Powering Travel
Powering Travel is a new audio platform brought to you by Expedia Group. You can expect to hear travel industry experts speaking about topics ranging from travel trends and research data to tools and solutions that will change the way you approach your business. Each episode shares actionable tips to help industry leaders stay current and ultimately benefit the entire travel ecosystem—from CEOs to everyday travelers. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill. Learn more at https://partner.expediagroup.com/en-us/resources/podcast.
S4 E11 · Fri, December 06, 2024
Level Up Your Vrbo Game Just in Time for Peak Season
Ever wondered how to boost your Vrbo bookings? This week, Sam chats with Travis Gibbon, a savvy Vrbo host in the Hilton Head market, who shares insider tips on maximizing your listing’s potential ahead of peak booking season. Travis dives into flexible cancelation policies, adjusting minimum night stays, and setting competitive rates. He also explains how to use tools like Escapia for dynamic pricing to ensure you are booked and busy in the new year. Whether you're a seasoned Vrbo host or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice to elevate your hosting game! Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E10 · Wed, November 13, 2024
Unlocking insights from Unpack’25™
Expedia’s annual Unpack™ outlook is here, using data-driven insights to uncover upcoming travel trends for 2025. Samantha Lopez is joined by Amanda Maltos, an industry leader and communications expert from Expedia Group, to dive into the data gathered from more than 25,000 travelers in this year's Unpack™ Report. Some key findings include travelers adding Detour Destinations to their trips, Set-Jetting and the continued influence of media on travelers, the pull of mother nature when planning trips and much more. And of course, what this all means for you and your business! Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E9 · Wed, November 13, 2024
From Dream to Destination: Entrepreneurship in Travel
With entrepreneurship on the rise, vacation rental hosts and savvy travel advisors are seizing opportunities to grow and make a positive impact in the industry. In this episode, Vrbo host Michelle Ruber and travel advisor Rebecca Smiley, share their insights on growing their businesses with Expedia Group. Michelle talks about how Vrbo’s platform empowers hosts to provide personalized and trusted travel experiences. Rebecca details her journey into entrepreneurship, how she leverages social media, community connections, and Expedia Travel TAAP. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E8 · Fri, November 08, 2024
Winter is the new summer for South of France
How can destinations reinvent themselves to attract travelers year-round? In this episode, Samantha Lopez is joined by two key figures in French tourism, Sophie Mandrillon from Atout France and Loic Chovelon from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, to explore how their organizations are reshaping tourism in the off season. They discuss their partnership with Expedia Group, they focus on sustainable tourism initiatives and the strategies they use to combat seasonality, particularly in the beautiful Côte d'Azur region. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E7 · Wed, October 23, 2024
Unlocking Traveler Value with Expedia Group's Latest Research
The cost of travel is on the rise, and so are our customers' expectations. So how can travel providers keep up? Expedia Group's head of B2B Lodging Marketing, Brandon Ehrhardt, joins the podcast to share insights from our latest research on traveler behavior. Compared to travelers booking on other platforms, Expedia Group travelers are shown to spend 21% more on properties and stay 11% longer than other guests, creating significant revenue opportunities for hotels. We discuss how initiatives like the VIP Access program are key to success, and how you can use revenue insights to create better experiences for travelers. Download the full Uncovering Traveler Value report here. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E6 · Fri, September 27, 2024
Understanding Rising Digital Threats in The Travel Industry
As fraud becomes more sophisticated, it’s crucial for travel businesses to stay one step ahead. In this episode of Powering Travel, Samantha Lopez is joined by Amit Ghosh, Head of Fraud and Risk Portfolio at Expedia Group, to discuss increasing threats in the travel industry. Amit shares his insights on the growing challenges posed by AI advancements and phishing attacks, emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant throughout the customer journey. He also highlights how Expedia's innovative fraud detection tools are helping safeguard travelers and businesses to ensure a seamless and secure experience. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E5 · Wed, September 18, 2024
An Expedia Group insider reveals how to reduce cancellations and create a great vacation rental experience
