Events & Major Milestones as a Catalyst for Future Growth: Community Conversation
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Amir Eylon, CEO of Longwoods International; Debra Ross, author of “The Eclipse Effect” and founder of Kids Out and About; Jean Mackay, Deputy Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor; and Jennifer Miller, Domestic Tourism Manager for Visit Detroit. Our discussion is all…
Building a Sustainable Future for Mongolian Tourism, with Jalsa Urubshurow
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Jalsa Urubshurow, CEO and Founder of Nomadic Expeditions. Jalsa shares the story of how he co-founded one of Mongolia’s most significant cultural events, the Golden Eagle Festival, held annually in the country’s remote West. Drawing on his background as the child of Mongolian refugees…
From Total Eclipse to Community Impact, with Debra Ross
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Debra Ross, author, community engagement advocate, and entrepreneur. We talk about her recent book, The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities, and how it was inspired by planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse. Drawing from her experience planning…
Empathy and Self-Awareness in Difficult Conversations, with Dayne Whitehurst
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with communication and leadership specialist Dayne Whitehurst, and author of “Empathy Impact: The Wild Effects of Kindness in Action”. She explains why communication is central to building collaborations, developing relationships, and driving sales. Dayne also explains how personal triggers can get in the way of…
Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Joshua Harrell, Chief Revenue Officer at WorldVia, joins me to discuss the evolution of travel advisors in the United States in a post-pandemic world. Joshua shares his insights on how content creation can help travel advisors build their businesses, and he offers some fantastic practical tips for…
Can AI Improve Visitor Experience? with Dan Flores
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, all about using AI in the travel industry. We discuss how conversational artificial intelligence can help drive revenue and operational efficiency, and Dan offers real examples of where this AI is being deployed and how it…
Indigenous Tourism and Community Impact at Métis Crossing, with Juanita Marois
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Juanita Marois, CEO of Métis Crossing, shares her personal experience in developing a tourism destination tied to her roots as a Métis Indigenous person from Canada. She shares in detail how the destination engages visitors by sharing what makes them special, including the experiences Métis Crossing offers—from…
Collaboration Drives Success in Small Town Destination Marketing, with Clare Marie Ritter
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Clare Marie Ritter, Motorcoach Coordinator at the historic Penn Wells Hotel and Lodge in rural Pennsylvania. She shares her experience positioning a smaller, less well-known destination. We talk about the foundations of successful collaborations and why building a supportive network has been crucial to…
Insights from the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno Part 2, with Nicole Mahoney
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with industry leaders from across the country at the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno, Nevada, to uncover what’s next for destinations, attractions, and travelers. You’ll hear from Josef Kruger of US Ghost Adventures, Aisha Jones of Mystic Seaport Museum, Jana Carter from Visit…
Group Travel Trends for 2026: Voices from the ABA Marketplace in Reno Part 1, with Nicole Mahoney
This episode of Destination on the Left is a special roadshow edition recorded live at the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno, Nevada. I’m joined by a fantastic group of industry leaders to hear first-hand how collaboration is playing a critical, mission-driven role in the future of group travel, moving beyond a “nice-to-have” and…
Collaboration Toolkit
Our first research study confirmed that collaboration is a constant in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. It is not a matter of if, but when and how, organizations will collaborate together. Our latest study reveals how organizations are putting collaboration into operation and how they are setting up systems and processes so that collaboration becomes a strategic part of the organization.
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