Gather and Go with Brian Jewell

From Christmas markets to beer festivals, some of Germany’s most iconic experiences are hidden in its historic cities. With more than a millennium of history, Germany offers American travelers an abundance of unique travel opportunities. And among the most memorable are experiences that await outside larger destinations, in cities where travelers can enjoy the best of German culture shoulder-to-shoulder with locals. On this episode of Gather and Go, Sascha Mayerer and Sandra Weinacht of Historic Highlights of Germany uncover these German travel treasures. They tell us about the fascinating history of 17 German cities, take us inside local beer festivals, tantalize us with visions of charming Christmas markets and give us details for planning amazing German travel adventures. This episode is brought to you by the Historic Highlights of Germany. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about Historic Highlights of German at historicgermany.com. Key Moments From This Episode 3:06 — Wrapping your mind around thousands of years of German history 6:37 — What can American travelers expect to experience in Germany? 9:08 — Where are Germany’s Historic Highlights? 11:03 — Theme tour opportunities in Germany’s historic cities 14:32 — All about Germany’s famous beer festivals 17:30 — How difficult is it to take a group to a German beer festival? 21:30 — Germany’s magnificent Christmas markets 26:18 — Authentic connections with German locals 30:02 — Germany’s year-round festivities 34:40 — Safety, security, currency and language 39:05 — Finding partners for your group’s trips to Germany Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Sascha and Sandra on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Is artificial intelligence the best thing that ever happened to small tourism companies? Dan Flores believes it may be. A longtime travel marketing executive and current head of tourism for Satisfi Labs, Dan has worked with dozens of organizations to help leverage the power of AI to extend their capabilities and increase sales. And he’s excited about what the future this technology holds for tourism entrepreneurs. Dan joins this episode of the podcast to share how AI can give small tour companies a competitive advantage and explain why you can’t afford to delay in adopting this technology. He also gives some insights about how travel companies should organize their web content to become more discoverable by AI agents. Plus, we have news about a rollback of airline compensation rules and a hot tip about signing up for the industry’s best familiarization tours. Insights from Dan Flores Dan had lots of exciting perspective about how artificial intelligence tools can benefit travel professionals. Here’s what he had to say about how AI can give smaller operators a competitive edge: great things done. Here’s what he had to say about how he learned to build a great remote culture: “For a small tour operator or entrepreneur, it actually gives you opportunities. It democratizes scale. We’re seeing more solo entrepreneurs build companies that they couldn’t build in that time frame right now becoming millionaires because they can use AI to build all these things…. They don’t have to have the cash flow to hire all of these people to do it. It makes two people, three people, five or six people operate as if they had 18, 20 or 25 people.” Plus, he had great perspectives on: How to build website chat bots people want to use How AI agents can save you time Integrating agentic AI into your travel sales pipeline Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about Satisfi Labs at satisfilabs.com Follow Dan on LinkedIn. Sign up for our OnSite familiarization tour list at https://grouptravelleader.com/fams/. Key Moments From This Episode 1:08 — Travel News: DOT rolls back airline passenger compensation plan 2:22 — Be the first to know about our upcoming FAM trips 6:09 — The stunning growth of AI tools and adoption 8:11 — How Dan Flores uses AI in everyday life 12:49 — How AI is impacting tourism businesses 17:06 — A better way to answer customer questions 23:10 — Leveraging AI agents to serve customers better 30:06 — How close are we to fully automatic AI sales in travel? 31:46 — Optimizing your website to work with AI agents 34:48 — Will AI disrupt your travel career? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Dan on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Domestic group travel contributes more than $90 billion dollars to America’s economy each year. That’s according to a new report from the American Bus Association and Tourism Economics. On this episode of the podcast, research collaborators Lew Myers and Omneya Fahmy explain the massive scope of the group travel industry and share reflections on what it means in 2025 and beyond. Lew and Omneya break down the statistics and reveal the jaw-dropping ways that group travel stacks up against other tourism segments. They reveal which states are punching above their weight in group travel and how tourism professionals can leverage this data to advocate for policy change. Plus, we have news about tour operators’ business prospects; a Road Tip about avoiding awkward conversation pauses; and a Hot Minute about the main thing missing from international travel