Booked & Busy Abroad: SuaveSki’s Blueprint for Going Global What happens when your biggest fans aren’t in your backyard, but across the ocean? In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , we sit down with SuaveSki — a rising independent hip-hop artist and touring entrepreneur — who’s turned his U.S.-based hustle into an international movement. From Romania to Rome, and Zurich to South by Southwest, SuaveSki shares how he built a loyal fanbase abroad, booked venu...
Jul 01, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Ep. 42 - RevPar Problems, Real Talk: When Memes Meet Metrics with Calvin Tilokee How do revenue managers really think? What makes hotel rates spike during Taylor Swift concerts—or Bigfoot conventions? And why do memes about ADR hit harder than your star report? In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , we sit down with Calvin Tilokee of RevPAR Media, the sharp mind behind the viral @RevPARProblems Instagram account. Calvin pulls back the curtain on hotel pricing ...
Jun 24, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Episode Title: Tickets for Good: How Humanitix Is Reinventing Ticketing with Purpose In this episode of Tickets to Travel , we sit down with Jessica Markowitz of Humanitix , the nonprofit ticketing platform that’s proving business can be a force for good. From her personal journey into mission-driven ticketing to Humanitix’s rise as a global disruptor, Jess shares how this innovative platform is turning event booking fees into life-changing donations—over $10 million and counting. We dive into h...
Jun 17, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Episode 40 – Beyond the Logo: The Real ROI of Event Sponsorships with Faisal Shariff Guest: Faisal Shariff | Sponsorship Strategist and Consultant What do Spotify, FC Barcelona, Travis Scott, Qatar Airways, and spring break in Cancun have in common? They all demonstrate the power—and complexity—of strategic sponsorships when executed well. In this episode, host Mario Bauduin speaks with Faisal Shariff, a global consultant known for turning fan behavior and experience design into measurable busin...
Jun 10, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Fan Travel Stories: Loyalty Runs Deep – Tattoos, Tickets, and Traveling for Tottenham Hotspur FC What does it mean to be a true football superfan? For Dipak Patel, it means building entire vacations around matchday, joining supporter clubs for insider ticket access, and yes—getting not one, but two Tottenham Hotspur tattoos. In this episode of Fan Travel Stories , we dive into how this Spurs diehard (and travel industry veteran) plans European trips around the Premier League calendar, scores gre...
Jun 03, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In this special News Flash episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , host Mario Bauduin breaks down the biggest travel, ticketing, and live event stories making waves in May 2025. From the explosive growth of music tourism — projected to hit $268 billion by 2030 according to IQ Magazine — to Airbnb’s new partnership with Live Nation, this episode explores how fandom, festivals, and unforgettable experiences are redefining global travel habits. We also examine Booking.com...
May 28, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Ep. 37 - Ticketing, Travel, and Trust: Why BookSeats is Winning Over Teams and Fans with Joseph DeMarinis Podcast Episode Description: In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , host Mario Bauduin sits down with Joseph DeMarinis, Founder and CEO of BookSeats.com, for a deep dive into the evolution of fan travel and the technology that's reshaping how sports teams and entertainment properties connect with their audiences. Joseph breaks down how BookSeats enables se...
May 20, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 37
FREE TICKETS?! Yes, really. In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , we’re joined by the ultimate guest list insider, Lance Dashoff , founder of Loudie — the app that’s quietly revolutionizing how fans score free concert, comedy, and festival tickets across the U.S. From his early days at WME curating VIP access, to launching a platform that fills empty seats and fuels unforgettable nights out, Lance spills the tea on: Why 30–40% of tickets go unsold How promote...
May 13, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Cheeks in Seats, Heads in Beds: Building Travel Demand Through Sports with Travis Apple What do Orlando Magic, concierge kickbacks, and the World Cup have in common? They all come up in this no-holds-barred conversation with Travis Apple —sports sales expert, author of “Hustle Your Way to Success in Sports Sales,” and host of the podcast 52 Weeks of Hustle . In this episode, Travis and Mario dive into how travel and tourism professionals can better understand the inner workings of sports teams, ...
May 06, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Episode Title: From World Cup to Burning Man: The Ultimate 2025–26 Event Travel List Ready to plan your next unforgettable adventure? In this episode of Tickets To Travel , we're breaking down the Top 10 global events worth booking a flight (and maybe a payment plan) for in 2025 and 2026. From the massive stadiums of the FIFA World Cup to the surreal sands of Burning Man , we’re covering the sports, music, fashion, and cultural experiences that are driving the next wave of travel. Host Mario Bau...
Apr 29, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Whether you’re training for your first 5K or plotting your sixth World Marathon Major, this episode goes the distance. We’re joined by Neal Sheridan , media strategist and marathon runner, who breaks down how global marathons aren’t just personal milestones—they’re massive travel events that shape entire city economies. From hotel bookings to recovery rituals, Neal shares insider tips on planning the perfect run-cation and reveals what travel brands should be doing to win over this loyal, high-s...
Apr 22, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Festival season is here—and so is Alex Mac, our go-to live music and event strategist. In this high-energy episode of Tickets to Travel , we dive deep into the travel trends, ticketing behaviors, and cultural moments shaping the global music festival scene in 2025. From Ultra’s surprise Sia set in Miami to Lollapalooza's genre-bending lineups and the Backstreet Boys invading the Sphere in Vegas, Alex unpacks how streaming, Gen Z culture, and city infrastructure are redefining how (and why) we tr...
Apr 16, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 32
🎙️ Episode 31 – "Body Slams & Boarding Passes: Life as a Traveling WWE Super Fan What happens when your love for pro wrestling turns into a passport-stamping, ringside-seat-hunting, global adventure? Meet Z and Matt—power couple, travel pros, and certified WWE superfans—who’ve attended over 100 events across 7+ countries , racked up 100,000+ air miles , and become fan-famous faces on screen. In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , host Mario Bauduin dives ...
Apr 08, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , we dive headfirst into the global travel ripple effect created by HBO’s The White Lotus . From Maui to Sicily to the newly released Season 3 set in Thailand, the series has done more than spark memes — it’s ignited a luxury tourism boom that’s flooding real destinations with curious fans… and a few questionable tan lines. We explore: 📈 Real tourism data from Hawaii, Italy, and Thailand post-airing 🎬 Plot-driven insights...
Apr 07, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Episode 30: Heisman Moments, Magic Johnson, and Red Carpet Events — What Happened to the Sports Museum of America? What do you get when you combine the Heisman Trophy, Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, red carpet events, and an all-star team of tourism pros in downtown Manhattan? You get the Sports Museum of America—a $100 million startup attraction that opened with massive fanfare... and quietly closed less than a year later. In this episode, host Mario Bauduin and three of his former teammates (and f...
Apr 01, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Booked, Broke, and BTS Bound: Bernadette Joy's KPOP Ticket & Travel Experience Playbook In this episode of Tickets to Travel , we dive into the high-energy world of KPOP superfans with Bernadette Joy , a financial educator and lifelong music lover who’s traveled coast to coast (and beyond) for her favorite idols. From navigating dynamic ticket pricing and limited tour stops to mastering fan club perks , high-touch experiences , and travel hacks , Bernadette breaks down what it really takes t...
Mar 25, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 29
🔥 Billy McFarland & FYRE Festival 2: Tickets Are on Sale… But Does it Exist? 🔥 Billy McFarland is back with FYRE Festival 2 , promising an exclusive luxury event in 2025 on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. But with no announced lineup, no confirmed permits, and ticket packages priced up to $1.1 MILLION , the question remains— is this even real? In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , host Mario Bauduin breaks down what’s actually happening with FYRE Fest 2 , revisit...
Mar 18, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode of Tickets to Travel , we kick off our brand-new Fan Travel Stories series with a tale of passion, perseverance, and Premier League obsession. Meet Malcolm Hardiman , a die-hard Liverpool FC fan who took the ultimate leap—planning a dream trip from Austin, Texas to Anfield to watch his beloved team play live on Boxing Day . 🚀 But the journey wasn’t easy... How did Malcolm plan a trip to London, Paris, and Liverpool with the help of Costco Travel (yes, really!)? Why was getting m...
Mar 11, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , we’re blasting off into the world of music tourism, ticketing innovation, and festival travel with none other than Bobby Blast —DJ, global music curator, and the visionary behind BlastFest , the West Coast’s premier Afrobeats festival. Joining us for this deep dive is Natalia Botero , Travel and Ticketing Operations Consultant and former GM of North America for Shotgun Ticketing . With her expertise in event strategy, tic...
Mar 03, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , host Mario Bauduin sits down with Thomas Mesa Montiel of Hello Tickets to explore the evolving landscape of ticketing and live events . They discuss why the U.S. ticketing market is a decade ahead of Europe , the role of secondary marketplaces , and how technology and regulation are shaping the future of live event sales . From sports fandom culture to the impact of travel on ticket sales , this conversation uncovers insi...
Feb 25, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Would you travel across the world to see your favorite artist? Meet Mary and Jeanine, two die-hard Swifties who skipped the sky-high U.S. ticket prices and took their Taylor Swift Eras Tour experience international—to Edinburgh, Scotland! In this episode of Tickets to Travel: Fan Travel Stories , we dive into their unforgettable adventure, from navigating international ticket sales and scoring an Airbnb in historic Stockbridge to experiencing the electric energy of Taylor’s concert—at a fraction...
Feb 18, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 24
How do concerts, sports, and festivals fuel entire economies? Spoiler alert: It’s way more than just ticket sales! In this episode of Tickets to Travel , we dive into the eye-opening Oxford Economics Study on Live Events , breaking down how a single ticket purchase ripples into hundreds of dollars in local spending —from hotel stays to Uber rides and overpriced nachos. 🎤 Did you know? Live events generated $132.6 billion for the U.S. economy in 2019. Every $100 spent on a concert ticket leads t...
Feb 11, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Fan Travel Stories" is where passion meets the road. Hosted by Mario Bauduin on Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , this series dives deep into the wild, hilarious, and insightful journeys of superfans who plan their lives around the next big game, concert, or festival. From Taylor Swift devotees with military-grade hotel booking strategies to Phish fans coordinating entire hotel floors , these die-hard travelers aren’t just attending events—they’re rewriting the rules of tra...
Feb 05, 2025•6 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , we’re diving into the fast-growing world of lacrosse and its road to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Joining us is Will Blake, Vice President of Corporate Partnership Development at USA Lacrosse, who’s on a mission to expand the sport’s fanbase beyond its Northeast stronghold and onto the global stage. Will shares the unique challenges and opportunities in building a sport’s following from scratch—balancing regio...
Jan 28, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , host Mario Bauduin sits down with Dan Josebachvili, a pioneering entrepreneur who has shaped the experience economy through innovation and passion. From co-founding Urban Escapes and redefining adventure travel to scaling festivals and events at LivingSocial, Dan shares insights into the creation of unforgettable experiences and the importance of intentionality in building products and marketing. The conversation explores...
Jan 21, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , host Mario Bauduin sits down with Tay Mauro, a veteran in the theme park and attractions industry whose career spans iconic brands like Disney, SeaWorld, and Cedar Fair. Tay shares his journey from operating rides at Disney to spearheading multi-million-dollar ticketing strategies and revolutionizing annual pass programs. Listen as Tay recounts his childhood trip to Disney World that sparked his passion for creating magic...
Jan 14, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 19
https://tttpod.com/https://tttpod.com/Welcome to 2025, the year of the superfan! In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences, host Mario Bauduin explores how superfans—passionate enthusiasts of everything from Disney to football to Taylor Swift—are reshaping the travel and entertainment industries. We dive into the power of superfans as the driving force behind live events, theme parks, and pop culture tourism, unpacking their willingness to invest heavily in immersi...
Jan 06, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In this festive episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , your host Mario Bauduin dives into the dazzling world of K-Pop and its seismic impact on global tourism. From BTS and Blackpink to emerging groups like New Jeans, Mario unpacks how this cultural phenomenon is transforming travel, sparking economic booms, and creating unforgettable experiences for fans and the industry alike. Discover the origins of K-Pop, the rise of entertainment giants like Hybe and SM Entertain...
Dec 26, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , host Mario Bauduin is joined by live music strategist Alex McClelland to explore the powerful intersection of music and tourism. From Kendrick Lamar’s touring strategies to the global draw of Coachella and the allure of Las Vegas residencies, they uncover how live events shape travel trends and boost local economies. Mario and Alex dive into the strategic planning behind stadium tours, festival destinations, and high-stak...
Dec 19, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this chart-topping episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences , host Mario Bauduin dives into the economic powerhouse that is live entertainment. From Taylor Swift’s billion-dollar Eras Tour to U2’s groundbreaking residency at the Las Vegas Sphere, we explore the top five music tours, venues, and festivals of 2024—and their staggering impact on global travel trends. Discover how these events are turning destinations like Buenos Aires, Stockholm, and Rio de Janeiro into t...
Dec 10, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 15
