Check-in Podcast by TMR

Check-In Ep. 24: What the Most Important Skill Travel Advisors Should Have?

It's all hands on deck for so many travel agencies trying to keep up with post-COVID-19 demand right now. And while there are so many advisors and agencies going out of their way to serve clients, there is a need in the industry for one specific skill in particular. And there's no one currently to fill it. 

In this episode, Robin Sanchez, the new president of Montecito Village Travel, talks about how important GDS and air booking skills are right now for host and corporate agencies around the country. 

Check-in Episode 23: What’s Trending with Travel Insurance?

According to Adroit Market Research, the global travel insurance market, which was estimated to be worth about $21 billion in 2019, is expected to close to double by 2028 with a projected worth of $40 billion that year. To get a full understanding of what's driving that growth, and what's to come, TMR this week spoke to Richard Aquino, the vice president and head of sales at Allianz Partners, one of, if not the, largest travel insurance providers in the world. 

 

Acquino has been with Allianz going on 18 years now, and has experienced the highs and lows of the industry along the way. In this episode, he talks with TMR's Dan McCarthy about what's trending now, what advisors need to know to sell insurance the best they can, and more. 

Check-In Episode 22: Who Are these New Travel Advisors and Where Are they Coming From?

In this episode, TMR's Dan McCarthy talks to Travel Institute President Diane Petras about her thoughts on the present and future of travel agencies. With so much travel demand right now, and the industry still in the process of recovering numbers from the 2020 drop, there is a need to bring new blood into travel and make a career as a travel advisor or travel agency owner compelling. It's a big task for the industry, and a responsibility that is going to be shared among all stakeholders, but Petras says there is good news already in that battle, including a lot of new interest in the career.

Check-In Episode 21: What’s In the Way of Travel’s Full Recovery?

In this episode, Lauri Reishus, the president and CEO of Airlines Reporting Corporation, or ARC, joins TMR’s Dan McCarthy to talk about where the industry is right now, including the latest ARC data, and what’s in the way of a full recovery, including commentary on ticket prices, NDC and GDS adoption, and more. Reishus, who was named president and CEO of ARC in January 2021, also touches upon her time as a ticketing travel agent, and why she thinks so many C-suite-level people in travel share that kind of experience.

Check-In Episode 20: Rick Stiffler’s Favorite Hotels in the World

Rick Stiffler, the senior vice president of global sales with Preferred Hotel Group, has spent over two decades as part of the team that has crafted a portfolio of the world's best hotels. In this episode, he talks to TMR's Dan McCarthy about his favorite hotels, what makes a great hotel, his path into the travel industry, and lessons he would tell his younger self. 

 

Checking-In #19: Going to ”Brand Camp” with Virgin Voyages and John Diorio

Virgin Voyages, a month out from the launch of its second ship, continues to make waves in the cruise industry. From an all-inclusive fare to an adults-only policy, Virgin is making itself known as one of the standout companies in cruising. But what drives the team guiding Virgin forward? John Diorio, the vice president of North American sales for Virgin Voyages, joins TMR to talk about his career in travel, including his time at Mark Travel, and what makes Virgin Voyages so special. 

Episode 18: Checking-In with Jacki Marks

ALGV’s Jacki Marks has always been brave. It’s something that was instilled in her during her early days in travel working for the LaMacchia family. Taking risks and going to where the puck is going, rather than where the puck is, has long been the recipe for success for Marks and her teams. In this episode, Jacki joins TMR to talk about that philosophy along with growing up in Wisconsin, getting into travel, and her role during the 2018 merger with Apple Leisure Group.

Episode 17: Checking-In with Guy Young

From South Africa, to managing a California-based Days Inn, to now, the president of Luxury Gold and Insight Vacations, Guy Young's career in travel has taken him a long way. In this episode, Young speaks to TMR's Dan McCarthy about his career in travel, TTC's dedication to conservation, and advice for those just getting into the industry now. 

Episode 16: Checking-in with Matthew Eichhorst

Expedia Cruises President Matthew Eichhorst shares a history with so many people within travel—his road into the industry came because he saw the passion that the people within the industry shared, passion that helped them succeed both pre-COVID and through the pandemic. 

Prior to joining Expedia Cruises, Matthew spent 20 years as an entrepreneur before a chance introduction led to him joining the industry where he has spent his last two decades. 

In this episode, TMR's Dan McCarthy checks-in with Matthew for a short conversation about his entry into the industry, what he learned about travel advisors during COVID-19, and what's on his travel bucket-list for the next few years. 

Episode 15: Checking-in with Jennifer Tombaugh

Tauck’s longtime president Jennifer Tombaugh just recently celebrated the two-decade mark with the U.S.-based tour operator. Being in charge of a portfolio of products as wide ranging as Tauck isn’t an easy task, but Jennifer’s experience has helped her along the way. In this episode, Jennifer talks to TMR about that experience, including her time living in Singapore, and also talks about the biggest challenges the industry will face over the next decade.