Check-in Podcast by TMR

Check-In: KORE's Diana Hnatov on Training the Industry's Newest Advisors

Diana Hnatov serves as the Director of Sales and Services for KORE, a travel education program specifically designed to bridge the gap for new advisors entering the industry. KORE’s mission is to provide these entrants with the foundational training, practical knowledge, and professional confidence they need to build a successful career.

 

Hnatov, who joined the organization in 2024, recently sat down with TMR’s VP and Editor-in-Chief Daniel McCarthy to discuss the changing landscape of travel education. In the interview, she shares insights on where new entrants are coming from, the specific areas where they require the most support, and why robust training is the key to bringing in the high-quality talent the industry currently needs.

Checking-In on the Growth of Culinary Travel with Eating Europe

Kenny Dunn is the founder and managing director of Eating Europe, one of the continent's first and now largest tour operators specializing in culinary tours in Europe. Dunn, originally from Philadelphia, joined TMR to talk about how he went from working for the United Nations, to being potentially stranded in Europe, jobless, to building a small day tour operator focusing on the best eats around Rome.

 

The episode covers Dunn’s take on why culinary travel has exploded around the world, the most underrated food cities in Europe, and being an entrepreneur in travel.

Checking-In with G Adventures' Steve Lima on G's Record Year

TMR's Daniel McCarthy sits down with G Adventures' Steve Lima on the back of its record July, and record 2025, to hear what those results tell us about G and also about the U.S. consumer. Lima is the Vice President of Growth for the U.S. and Latin America for G Adventures. A long-time veteran of the company, he was part of the team that initially launched G Adventures in the U.S. and has held a variety of leadership roles over his more than 10-year tenure, including Director of Marketing for the region. 

Checking in with Rental Escapes' WIllie Fernandez as the Villas Segment Explodes

Willie Fernandez is a seasoned marketing executive with over 34 years of experience in the travel industry, spanning the cruise, hotel, vacation, and villa segments. As the chief marketing officer for Rental Escapes, he is a key driver of the company’s brand strategy and marketing initiatives. An accomplished, award-winning digital marketer, Willie has been instrumental in transforming some of the industry's most recognized brands.

Checking-In with John Chernesky, Two Years Into His NCL Tenure

John Chernesky, the SVP of North American Sales at NCL, has spent more than three decades in travel, but only just celebrated his two-year anniversary with NCL. In this episode, Chernesky takes some time to talk to TMR's Dan McCarthy about raising twins, celebrating Prince, and grading NCL's partnership with the travel trade.

Checking-In with Courtnie Nichols: Why This Travel Advisor Ditched One-Off Bookings for a Retainer Model

After relocating eight times in 17 years, Courtnie Nichols learned how to adapt and connect — skills that now drive her success as a travel advisor. She began her career in fundraising but made the leap into travel and never looked back. Today, she works on retainer, offering clients concierge-level planning and the long-term partnership they value.

Check-In Episode 35: Checking in on the Future, and Present, of Travel Advisors with Jenn Lee

In this episode, TMR's Daniel McCarthy chats with Jenn Lee, President and Chief Marketing Officer of TPI and Vacation Planners, about the evolving travel industry. Jenn shares insights on the growth of franchise models, the importance of creating a consistent consumer experience, and how AI is enhancing—not replacing—the role of travel advisors.

Check-In Episode 34: How The Travel Industry Can Change Lives

So many talk about the travel industry because of its ability to improve lives. Travel broadens horizons, exposing individuals to diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for what else is out here, and giving families and friends the time and experiences they need but it can also change the lives of others. 

Last month, as part of TMR’s Travel Market Place conference in Toronto, editor-in-chief and vice president Daniel McCarthy was joined onstage by Max and Viktoriia Shkurupii and Cathy Scott of British Colombia’s Departures Travel, to talk about a story of how the industry can change lives. 

Hear their story, about an escape from war-torn Ukraine and new lives in Canada, on this episode of Check-In.

Check-In Episode 33: What is NDC and Why Should Advisors Care?

There’s been a lot of talk about the launch of NDC by United and American Airlines this month, two moves that mark a turning point for travel agencies that ticket inside GDSs. NDC stands for New Distribution Capability, which is a travel industry-supported program that allows airlines to provide richer and more personalized content to travel agents and consumers. While the moves are both seen as steps towards the future of ticketing, they both come with a lot of baggage, and concern, from travel agencies.

In this episode, TMR vice president and editor-in-chief Daniel McCarthy speaks with Paige Blunt, the Senior Manager of Direct Connect and ONE Order at the Airlines Reporting Corp on the impact of NDC on travel advisors and the future of retail ticketing inside GDSs. The talk includes ARC’s role in the move to the NDC, and advice on how agencies should approach it.

Check-In Episode 32: We Are in Boom Time for Travel. How Long Will It Last?

From the valleys of COVID, to now what feels like an endless ascent, travel advisors have come a long way. Business is strong across the board, with advisors reporting more clients booking more travel at a higher price than ever before. No one has a crystal ball. But how long can it really last? 

In this episode, Joshua Bush of Ave Two Travel joins TMR to talk about what he’s seeing the industry right now when it comes to that demand, what luxury clients want right now, and what destinations are trending. In the conversation, Bush also talks about his roots in travel—his parents built Ave Two, formerly Park Ave Travel, because of their love of travel and eventually convinced him to leave his career in consumer finance to join them, a decision form which he has never looked back.