Travel Trends with Dan Christian

• Special Hospitality Series: The First FTG Five-Star Hotel in the Seychelles

  Send us a textImagine stepping off a small turboprop plane onto a pristine island less than a mile long, where coconut trees sway in gentle breezes and sea turtles nest undisturbed along protected shores. Welcome to the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, where luxury meets untouched nature in perfect harmony.Join us for the latest episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, where we shine a light on one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars"—Mark Basaloga, Resort Manager at Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island. Mark takes us behind the scenes of this extraordinary property that earned Forbes Travel Guide's first Five-Star rating in the Seychelles just one year after opening. Experience the extraordinary magic of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island for yourself – where luxury meets conservation, disconnection leads to deeper connection, and authentic experiences create memories that last a lifetime. We will be releasing new episodes every Thursday—don’t miss this exceptional 10-part series featuring hospitality leaders from Beverly Hills to the Seychelles.Season 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Small Groups, Big Adventures with Michael Edwards, MD, Explore Worldwide

  Send us a textListen to the latest episode of our Guided Touring series, where Dan is joined by Michael Edwards, Managing Director at Explore Worldwide, to discuss the rising popularity of small group adventures. Michael shares why he calls this moment the “golden age” of small group travel and highlights how intimate group sizes (12-16 people) foster meaningful "micro-communities," delivering the connection and camaraderie so many crave today.What You'll Learn:Why small groups are creating big travel impactHow shared experiences foster instant communityExplore’s approach to sustainability and responsible tourismBreaking down barriers to make adventure travel more inclusiveThe surprising truth about who today’s adventure travelers really areThis episode is packed with insights on how small group travel is evolving and why it’s more relevant than ever. Tune in now to learn how these adventures are redefining the way we explore the world.👉 Listen to Small Groups, Big Adventures Now🔥 Season 5 Title Sponsors: TravelAI, Stay22, Propellic, Flight Centre, Collette, Flywire, Traveltek and Protect GroupSeason 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Earth Day: Lessons in Sustainability with Shannon Stowell, CEO ATTA and Greg Takehara, CEO, Tourism Cares

  Send us a textThis Earth Day, we’re proud to share present our first ATTA & Travel Trends Adventure Series discussion focused on important lessons in sustainability.  In this powerful episode, Travel Trends host Dan is joined by co-host Shannon Stowell, CEO of ATTA and together they interview the CEO of Tourism Cares  Greg Takehara.Greg & Shannon unpack the current state of sustainable travel and share many actionable insights on how the industry, along with travelers, can move past surface-level greenwashing to drive meaningful, long-term impact.Key Highlights from this discussion include:Environmental Responsibility: Moving beyond buzzwords, learn how real practices can protect delicate ecosystems.Adventure Travel's Role: Did you know that adventure travel retains 65–70% of spending in local communities compared to only 10–15% for large-scale tourism? These numbers showcase the moral and economic power of mindful travel decisions.Cultural Preservation: Why Travel is an important bridge to connect and honor diverse customs and traditions.Human Connection: How this style of travel realizes the ultimate goal—forging connections that last a lifetime.Key Upcoming Events to Learn MoreDeepen your commitment to responsible travel with these powerful events curated by Tourism Cares and ATTA:Tourism Cares’ Meaningful Travel RoadshowMiami, FL - MayPittsburgh, PA - OctoberGalveston, TX - NovemberATTA Featured EventsAdventureNEXT in Bonito, Brazil - AprilAdventureELEVATE in Denver, CO - MayAdventure Travel World Summit in Puerto Natales, Chile - NovemberAs Shannon reminds us on this Earth day: “Once you destroy a culture or environment, some things are gone forever.” A profound and important reminder for us all. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation and a call to us all—to travel responsibly, drive local impact, and honor the environments and communities we visit.Season 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Special Hospitality Series: Crafting Five-Star Luxury in Tuscany

  Send us a textStep into Tuscan luxury with Episode 6 of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide. This week, our "Leaders Behind the Stars" spotlight falls on Roberto Protezione, General Manager of Castelfalfi, a 2,700-acre estate between Florence and Pisa. Under Roberto’s leadership, Castelfalfi transformed from a €250-per-night property into a €1,000+ ultra-luxury destination, earning a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating on its first application.With nearly two decades of experience in hospitality across Italy and the Middle East, Roberto has redefined Castelfalfi as a premier global luxury destination. The estate features a medieval castle, Tuscany’s largest golf course, an organic winery, a serene wellness spa, and villas amidst rolling historic hills. Recent upgrades include a penthouse suite designed by Stefano Ricci and a new event space for 400 guests.At the core of Roberto’s vision is a people-first approach to hospitality. “Hospitality is really about caring for others,” he shares, emphasizing passion over technical skills.Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a leader redefining luxury in Tuscany.We will be releasing new episodes every Thursday—don’t miss this exceptional 10-part series featuring hospitality leaders from Beverly Hills to the Seychelles.Season 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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• Family, Legacy & Leadership: Inside Collette’s Journey with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, CEO, Collette

  Send us a textEpisode 2 of our Guided Touring Series takes an in-depth look at the evolving world of guided travel with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, the fourth CEO and first female leader of Collette, a 107-year-old family-owned touring company. Under Jaclyn’s leadership, Collette is redefining what guided travel can mean by focusing on authenticity, small group experiences, and genuine local connections.Collette’s commitment to authenticity shines through their approach. Jaclyn emphasizes the importance of fostering genuine connections through meaningful interactions. Their Small Group Explorations program has seen over 70% year-over-year growth by venturing beyond typical tourist paths, offering unique experiences like cooking with a Jordanian host or engaging in open, supportive discussions on sensitive topics.Guided touring is evolving, appealing to younger travelers and families seeking meaningful, convenient, and culturally immersive experiences. Under Jaclyn’s leadership, Collette integrates family values into both its corporate culture and travel offerings.Experience travel reimagined with Collette. Enjoy small group adventures, authentic connections, and extraordinary destinations. Say goodbye to crowded tourist hotspots and hello to meaningful moments crafted by travelers, for travelers. Transform your next journey today!  👉 Listen to Family, Legacy & Leadership: Inside Collette’s Journey Now🔥 Season 5 Title Sponsors: TravelAI, Stay22, Propellic, Flight Centre, Collette, Flywire, Traveltek and Protect GroupSeason 5 Launched Jan 15th. New Episodes Every Weds! Check out our first 4 Seasons. https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/

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