Castles, Clans and Big Commissions: Brendan Vacations on What's Trending in the Celtic Isles

Sea of Change: The Luxury Cruise Trends Shaping Traveller Demand

In Episode 9 of You Came to the Right Place, hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia are joined by Chris Austin, President of North America for Explora Journeys. Together, they discuss how Explora Journeys is redefining luxury ocean travel, what's new aboard the highly anticipated Explora III, and why Canadian travellers are increasingly embracing this new style of cruising. In this episode: • How Explora Journeys is differentiating itself as an "ultra-elegant hotel at sea" • What's new aboard Explora III and how guest feedback has shaped the ship's design • Why Canadian demand for luxury cruising continues to grow • The changing profile of today's luxury traveller, including the rise of younger affluent guests • Why immersive itineraries, longer port stays and thoughtful service are reshaping the luxury cruise experience • The tools, training and resources available to help travel advisors confidently sell Explora Journeys Plus, the Pulse Check returns with rapid-fire questions on emerging destinations, luxury travel trends, favourite ports and the one travel essential Chris never leaves home without. Subscribe to You Came to the Right Place wherever you get your podcasts. ABOUT THE HOSTS Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny, and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit, and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis, and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting. ABOUT THE SHOW You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Healthy Bookings: Wellness Travel Trends Shaping Client Demand

Wellness travel is booming, but what does "wellness" actually mean? And how can travel advisors confidently recommend experiences that deliver more than just a spa treatment? In Episode 8 of You Came to the Right Place, hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia are joined by Oxana Spivey, Vice President of Wellness Standards and Education at Wellness in Travel and Tourism (WITT), and Lauren Pronger, Founder and CEO of Well Inspired Travels. Together, they explore why wellness travel is becoming one of the industry's fastest-growing segments and what that means for travel advisors. In this episode: • Why wellness travel is becoming an expectation - not a niche • How to identify authentic wellness properties and avoid "wellness washing" • What today's wellness travellers are really looking for • Why industry standards matter • How advisors can tap into the growing wellness market with confidence Plus, the Pulse Check returns with rapid-fire questions on most underrated wellness destinations, digital detoxes and the wellness trend our guests just can't get behind. Subscribe to You Came to the Right Place wherever you get your podcasts. ABOUT THE HOSTS Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny, and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit, and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis, and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting. ABOUT THE SHOW You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Castles, Clans and Big Commissions: Brendan Vacations on What's Trending in the Celtic Isles

In the latest episode of You Came To The Right Place, hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Donna Looby, Regional Sales Manager at Brendan Vacations, to discuss the trends shaping travel to the Celtic Isles and the opportunities advisors shouldn't overlook. You'll learn: • Why bookings for 2027 are already gaining momentum • How small group travel is attracting experienced travellers and solo adventurers • The growing appeal of ancestry and heritage travel among Canadians • Why multi-generational families are choosing Ireland and Scotland • The client segments advisors should be targeting right now • What top-selling advisors are doing differently to grow their business Looby also shares insights from her own experience growing up in Ireland, explains why these destinations continue to resonate with Canadian travellers, and discusses the tools, training, and support available to advisors through Brendan Vacations. Plus, hear details about Brendan Vacations' current booking incentives and an upcoming Ireland FAM designed specifically for travel advisors. Episode 7 of You Came to the Right Place is now available on all major podcast platforms. Sláinte! ABOUT THE HOSTS Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny, and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit, and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis, and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting. ABOUT THE SHOW You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Next Wave of Cruise Travel: MSC's Ian Patterson Dishes on What's Selling, What's Changing and What's Next

In episode six of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Ian Patterson, Country Manager for MSC Cruises Canada, to discuss what's driving demand among Canadian cruisers, the growing popularity of short sailings and MSC Yacht Club, and how the cruise line is expanding its Fly & Cruise options for Canadian travellers. Patterson also shares insights on MSC Opera's new Dominican Republic homeport, the arrival of MSC World Europa in the Caribbean, what advisors should know about MSC World Asia, and the booking trends shaping the cruise market heading into 2027. Whether you sell cruise regularly or are looking for new opportunities, this episode offers practical insights into one of the industry's fastest-growing cruise brands. Episode 6 of You Came to the Right Place is now available on all major podcast platforms. ABOUT THE HOSTS Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting. ABOUT THE SHOW You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

TravelPulse Canada’s Readers’ Choice Awards: Behind the Scenes of the Travel Industry’s Biggest Night

In Episode 5 of You Came to the Right Place, co-hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia go behind the scenes of the 2026 TravelPulse Canada Readers’ Choice Awards. Recorded just days after the event at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, the episode offers a candid recap of the highs, hilarity and heartfelt moments that made this year’s awards unforgettable. The conversation covers everything from the explosive reactions inside the ballroom and the rise of ultra-competitive categories to music, fashion, and the meaning of the Readers’ Choice Awards to the industry. “One of the biggest moments every year at the awards is the Canadian Travel Hall of Fame,” Lair says. “They were so honoured and appreciative, which felt really good.” ABOUT THE HOSTS Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting. ABOUT THE SHOW You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.