Worldia is one of the largest B2B2C FIT product platforms that you’ve never heard of. The high-tech build offers everything from flights to ferries for advisors to quickly customize complex global itineraries. Ryan McElroy explains.
Open Jaw’s Nina Slawek asks cruise expert Lynn Elmhirst whether Royal Caribbean Group’s acquisition of 50% of Sandals is part of a larger land grab strategy by the cruise lines. Elmhirst provides a unique perspective.
Air Transat’s CRO Sebastien Ponce appears on the Virtual Pink Couch to talk about the airline’s long term strategic shift to codeshares and global connectivity amid a challenging market.
“In travel, efficiency is not the ultimate measure of value. Trust is.” That is the conclusion of Expedia research on the role of AI in travel. Robin Lawther, VP Expedia TAAP, spearheaded a deep dive which found over 66% of consumers do not trust AI to book their trip preferring a trusted human in their corner.
Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce talks openly to Open Jaw’s Nina Slawek about the airline’s regional hub strategy, including “seats flying off the shelves” at YXU, the success of the MET and YHU development, but then gets coy about possible expansion out west. “I always get in trouble when I pre-release stuff.”
Porter’s 20th anniversary merchandise was a hit, with 5,000 blind boxes flying off the shelves. Beyond the hyper-cute Mr Porter, President Kevin Jackson talks about shifting seasonal demand, the success of Montreal’s MET and the second winter sun lineup.
Travel industry entrepreneur Ryan McElroy tells Open Jaw’s Nina Slawek why the industry’s annual “pilgrimage” to Virtuoso Travel Week remains such a powerful business investment, and why we should all put down our phones more often.
Gail Banack, GM of Envoyage Canada, explains why the host agency’s decision to join with Travel Leaders Network is all about giving advisors more choice, not changing the Envoyage brand.
AirTrav’s Rob Kokonis’ surprising take on the WestJet flight attendant negotiations: “You agreed to that back in 2021.”
Maureen Barnes-Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Canada, shares how Sandals is transforming three Jamaica “J3” resorts along with the Beaches bloom throughout the Caribbean.