View From Afar

View From Afar is a podcast by the travel industry, for the travel industry. The travel industry is constantly evolving, and in our latest podcast, View From Afar, Afar editors talk with the changemakers—the CEOs, tourism experts, hoteliers, and more—who are making travel better for consumers, and the world.

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Episodes

Live From IPW: United's Josh Earnest on Newark's Turnaround and the Infrastructure Revolution Aviation Needs

The single biggest thing that will improve our air travel system and make it better for everyone involved? Government investment, says Josh Earnest, Executive Vice President of Communications and Advertising of United Airlines . In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Josh Earnest sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss United's ambitious strategic vision, from massive international route expansion to onboard innovations like Starlink WiFi ...

Jun 19, 2025•24 min

Live from IPW: Adam Burke on Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Visit Los Angeles

Los Angeles is proving that resilience and opportunity go hand in hand. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Bureau President and CEO Adam Burke sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how L.A. is transforming challenges into catalysts for growth. From navigating the aftermath of January's devastating wildfires and recent protests to preparing for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics , Burke shares ho...

Jun 19, 2025•25 min

Live From IPW: From Vegas Vision to National Mission, Bill Hornbuckle's High-Stakes Bet on American Tourism

What happens when a casino CEO takes on America's tourism challenges? In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, MGM Resorts CEO and U.S. Travel Association Chair Bill Hornbuckle sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss the state of international inbound travel. Hornbuckle has watched Vegas transform from a "free food, free rooms, come gamble" destination to a sports and entertainment hub where, for hotels like the Bellagio, 70 percent of its...

Jun 19, 2025•22 min

Live From IPW: Vic Isley on How Community and Music Drove Asheville's Recovery—and What Else Awaits Visitors

Asheville, North Carolina, is known for many things: a pristine location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, an incredible arts and music scene—and more recently, Hurricane Helene, one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history. But since the storm hit in September 2024, the town has invested heavily in rebuilding, and it (and most of Western North Carolina) are eagerly welcoming visitors once more. In this special IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Vic Isley —pre...

Jun 18, 2025•22 min

Live From IPW: Angela Val on How Philadelphia's Democratic Legacy Makes it a City for Everyone

In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Visit Philadelphia president and CEO Angela Val shares her hope that "everybody sees each other as human beings first." And she explains how Philadelphia's core value as the City of Brotherly Love means that no matter your lifestyle, religion, race, or ethnicity, "in this place you will be able to be yourself, feel a sense of belonging and be welcomed." Val sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss Ph...

Jun 18, 2025•23 min

Live From IPW: Helen Hill on How Charleston Became a Global Destination While Celebrating Its 350-Year History

Charleston hid their tea instead of throwing it in the harbor—and that's just one of the surprising stories that the historic city has to share with visitors. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Explore Charleston president and CEO Helen Hill sits down with Afar editorial director Billie Cohen to share how Charleston recently broke records for hotel nights and airport passengers—and how the city has expanded its tourism impact over the years. As Charlest...

Jun 18, 2025•19 min

Live From IPW: Geoff Freeman on America's Decade of Opportunity and the Fight to Reclaim Tourism Leadership

How can the U.S. more warmly welcome international travelers? U.S. Travel Association president Geoff Freeman has a few ideas. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live from the conference floor in Chicago, Geoff Freeman sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to talk about the state of international inbound travel. As the U.S. travel industry works to recover from a $12 billion loss in international tourism revenue while preparing for America's 250th anniversary, the U.S. Travel Associat...

Jun 17, 2025•26 min

What If Luxury Hotels Listened More? This Accor CEO Proves It Changes Everything

How do you redefine luxury hospitality in 2025? For Maud Bailly, the CEO of four of Accor’s luxury hotel brands—Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems—it starts with empathy. In this episode of View From Afar , she chats with host Jennifer Flowers about how she’s reshaping luxury hospitality through bold sustainability, diverse teams and a global vision rooted in local impact. In this episode you’ll learn: The distinct identities of Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems and how th...

May 15, 2025•32 min

Cruise Lines are Evolving to Attract New Travelers—Here’s How

Anne Kalosh is the editor of Seatrade Cruise News and she has decades of experience covering the cruise industry—so much experience, in fact, that she recently appeared on Netflix’s Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney . On this episode of View From Afar , she joins host Aislyn Greene at Seatrade Cruise Global for a deep dive into the ways cruising is evolving to attract new travelers. From groundbreaking sustainability efforts to the growing influence of local communities—this is the future of cr...

May 07, 2025•25 min

The Trends, News, and Cruises to Know From Seatrade Cruise Global

Cruising is evolving—and appealing to more people than ever. Live from Seatrade Cruise Global , this episode of View from Afar , unpacks the cruise news and innovations that surprised and inspired host Aislyn Greene and Afar co-founder Joe Diaz , during the world’s largest cruise industry conference. From hydrogen-powered ships to hotel brands getting in on the action, these are the cruising trends to watch in 2025. On this episode you’ll learn: What the cruise industry’s commitment to sustainab...

May 01, 2025•20 min

The Woman Reinventing One of Europe's Oldest Hospitality Brands

Welcome to View From Afar, a podcast by the travel industry, for the travel industry. In our inaugural episode, we hear from Barbara Muckermann, the first female CEO of Kempinski Hotels, a 128-year old global brand. On this episode, Barbara chats with Afar senior deputy editor, Jennifer Flowers, about her plans to restore Kempinski’s luxury legacy, why places like Munich’s Nymphenburg Palace are key to the brand’s future, and what it takes to succeed as a woman—and elevate others— in the male-do...

Apr 30, 2025•29 min

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