As vacation rentals rise in popularity, it's more important than ever to ensure your listing stands out. Angela Page, Director of Account Management for Vacation Rentals at Expedia Group and a Vrbo host herself, shares her tips for optimizing your property listing to attract the right guests and provide a great experience. Some of her advice includes how the right settings can help you avoid costly cancellations, how to keep your listing’s rules and amenities up to date, why the order of photos in your listing matters, and why you might want to ditch the cleaning fee altogether. She also shares how hosting with Vrbo can help you manage your bookings in a streamlined and professional manner, creating the best guest experience possible, no matter the circumstances. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E4 · Wed, September 04, 2024
Advocating For Inclusive and Accessible Travel
Everyone deserves to feel safe and welcome while traveling. However, Expedia Group’s latest research reveals that Black, Latino, LGBTQIA+ travelers, and those with disabilities still face significant barriers that hinder their travel experiences. Lawrence Phillips, CEO of Green Book Global, shares how his platform empowers Black travelers with authentic reviews and resources, helping them navigate the world with confidence. Joining the conversation, Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer at Paralyzed Veterans of America, highlights the challenges disabled travelers encounter and the advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring safe and dignified travel experiences. Together, they offer inspiring insights and actionable strategies to break down barriers and create a more inclusive travel industry for all. Read the full report here: Journeys for All: An Expedia Group Study on Inclusion in Travel Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E3 · Wed, July 24, 2024
Unlocking Visibility with Accelerator
When opening a new property, securing those initial bookings can be challenging, especially when competing against established properties. Susana Ramírez Horta, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Tafer Hotels & Resorts, shares how she leverages Expedia Group's tools to increase visibility for both new and established properties. Susana explains that as Tafer prepares to open a new property, they use Expedia Group's pay-per-stay Accelerator tool to ensure it appears at the top of search results for travelers. She and her team started using Accelerator when they were struggling to stand out in the crowded Cancun market and have since seen impressive ROI, including enhanced visibility in search results. Tune in to learn how you can use Accelerator and other Expedia Group tools to get more eyes on your bookings. To learn more visit: https://partner.expediagroup.com/en-us/resources/blog/hotel-marketing-accelerator-tool Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E2 · Wed, July 24, 2024
Fill Rooms During Off-Season with Accelerator
In today’s market, travelers have seemingly endless options for where to stay. How can businesses boost their visibility to ensure that travelers are making bookings with them? We hear from Carlos del Pino at Original Group who has tapped into Expedia’s extensive B2B partner network and launched a pay-per-stay Accelerator, to boost visibility, making it easier to fill rooms–especially during off-season. Original Group is a Mexican based hospitality group that is a pioneer in Cancun, building the first hotel in the area in 1974. Hear how Carlos leverages Accelerator in tandem with TravelAds to increase their properties’ visibility without eating into their marketing budget, and learn more about what Accelerator can do for your business. To learn more visit: https://partner.expediagroup.com/en-us/resources/blog/travelads-and-accelerator-hotel-visibility-boosters Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill .
S4 E1 · Tue, July 09, 2024
The impact of first-party data on digital advertising
Data and cookies have long been used in advertising to understand, target, retarget, track, and report on the purchasing journeys of consumers. Now that third-party cookies are being phased out, travel marketers and advertisers need to rely on first-party data to build strategic campaigns that effectively connect with travelers. In this episode, we take a closer look at first-party data this new era of digital advertising and tap our expert, Jason Standifer, senior director of product management for Expedia Group Media Solutions, to help us understand what to expect. Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of third-party data and cookies, and how advertisers will need to use first-party data to create personalized experiences, and connect with travelers to drive bookings. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill . Learn more at https://partner.expediagroup.com/en-us/resources/podcast .
S4 E0 · Wed, June 26, 2024
Change is coming to Powering Travel
Powering Travel is changing to best serve you! On this feed, you’ll find exclusive stand-alone content that offers insights into the ever-evolving travel industry. We’ll be breaking down complex topics and providing insights and inspiration to help you grow your business. You’ll be hearing about a range of topics from expert voices across the industry, spotlights on partners, and educational pieces on what’s powering the travel industry. Make sure you’ve subscribed wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode! Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill . Learn more at https://partner.expediagroup.com/en-us/resources/podcast .
S3 E6 · Wed, March 27, 2024
Beyond amenities: Delivering Premier Host-level experiences
Guest Host Becca Glenn, Director of Partner Success for Vacation Rentals is joined by Mary Beth Miles, CEO of Vacation Rental Collective. Becca and Mary Beth sit down to talk all things vacation rentals, and how to create unforgettable experiences for guests. In a post-pandemic world, guest expectations of vacation rentals have shifted. Today, travelers are looking for hotel-level amenities and personalized experiences, and according to Mary Beth, providing delight and surprise elevates it to a first-class experience. Mary Beth discusses how her properties deliver these experiences by employing travel management software and tech like smart locks and remote thermostats, as well as special touches like gift baskets filled with local products to make a guest experience problem-free. They also discuss sustainability, accessibility and going beyond accommodation. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear how to take your vacation rental to the next level and provide a 5-star experience every time. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill. Learn more at partner.expediagroup.com .
S3 E5 · Wed, March 13, 2024
Traditional to tech-driven: A look at revenue management
Guest host Mike Grubler, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at Expedia Group, is joined by Kerry Mack for this episode on revenue management in hospitality. Kerry is an expert in the space, and is currently the Chief Revenue Officer at Highgate, where she has worked for over eighteen years. Mike and Kerry discuss why revenue management in the travel industry continues to be a unique and complicated topic. This complication makes efficient and sophisticated revenue management in travel vital. According to Kerry, a successful manager is someone who understands the customer as well as the various circumstances that they travel. Mike and Kerry also discuss how the space has changed as more data becomes available, and how traveler segmentation has become increasingly flexible. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill. Learn more at partner.expediagroup.com .
S3 E4 · Wed, February 28, 2024
The intersection of tech and travel
Wondering how new technology like AI will impact travel? In this episode, guest host Richard Kocher, Senior Director of Media Insights and Planning at Expedia Group, is joined by travel journalist Siew Hoon Yeoh to discuss the role of technology in travel. Siew Hoon is the founder of Web in Travel , and has been covering the impact of tech on the travel industry since the early 2000s. She believes that travel is still a human industry —after all, it's humans who travel, not robots. However, she also believes that tech like AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we travel. The two dive into how AI has allowed people to plan less and live in the moment by providing hyperpersonal recommendations on the spot, eliminating the need to plan every step of a trip. They also talk about how new tech is helping travelers streamline their experiences. Join Richard and Siew Hoon for an enlightening conversation about the future of tech and travel, and tune in to hear insider predictions on travel technology innovations and tips on keeping up with the ever-evolving industry . Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill. Learn more at partner.expediagroup.com .
S3 E3 · Wed, February 14, 2024
Inspiring 2024 travel with tech, experiences, and growth
Brandon is back to host this episode of Powering Travel! Join him and Ariane Gorin, President of Expedia for Business at Expedia Group, for a great discussion on the state of the travel industry, how Expedia is enabling their partners to capture the demand of the growing middle class, and the importance of accessing this new segment of travelers. Ariane, a seasoned leader in the travel space, shares valuable insights on how Expedia is facilitating its partners to tap into the expanding middle class across diverse markets, such as Asia and the Middle East. As these markets grow, people will have disposable income to spend on travel, and she wants to ensure that partners are empowered to capture that demand. Additionally, Ariane offers a glimpse into evolving travel loyalty programs, upcoming trends in 2024, and provides insights into how Expedia is generating new demand for its supply partners. Tune in for an informative and entertaining exploration of the evolving travel landscape. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill. Learn more at partner.expediagroup.com .
S3 E2 · Wed, January 31, 2024
Paving the way to net zero
What is the lodging industry doing to achieve decarbonization and net zero? Aditi Mohapatra, VP Global Social Impact & Sustainability, sits down with Xavier Guillemin, VP Global Sales Sustainability at Accor, Europe's largest hospitality company, to find out! Xavier gives his insights on the lodging industry's pursuit of decarbonization and net-zero goals, emphasizing the mounting pressure from travelers for sustainable lodging and the importance of meeting COP 21 commitments. Xavier also shares what Accor is doing to hold themselves accountable to their sustainability commitments and some of the innovative solutions they are implementing to achieve them. Finally, they discuss the importance of clear and concise communication to ensure travelers have visibility into hotels' sustainability practices when making booking decisions. The Sustainable Travel Study Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill. Learn more at partner.expediagroup.com .
S3 E1 · Wed, January 17, 2024
From inspiration to booking: How travelers purchase
Is there a typical path to purchase when it comes to booking travel? Join guest host Richard Kocher, Senior Director, Media Insights & Planning, as he interviews Cheryl Miller, Senior Vice President of B2B Marketing at Expedia Group. Cheryl has extensive experience in marketing and go-to-market initiatives for large tech companies, and together, they discuss the findings of Expedia’s Path to Purchase Report, an in-depth study that explores how travelers make decisions when planning their next trip. Cheryl highlights that the path to purchase is winding, long, and never straightforward. She also emphasizes the importance of employing an omnichannel marketing approach, as the report uncovered the variety of channels travelers explore when booking travel, such as social media and OTAs. She and Richard also discuss some of the many other important insights from the report, like the influence of advertising, the role of loyalty, and how to engage travelers at each step along the journey. This episode offers a compelling glimpse into the intersection of technology, consumer behavior, and marketing strategies. The Path to Purchase Report Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill. Learn more at partner.expediagroup.com .
S3 E0 · Wed, December 13, 2023
Season 3: Unpacking the Travel Industry
Join Brandon and an expert roster of guest hosts as they uncover what recent breakthroughs in technology mean for travel. From Gen AI to innovative new security features, the travel space is rapidly evolving – and we have a front row seat. Tune in this season to uncover how these innovations can help you and your business grow in 2024! Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill. Learn more at partner.expediagroup.com .
Bonus · Mon, December 11, 2023
Expedia Talks: Michael Dykes, VP, Market Management, Asia-Pacific
What happens when as an eight-year-old, you are moved from Okinawa to Indiana, two more contrasting places you couldn’t imagine? Well, for half-Japanese-half-American Michael Dykes, it was definitely “jarring”, but it taught him some valuable life lessons which have stood him in good stead in both his career and life. The Vice President, Market Management of Asia-Pacific for Expedia Group said growing up on a farm in rural America taught him self-sufficiency as well as an appreciation for the origin of food. It also made him determined to return to Japan, and Asia, where his heart is and so he made sure he never lost his Japanese language skills while building a new life in the US. In this podcast, Dykes talks about how countries in South-east Asia are more interwoven with each other – a lot of cultural awareness across boundaries, not seen so much in North-east Asia, which then leads to e-commerce in general, including travel, cutting across boundaries as well. Dykes also talks about Expedia's partnerships with Jetstar and Philippine Airlines, and a deal now with general e-commerce players such as G-Mart of South Korea. The company is also expanding the definition of B2B, and he sees opportunities within Asia-Pacific, both vertically and geographically, for Expedia to “power travel for everybody”. New episodes of Powering Travel coming in 2024.
Bonus · Mon, December 04, 2023
Expedia Talks: Rob Torres, SVP, Media Solutions
Like many key figures in travel and hospitality, Rob Torres, Senior Vice President of Media Solutions at Expedia Group has seen the industry shift and evolve over time, with technology driving most of the change in the last couple of decades. In this episode of Expedia Talks, we ask Rob about the lessons he has collected and curated over the years to help him prepare for the future of travel. With so much new technology at one's disposal, how does an experienced travel pro like Rob pick and choose what works best for the task at hand? We also chat about new trends in Rob's specialty, Destination Marketing, and how data is helping companies like Expedia create more personalized experiences for each customer, which in turn adds value to Expedia's partners and suppliers. Stay tuned for more episodes in this series. New episodes of Powering Travel coming in 2024.
Bonus · Mon, November 27, 2023
Expedia Talks: Karen Bolda, SVP, Product & Technology
In this episode of Expedia Talks, we ask Karen about what drew her to the intersection of travel and technology. We also chat about her first startup and how Expedia acquired it all those years ago. Then, Karen gets candid about the formative years that brought her to Expedia, before answering today's most pressing question - what's a human quality that cannot be codified? Stay tuned for more episodes in this series. New episode of Powering Travel coming in 2024.
Bonus · Mon, November 20, 2023
Expedia Talks: Greg Schulze, SVP of Strategic Travel Partners & Hari Nair, SVP and General Manager, Lodging Marketplace
As a company, Expedia Group is no stranger to change - the company has been through many shifts in the travel and hospitality industry, from technological booms to slumps in the global economy, to the current AI revolution amidst a worldwide recovery phase. Similarly, two travel veterans, Greg Schulze, SVP of Strategic Travel Partners and Hari Nair, SVP and General Manager, Lodging Marketplace, are no strangers to transformations in the industry either. In this episode of Expedia Talks, we sit down with Greg and Hari to talk about their roles at Expedia and how it has evolved over time, especially with data, AI, and machine learning. We also go back to the early days of Online Travel Agencies and how it changed the way we travel, and why travel professionals need to always be one step ahead of the curve with trends in the market. Greg and Hari also talk about the collective responsibility of travel players, and why it's time to rise to the occasion to meet the challenges and opportunities during this technological turning point. Stay tuned for more episodes in this series. New episode of Powering Travel coming in 2024.
Bonus · Mon, November 13, 2023
Expedia Talks: Alfonso Paredes, SVP, Commercial Partnerships, Expedia Group
Expedia Group rolled out a few partnerships recently – SoFi, Mastercard, and WalmartPlusTravel.com. By enabling giant retailers like these, do they risk losing business on the B2C side of things? And what does it take to form lasting partnerships in today's travel and hospitality scene? On the first episode of Expedia Talks, a special series powered by Expedia Group, we chat with Alfonso Paredes (SVP, Commercial Partnerships, Expedia Group) about finding synergy in a competitive travel market, looking for common goals among collaborators, and how tech is helping build bridges instead of walls in the new tourism and hospitality scene. Stay tuned for more episodes in this series. New episodes of Powering Travel coming in 2024.
S2 E6 · Wed, July 19, 2023
Elevating Travel: How Loyalty & Rewards Make a Difference
In the Season 2 finale of Powering Travel, Brandon interviews Katherine Fan. Katherine is a freelance writer and a loyalty expert who started her loyalty journey the way many people do, looking at how to make the most of her travel. Today she still loves loyalty programs, and teaches others how to take full advantage of them. Katherine and Brandon discuss One Key, Expedia’s largest and most comprehensive rewards program yet, the differences between cash and mileage-based programs, and some of the crazy things they’ve both done in pursuit of points. Katherine also discusses her love of Hotels.com, her strategy for redeeming points, and the future of loyalty programs. Learn more about One Key Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S2 E5 · Wed, July 05, 2023
Data, Trends, and AI: Transforming the Travel Industry
Brandon and guest host Richard Kocher, the Director of Media Insights and Planning at Expedia Group, interview Powering Travel’s first returning guest: Dennis Schaal! Dennis the founding and executive editor of Skift and a long-time travel journalist. In this episode, they dive into the world of data and insights in the travel industry. Richard and Dennis provide a unique perspective on how data can be leveraged and provide their expert knowledge on the value of research. Join them for further discussion on mining first-party data, the use of third parties, and Dennis’ hot takes on AI and upcoming trends in the industry. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Read more about the Path to Purchase research here. Download the Traveler Insights Report for Q2 of 2023 Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S2 E4 · Wed, June 21, 2023
Destination Organizations: Making Travel Possible
Who ensures local communities are well serviced by tourism, or that the local environment is protected? How can a destination be promoted responsibly? The bottom line is that destinations need advocates. In this episode, Brandon is joined by Andrew van der Feltz, the Global Senior Director of Business Development for Expedia Group Media Solutions. They dive into destination advocacy with Andreas Weissenborn, Vice President of Research and Advocacy at Destinations International , to answer those questions. Andreas discusses the crucial role destination advocacy groups play in the travel and tourism industry and the shift they’ve undergone from being organizations focused solely on promotion and marketing. He also breaks down the wide variety of types of destination advocacy groups, and why each is an important part of the travel ecosystem. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S2 E3 · Wed, June 07, 2023
Vacation Rentals: How They’re Shaping the Future of Tourism
This episode of Powering Travel marks a milestone: our first episode about the vacation rental marketplace! Vacation rentals have become an essential part of the travel and tourism industry, but elicit mixed feelings from travelers and professionals alike. Brandon is joined by guest host Tim Rosolio, Vice President of vacation rental partner success at Expedia Group. Tim is an expert in the business side of vacation rentals, as well as being a travel enthusiast and vacation rental owner himself. They interview Merilee Karr, founder of the luxury home accommodation business Under the Doormat. They discuss how vacation rentals have changed tourism, the data behind the rental industry, and Merilee’s predictions for the future. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S2 E2 · Wed, May 24, 2023
Lights, Camera, Vacation: Where Tourism and Media Meet
Have you ever seen a beautiful location in a movie or TV show and known you had to visit? The intersection between media and travel is a powerful motivator for tourism, and even has a catchy name: set-jetting. In this episode, Brandon is joined by guest host Angelique Miller, who leads the Media Studio at Expedia Group. They interview Dr. Stephen Pratt, a department chair of Tourism Events and Attractions at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and co-creator of the popular Travel Professors YouTube channel. They discuss the academics behind set-jetting, the impact of films like The Lord of the Rings on local tourism, and what the future holds for media and tourism. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S2 E1 · Wed, May 10, 2023
Breaking Down Barriers: The Importance of Accessibility in Travel
Travel is something that many of us love, but unfortunately, travelers with disabilities face barriers and challenges to travel that are often overlooked. In the first episode of season two, host Brandon Ehrhardt and guest host Toby Willis sit down with Alvaro Silberstein, founder of Wheel the World. After a car accident that left him in a wheelchair when he was 18 years old, Alvaro knew he wanted to continue traveling, but found obstacles in his way that able bodied people didn’t face. Based on his experiences, he founded Wheel the World, a resource that provides information for travelers with disabilities to find accessible travel experiences. Join them as they discuss the current challenges facing travelers with disabilities, recent positive changes in the industry, and how Wheel the World is helping to make travel more accessible. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S2 E0 · Wed, April 12, 2023
Season 2 Trailer
Have you heard of the term “revenge travel”? How about “flexcation”? Or even a “nothing-cation”? There are so many ways to travel that we’re literally creating words to describe it! Welcome to season two of the Powering Travel podcast, brought to you by Expedia Group. In each episode, host Brandon Ehrhardt, Senior Director of Partner Programs at Expedia, and regular guest co-hosts are joined by a different travel leader who is creating a big impact on the industry. From TV-inspired wanderlust to the current state of vacation rentals, we’re inviting the experts to talk shop and give you actionable advice on how to grow your travel business. Tune in this May wherever you get your podcasts. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill. Learn more at welcome.expediagroup.com .
S1 E6 · Wed, July 27, 2022
A Wild Ride! How The Car Rental Industry Has Shifted Gears During The Pandemic
In the last episode of season one, Sally and Brandon discuss an area of the travel industry that has been on the rise over the pandemic: rental cars. As many travelers are still looking to travel closer to home, the rental car market has seen a huge surge in popularity. To help inform their discussion, they’re joined by Ricardo Casco, the Vice President of International and Online Travel Sales for Avis Budget Group. In his role, Ricardo oversees the company’s initiative to generate and grow business from a diverse portfolio of over 500 global customers across The Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. The market segments he leads include online travel partners, global brokers and tour operators, as well as internal cross-border partnerships. During their conversation, Ricardo shares his perspective on post-pandemic behavior changes when it comes to car rentals, the shifting customer demographic, what’s next for the industry, and much more. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S1 E5 · Wed, July 13, 2022
How Traveler Demand Impacts Airline Network Planning
In this episode, hosts Brandon and Sally go behind the scenes of air travel to explore the details around flight paths and route selections for airlines. Air travel is one of the most important aspects of the full trip funnel because it impacts the travel industry at large, including the way hospitality partners adapt to the changing landscape of travel transport. They sit down with the director for Atlantic/Hawaii Network Planning at United Airlines, Darren Scott, who shares his expert perspective on airline route management and what hotels and other travel leaders can do to continue to attract travelers coming to their destinations. Given his experience in determining flight paths, managing the team responsible for evaluating deployment of capacity to Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Hawaii, and coordinating network initiatives with stakeholders, Darren had plenty of insider expertise to share during the episode. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S1 E4 · Wed, June 29, 2022
How Partnering with Influencers Can Benefit Your Brand
In this episode, hosts Brandon and Sally cover a topic that can help take traditional marketing strategies to the next level, but one which is often misunderstood: influencer partnerships. To learn more about the nature of influencer marketing for travel brands, Sally sits down with guest Jade Broadus, the Vice President and Creative Director at Travel Mindset, a niche marketing agency that specializes in influencer marketing for the tourism and lifestyle industry. In addition to her role at Travel Mindset, Jade is an influencer and the creator of Vagabond3, an award-winning travel blog with over 150,000 followers. During the episode, Jade shares her perspective on how brands can benefit from influencer partnerships, key strategies for finding an influencer partnership that fits your brand, and choosing the right channels for sharing your content.Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S1 E3 · Wed, June 15, 2022
Travelers Expect Customized Experiences — Here’s How to Deliver
When the pandemic hit back in 2020, diehard sports and music fans everywhere lost an important outlet for positive mental health and happiness. With live entertainment on pause, many people felt like they had lost a piece of themselves, so when in-person events finally came back, the industry had the opportunity to capitalize on two years’ worth of pent-up demand. In this episode, Sally and Brandon discuss the return of live entertainment and large-scale events like Coachella and Stagecoach, exploring how the customer experience has evolved over the last two years. They sit down with guest Erin Zinser, vice president of partnership activation for the Global Partnerships division of AEG Worldwide, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. Acting as an internal agency for AEG Worldwide, the Global Partnerships division oversees worldwide sponsorship sales and activation for over 130 world-class platforms across five continents including venues, sports franchises, events, tours, festivals and digital content. Erin shares her perspective on how partners can work with AEG Worldwide to attract demand in local markets and create a memorable experience for travelers as we head into the summer season.Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S1 E2 · Wed, June 01, 2022
Why Sustainability Means the World to Travelers
As the threat of climate change looms, sustainability has become a major priority for travelers. In fact, according to a recent global survey from Expedia Group , nearly two-thirds or 59% of travelers indicated they were willing to spend more to make a trip sustainable, which is on par with results from last summer. In this episode, Brandon and Sally sit down with Peter DeBrine, Destination Advisor and UNESCO sustainable tourism expert, to discuss strategies for hotels and travel providers hoping to make impactful changes to the way they operate and minimize their footprint overall. Peter also shares his outlook on the future of the industry, how UNESCO is making an impact through its Sustainable Travel Pledge , and his take on the next big trends in sustainable travel. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S1 E1 · Wed, May 18, 2022
From Surviving to Thriving: A New Chapter for the Hospitality Industry
In the first episode of Powering Travel, hosts Brandon Ehrhardt and Sally Smith sit down with Dennis Schaal, the founding and executive editor of Skift. As a news publication dedicated to sharing travel industry happenings, Skift is tapped into the latest and greatest tips, trends and updates for hospitality professionals around the world. Dennis has been covering the travel sector and interviewing its leaders for more than 20 years, and in 2016, he wrote The Definitive Oral History of Online Travel. During the episode, Brandon, Sally and Dennis cover a broad range of topics related to the travel industry including staffing issues, sustainability and much more. Dennis also shares his exclusive insights on where he thinks the industry is headed next. Powering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.
S1 E0 · Wed, April 20, 2022
Your Powering Travel Itinerary
The guest list is filling up and the dates have been set. Powering Travel is a new podcast brought to you by Expedia Group. Meet hosts Brandon Ehrhardt, Senior Director of Partner Programs and Sally Smith, Senior Director of Market Management.This show is welcoming travel industry leaders to share their best-kept secrets, hard-earned hospitality tips and bold predictions on where the industry is headed next. From sustainability to social media influencers, the travel industry is in for a revival and it’s more important than ever to understand the needs of modern-day travelers.
loading...