today. Insights from Lew Myers and Omneya Fahmy Lew and Omneya had lots of eye-catching stats to share about the size of the group travel market and the way it impacts America. Here’s what Lew said about the study’s key takeaways: “This report confirms that busses bring business. The motorcoach industry has a $90 billion economic impact. We support over 540,000 jobs. We contribute $16 billion to the federal government in the form of taxes. And we have created over $30 billion in wages and salaries. “This really goes to show that unlike airlines and trains, the motorcoach industry touches every state, every county, every city, every urban and rural community, and we move over 400 million passengers a year.” Plus, they had great perspectives on: How tourism marketers can leverage this data to maximize their impact How group travel stacks up against other industry segments Government threats to the group travel business Resources Mentioned in This Episode Access “The Economic Impact of Motorcoach Travel in the United States” at buses.org. Email Lew Myers at lmyers@buses.org. Follow Lew on LinkedIn. Learn more about Tourism Economics at tourismeconomics.com. Email Omneya Fahmy at ofahmy@oxfordeconomics.com. Follow Omneya on LinkedIn. See the full NTA member survey at https://ntaonline.com/nta-news/collaboration-in-packaged-travel/. Key Moments From This Episode 1:28 — Travel News: NTA tour operators are optimistic about 2026 2:55 — Road Tip: No more awkward silences 12:15 — A comprehensive guide to group travel’s economic impact 15:38 — The $90 billion question 17:40 — Surprises hiding in the group travel data 19:35 — How do you measure the size of the tour industry? 22:34 — Which U.S. states are the most popular for groups? 24:29 — How group travel stacks up against other travel segments 25:50 — How tourism marketers can leverage data to benefit their destinations 29:02 — Using data to impact policy 31:07 — The impact of adverse policies on the group travel business 46:20 — Hot Minute: Has technology made international travel better — or worse? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Lew and Omneya on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Can remote work really work for travel professionals? Ryan Kramer believes that it can. After a life-changing group trip brought him into the tourism business, a detour through other sectors taught him how to do work-from-home right. He’s now the leading culture strategist at GroupCollect, and he joins this episode of the podcast to share how you can work from home without losing your mind or your money. Ryan discusses the habits and disciplines that give his life balance as a remote worker. He shares tips for hiring great remote team members and pulls back the curtain on the process his team employees to keep the remote culture healthy and thriving. Plus, we have news about growth at American Cruise Lines, ; a Road Tip about traveling in the rain; and a Hot Minute about the ways governments are failing the tourism industry. Insights from Ryan Kramer Ryan had lots of great insights about how teams can work from anywhere and get great things done. Here’s what he had to say about how he learned to build a great remote culture: “We set up guardrails around when the virtual office opened and the virtual office closed. If you wanted to stay late or get there early, you were welcome to do that. “It’s a cameras-on culture. If we’re going to be virtual, great, but let’s talk. Let’s look each other in the eye. The companies that failed I think lost site of the fact that it is possible to build that camaraderie. They discounted that that could happen and said ‘this could only happen in the office,’ and they gave up.” Plus, he had great perspectives on: Whether remote employees are cheating you Tapping your network to maximize your talent pool Keys to holding great in-person meetings Resources Mentioned in This Episode Email Ryan Kramer at ryan@groupcollect.com. Follow Ryan and GroupCollect on LinkedIn. Sign up for our OnSite familiarization tour list at https://grouptravelleader.com/fams/. Key Moments From This Episode 1:33 — Travel News: American Cruise Lines adding six new ships 2:43 — Road Tip: Preparing your travelers for rainy days 8:03 — Meet us on the road this season! 11:57 — The band trip that kicked off a tourism career 15:10 — How Ryan Kramer learned to love remote work 21:15 — Why companies fail with work-from-home culture 24:58 — Work from home without losing your mind 27:30 — Tips for hiring remote team members 30:26 — Are remote employees ripping you off? 32:42 — Building a strong remote culture 34:53 — Keys to holding great in-person team meetings 47:25 — Hot Minute: Is the federal government failing the tourism industry? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Ryan on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

