearly 70 percent of Sanibel Island remains preserved land with strict development guidelines Fort Myers has developed beyond beaches with vibrant downtowns, breweries, entertainment districts, and cultural attractions The region attracts visitors with household incomes over $100,000 who are seeking "respite getaway without a passport." Key Moments [Beginning] Tamara explains how the Fort Myers region offers a "natural experience" with migratory birds, dolphins, and manatees beyond traditional beach tourism [Middle] Discussion of Hurricane Ian recovery efforts, with over 50 percent of island accommodations now reopened and destination-wide recovery at over 80 percent [Middle] Tamara shares advice for other DMOs facing natural disasters: build deep relationships with emergency management, mayors, and community leaders before crisis hits [End] Exploration of solo travel trends and how Fort Myers caters to travelers aged 45-55 seeking peaceful getaways Resources Read the transcript of the episode. Visit the Visit Fort Myers website and social media handles. Learn more about the Bailey-Matthews National Seashell Museum on Sanibel Island. Explore Fort Myers' downtown district with the Luminary Autograph hotel and entertainment options. Discover Bonita Springs' riverside downtown area with breweries and parks. Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maine is proving that small state thinking can yield big tourism results while staying true to its roots. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Maine Office of Tourism Director Carolann Ouellette joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss her unique journey back to leading Maine tourism for a second time, having previously held the role from 2010 to 2016 before launching the state's groundbreaking Office of Outdoor Recreation. Drawing from her aviation industry background—her father was a Pan Am pilot and she worked as a flight attendant—Carolann brings a traveler's perspective to destination marketing. Her strategy focuses on connecting like-minded but disparate groups to create authentic experiences, from boutique hotels in historic properties to unique outdoor adventures. Under her "Forged by Nature" brand platform, Maine is positioning itself as a destination where landscape inspires everything from outdoor recreation to artisanal crafts and culinary experiences. What You’ll Learn Why Ouellette created Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation How tourism can really have an impact at a very local level in a small state like Maine.  Maine now has its first professional soccer team, the Hearts of Pines For America 250, the state is creating the 250-entry Maine Atlas. Key Moments [06:17] The state has had a lot of investment in historic buildings like windmills and mansions being turned into hotels.  [11:17] Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation works with high schools, community colleges, and universities to help students learn more about working in the outdoor recreation economy. [14:39]: The tourism office is focused on finding things that attract visitors that also have an impact at a very local level.  [16:12]: For America 250, the state is putting together the Maine Atlas with 250 entries covering its recent history.   Resources Read the transcript of this episode Learn more about the the Maine Office of Tourism and Visit Maine Find Visit Maine on Instagram and Facebook Read Afar’s recent Maine coverage Previous Episode: Anne Sayers, Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism. Up Next: Tamara Pigott, Executive Director of Visit Fort Myers. Complete Series: View From Afar Also in this IPW series: Hear from Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, on ensuring Fort Lauderdale is welcoming to every type of traveler.  Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wisconsin is proving that the Midwest can surprise travelers while breaking tourism records. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism Anne Sayers joins Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how the state has achieved three consecutive record-breaking years of tourism growth under her leadership since December 2020, expanding from six media markets in 2019 to 14 today while transforming perceptions of the destination. A key part of Anne's strategy has been reframing Wisconsin as a four-season destination, showcasing winter activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and cozy cabin experiences to combat the perception that it's only a summer getaway. She emphasizes Wisconsin's unique blend of iconic American brands like Harley-Davidson, architectural treasures from Frank Lloyd Wright, and genuine Midwestern hospitality that creates unexpected discoveries for visitors. As Wisconsin rides momentum from hosting major events like the Ryder Cup and political conventions, Anne's vision is to establish the state as a must-visit domestic leisure destination where travelers can "discover the unexpected" throughout the entire state, from the Apostle Islands in the north to countless surprises in between. What You’ll Learn:  Wisconsin is bursting with outdoor activities, including winter surfing and rockclimbing Wisconsin has a festival dedicated to when a piece of Sputnik fell in Manitowoc Wisconsin has 600 varieties of cheese. Wisconsin is the birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright. Key Moments: [02:38] Sayers started her role in December 2020, and Wisconsin Tourism has now had its third record-breaking year in a row. [06:49] Wisconsin excels in celebrating winter with all kinds of outdoor fun, including skiing, snowmobiling, and walking on frozen lakes.   [8:53]: Visitors can see Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and a school, place of worship, and conference center all designed by him. [11:13]: Wisconsin is home to the world’s largest refracting telescope.   Resources Read the transcript of this episode Learn more about Travel Wisconsin Find Travel Wisconsin on Facebook and Instagram Read Afar’s recent Wisconsin coverage Previous Episode: Brad Dean, President & CEO of Explore St. Louis, on the city’s incredible momentum. Up Next: Carolann Ouellette, President of the Maine Office of Tourism. Complete Series: View From Afar Also in this IPW series: Hear from Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO of Choose Chicago, on how the city celebrates diversity, inclusion, and the Pope (of course). Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Washington D.C. is proving that America's capital can separate politics from place while breaking tourism records. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, ⁠Destination DC⁠ president and CEO Elliott Ferguson joins Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how the city welcomed a record-breaking 27.2 million visitors in 2024, generating $2.3 billion in tax revenue while preparing for major events like America 250 and the NFL Draft. Ferguson, a seasoned tourism leader who's navigated everything from 9/11 to January 6th, explains D.C.'s unique challenge of marketing a destination that's both the seat of government and home to 700,000+ diverse residents. He reveals how the city's "There's Only One DC" campaign showcases its international character—with over 175 embassies and a thriving cultural scene—beyond the traditional monuments and museums experience. What You'll Learn Ferguson describes D.C.'s vibe as globally diverse, where residents embrace people from all backgrounds in a city with 175+ embassies. Prior to leading tourism efforts, Ferguson has been with Destination DC since 2001, becoming CEO in 2009. How to position D.C. as more than just suits and politics—showcasing neighborhoods, architecture, and local culture. Where visitors can experience the "real D.C." beyond federal buildings, including festivals, restaurants, and community celebrations. Key Moments  [08:45] Ferguson jokes about not wearing a suit on stage to counter the stereotype that everyone in D.C. talks politics and wears formal attire. [12:30] Asked about D.C.'s appeal, Ferguson notes that families might initially choose Disney World, but D.C. visitors are "wowed" by free, interactive museum experiences. [18:15] A big challenge is separating the 535 members of Congress from the 700,000+ residents who call D.C. home and embrace diversity. [24:20] Ferguson emphasizes that despite political climate changes, D.C. hasn't "taken our foot off" DEI efforts or run from the acronym. Resources ⁠ Read the transcript of this episode⁠ .⁠ Learn more about Destination DC⁠ . Find Destination DC on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠ . Read Afar's Washington D.C. coverage⁠. Previous Episode: ⁠Walt Leger of New Orleans & Co on recovering from crises and how his city is "built to host." Up Next: Brad Dean, president and CEO of Explore St. Louis Complete Series: ⁠View From Afar⁠  Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

