Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar . In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Discover South Carolina director Duane Parrish sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about a state that's having a record-breaking year on the whole. Duane has led South Carolina's tourism efforts for 15 years, a period in which tourism has become one of the largest industries in the state. In 2024, it contributed more than 30 billion dollars to the economy and ge...
May 30, 2026•22 min
Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar . In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Visit Seattle president and CEO Tammy Canavan sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about what it takes to put a city on the world stage—and what visitors will actually find when they get there. Tammy has led Visit Seattle for four years, during which the city has opened the Summit building at the convention center , completed an $800 million, 15-year waterfront o...
May 28, 2026•22 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar . In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Brightline Holdings CEO Nicolas Petrovic sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about what it actually takes to build a new mode of travel in the United States—and what that could mean for travelers, destinations, and the industry at large. Nicolas stepped into the CEO role at Brightline in early 2026, bringing decades of high-speed rail experience from leadersh...
May 27, 2026•21 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Welcome to a special IPW 2026 series of View From Afar . In this episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Visit Florida Keys and Key West president and CEO Kara Franker sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about leading a record-breaking destination on a fragile string of islands—and why "better tourism" matters more than "more tourism." Kara joined Visit Florida Keys in 2024 after leading Visit Estes Park in Colorado, and she came in at a pivotal moment. Key West...
May 26, 2026•25 min•Season 2Ep. 6
How does Surf City USA reintroduce itself to the world — and convert day-trippers into destination visitors — with the World Cup and LA Olympics on the horizon? John Urdi, the new president and CEO of Visit Huntington Beach , has a plan: privatize the funding, expand international reach, and tell a bigger story about the 10 miles of coastline behind the headlines. In this IPW 2026 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Fort Lauderdale, Urdi sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle...
May 23, 2026•24 min•Season 2Ep. 5
How do you tell your state's tourism story when the national headlines aren't telling it for you? Lauren Bennett McGinty, executive director of Explore Minnesota , has spent the past year doing exactly that: leaning into authenticity, neighborliness, and the everyday people who make Minnesota, Minnesota. In this IPW 2026 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Fort Lauderdale, Bennett McGinty sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to talk about leading a state tourism ag...
May 22, 2026•23 min•Season 2Ep. 4
How does a state defined by wide-open spaces and authentic Western culture welcome the world, without losing what makes it Wyoming? Domenic Bravo , executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism , has a clear answer: open the front door wider, but invite people to explore the whole house. In this IPW 2026 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Fort Lauderdale, Bravo sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran less than a year into his new role. They talk about dispersing v...
May 20, 2026•27 min•Season 2Ep. 3
What does the U.S. travel industry look like just weeks before IPW lands in Fort Lauderdale for the first time? In this episode of View From Afar , deputy editor Michelle Baran sits down with Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association , to set the stage for Afar's Live From IPW series. Picking up where their conversation left off at last year's conference in Chicago, Geoff and Michelle talk about the forces shaping inbound and domestic travel in 2026 and what U.S. Travel is ...
May 12, 2026•44 min•Season 2Ep. 2
How do you bring ultra‑luxury hospitality to the high seas? For Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys , it starts with reimagining ocean travel as a floating boutique hotel experience rooted in European elegance, emotional connection, and slow‑travel sensibilities. In this episode of View From Afar , Anna joins Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how Explora Journeys is redefining cruising for a new generation of travelers — from sustainability innovations and destination stewardship...
Feb 02, 2026•28 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Nayara Resorts is confronting one of tourism's most overlooked problems—the housing crisis that forces local workers out of their communities in remote areas—by building homes for its most vulnerable employees. In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Leo Ghitis, CEO of Nayara Resorts, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to discuss how the luxury resort group is addressing both environmental devastation and social inequality in Latin America's rural communities. Leo shares Nayara's 1...
Dec 08, 2025•24 min
Langham Hospitality Group is proving that heritage brands can innovate without losing their soul, transforming historic buildings into contemporary luxury destinations while maintaining the personal service that defines true hospitality. In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market), recorded live in Cannes, Bob van den Oord , CEO of Langham Hospitality Group, joins Afar editor-in-chief Julia Cosgrove to share how he's guided the 160-year-old brand through thoughtful expansion that honors i...
Dec 05, 2025•17 min
For more than four decades, Matthew Upchurch has been a driving force behind how high-end travel is sold, experienced, and understood. As CEO of Virtuoso , one of the world's leading luxury travel networks, he's championed human connection in an increasingly digital world and advocated for the enduring value of trusted advisors and transformative, purpose-driven travel. In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Afar cofounder Joe Diaz sits down with Matthew to discuss how the luxury secto...
Dec 05, 2025•26 min
Matter of Form is proving that luxury travel brands need therapy—not to fix what's broken, but to discover what makes them singular in a sea of "elevated experiences" and "art of luxury" clichés. In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Anant Sharma, founder and CEO of Matter of Form, joins Afar cofounder Joe Diaz to dissect why luxury hospitality has become awash with homogenized language and how brands can reclaim their confidence through clarity of purpose. With 60 people working across...
Dec 04, 2025•14 min
AmaWaterways is expanding river cruising's appeal beyond its traditional audience, drawing in solo travelers, active families, and wellness-focused guests who are discovering this style of travel for the first time. In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode, recorded live in Cannes, Catherine Powell , the new CEO of AmaWaterways, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to reveal the brand's fresh visual identity and expansion plans, including eight new European ships and pionee...
Dec 04, 2025•19 min
Forbes Travel Guide has been the gold standard for luxury hotel ratings for more than 60 years, and its anonymous inspections remain one of the travel industry's most influential forces. In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode, recorded live in Cannes, Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, joins Afar co-founder Joe Diaz to reveal how the guide maintains its integrity while expanding beyond hotels into cruise lines, air travel, and emerging luxury categories. The conversa...
Dec 02, 2025•15 min
Fora Travel is proving that the travel advisor industry can evolve beyond traditional gatekeeping while maintaining professional excellence. In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode—recorded live in Cannes—Henley Vazquez, cofounder of Fora Travel, joins Afar cofounder Joe Diaz to share how she's transforming a legacy industry by saying "yes" to a new generation of travel entrepreneurs who don't fit the traditional full-time advisor mold. Henley discusses her journey from running...
Dec 02, 2025•18 min
How do you build a travel company that prioritizes purpose over profit—and still succeed? For James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel , it starts with transparency, ambition, and a commitment to local communities. In this episode of View From Afar , he chats with Afar director of podcasts Aislyn Greene about how he's steering one of the world's most beloved adventure travel companies through challenges like overtourism, climate change, and the evolving expectations of modern travelers. In this ep...
Oct 08, 2025•41 min
In July 2025, a video from veteran safari guide Nick Kleer went viral, showing more than 150 safari vehicles crowding a single wildebeest crossing in Tanzania's Serengeti. The chaotic scene sparked outrage and raised urgent questions about overtourism in East Africa's most iconic wildlife destinations. But the issue is much more nuanced. In this episode of View From Afar— the first in a larger safari series that will continue into 2026—Afar senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers speaks with two v...
Sep 03, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 24
America's birthplace of the revolution is writing new chapters while honoring its historic legacy. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of Meet Boston , joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how the city balances its Revolutionary War heritage with contemporary attractions and diverse neighborhoods. The conversation covers Boston's ongoing America 250 celebrations, which began early with events like the 250th annive...
Jun 26, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 23
New York City continues to set the global standard for urban tourism, and its newest tourism leader is ready to build on that legacy. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor, Julie Coker, president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions , joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss her vision for the Big Apple's tourism future. Julie, who started her role in December 2024, brings extensive experience from leading tourism organizations in Philadelphia a...
Jun 26, 2025•21 min
Southwest Florida is proving that beach destinations can evolve beyond sun and sand while maintaining their natural magic. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Tamara Pigott, executive director of Visit Fort Myers , joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to share how she's helped transform the region into a world-class travel destination over her 25 years with the organization, including 10 years in the top position. Tamara discusses how Fort Myers, San...
Jun 26, 2025•21 min
Maine is proving that small state thinking can yield big tourism results while staying true to its roots. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Maine Office of Tourism Director Carolann Ouellette joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss her unique journey back to leading Maine tourism for a second time, having previously held the role from 2010 to 2016 before launching the state's groundbreaking Office of Outdoor Recreation . Drawing from her av...
Jun 26, 2025•27 min
Wisconsin is proving that the Midwest can surprise travelers while breaking tourism records. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism Anne Sayers joins Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how the state has achieved three consecutive record-breaking years of tourism growth under her leadership since December 2020, expanding from six media markets in 2019 to 14 today while transforming perceptions of the destination. A key ...
Jun 26, 2025•22 min
Washington D.C. is proving that America's capital can separate politics from place while breaking tourism records. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Destination DC president and CEO Elliott Ferguson joins Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how the city welcomed a record-breaking 27.2 million visitors in 2024, generating $2.3 billion in tax revenue while preparing for major events like America 250 and the NFL Draft. Ferguson, a seasoned tour...
Jun 24, 2025•21 min
St. Louis is proving that America's heartland is ready for a renaissance, blending iconic history with entrepreneurial energy. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Explore St. Louis president and CEO Brad Dean joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how the Gateway City is reimagining itself as a destination for urban exploration while celebrating major milestones like Route 66's centennial and America's 250th anniversary. Dean, who officia...
Jun 24, 2025•21 min
New Orleans is proving its resilience and redefining what it means to be "built to host" major events. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, New Orleans & Company president and CEO Walt Leger joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how the city bounced back from tragedy to deliver an unprecedented run of iconic events—Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Super Bowl LIX, and Mardi Gras. Leger, a former Louisiana state legislator turned tourism leader, ...
Jun 23, 2025•30 min
Buffalo is experiencing a renaissance that's transforming America's perception of this western New York destination. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Buffalo Niagara president and CEO Patrick Kaler joins Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to discuss how grassroots community investment is reshaping the city's tourism landscape. Kaler highlights Buffalo's architectural treasures, including one of the world's most complete Frank Lloyd Wright restor...
Jun 23, 2025•23 min
California's tourism powerhouse is gearing up for its biggest decade yet. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Visit California president and CEO Caroline Beteta sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how nearly three decades of experience has shaped her strategy for promoting the nation's top tourism revenue generator. Beteta reveals the counterintuitive challenge of mega-events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics —how ...
Jun 21, 2025•21 min
Chicago is poised for a global spotlight with the historic appointment of Chicago-born Pope Leo. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Choose Chicago president and CEO Kristen Reynolds sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how her unconventional journey from Arizona tourism to Long Island destination transformation has prepared her to lead the Windy City's bold marketing vision. Reynolds shares how Chicago is doubling down on its "Never...
Jun 21, 2025•23 min
Fort Lauderdale—Florida's LGBTQ+ capital—has proved that staying true to your values can be the best marketing strategy of all. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Lauderdale President and CEO Stacey Ritter sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how her unconventional path from lawyer to politician to tourism leader has shaped her bold approach to destination marketing. Ritter shares how Fort Lauderdale has doubled down on its "E...
Jun 20, 2025•22 min