In 1951, Barbara Johns missed the school bus. That started a chain of events that made her a hero of the Civil Rights Movement. Johns was a student at Robert Russa Moton High School, a Black school in segregated Farmville, Virginia. When a passing white school bus driver refused to help her get to class, Johns decided to start a student boycott to protest school segregation. Her protest and subsequent lawsuit became one of the important actions leading to the Supreme Court decision overturning segregation in schools. On this special bonus edition of Gather and Go, we’re sharing a preview of an upcoming episode of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail podcast that tells the stories of Barbara Johns and how her bravery changed history in the United States and beyond. Subscribe to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail podcast to hear the whole story when it debuts early in 2026. This episode is brought to you by Virginia Tourism. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn about the U.S. Civil Rights Trail and explore more podcast episodes at civilrightstrail.com. Learn more about visiting historic sites in Virginia at virginia.org. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Is taking credit card payments — or using the wrong cards when you travel — costing your business more than it should? Greg Bottenhorn thinks travel business owners need to keep a close eye on the way they use and process cards, both to keep their clients’ funds safe and to keep their costs low. As chief marketing officer at fintech company Jassby, he specializes in helping tour operators leverage payment technology to meet their needs in innovative ways. He joins this episode of the podcast to walk you through the world of travel payments and show you how to save time and money. Greg discusses the basics how credit and debit card processing fees work. He explains the secrets of foreign transaction fees and shares how new card technology allows tour companies to offer trips that are both flexible and fully inclusive. Plus, we have news about an impending “hotel recession” in the U.S.; a Road Tip about dealing with excess travel swag; and a Hot Minute about the relationship between AI and the travel industry. Insights from Greg Bottenhorn Greg had a lot of interesting ideas about the best way to handle funds and payments in the context of travel. Here’s what he had to say about the benefits of using debit cards on the road: “A debit card links directly to your funds, but that means you can control how many funds are accessible via that card. You can keep that amount lower or move money to that card every day…. I’ve always found that challenging purchases with my bank, who I have relationship with, has been far easier than when I try to challenge a credit card transaction… I would much rather have that conversation with my local bank than a credit card 800 number.” Plus, he had great perspectives on: The risks of traveling with cash Reducing your credit card processing costs Keeping your financial data secure when you travel Resources Mentioned in This Episode Find Jassby online at jassby.com. Learn more about GroupCollect at groupcollect.com/gatherandgo. Sign up for our OnSite familiarization tour list at https://grouptravelleader.com/fams/. Key Moments From This Episode 1:16 — Travel News: A “hotel recession” in the U.S.? 2:41 — Road Tip: What to do with your tourism swag 8:54 — Your source for great FAMs 12:43 — Is cashless the future of travel? 14:42 — When fintech meets tourism 16:43 — Who gets a cut of your credit card fees? 20:26 — Can you reduce your company’s processing costs? 23:20 — Beware foreign transaction fees 27:37 — Credit vs. Debit: Which is better for travel? 30:04 — How secure are credit cards today? 32:41 — How tour companies are using prepaid cards on trips 47:42 — Hot Minute: Does AI understand tourism? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Greg on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Your personal passions might just be the launchpad for a fantastic travel company. Anna McKitrick is proof. After building a following as a vegan influencer on social media, Anna stumbled into group travel — and leveraged her following to build a tour company operating 17 trips a year. Anna joins the podcast to discuss her journey from Instagram to tourism and share secrets of how she has built her operation without spending any money on digital marketing. Anna discusses the many opportunities for vegan travel in 2025 and why even meat-lovers enjoy her trips. She also shares how she leverages the power of a niche audience to build a travel travel experiences that align with her values and thrill her customers. Plus, we have news about changing U.S. travel statistics; a road tip about avoiding travel bloat; and a Hot Minute about the the dumbest thing happening in America. Insights from Anna McKitrick Anna had lots of great insights about how she builds trips to align closely with a niche set of values and interests. Here’s what he had to say about how a small audience helps her develop great product: “About half the people signed up for our trips now are past travelers. In many ways, it makes it kind of easy to scout and create the perfect trip for that person. Those repeat travelers are in my mind when I’m in a new destination.” Plus, she had insightful thoughts on: Creating a compelling social media strategy Transitioning from trip leader to CEO Creating authentic local experiences for special interests Resources Mentioned in This Episode Follow Anna McKitrick on on Instagram and TikTok. Find Vegan AF on Instagram and TikTok, or visit the website at veganaftravel.com. Learn more about GroupCollect at groupcollect.com/gatherandgo. Key Moments From This Episode 1:36 — Travel News: U.S. Travel has downgraded its 2025 forecast 3:00 — Road Tip: The perfect trick for avoiding stomach bloat on the road 14:07 — How an Instagram career led Anna McKitrick to tourism 16:06 — What makes a vegan trip different? 18:10 — How serving a niche audience is a pro, not a con 21:15 — Building a social following without ads 24:08 — Organic social tips for boosting sales 29:14 — Transitioning from solopreneur to CEO 32:59 — How content creators can make money on group travel 38:06 — Curating authentic local experiences for special interests 38:45 — How Brent finds great young employees 50:18 — Hot Minute: The dumbest thing about America Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Anna, including content not in the regular episode, on our YouTube channel. Thanks to our sponsor Louisville Tourism for making this episode possible. Learn more about group travel to the Bourbon City at gotolouisville.com/travel-professionals. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Are people problems holding your travel business back? As a tour operator or travel entrepreneur, you likely have to work with team members or contractors to make your trips happen. But if your team isn’t working well, can cause major problems. Rebekah Snider feels your pain. Through many years of trial and error she has become a respected tourism leader — and has learned through experience how to find good team members and lose bad ones. She joins this episode of the podcast to share her insights on hiring and leading great tourism teams. Rebekah shares her secrets for finding great employees and the questions she always asks herself before having difficult conversation with struggling teammates. She also provides insights about how to lead multi-generational teams and what core workplace wishes everyone has in common. Plus, we have news about America’s top travel inspiration source and a thought-provoking question about the role of social media in all our lives. Insights from Rebekah Snider Rebekah shared lots of great wisdom about how she builds high-functioning tourism teams. Here’s what she had to say about the top characteristics she looks for in employees: “We’re really looking first and foremost for somebody that has a kindness to them and a relatability. I think people do business with people they like. Those things are important to our brand and to hospitality…. I have found that if we have someone who is a good communicator and has a kindness and warmth to them, we can usually teach them the skill set they’re going to need.” Plus, she had great perspectives on: The importance of finding quality mentors Setting expectations for team members How to dismiss an employee with dignity Resources Mentioned in This Episode Email Rebekah at rebekah@visitmilledgeville.com. Read our Buyer’s Guide for the Group Travel Industry here. Key Moments From This Episode 2:14 — Travel News: Social media becomes America’s top source of travel inspiration 3:37 — Your best source for group travel insight and intelligence 9:17 — How Rebekah Snider became a tourism leader 10:12 — Key traits of great mentors 12:45 — Dealing with imposter syndrome 14:57 — Leading a multi-generational team 20:31 — Setting expectations for team members 21:50 — Navigating difficult conversations with employees 27:04 — How to find great employees for your travel business 29:45 — Exercising influence in your community 44:15 — Hot Minute: Is using social media still morally acceptable in 2025? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Rebekah on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly.

What’s your biggest struggle as a travel entrepreneur? No matter what you’re wrestling with, Andrea Ross has been there. Over the course of 12 years, she started a tour company from the ground up, grew it to profitability and eventually sold it. She’s now a business advisor who helps other travel company owners through the same process, and she joins this episode of the podcast to share her insights. Andrea discusses the good decisions — and the bad mistakes — she made in her time as a tour operator. She shares the most common challenges travel entrepreneurs face and how you can measure and grow the value of business. Plus, we have news about free Wi-Fi on Southwest Airlines; a Road Tip about dealing with sick travelers; and a Hot Minute about the reality of struggling travel businesses. Insights from Andrea Ross Andrea had lots of hard-won insights from her time in the trenches as a tour operator. Here’s what she had to say about the common pain that almost all travel entrepreneurs feel: “Across the spectrum, the challenges are the same. How do I duplicate myself? I’m working 80 hours a week, I’m exhausted. How do I force myself to work on my business so I can grow some of the processes and procedures and some of the training, when really I’m just holding a fire extinguisher putting out fires?” Plus, she had great perspectives on: Growing your tour company beyond yourself How to know when it’s time to sell your business Dealing with post-pandemic PTSD that still haunts travel professionals Resources Mentioned in This Episode Email Andrea Ross at andrea@cultivateadvisors.com. Browse our catalog of more than 250 free group tour itineraries here. Key Moments From This Episode 1:49 — Travel News: Southwest launching Free Wi-Fi fleetwide 3:07 — Road Tip: You need a sick policy 7:48 — Your best source for group travel itineraries 12:35 — How Andrea Ross launched, grew and sold a tour company 18:15 — The pain every tourism entrepreneur feels 20:09 — Growing your company beyond yourself 22:18 — Problems that come with a growing tour company 24:00 — How to know when it’s time to sell your travel business 32:13 — Overcoming pandemic PTSD as a tourism professional 49:13 — Hot Minute: Do you have a travel business or a travel hobby? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Andrea on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

A bad logo could be costing you business. Ross Evans has seen all manner of wild and weird logos. A longtime branding expert and vice president at Redpoint Marketing PR, he has worked with many travel companies to create logos and branding that transform their identity and make a big impact on their bottom lines. He joins this episode of the podcast to share insights on why your branding isn’t working and how you can make it better. Ross discusses the basics of a strong visual brand and how you can leverage them to increase your company’s profits. He explains why travel companies need to put more emphasis on visual branding than other organizations and gives tips for how to achieve great brand design on a budget. Plus, we have news about a new tour concept for travelers in their 40s and 50s; a Road Tip about the best shoes for travel; and a Hot Minute about the most important ingredient your trips are missing. Insights from Ross Evans Ross had lots of insights about how your visual branding impacts customer decisions — without them even realizing it. Here’s what he had to say about why visual branding is so important: “A visual brand is the language a company uses to articulate its brand pillars, its brand values, how it treats its customers…. They’re important because they make a first impression. We process color and texture and shape before we read a single word.” Plus, he had great perspectives on: How bad branding holds businesses back How to avoid the dreaded “design by committee” Leveraging a great visual brand to sell more trips Resources Mentioned in This Episode Find Redpoint online and subscribe to Tickled Red at redpointmarketingpr.com. Hear our interview How The Pandemic Changed Travelers with Dan Christian here. Register to attend Dan’s Travel Trends AI Summit with this link and use the code TTGATHER at checkout to save $100 on registration. Key Moments From This Episode 1:10 — Travel News: Tauck launching a brand for younger travelers 2:30 — Road Tip: The ideal travel shoes 7:37 — Save big on the Travel Trends AI Summit 11:42 — How Ross Evans discovered the importance of visual branding 14:05 — The basics of visual branding 15:30 — How fonts and colors communicate your values 17:28 — How bad branding holds travel businesses back 18:55 — Why visual branding is more important in travel than in other businesses 21:22 — The essentials of a travel company brand 24:16 — What kind of design support do small travel businesses need? 26:20 — How you know it’s time to rebrand 31:41 — Getting a great brand design on a budget 36:12 — How to avoid design by committee 37:19 — Leveraging your brand to sell more trips 47:54 — Hot Minute: The most important ingredient your trips are missing Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Ross on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Travel is better when you don’t drink. That’s what Darci Murray believes. A longtime travel professional, Darci realized years ago that she had developed an unhealthy relationships with alcohol — and that it was negatively impacting her travel experience. She joins this episode of the podcast to share the journey that led her to start the alcohol-free tour company Hooked. Darci discusses the explosion of interest in “sober curious” and “sober supportive” travel. She gives us an inside look at how she builds thrilling alcohol-free trips to destinations around the world shares secrets of helping travelers connect in deep and meaningful ways. Plus, we have news about a tourism coalition pushing back on trade policy; a Road Tip about making non-drinkers feel special on your trips; and a Hot Minute about the way your trips might be making your customers better people — or worse. Insights from Darci Murray Darci had a lot of hard-won insights into the ways alcohol dependency has infused the tourism industry. Here’s what she had to say about why she thinks travel is better without booze: “There are so many hours lost in the itinerary that are just sitting around looking for the happy hour. At hooked, we start early and see way more than the average tour company. We focus on what I call full sensory experiences. When you’re not drinking, all your senses are intact, so I try to play off that.” Plus, she shared really helpful perspectives on: The rise of mocktail culture The demographics of alcohol-free travel groups The incredible travel opportunities available to non-drinkers Resources Mentioned in This Episode Follow Hooked on Instagram. Learn more about Hooked and upcoming tours on their website. Apply to attend our Alabama FAM tour here. Key Moments From This Episode 1:52 — