Powering Travel

Travel demands resilience, and leadership in the travel industry requires even more. Ariane Gorin, Chief Executive Officer of Expedia Group, joins Elisabeth to share her personal journey, leadership philosophy, and perspectives on the future of travel. Ariane’s path was sparked by a formative childhood trip that ended with her sleeping in a car on the side of a road in Italy, an experience that inspired a career dedicated to making travel more seamless for others. Drawing on her experience, she discusses her perspective on change management and how maintaining authenticity under pressure — the kind that makes diamonds — is one of the most important things a leader can do.From navigating the upheaval that brought the world to a halt in 2020 to embracing technology and innovation, Ariane offers advice to inspire leaders and insights that will excite any travel lover.

Travel rewards those who remain curious and immerse themselves in the local culture. For longtime host of “The Amazing Race” Phil Keoghan, missing those opportunities means missing the entire point of the journey.In this episode, he joins Elisabeth for an inspired conversation about the lessons he’s learned from a lifetime of travel. He reflects on his earliest memories abroad and how exposure to diverse cultures shaped his worldview. Phil credits curiosity as the greatest gift he received from his parents, one that continues to fuel his approach to life.He shares personal stories from the road, along with reflections on hosting over 37 seasons of “The Amazing Race.” From inspiring viewers to explore the world to showing the best of humanity on screen, he talks about how the show has encouraged millions to step outside their comfort zone. Finally, Phil speaks to the magic that exists beyond group tours and why the moments when things go “wrong” often become the most meaningful memories. It’s these unexpected stories that leave a lasting impression, shaping not only how we travel but how we live.

Does a meaningful trip create happiness? Elisabeth sits down with Harvard professor and bestselling author, Arthur Brooks, to explore why travel is one of the most powerful tools we have for building joy. Arthur shares what he considers the three "macronutrients" of happiness and how travel delivers them through a change in routine, memory-making, and shared experience. He describes how the best trips — from spontaneous adventures to quiet moments on the beach — involve a little excitement, a little fear, and a lot of meaning. Tune in to learn the science behind how to make travel memories last and what the travel industry needs to understand about creating real emotional value. 

More than just a lush and vibrant place to visit, Thailand recently took center stage on the global screen in season three of “The White Lotus.” Elisabeth Goodridge sits down with show actor Tayme Thapthimthong to talk about what it was like filming for an international audience, how the show prioritized Thai culture and representation, and the surge in set-jetting. They dive into what makes Thailand so special, from the richness of everyday local life to its deep-rooted cultural heritage. The conversation then turns to travel, sharing must-see destinations, a sample itinerary, and the special places Tayme is connected to. Finally, Tayme and Elisabeth explore what makes a hotel truly memorable, emphasizing the importance of design that reflects and respects local culture. Whether you're in hospitality, a travel lover, or a “The White Lotus” fan, this episode takes you behind the camera and deep into the heart of a country as beautiful as its culture.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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-toolPowering Travel is produced by Expedia Group in association with Quill.

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.

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.

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.