St. Louis is proving that America's heartland is ready for a renaissance, blending iconic history with entrepreneurial energy. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, ⁠Explore St. Louis⁠ president and CEO Brad Dean joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how the Gateway City is reimagining itself as a destination for urban exploration while celebrating major milestones like Route 66's centennial and America's 250th anniversary. Dean, who officially started his role in February 2025, chose St. Louis over offers from New York, Chicago, and San Francisco because of the city's incredible momentum—including major downtown redevelopment, a newly approved entertainment district, and massive investments in the airport and convention center. The conversation reveals the surprising gap between visitor and local perceptions of St. Louis, with guests consistently ranking the dining, history, art, and culture as extraordinary. Dean also highlights St. Louis's remarkable commitment to accessibility—residents voted to tax themselves so major attractions like the world-class zoo and art and history museums remain free to visitors. What You'll Learn Dean describes St. Louis as the "original gathering place" where rivers converged and westward expansion began, now evolving into a playground for urban exploration. Prior to leading Explore St. Louis, Dean helped transform Myrtle Beach and rebuild Puerto Rico's tourism after Hurricane Maria. How St. Louis residents voted to tax themselves to make major attractions free, demonstrating the community's commitment to hospitality. Where visitors can experience authentic St. Louis beyond downtown, including unique neighborhoods with rich history and vibrant culture. Key Moments [03:15] Dean reveals that St. Louis was the first place he vacationed as a seven-year-old from rural Illinois, planting the travel seed that shaped his career. [08:45] Asked about St. Louis pizza, Dean explains how the thin-crust style originated from local farms and today Imo's makes every pizza downtown near the convention center. [15:30] Dean discusses how the gap between visitor and local perceptions is "as big as I've ever seen," with visitors consistently surprised by the quality of dining and culture. [22:40] The recently reopened old courthouse showcases consequential American history, including Dred and Harriet Scott cases and Virginia Minor's fight for women's voting rights. Resources ⁠Read the transcript of this episode. ⁠ ⁠Learn more about Explore St. Louis⁠. Find Explore St. Louis on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠. ⁠Read Afar's St. Louis coverage⁠. Previous Episode: ⁠Elliott Ferguson of Destination DC on separating politics from place⁠. Up Next: Anne Sayers, Wisconsin's secretary of tourism Complete Series: ⁠View From Afar⁠ Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Orleans is proving its resilience and redefining what it means to be "built to host" major events. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, New Orleans & Company president and CEO Walt Leger joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how the city bounced back from tragedy to deliver an unprecedented run of iconic events—Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Super Bowl LIX, and Mardi Gras. Leger, a former Louisiana state legislator turned tourism leader, explains New Orleans' unique "vibe," a place where music emerges from every corner. He reveals how the city's two-mile triangle connecting the French Quarter, convention center, and Superdome creates a campus-like experience with 26,000 hotel rooms, but emphasizes that infrastructure alone doesn't make a destination—it's the people who truly make New Orleans "built to host." The conversation addresses the New Year's Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street and how the city responded with defiance rather than fear, doubling down on joy in a distinctly American fashion. Leger shares current safety data showing violent crime down 70 percent and explains how the community rallied to successfully host major events just days after the tragedy, while also discussing challenges like balancing 385,000 residents with 19 million annual visitors. What You’ll Learn Leger describes the vibe of New Orleans as music everywhere, all the time. Prior to heading the tourism board, Leger was a lawyer and a state legislator. How to balance making New Orleans attractive for tourists while still supporting residents and local communities. Where you can find green space in New Orleans and avoid the French Quarter’s crowds.  Key Moments [04:02] In a two mile triangle, New Orleans has the French Quarter, the Superdome, and the convention center, plus 26,000 hotel rooms.  [06:26] Asked what is the vibe of New Orleans, Leger says “long before people were talking about work-life balance, we were living it.” [11:45]: A big challenge right now is short-term rentals, which can cause locals to see visitors in a less positive light.  [16:38]: New Orleans wants to ensure that one single act of terror doesn’t deter people from enjoying Bourbon Street, which remains very safe.  Resources Read the transcript of this episode Learn more about New Orleans & Company Find New Orleans & Company on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Read Afar’s New Orleans coverage Previous Episode: Caroline Beteta of Visit California on sustainable tourism. Up Next: President & CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara. Complete Series: View From Afar Also in this IPW series: Hear from Helen Hill, President and CEO of Explore Charleston, about how the city showcases all of its history, good and bad. Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buffalo is experiencing a renaissance that's transforming America's perception of this western New York destination. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Buffalo Niagara president and CEO Patrick Kaler joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how grassroots community investment is reshaping the city's tourism landscape. Kaler highlights Buffalo's architectural treasures, including one of the world's most complete Frank Lloyd Wright restoration projects at the Martin House the former Buffalo State Hospital for the Insane, which has been transformed into a boutique hotel and architecture center called the Richardson Hotel. He also explores the emerging African American Heritage Corridor, featuring revitalized historic sites like the Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum and Michigan Street Baptist Church, a former Underground Railroad stop. The conversation addresses Buffalo's current challenge—a 20 percent drop in Canadian visitation due to political tensions rather than economic factors. Kaler shares how the destination is pivoting to domestic markets like Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago while maintaining outreach to Canadian travel writers through creative care packages, positioning for recovery when diplomatic relations improve. What You’ll Learn Where to find Kaler’s favorite Buffalo wings  That the city is home to one of the largest and most completely restored Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the country. Buffalo has a rich Black history; sites include the Colored Musicians Club and Michigan Street Baptist Church, once an Underground Railroad stop. Key Moments [5:54] Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, which had been sitting vacant, was brought back to life thanks to grassroots investments and community organizing.  [09:13] Buffalo has been restoring sites central to the city’s rich Black heritage, such as the Colored Musicians Club and Michigan Street Baptist Church, a stop on the Underground Railroad.  [11:50]: Visitation from Canada is down 20 percent, due to political messaging. Resources Read the transcript of this episode. Learn more about Visit Buffalo Niagara Find Visit Buffalo Niagara on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok Read Afar’s Buffalo coverage Previous Episode: Walt Leger of New Orleans & Company on New Orleans’ unbeatable vibe. Up Next: Elliot Ferguson, Destination DC. Complete Series: View From Afar Also in this IPW series: Hear from Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Explore Lauderdale, about how Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes every single traveler with open arms. Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content. Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you build a travel company that prioritizes purpose over profit—and still succeed? For James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, it starts with transparency, ambition, and a commitment to local communities. In this episode of View From Afar, he chats with Afar director of podcasts Aislyn Greene about how he's steering one of the world's most beloved adventure travel companies through challenges like overtourism, climate change, and the evolving expectations of modern travelers. In this episode you'll learn: How Intrepid creates its annual Not Hot List of emerging destinations and ensures they're ready for sustainable tourism. Why the company banned elephant rides in 2014 and how transparency drives trust with travelers. What it takes to become a B Corp- certified travel company—and why it took three years. How Intrepid co-designs trips with Indigenous communities and women-focused travel groups. Don't miss these moments: [01:45] How James Thornton got into the travel space. [03:00] Examples from Intrepid's 2025 Not Hot List, including the island in Croatia that was a military zone until the 1980s—and why it's perfect for travelers seeking authentic experiences. [10:30] Why women are the primary decision-makers in travel and how Intrepid is responding with women-only expeditions. [18:00] The challenging three-year journey to B Corp certification and why it was worth it. [24:00] James's pandemic-era crisis leadership and his open letter to travelers. [32:00] The loneliness pandemic and why human connection matters more than ever in travel. Featured in this episode Intrepid's 2025 Not Hot List destinations including Vis Island, Croatia; Sierra Leone; and the Tian Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan Intrepid's women-only expeditions in Jordan, Morocco, Iran, India, Turkey, and many more countries Intrepid's Reconciliation Action Plan for Indigenous tourism in Australia Resources Explore Intrepid's 2025 Not Hot List Download Intrepid's open-source B Corp Guide for purpose-led businesses Explore Intrepid Travel's trips and experiences Stay Connected Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In July 2025, a video from veteran safari guide Nick Kleer went viral, showing more than 150 safari vehicles crowding a single wildebeest crossing in Tanzania's Serengeti. The chaotic scene sparked outrage and raised urgent questions about overtourism in East Africa's most iconic wildlife destinations. But the issue is much more nuanced. In this episode of View From Afar—the first in a larger safari series that will continue into 2026—Afar senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers speaks with two veteran safari industry leaders about the crisis threatening the Great Migration and what can be done to ease overtourism, while protecting wildlife and local livelihoods. Guests Nicky Fitzgerald - Co-founder of Angama, with 45 years in the safari industry Joss Kent - CEO of &Beyond, lifelong Kenya resident and conservation advocate In this episode you'll learn How social media's "seven-second soundbites" have reduced the year-round Great Migration to a single Instagram moment Why guides face enormous pressure to deliver river crossings, even when it harms wildlife The role of government regulation, park fees, and resource management in controlling crowds How global hotel brands entering the safari space are changing the landscape What travelers can do to experience the migration responsibly Key moments [03:13] How the industry arrived at this moment [07:56] Why this isn't just about river crossings - every major wildlife sighting faces vehicle pressure [10:16] The complex question of who's responsible: guests, operators, guides, or governments [20:28] The Ritz-Carlton Masai Mara controversy and environmental impact concerns [30:05] How to encourage travelers to see the migration responsibly [33:42] The role of social media [39:33] What's at stake if the industry doesn't change course Resources Read Jenn's full interview with safari guide Nick Kleer (who filmed the viral video) Read the transcript of the episode Learn more about Angama's safari lodges Explore &Beyond's lodges and experiences Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our other podcasts, Unpacked, where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠Travel Tales⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nayara Resorts is confronting one of tourism's most overlooked problems—the housing crisis that forces local workers out of their communities in remote areas—by building homes for its most vulnerable employees. In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Leo Ghitis, CEO of Nayara Resorts, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to discuss how the luxury resort group is addressing both environmental devastation and social inequality in Latin America's rural communities. Leo shares Nayara's 15-year evolution from "improvising" regenerative travel to implementing a 10-year strategic plan with environmental consultants. The results include planting 40,000 trees to restore a barren mountain in Costa Rica, creating the only carbon-neutral luxury hotel in Chile, and operating a 100 percent off-grid island resort in Panama powered entirely by solar energy. But it's Nayara's housing project that represents its most ambitious social initiative—subdividing land near its Costa Rica properties to provide subsidized lots and mortgages to female-headed households, with no requirement that recipients continue working at the resort. As Leo explains, meaningful luxury today isn't about escaping the world but engaging with it in a safe, sensitive way—and younger travelers increasingly choose hotels based on their positive impact rather than their amenities. What You'll Learn Nayara eliminated plastics 15 years ago and now operates carbon-neutral properties across Costa Rica, with its Chilean property earning the country's highest ecological certification The resort's reforestation project transformed a barren mountain into a thriving ecosystem with birds, monkeys, and sloths after 10 years and 40,000 planted trees Short-term rentals like Airbnb have created a housing crisis in rural tourism areas by pricing out local workers from traditional rental housing Younger travelers ask Nayara's reservation team about environmental and community impact before asking about rates or amenities Key Moments [3:11] Leo reveals how hiring environmental consultants transformed Nayara from "improvising" sustainability to following a strategic 10-year plan with measurable goals [10:36] Discussion of tourism's dark side: how fathers leave rural communities for city work and never return, leaving vulnerable families behind [13:00] The housing project details: providing subsidized land and mortgages to female-headed households with no strings attached to employment [21:09] Leo's observation that meaningful luxury has shifted from "extravagance and hedonistic luxury" to guests wanting to connect with nature, place, and themselves Resources Visit the Nayara Resorts website for property information Read an in-depth, first-person review of Nayara Bocas del Toro in Panama on afar.com. Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Explore Nayara's sustainability initiatives and community programs Stay Connected ⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Unpacked,⁠⁠⁠⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Langham Hospitality Group is proving that heritage brands can innovate without losing their soul, transforming historic buildings into contemporary luxury destinations while maintaining the personal service that defines true hospitality. In this ILTM⁠ (International Luxury Travel Market), recorded live in Cannes, Bob van den Oord, CEO of Langham Hospitality Group, joins Afar editor-in-chief Julia Cosgrove to share how he's guided the 160-year-old brand through thoughtful expansion that honors its British legacy while embracing modern wellness, design, and guest expectations. Bob discusses Langham's journey from opening Europe's first grand hotel with elevators in 1865 to current projects converting iconic buildings—from Chicago's former IBM building to Bangkok's historic Custom House—into luxury properties that tell compelling local stories. The brand now operates with what Bob calls "a British heart, an Asian soul, and a global mindset," creating spaces where posh pubs coexist with traditional Chinese medicine spas and cooking schools share space with world-class bars. Bob also explores the challenge of attracting Gen Z talent to hospitality through specialized academies and how the "Langham Way" of unscripted, authentic service remains the brand's non-negotiable standard across all properties. What You'll Learn The "Langham Way" emphasizes unscripted, authentic service where staff have freedom to engage personally with guests and tell their own stories Modern luxury travelers seek "freedom of time and freedom of space," driving Langham to expand room sizes to 50 square meters and invest millions in garden landscapes Langham selects properties with compelling stories—from Venice's glass factory to Boston's Federal Reserve bank—that help connect guests to local heritage The brand operates four specialized academies (Chinese cuisine, traditional Chinese medicine, pastry, and bar) to attract and develop young talent in hospitality Key Moments [2:30] Bob reveals why he decided to add a "posh pub" to the London property, proving luxury can embrace unexpected elements [3:37] Discussion of a guest's "love letter" describing how staff remember his martini preference and cappuccino style, embodying the Langham Way [9:53] Bob explains Langham's wellness expansion, from traditional Chinese medicine spas to pickleball courts and partnership with Sleep Matters for comprehensive sleep programs [13:27] The talent challenge: How Langham's academy system aims to make hospitality "sexy again" for Gen Z workers Resources Visit the Langham Hospitality Group website for property information and bookings Read our coverage of Langham on afar.com, including a conversation between Bob and Afar senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers. Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For more than four decades, Matthew Upchurch has been a driving force behind how high-end travel is sold, experienced, and understood. As CEO of ⁠Virtuoso⁠ , one of the world's leading luxury travel networks, he's championed human connection in an increasingly digital world and advocated for the enduring value of trusted advisors and transformative, purpose-driven travel. In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Afar cofounder Joe Diaz sits down with Matthew to discuss how the luxury sector is evolving, what personalization really means today, and where he sees the next opportunities for meaningful travel experiences. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping the advisor role, why debriefing clients is the most underrated skill in the business, and how intergenerational collaboration is breathing new life into travel advising. What You'll Learn •       Matthew's philosophy of "automate the predictable so you can humanize the exceptional" and how AI amplifies rather than replaces advisors •       The critical difference between service (what you do) and hospitality (how you make someone feel doing it) •       Why the quality of the post-trip debrief is the number one factor that separates transactional agents from trusted advisors •       The concept of "unique ability teams" and why pairing right-brain relationship builders with left-brain logistics experts creates exponential value •       How the travel advisor profession has evolved from GDS "human ATMs" to unchained creative professionals •       The "FOMO to Slowmo" trend and other shifts in how luxury travelers approach their journeys Key Moments •       [02:00] Matthew introduces his most quoted line: "Automate the predictable so that you can humanize the exceptional" •       [03:30] Will Guidara's definition of hospitality: "Service is that thing you do. Hospitality is how you make somebody feel doing that thing you do" •       [05:00] The framework: what do you do before, during, and after travel—and why the debrief matters most •       [08:00] Anne Scully's game-changing question: "If you could change one thing about that trip, what would it be?" •       [09:30] The evolution of travel advisors from the 1950s Pan Am era through GDS to the iPhone-enabled present •       [12:00] The unique ability concept: what drains you vs. what recharges you, and building teams around this distinction •       [14:00] Chip Conley's wisdom: "I'll lend you some of my EQ for some of your DQ"—the power of intergenerational collaboration •       [18:00] The creative tension of sophisticated travelers: returning to beloved places vs. exploring the new •       [20:00] Why advisors should help clients think strategically about their "most valuable non-renewable asset"—free leisure time Resources •       Learn more about Virtuoso and their global network of travel advisors •       Read Patrick Lencioni's The Advantage and Five Dysfunctions of a Team, referenced by Matthew •       Explore Chip Conley's book Wisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder •       Learn about ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected ⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠ ⁠Unpacked,⁠⁠⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matter of Form is proving that luxury travel brands need therapy—not to fix what's broken, but to discover what makes them singular in a sea of "elevated experiences" and "art of luxury" clichés. In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Anant Sharma, founder and CEO of Matter of Form, joins Afar cofounder Joe Diaz to dissect why luxury hospitality has become awash with homogenized language and how brands can reclaim their confidence through clarity of purpose. With 60 people working across continents, the London-based Matter of Form has transformed hospitality giants like Aman Resorts, Belmond, Mandarin Oriental, and Lindblad by finding the unspoken truths within organizations. The conversation explores luxury travel's eight percent compound annual growth and $1.38 trillion market size, and why bigger isn't always better when everyone's competing with identical promises. What You'll Learn The luxury travel market's growth creates more competition and pushes brands toward clichéd language like "elevated experiences" and "being in the heart of" destinations Successful luxury brands must identify which aspect of their guests' personality they're appealing to and deliver on that singular promise Matter of Form provides three key values: outside perspective, forcing clients to make time for change, and understanding what's not explicitly stated Organizational design and stakeholder values reveal more about a brand's true identity than their marketing materials Key Moments [2:25] Anant traces his path from magazine-obsessed kid with authority issues to luxury brand consultant via a 10-year transformation journey with Aman Resorts [7:36] The homogenization problem: "You can't tell people how to feel. You need to invite them into a stage that makes them feel something" [10:17] Why branding is like therapy: helping intelligent, creative leaders see past their blind spots and find what's naturally special about their culture [12:20] Joe identifies the core issue: luxury brands lack confidence to step into who they truly are, and matter of form gives them permission to be themselves Resources Visit the Matter of Form website for case studies and insights Listen to Anant's podcast, What The Luxe, exploring modern luxury concepts Learn about ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected ⁠Sign up⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠ ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts,⁠ ⁠Unpacked,⁠⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and⁠ ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AmaWaterways is expanding river cruising's appeal beyond its traditional audience, drawing in solo travelers, active families, and wellness-focused guests who are discovering this style of travel for the first time. In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode, recorded live in Cannes, Catherine Powell, the new CEO of AmaWaterways, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to reveal the brand's fresh visual identity and expansion plans, including eight new European ships and pioneering Colombian routes. Catherine brings expertise from Disney Parks and Airbnb to the family-founded company, applying her knowledge of memorable guest experiences to river cruising. Under her leadership since early 2025, AmaWaterways is cutting through the "sea of sameness" with distinctive branding and curated experiences, from Smithsonian journeys to Soulful Experiences cruises celebrating Black culture. The conversation also explores the brand's pioneering spirit—and how it maintains intimacy while scaling. What You'll Learn AmaWaterways is launching several new ships through 2027, including the AmaRudi (named after co-founder Rudi Schreiner) Every AmaWaterways ship has a dedicated wellness host leading programs from morning yoga to differentiated hiking levels for "gentle walkers" and active adventurers The brand offers specialized cruises including Adventures by Disney partnerships, Soulful Experiences, Latin Touch, and Smithsonian Journeys to connect like-minded travelers Solo travelers are thoughtfully accommodated with dedicated tours, strategic table arrangements with a fifth chair, and inclusive programming during holidays Key Moments [1:59] Catherine unveils AmaWaterways' brand refresh at ILTM, explaining the need to stand out in a market full of "blue and gold sameness" [4:26] Discussion of Catherine's Disney and Airbnb background: deconstructing hospitality to its core elements of welcome, communication, care, and surprise [6:18] Julia shares her personal experience sailing with young children, highlighting how crew members embodied the family-founded company's warmth [13:35] What wellness on board looks and feels like [16:31] Catherine's vision for innovation: from Colombia's Magdalena River infrastructure to using AI to enhance rather than replace human connections Resources Visit the AmaWaterways website for cruise information and bookings Explore our river cruise coverage featuring AmaWaterways on afar.com Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forbes Travel Guide has been the gold standard for luxury hotel ratings for more than 60 years, and its anonymous inspections remain one of the travel industry's most influential forces. In this ⁠ILTM⁠ (International Luxury Travel Market) episode, recorded live in Cannes, Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, joins Afar co-founder Joe Diaz to reveal how the guide maintains its integrity while expanding beyond hotels into cruise lines, air travel, and emerging luxury categories. The conversation covers how Forbes protects inspector anonymity—even from Hermann himself—and why the Standards Advisory Committee includes industry voices to ensure ratings evolve with traveler expectations. Hermann also explores how the five-star standard has become synonymous with excellence across industries and shares its expansion into river cruises, the Edge List for emerging properties, Star Bars, and the Icons List for legendary establishments. What You'll Learn Forbes Travel Guide inspectors remain anonymous even to the CEO, with only two people knowing their identities to maintain rating integrity Service accounts for the majority of scoring over facilities—a property can have dated décor but achieve five stars through exceptional service The Guide has expanded to include Verified Air Travel Awards, cruise and river cruise ratings, the Edge List for up-and-coming properties, Star Bars, and the Icons List Standards evolve through an industry Advisory Committee that ensures ratings reflect current luxury expectations while maintaining consistency Key Moments [3:28] Discussion of how Forbes maintains inspector anonymity and why third-party verification matters more than ever in the age of online reviews [6:11] Hermann reveals the Guide's expansion strategy: cruise lines, air travel awards, Edge List, Star Bars, and Icons List to cover the full luxury travel journey [10:11] Behind the curtains of how these iconic lists come together. Resources Visit the Forbes Travel Guide website for star ratings and travel planning Explore the Verified Air Travel Awards and Edge List for emerging properties Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. View From Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fora Travel is proving that the travel advisor industry can evolve beyond traditional gatekeeping while maintaining professional excellence. In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode—recorded live in Cannes—Henley Vazquez, cofounder of Fora Travel, joins Afar cofounder Joe Diaz to share how she's transforming a legacy industry by saying "yes" to a new generation of travel entrepreneurs who don't fit the traditional full-time advisor mold. Henley discusses her journey from running a traditional agency to launching Fora in 2021, frustrated by having to turn away talented people who couldn't commit to full-time travel planning due to other careers or family obligations. The conversation covers Fora's innovative technology like "bookable quotes" that update in real-time, price monitoring AI that alerts clients to rate changes, and how the platform turns advisors into "wingpeople" rather than middlemen. Henley also explores the challenge of maintaining community intimacy while scaling to thousands of advisors and why transparency and human connection remain essential even as AI transforms the industry. What You'll Learn Fora operates as a host agency with a $299 annual membership fee, splitting commissions with advisors while handling all back-office operations The platform's "bookable quote" feature allows clients to book travel in real-time while keeping advisors in the loop for expert guidance Fora employs 180 staff members, with half being engineers focused on modernizing legacy travel technology Price monitoring AI tracks all bookings and alerts advisors and clients when rates change by more than 5 percent or $50 Key Moments [2:01] Henley explains how COVID pushed her to rethink the industry: "I was tired of saying no to people" who had travel expertise but couldn't work traditional advisor hours [5:59] Joe reveals he's actually a Fora advisor himself, surprising Henley and demonstrating the platform's accessibility to non-traditional users [8:41] Discussion of scaling community through chapters, with local leaders organizing everything from partner events to hiking meetups across 92 countries [12:37] Henley's vision for advisors as "wingpeople not middlemen"—using technology to handle administrative tasks while humans provide expertise when it matters most Resources Visit the Fora Travel website to learn about becoming an advisor Explore Fora's annual conference that grew from 40 to 800-plus attendees Learn about ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and part of the Airwave Media podcast network. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland with assistance from Jenn Flowers, Julia Cosgrove, and Joe Diaz. View From Afar is part of⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Visit Austin president and CEO Tom Noonan sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about a city that's in the middle of one of the most ambitious reinventions of any major American destination—and how it's keeping momentum without its biggest meeting venue. Tom has led Visit Austin since 2016, though his career in destination marketing spans nearly four decades. Under his leadership, Austin has more than doubled its downtown hotel inventory, hit record convention bookings, and launched the Visit Austin Foundation. But he's also navigating the $1.6 billion Unconventional ATX project—a complete tear-down and rebuild of the Austin Convention Center. The old building came down in April 2025; the new one opens in 2029. In the meantime, Austin is competing for major events without its largest meeting venue, even as it adds 36 airport gates, three new arenas, a stadium expansion, light rail to the airport, and a redesigned downtown. In this conversation, Tom and Billie discuss How Austin is filling the 40-month convention center gap with "miniwides"—campus-style events that split a single convention across two or three hotels, taking inspiration from how South by Southwest already operates The new Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID), which is generating $20 million a year in additional marketing budget and earmarking a portion of new revenue to help end homelessness in the city Why Austin's international markets are holding steady (and in some cases growing), including a new daily British Airways flight from London and a new Porter flight from Toronto The arrival of the Michelin Guide in Texas and what it's done for Austin's culinary reputation—including the first three barbecue restaurants in the world to receive a Michelin star The city's full 2031 transformation, including the new Waterloo Greenway, a rebuilt 6th Street, a new convention center designed as part of a park, and an old historic home—belonging to Austin's first female teacher—that will be incorporated into the convention center plaza How Visit Austin is approaching the World Cup year (Austin isn't a host city, but it'll host Saudi Arabia for training) and what's planned for America 250 Resources Afar guide to Austin Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Colorado Tourism Office director Timothy Wolfe sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about a state that's been ahead of the curve on managing tourism, not just marketing it—and what that's getting them. Tim took the director role in 2021 after a long career in Colorado hospitality, including a run at the legendary Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. He arrived as the state was reckoning with the pandemic-era boom on its mountain towns, and made destination stewardship a centerpiece of the office's work. In 2024, Colorado welcomed 95.4 million visitors, and 2025 is tracking similarly. Tim is also a commissioner for Colorado's 2026 celebration, which marks both America's 250th anniversary and Colorado's 150th year of statehood. In this conversation, Tim and Michelle discuss How Colorado is bucking the international-arrivals decline, with steady Canadian and Mexican visitation and a growing list of direct international flights into Denver The Do Colorado Right framework—a non-finger-wagging approach to destination stewardship that partners with everyone from the Colorado Department of Transportation to individual mountain communities How Colorado's destination stewardship strategic plan, built with thousands of resident inputs across regions, gives even the smallest cities a five-to-ten-year tourism growth roadmap The state's growing rail story: light rail from Denver airport to Union Station, Amtrak, the Winter Park ski train, and rail expansion along the Front Range and to the western slope A 150-stop digital passport program with United Airlines, 150 drone shows scored to John Denver, and the rest of the sesquisemiquincentennial calendar A new dedicated women's soccer stadium in Denver—the first of its kind—and what it means for Colorado as a sports destination heading into the World Cup year Resources The Afar guide to Colorado Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you tell your state's tourism story when the national headlines aren't telling it for you? Lauren Bennett McGinty, executive director of Explore Minnesota, has spent the past year doing exactly that: leaning into authenticity, neighborliness, and the everyday people who make Minnesota, Minnesota. In this IPW 2026 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Fort Lauderdale, Bennett McGinty sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about leading a state tourism agency through a year of federal enforcement activity, tensions with Canada, and the Boundary Waters mining ruling. She walks through the Come Visit Your Neighbors campaign — Explore Minnesota's "love letter" to the state — how it came together in a matter of weeks, and why grounding tourism marketing in real people and real stories has become her playbook for navigating crisis. Episode highlights Why Bennett McGinty calls Come Visit Your Neighbors a "love letter to Minnesota" — and how it came together as a rapid-response bridge campaign How the Star of the North campaign laid the authenticity groundwork that made the neighbors pivot possible The numbers behind the campaign: 900,000 people reached, nearly 30,000 clicks, and a 9.5 percent engagement rate in just two weeks Why Explore Minnesota markets relocation alongside tourism — and how the halo effect helped flip the state's net migration positive for the first time in six years How the team responded to Google Gemini cutting click-through rates by 40 percent, and what they're learning about AI as a moving target Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar 00:01:50 The Tough Year Behind the Headlines 00:05:30 Defining Neighborism 00:07:30 A Love Letter to Minnesota 00:11:30 Why People Are Moving There 00:14:40 Small Towns, Big Nutcrackers 00:17:20 Lessons for Other Destinations Resources Visit Explore Minnesota Find Explore Minnesota on Instagram and Facebook Explore Afar's Minnesota travel guide ✨ Joy & Connection: Bennett McGinty's pitch for joyful Minnesota travel runs from the giant trolls in Detroit Lakes to a 20-foot nutcracker being built in Luverne (yes, it will actually crack nuts), plus small-town charm, big-city amenities, and a state full of James Beard winners now that Michelin is heading to the Great Lakes. 🌍 Welcoming the World: At a moment when international travelers are looking for safety, nature, and genuine experience, Bennett McGinty says Minnesota's authenticity-first approach is doing the work. 🤝 Neighborism: Adam Serwer coined "neighborism" in The Atlantic to describe what Minnesotans were doing for each other during a difficult winter. Bennett McGinty's team built a campaign around it — featuring Chef Yia Vang, Olympian Jessie Diggins, and former Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak — to remind travelers that "Minnesota nice" isn't passive, it's vehement. They'll push you out of the snowbank even if they think it's ridiculous how you got into it. Episode Navigation Previous Episode: Domenic Bravo, Director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism Up Next: John Urdi, President and CEO of Visit Huntington Beach Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does a state defined by wide-open spaces and authentic Western culture welcome the world, without losing what makes it Wyoming? Domenic Bravo, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism, has a clear answer: open the front door wider, but invite people to explore the whole house. In this IPW 2026 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Fort Lauderdale, Bravo sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran less than a year into his new role. They talk about dispersing visitors beyond Yellowstone and Grand Teton, why Wyoming's rural communities hold the same magic as its icons, and how the state is leaning into authenticity, Indigenous-led storytelling, and a new "Mavericks Wanted" campaign at a moment when travelers are craving connection and a reset more than ever. Episode highlights Why Wyoming is treating Yellowstone as the "front door" — and how the state is moving travelers deeper into rural communities How a visitor-management tool in development could nudge travelers toward less-crowded entries and nearby towns in real time What's driving Wyoming's strong Q1 and summer bookings, even as Canadian visitation has dropped How the Wyoming Office of Tourism is partnering with the Wind River Reservation to let Indigenous communities tell their own stories Why winter and shoulder seasons may be the state's most underrated travel windows Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome From the Floor of IPW 00:01:30 Beyond Yellowstone's Front Door 00:06:30 Devils Tower, Dark Skies, and Surprises 00:08:00 The Wind River Story 00:14:00 A Road Trip for the Bay Area Family 00:17:30 Real Dude Ranches and Pitchfork Fondue 00:20:30 What's Coming, From Sheridan to Snow Resources Visit Travel Wyoming Find the Wyoming Office of Tourism on Instagram and Facebook Explore Afar's Wyoming travel guide ✨ Joy & Connection: Bravo describes Wyoming as a place that "regenerates your soul" — pulling off a scenic byway, getting out of the car, feeling small under a big sky, and coming away more connected to family and place. 🌍 Welcoming the World: International visitors make up 5-15 percent of Wyoming's traffic depending on the season. Canada has been the biggest drop, but new direct flights from New York and Newark now let travelers go from a Manhattan bagel to Wyoming stars in a single day. 🇺🇸 America 250: Wyoming was the 42nd state, but it shaped the country in outsized ways — home to the first national park, the first national monument (Devils Tower, marking its 120th anniversary), the first national forest, and 50 years ahead of the U.S. on women's suffrage as the Equality State. All three major immigrant trails run through it. Episode Navigation Up Next: Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of Explore Minnesota Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does the U.S. travel industry look like just weeks before IPW lands in Fort Lauderdale for the first time? In this episode of View From Afar, deputy editor Michelle Baran sits down with Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, to set the stage for Afar's Live From IPW series. Picking up where their conversation left off at last year's conference in Chicago, Geoff and Michelle talk about the forces shaping inbound and domestic travel in 2026 and what U.S. Travel is doing to support the industry, even as competition for the global traveler has never been fiercer. The two discuss the lingering damage from the record-breaking 75-day government shutdown, the perception gap distorting how the world sees the U.S., and the diplomatic work required to win Canadian visitors back. Geoff also previews what's new at IPW this year, why a visa "fast pass" piloted for the World Cup could become a model for major events well beyond it, and why travel remains the ultimate form of diplomacy. If you're heading to Fort Lauderdale—or following the conference from afar—this is the intel-packed primer to listen to first. On this episode you'll learn Why the U.S. was the only country in the world to see international visitation decline last year—and where the recovery starts What's changing at IPW 2026, from new buyer briefings to the end of the cavernous conference lunch How the FIFA Pass could reshape U.S. competitiveness for events like CES, the Olympics, and beyond What it will actually take to bring Canadian travelers back Why Geoff is optimistic about the future of travel—and the opportunity to use travel as a cultural bridge Chapters 00:00:00 Resilience and the Inbound Decline 00:06:00 Aviation as a Political Hostage 00:11:00 The Perception Gap 00:14:00 Winning Canadians Back 00:19:00 What's New at IPW 2026 00:28:00 Travel as Diplomacy Resources Listen to last year's conversation with Geoff Freeman, recorded live at IPW Chicago Read Geoff's Afar op-ed, Welcoming Travelers When America Feels Challenged Explore Afar's World Cup guide Learn more about the U.S. Travel Association and IPW Catch the Live From IPW episodes starting May 20, featuring executives representing destinations from Seattle to Puerto Rico Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 14 IPW episodes next week Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and ⁠⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you bring ultra‑luxury hospitality to the high seas? For Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, it starts with reimagining ocean travel as a floating boutique hotel experience rooted in European elegance, emotional connection, and slow‑travel sensibilities. In this episode of View From Afar, Anna joins Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how Explora Journeys is redefining cruising for a new generation of travelers — from sustainability innovations and destination stewardship to culinary excellence and family‑forward programming that avoids the typical mega‑ship clichés. In This Episode You’ll Learn How Explora Journeys blends luxury hotel DNA with ocean travel to attract the “cruise‑averse” guest. Why European ownership and MSC Group’s maritime heritage shape the brand’s culture, design, and global mix of guests. How Explora approaches sustainability — from LNG‑powered ships to shore‑power readiness and MSC Foundation partnerships. What smaller‑port itineraries, longer stays, and curated excursions mean for combating overtourism. How the brand balances sophistication with thoughtful, screen‑free family programming. Key Moments [06:12] Why Explora thinks of its ships as “floating boutique hotels.” [12:40] How European elegance and a global guest mix shape the onboard experience. [18:55] What LNG power and shore‑power capabilities mean for sustainability. [25:10] How Explora designs itineraries to avoid crowds and support local economies. [33:22] A monastery visit in Patmos that surprises even cruise skeptics. [41:05] Why thoughtful kids’ programming doesn’t require waterslides. [48:30] A preview of Explora III, Asia itineraries, and the brand’s first World Journey. Resources Explore Explora Journeys itineraries and ships Learn more about the MSC Foundation Follow Anna Nash on LinkedIn Stay Connected Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Louisiana Office of Tourism Assistant Secretary Doug Bourgeois sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about a state whose pitch to travelers is built on joie de vivre—and what that actually looks like on the ground. Doug has led tourism for the state since 2018, but his roots go deeper: he grew up in Thibodaux, an authentically Cajun city an hour from New Orleans, and started his career as a riverboat shore-excursion guide giving a Cajun heritage tour. In 2025, Louisiana welcomed 45 million visitors and generated 19 billion dollars in spending, finally returning to pre-pandemic levels. New Orleans alone hosted 19 million visitors, the second-highest figure in the city's history. But the state is also navigating real headwinds, including a steep drop in Canadian visitation, and Doug is thinking carefully about how to keep momentum going. In this conversation, Doug and Billie discuss The 2026 Year of Outdoors campaign and the broader strategy of building annual "Year of" themes (Music, Food, and now Outdoors) to give travelers a fresh reason to come back How the Michelin Guide arrived in Louisiana this year, awarding two stars in New Orleans and additional stars elsewhere—and why Doug says it enhanced rather than changed the state's visitor demographic The Gas Station Eats trail, the hot sauce ice cream made with raspberry chipotle, and the case for Louisiana as a culinary destination far beyond New Orleans The Acadian cultural ties to Canada, the "Louisiana olive branch" of roux spoons Doug's team mailed to Canadians who'd requested travel guides, and what cross-border outreach actually looks like The Mississippi River Parkway Commission and the case for the river as a single 10-state destination Where Doug is investing internationally now—the UK direct flight from London, growing momentum in Australia, and a long-game bet on India Resources The Afar guide to Louisiana Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar 00:02:00 The Tabasco Test 00:03:00 Growing Up on the Bayou 00:05:00 A Culinary State 00:07:00 Year of the Outdoors 00:09:00 The Roux Spoon Olive Branch 00:11:00 Where Louisiana Is Going Next 00:12:00 The Mississippi as Destination 00:13:30 Beyond New Orleans 00:15:00 Where Joy Begins 00:18:30 Becoming Part of the Story Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Discover Puerto Rico CEO Jorge Perez sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about what happens after a residency that brought 400,000 people from 108 countries to a single island. Jorge came to Discover Puerto Rico with deep ties to the moment: as the former general manager of the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, he was in the room when Bad Bunny's manager called two years before the residency to block out 31 nights. The result was a $200 million economic impact in two months, a 245 percent spike in Puerto Rico searches after the Super Bowl halftime show, and a tourism story that has only accelerated since. In this conversation, Jorge and Billie discuss How the Bad Bunny residency was strategically built around July, August, and September (Puerto Rico's traditional low season) and what that meant for the island's overall tourism arc The 2025 numbers: 8.5 million visitors, 154 million dollars in room tax revenue, and 9 billion dollars in visitor spending—roughly double the 2019 figures Why Q1 2026 became the best quarter in Puerto Rican tourism history (and how the World Baseball Classic, the Puerto Rico Open, and the FIBA Women's World Cup qualifying tournament helped) The 17 percent jump in European visitors and the 28 percent jump from South America, and what's driving Discover Puerto Rico's expanded international strategy "Return the Love," the long-running campaign that asks visitors to treat the island and its people with respect—and how Jorge made a version for residency visitors before he took the CEO role The case for a Puerto Rico destination festival on the scale of Coachella or South by Southwest and why 2028 looks like the earliest realistic launch window Plus: a viral AI-generated song called "My First Time in Puerto Rico" that's reshaping cultural tourism in real time, the three bioluminescent bays you can only experience here, and a reminder that the island is the rum capital of the world. Resources The Afar guide to Puerto Rico Our Unpacked episode about exploring music on the island Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, ⁠Visit Detroit⁠ president and CEO ⁠Claude Molinari⁠ sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about a city he insists is well past its comeback chapter—and what comes next. Claude has led Visit Detroit since 2021, after a decade running ⁠Huntington Place⁠, the city's convention center. Under his leadership, the city has hosted the NFL Draft in 2024, secured the NCAA Final Four for next year, and won the bid to host IPW itself in 2028. Five new skyscrapers have gone up downtown in five years, the city has seen population growth three years running, and visitation is up year-over-year—even with Canadian tourism down 30 percent. In this conversation, Claude and Billie discuss Why Claude pushes back on the "renaissance" framing: this isn't a comeback, it's a complete transformation, and the narrative has finally caught up with the reality How Visit Detroit got onto Italian soccer jerseys—⁠a partnership with Juventus⁠ that has driven a 400 percent increase in European website traffic and almost 600 percent from Italy alone The reopening of ⁠Michigan Central Station⁠ as the global epicenter of autonomous vehicles, complete with an electric road out front What it means to be the only ⁠UNESCO City of Design⁠ in the United States—and why architecture, from the ⁠Guardian Building⁠ to the ⁠Detroit Riverwalk⁠ (rated number one for four years running by USA Today), is doing the work of telling Detroit's story How a majority-minority city is leaning into its authentic identity rather than trying to be everything to everybody, and what other destinations can learn from that approach Three new convention-center hotels opening before the Final Four—including a five-star Edition, a JW Marriott, and a Nomad inside the restored train station Resources: ⁠Visit Detroit⁠ ⁠Detroit Riverwalk⁠ ⁠Michigan Central Station⁠ ⁠Henry Ford Museum⁠ at Greenfield Village ⁠Eastern Market⁠ ⁠Detroit Institute of Arts⁠ ⁠Buddy's Pizza⁠ ⁠Afar guide to Detroit⁠ Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Unpacked⁠⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Discover South Carolina director Duane Parrish sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about a state that's having a record-breaking year on the whole. Duane has led South Carolina's tourism efforts for 15 years, a period in which tourism has become one of the largest industries in the state. In 2024, it contributed more than 30 billion dollars to the economy and generated 3.2 billion in state and local tax revenues. But the picture isn't even across the state, and 2025 forced Duane and his team to make some real pivots—doubling down on drive markets like Atlanta and Charlotte, leaning into the "Find the Undiscovered You" campaign, and surfacing the places most travelers don't yet know. In this conversation, Duane and Michelle discuss The "Find the Undiscovered You" campaign and why getting off the grid is becoming the state's most resonant pitch Greenville's transformation from a shuttered textile town into one of the most reinvented cities in the Southeast, complete with a downtown waterfall and a growing Michelin presence The barrier-island culture of the Lowcountry, from Beaufort to Georgetown, and why these are the places to send travelers who want to explore beyond Charleston The opening of the International African American Museum in Charleston, the Gullah Geechee Corridor, and the Civil Rights Trail—and why international visitors are especially drawn to this kind of richer storytelling How AI is reshaping destination marketing, why Duane believes "high tech will never replace high touch," and the Ronald Reagan line he keeps coming back to: trust but verify Plus: the four styles of South Carolina barbecue sauce (vinegar, mustard, light tomato, heavy tomato), the 225-restaurant barbecue trail that's color-coded by sauce, and Duane's own loyalty to heavy tomato. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar 00:01:30 A Record Year, With Exceptions 00:03:00 Doubling Down on Drive Markets 00:04:30 Find the Undiscovered You 00:06:30 Greenville's Reinvention 00:07:30 Beyond Charleston 00:08:30 How Destination Marketing Has Changed 00:10:30 The Promise and Limits of AI 00:12:30 Telling a Fuller Story 00:16:30 The Barbecue Trail 00:19:00 A South Carolina Itinerary Resources: Discover South Carolina South Carolina Barbecue Trail The Afar guide to South Carolina Listen to our Unpacked podcast guide to Charleston, where we explore food, culture, the outdoors, and shopping Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Visit Seattle president and CEO Tammy Canavan sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about what it takes to put a city on the world stage—and what visitors will actually find when they get there. Tammy has led Visit Seattle for four years, during which the city has opened the Summit building at the convention center, completed an $800 million, 15-year waterfront overhaul, expanded international air service through Sea-Tac, and welcomed a record cruise season. This summer, Seattle will host six FIFA World Cup matches and an estimated 750,000 visitors—a moment that's been functioning as an artificial deadline for years of infrastructure work. In this conversation, Tammy and Michelle discuss Why Seattle's "low-key joy"—coffee shops, bookstores, the water, an Evian-mist-style rain—keeps surprising first-time visitors The completion of the waterfront, after 15 years and what it means for a port city to finally reconnect with its shoreline How Visit Seattle is rolling out the "Unity Loop," several World Cup fan zones across the city, and a strategy that asks visitors to explore beyond the stadium The honest conversation about downtown safety, perception versus reality, and how Seattle is reframing its narrative without running from it What Tammy is telling federal officials about Brand USA, the proposed visa integrity fee, and the rumors that are quietly keeping international visitors away Resources Visit Seattle A guide to Seattle's waterfront reinvention Afar's guide to Seattle Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar 00:01:30 Why Seattle, Why Now 00:04:00 The World Cup Surprise 00:06:30 What Travelers Need to Hear 00:08:00 A Waterfront, Reconnected 00:09:30 Beyond Pike Place 00:11:30 The Perception Problem 00:14:30 A Civic Renewal 00:17:30 Seattle's Quiet Joy Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Brightline Holdings CEO Nicolas Petrovic sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about what it actually takes to build a new mode of travel in the United States—and what that could mean for travelers, destinations, and the industry at large. Nicolas stepped into the CEO role at Brightline in early 2026, bringing decades of high-speed rail experience from leadership positions at Eurostar, Siemens, and rail projects in the UAE. He arrived at a pivotal moment. Brightline's Florida service is growing—up 20 percent year-over-year, with 3 million passengers last year—and the company has big ambitions to build a high-speed line connecting Las Vegas and Los Angeles. But it's also navigating a significant debt load and the deeper challenge of convincing Americans to leave their cars behind. In this conversation, Nicolas and Billie discuss The signature Brightline scent (citrusy, with lemongrass, and yes, you can buy the scent) What Nicolas learned at Eurostar that he's bringing to Brightline, including how Eurostar went from 10 percent to 80 percent business-market share The return of the commuter pass, new family fares, and a $39 starter price Why Brightline is targeting international travelers who don't yet know the train is part of the trip How Florida riders are using the service in ways that go beyond commuting—from day trips to the theme parks to one passenger who rides every day with his dog The reality of Brightline's debt situation and what it means (and doesn't mean) for the rider experience The status of Brightline West, the proposed high-speed line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and why the highway median makes it possible Plus: a brief detour through railway history featuring Henry Flagler, the 19th-century hotelier whose Florida rail corridor became the backbone of Brightline today. Resources Brightline Brightline West Afar review of the Brightline experience Afar coverage of Brightline West Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar 00:01:50 The Brightline Scent 00:03:00 Convincing People to Leave Their Cars 00:04:30 Lessons From Eurostar 00:07:30 The Right Train Experience 00:11:00 How Florida Travels by Rail 00:12:30 Talking About the Debt 00:14:00 The Vision for Brightline West Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Visit Florida Keys and Key West president and CEO Kara Franker sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about leading a record-breaking destination on a fragile string of islands—and why "better tourism" matters more than "more tourism." Kara joined Visit Florida Keys in 2024 after leading Visit Estes Park in Colorado, and she came in at a pivotal moment. Key West International Airport saw more arrivals in 2025 than ever before, and 2026 is tracking strong. But the Keys are 120 miles of islands with one road in and one road out, a reef that protects them from hurricanes, and a deeply local culture that doesn't always love being shared. Kara's challenge: how to keep welcoming the world without loving the place to death. In this conversation, Kara and Billie discuss How Kara rebuilt her team from 12 staff to 30 in under two years, and why she recruited from outside the tourism industry The shift from "spray and play" broadcast marketing to messaging that asks visitors to respect the reef, the key deer, and the locals A new artificial reef being built so divers can practice before they touch the real thing—and how visitor tax dollars are funding it Why the Keys are physically finite, what that means for residents trying to reach the grocery store on Memorial Day weekend, and the air taxi idea Kara has her eye on What the recent Monroe County decision to stop using tourism tax dollars to fund LGBTQ events means for Pride in 2027—and why the community is already rallying The "Come as You Are" tagline, the Conch Republic's rebellious spirit, and what it means to become a "freshwater conch" Plus: stone crab vs. key lime pie, the only place in the world with crocodiles and alligators in the same place, and a pitch for adding lionfish to the menu. Resources – Visit Florida Keys website – John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – Fantasy Fest – Afar guide to the Florida Keys and Key West Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar 00:01:30 Rebuilding the Team From Scratch 00:04:00 Better Tourism, Not More 00:06:30 Investing in the Community 00:11:00 Come as You Are 00:12:00 Pride, Politics, and the Path Forward 00:17:30 The Joy of the Keys 00:20:00 Becoming a Freshwater Conch Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does Surf City USA reintroduce itself to the world — and convert day-trippers into destination visitors — with the World Cup and LA Olympics on the horizon? John Urdi, the new president and CEO of Visit Huntington Beach, has a plan: privatize the funding, expand international reach, and tell a bigger story about the 10 miles of coastline behind the headlines. In this IPW 2026 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Fort Lauderdale, Urdi sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran — who grew up in Huntington Beach — to talk about his move from Mammoth Lakes to the coast, the Live Between Waves campaign, and how a destination that's drawn polarizing national attention is leading with what's there. Episode highlights The Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) funding model to Huntington Beach — and what that unlocks for international market expansion The conversion challenge: only 25 percent of Huntington Beach's traffic is overnight, and how Urdi plans to grow destination visitation through airline partnerships and a conference sales team already up from 56,000 to 87,000 room nights How Live Between Waves repositions Surf City USA beyond surfing — surf culture, the 10-mile boardwalk, après-surf, and four beachfront hotels you can't get next door in Newport or Laguna Urdi's "plant more flowers" philosophy for navigating polarizing national headlines, and how community events like A Great Day in the Stoke — the largest gathering of Black surfers — tell a different story about who Huntington Beach welcomes How Huntington Beach plans to capture traffic from the 2026 World Cup and 2028 LA Olympics by being "your open beach" — and Urdi's deep collaboration with Visit Anaheim, Palm Springs, and L.A. Tourism Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar 00:01:30 From Mammoth to the Beach 00:03:00 Building the Hotel Funding Model 00:05:30 Planting Flowers, Not Weeds 00:09:00 Live Between Waves 00:11:30 What's Next on the Waterfront 00:16:00 The World Cup and LA28 Opportunity Resources Visit Surf City USA Find Visit Huntington Beach on Instagram and Facebook Explore Afar's California travel guide ✨ Joy & Connection: Urdi walks to work and says hello to everyone he passes on the 15-minute route. It's a small thing, but it's the kind of thing that runs against the headlines — and it's part of what made A Great Day in the Stoke, the largest gathering of Black surfers, feel right at home on Huntington Beach's sand. 🏗️ What's New: Champagne's Kitchen just opened on Main Street, a new restaurant called Huntington's is being built out on the pier, and two major hotel developments are in the works — Magnolia Coast to the south and a 350-room property near Bolsa Chica that would retire the closest-to-shore offshore oil rig. Episode Navigation Previous Episode: Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of Explore Minnesota Up Next: Kara Franker, CEO of Visit Florida Keys & Key West Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar. In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Visit Phoenix president and CEO Ron Price sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about a city that's been quietly reinventing itself—and why so many first-time visitors leave saying, "I had no idea." Ron has worked in tourism for 30 years, with a career that spans Marriott, Visit San Antonio, and the Arlington Texas Convention and Visitors Bureau. He joined Visit Phoenix in 2021, and under his leadership the city has hosted the Super Bowl, the Women's Final Four, and—next year—the NBA All-Star Game. In 2024 he launched the Phoenix Sports and Events Commission, finally giving the country's fifth-largest city a coordinated way to compete for major events. He's also helping the destination navigate a rapidly diversifying economy, a softening Canadian market, and the perception problem that comes with being a desert city most travelers think they already understand. In this conversation, Ron and Michelle discuss Why the Sonoran is the wettest desert in the world, and how the lushness keeps surprising visitors who arrived expecting Wile E. Coyote The launch of the Phoenix Sports and Events Commission, the return of the Viva PHX culture festival, and the strategy of growing youth and amateur sports alongside championship events The TSMC effect—the largest international investment in American history—and what $165 billion in semiconductor manufacturing means for international flights, including two new direct routes from Taiwan How Waymo turned Phoenix into the only American city where an autonomous vehicle will pick you up at the airport, and what other proving-ground tech is rolling out next The Canadian snowbird market's stabilization, the long-term Canadian business relationships that anchor it, and what doubling down on a hesitant market looks like in practice The honest conversation about summer heat—the city's investments in heat mitigation, the no-daylight-savings advantage that makes early-morning hikes possible, and how staying-the-clock changes the visitor day Plus: a Pan Am-themed speakeasy where the LED windows simulate a flight to San Francisco, the 22 Indigenous nations within the valley, and a passionate endorsement of Phoenix's Michelin-bound culinary scene. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome to View From Afar 00:01:30 Playing Tourist at the Biltmore 00:03:00 What Surprises Visitors 00:04:30 Building a Sports and Events Engine 00:07:30 The TSMC Effect 00:10:00 Why Canadians Still Matter 00:13:00 New Markets, New Stories 00:15:30 Reframing the Heat 00:18:30 Speakeasies and Indigenous Nations Stay Connected Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all our IPW 2026 episodes this week. Follow @AfarMedia on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for behind-the-scenes IPW content. ⁠Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights. Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Travel Tales⁠ and ⁠Unpacked⁠. This IPW 2026 special series was recorded live. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media's podcast network (email ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices