The Travel Marketing Podcast - podcast cover

The Travel Marketing Podcast

Propellic, Brennen Blisspropellic.com
You’re a marketer in one of the most competitive industries. You may be tired of trying, over and over, to use the same marketing strategies that you read about online or learned about in school - but is that really going to move the needle? We all know the big brands - Booking.com, American Airlines, The Points Guy, Royal Caribbean, Marriott, VRBO, and Hertz... but what about the emerging brands that have found their path to scale? The Travel Marketing Podcast is about sitting down with successful marketing professionals in the travel, transportation, and tourism industry to learn what has worked for them, what they’ve learned along the way, and what new trends they’re noticing. We are Propellic, and we’re on a mission to create more diversity in thought for the planet. We’re doing that by helping brands - specifically travel, transportation, and tourism brands - increase their reach through intelligent marketing that travels further.
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Episodes

The B2B Storytelling Playbook

In this episode, we sit down with Rami Nuseir, Head of Marketing at Stay22 and a self-described "Story Sage." Rami is a master at taking complex, "incomprehensible" technology and turning it into narratives that anyone can understand. We dive into how Stay22 achieved a staggering 187% growth in 2025 by empowering travel creators with AI-powered affiliate tools. Rami shares his "funny outsells serious" marketing philosophy, the importance of rigorous A/B testing, and why he recently declared the ...

Mar 11, 202641 minEp. 44

Beyond the Algorithm: Building a Brand with Community, Not Clicks

Discover how Katalina Mayorga built El Camino Travel into a powerhouse for the "bold woman traveler" without spending a dime on traditional ads. In this episode, Katalina shares her journey from international development to creating a brand that prioritizes deep cultural immersion and local economic impact. You'll learn how she utilizes high-end photography and "scroll-stopping" content to drive a massive word-of-mouth engine. Katalina also reveals the business strategy behind her thriving digit...

Dec 17, 202539 minEp. 43

How Batch Cracked The Code For Group Travel

Mike Petrakis, Co-founder & CEO of Batch, joins the podcast to discuss how they became the top app for planning group celebrations like Bachelorette parties. He dives deep into Batch's evolution from a commission-based Online Travel Agency (OTA) model to a "digital billboard" marketing engine for small businesses. In this episode, we cover the secrets to their B2C acquisition, how they leverage virality (K-Factor) , and their strategy for building a strong, well-positioned brand. Tune in to ...

Dec 09, 202535 minEp. 42

Trailblazing Tactics: Campaign Wins, Learning Curves & KPI Mastery

In this episode of "Trailblazing Tactics," hear from Barbara, Global Director of Marketing and CRM at Summit One Vanderbilt, as she reveals the strategies that have driven success for world-class attractions. Discover how to balance innovative tactics with data-driven results, and why looking "behind the curtain" of your analytics is crucial. Key topics include: A Winning Campaign: Learn how a lead generation campaign for Legoland New York achieved an incredible 26 cents per lead and sold out it...

Jun 25, 202542 minEp. 41

How Welcome Pickups Scale to 300+ Destinations

In this episode, Brennen Bliss sits down with Savvas Georgiou, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Welcome Pickups, to unpack how the company scaled from a scrappy marketplace for local tours into a global leader in airport transfers across 100+ destinations. They dive into performance-driven marketing, short booking windows, the value of bottom-funnel acquisition, and how Welcome approaches attribution and app strategy. Savvas also shares insights into their B2B evolution—shifting from bout...

Apr 16, 202536 minEp. 40

From Content Creation to Conversion: Inside Contiki's Marketing Playbook

In this episode, we dive into Contiki’s dynamic travel marketing strategies, exploring how the brand transforms content into bookings. We uncover Contiki’s approach to engaging young travelers, leveraging storytelling, social media, and influencer partnerships to drive conversions. Tune in to learn about the creative tactics and data-driven insights that make Contiki a powerhouse in youth travel marketing.

Apr 02, 202538 minEp. 39

Scaling A Travel Brand With Soul

Lauren shares insights into navigating the acquisition process, maintaining brand authenticity, and balancing creativity with corporate structure. She shares insights on SEO, short-form video, influencer marketing, and paid media strategies across Google, Meta, and Bing. They explore data-driven decision-making, attribution challenges, and analytics, including frustrations with GA4. She also teases new private tours and key marketing metrics focused on revenue and occupancy. A must-listen for tr...

Mar 19, 202539 minEp. 38

What Works In Organic Growth In The Travel Space

Travel Marketing Podcast by Propellic features an insightful discussion with Kevin Indig , a leading SEO expert, on the state of travel industry SEO . Kevin shares key findings from his deep-dive research into travel search trends, highlighting the role of AI, organic growth strategies, and shifting consumer behaviors . Tune in for actionable insights on how travel brands can navigate and capitalize on these industry shifts.

Feb 11, 202534 minEp. 37

Insights on Luxury Travel, Sustainability, and Marketing

In this video, Brennen Bliss and Fernando Diez discuss Quasar's PPC strategy, balancing brand awareness with targeted keyword efforts. Fernando shares how they rank highly for terms like "Galapagos Cruise Reviews," driving brand recognition, while also focusing on luxury-specific keywords to attract high-intent customers and filter out price-sensitive leads. This targeted approach ensures they reach the right audience for their luxury offerings. Tune in to learn more about effective PPC strategi...

Jan 27, 202533 minEp. 36

Leigh Barnes On Intrepid's Marketing Transformation

In today's dynamic travel industry, achieving the right balance between brand building and performance marketing is crucial for sustained growth. Leigh Barnes, COO at Intrepid Travel, emphasized this balance in a recent video, where he shared his perspective on how Intrepid shifted its marketing strategy. According to Leigh, after the pandemic, Intrepid made a bold move by significantly increasing investment in brand-building efforts, such as out-of-home advertising, radio, podcasts, social infl...

Jan 14, 202544 minEp. 35

€0 to €100M: How WeRoad Built a Travel Empire with CMO Fabio Bin

In this episode, Fabio Bin, CMO and founding team member of WeRoad, reveals how they transformed a simple idea - connecting strangers who want to travel together - into a €100M travel company in just seven years. Fabio shares their unique approach to community building, including how they've cultivated a network of 3,000 travel coordinators across Europe and built a two-million-strong engaged social media following. From their innovative city domination marketing strategy to their blend of digit...

Dec 04, 202443 minEp. 34

Civitatis' Approach to Market Dynamics

In this episode of the Travel Marketing Podcast by Propellic, CEO Brennen Bliss interviews Ismael Garcia, CMO and Head of Growth at Civitatis, a leading online travel agency in Latin America and Europe. Garcia shares insights on the intersection of SEO, paid media, and AI-driven channels in travel marketing, along with strategies for optimizing budgets, testing, and measuring campaign performance. The conversation delves into managing multi-market campaigns, balancing B2B and B2C strategies, and...

Nov 06, 202437 minEp. 33

Fueling Growth For Global Transportation Services

In this podcast episode, Brennen and Alex discusses effective SEO strategies for multilingual websites, emphasizing search intent and the importance of testing tools. They share how they optimized a testimonials page to manage reputation effectively. The conversation highlights the need for hands-on SEO testing and offers valuable insights for travel marketers on managing organic traffic.

Oct 09, 202432 minEp. 32

Conversation With A Leader In Tours And Activities

This episode dives into the strategies behind appearing in evolving search modules of "Things To Do", balancing paid ads with organic listings, and why optimizing visuals is a game-changer for click-through rates. Plus, hear about the future of AI in search marketing, the growth potential in tours and activities, and how to fix the fragmented reservation systems. Whether you're in travel or tech, this conversation offers key insights to boost your digital strategy.

Sep 11, 202431 minEp. 31

Travel SEO Masterclass With Kevin Indig

In this episode of the Travel Marketing Compass Podcast, SEO expert Kevin Indig shares deep insights into the travel industry's search dynamics. From Google's dominance in travel searches to the importance of visual content and programmatic SEO, Kevin explores how travel brands can optimize their strategies for better visibility and engagement. This episode is packed with actionable advice for both large and small travel companies looking to enhance their SEO efforts.

Aug 28, 202441 minEp. 30

Beyond the Usual with Horizon Guides

In this episode of the Travel Marketing Podcast, brought to you by Propellic, we're diving deep into the intersection of travel and marketing with Matthew Barker, founder of Horizon Guides. Matthew's unique approach to content marketing and zero-commission advertising offers valuable insights for travel businesses looking to navigate today's competitive environment. We explore the critical decisions around using AI versus human-written content, strategies for scaling a content marketing organiza...

Aug 14, 202432 minEp. 29

AI and Destination Marketing

In this insightful episode of the Travel Marketing Podcast, hosted by Propellic, we sit down with Janette Roush, the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital at New York City Tourism and Conventions. Janette, a leader in the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) space, shares her innovative approaches to integrating AI into her team's marketing strategies. We discuss the future of destination marketing, the importance of storytelling, and the challenges of measuring the impact of mar...

Jul 30, 202434 minEp. 28

Integrated Marketing Strategy

Brennen interviews Allyson Carpenter, an industry veteran with experience at Brand USA, Virgin Australia, Qantas, and more. Allyson shares insights on driving traffic and visitors to destinations, focusing on data, creativity, and actionable strategies. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for travel marketers looking to elevate their game.

Jul 19, 202429 minEp. 27

Multi-Brand Marketing with Jamie Storrs

Ever wondered how to effectively market multiple travel brands? Jamie Storrs, VP of Marketing at Chenmark, shares his expertise on managing diverse marketing strategies across various travel companies. Learn from his innovative approach and boost your marketing game!

Jul 03, 202428 minEp. 26

First Half Flashback: Must-Listen Moments

Our latest podcast episode is a compilation of the best insights from the first half of the year! This special episode features standout moments and expert perspectives that you won't want to miss. Cynthia Huang / Building a Decentralized Travel Ecosystem Travis Tallent / Peak Performance: Insights into Mountain Travel Kelsey Tonner / Empowering Tour Operators Rebecca y Brennen / SEO is Dead, Again Justin Buzzi / Marketing Strategies for Multilocation Travel Companies Sveinn Birkir Björnsson / R...

Jun 20, 202417 minEp. 25

Marketing Strategies for Multilocation Travel Companies

In this episode, Brennen delves into the world of multi-location marketing with Justin Buzzi, founder and CEO of Get Up and Go Kayaking. Justin shares insights into their success with organic social media. They discuss the challenges of marketing multiple locations, the importance of community building, and innovative strategies for customer retention and loyalty. From leveraging partnerships with local tourism boards to exploring new advertising channels like TikTok ads.

Jun 05, 202429 minEp. 24

SEO Is Dead, Again.

In this episode, Brennen and Rebecca, discuss the recent upheaval in search caused by the introduction of AI overviews by Google. They explore its impact on travel marketing.

May 22, 202413 minEp. 23

Empowering Tour Operators

With a foundation built on real-world expertise rather than theoretical jargon, Kelsey's advice is tried, tested, and proven effective. From marketing tactics to operational efficiency, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help tour operators navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

May 08, 202437 minEp. 22

Building a decentralized travel ecosystem

In this episode we dive into the innovative world of vacation rentals and the revolutionary approach of Dtravel, a community-owned travel ecosystem. Our guest, Cynthia Huang, the dynamic CEO of Dtravel, shares her insights into how the platform is solving the biggest challenges in the vacation rental industry.

Apr 24, 202428 minEp. 21

Peak Performance: Insights into Mountain Travel

Welcome to "Peak Performance: Insights into Mountain Travel," where we scale the heights of travel marketing with industry experts. In this episode, we're thrilled to be joined by Travis Tallent, a Mountain Travel Marketing Expert. Travis brings a wealth of experience in digital marketing, particularly within the realm of mountain travel destinations. Join us as Travis shares invaluable insights into optimizing marketing strategies specifically tailored for mountainous regions. From leveraging s...

Apr 10, 202428 minEp. 20

Reimagining Destinations: The'Inspired by Iceland' campaign Success Story

Discover the magic behind the "Inspired by Iceland" campaign! Led by Sveinn Birkir Björnsson, Director of Marketing Communications at Business Iceland, this initiative showcases Iceland's unique beauty and culture to the world. Learn how innovative marketing strategies and captivating content have propelled Iceland's tourism industry to new heights, garnering global attention and acclaim. Dive into Björnsson's vision for sustainable development and how the campaign aligns with Iceland's tourism ...

Mar 27, 202420 minEp. 19

Innovating Exploration with Action Tour Guide

In this episode of the Travel Marketing Compass Podcast, Brennen interviews Ushma Shah, founder of Action Tour Guide, a tour company revolutionizing exploration with audio-guided tours through a user-friendly app. They discuss the company's innovative approach, leveraging technology to enhance traditional tours, their distribution strategy, marketing tactics including SEO, social media, and paid media, as well as their focus on customer reviews and loyalty. Ushma shares insights on customer beha...

Mar 13, 202427 minEp. 18

Transforming Travel Experience With AI

The podcast "Transforming Travel Experience With AI" features John Lyotier, founder and CEO of Travel AI, discussing the integration of AI in the travel industry. Lyotier shares insights on leveraging data and AI to personalize travel experiences, optimize marketing strategies, and rapidly launch new travel brands. He highlights the significance of understanding unit economics in marketing, the growth of Travel AI, and the potential of AI to revolutionize the travel market by enhancing customer ...

Feb 28, 202435 minEp. 17

The Best of 2023

We've crafted the ultimate podcast episode, showcasing the best insights from 2023's most influential travel marketing voices. Dive into the wisdom of TicketingHub, The Travel Coach Network, Intrepid Travel, CELITECH, Zoftify, WeSki, Belvera Partners, Clio Muse Tours, and DuVine Cycling. Learn about innovative technology, emotional storytelling, diversity in marketing, and groundbreaking trends reshaping the travel industry. Don't miss out on this journey through expert perspectives!...

Dec 20, 202310 minEp. 16

The Story Behind DuVine's World-Class Recognition

Mia Liefeld, the Director of Marketing Communications & Content of DuVine Adventure Co. shares her expert insights on travel marketing in this episode. With over seven years at DuVine, she discusses the intricacies of crafting a unique brand identity, effective content strategies, and the challenges of marketing in the luxury travel sector. Mia also delves into the evolving landscape of digital marketing and the lessons learned from both successes and setbacks. This episode is a must-listen ...

Dec 06, 202339 minEp. 15
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