What emerging travel trends are you most excited about right now that the average traveler may not be paying attention to?
I'm excited by the return to slower, more intentional travel. People are staying longer in destinations, seeking meaningful cultural experiences, and prioritizing quality over quantity. Instead of checking five cities off a list, they're spending a week exploring one destination deeply. I'm also seeing travelers place greater value on wellness, authenticity, and local experiences over traditional sightseeing.
You often say that perception is everything. How can destinations, hotels, and travel brands better tell authentic stories rather than simply market experiences?
By focusing less on amenities and more on emotions. Most hotels can talk about thread counts and square footage. What people remember is how a place made them feel. The strongest brands invite travelers into a story. They highlight the people, culture, traditions, and moments that make a destination unique. When storytelling is authentic, guests don't feel marketed to—they feel inspired.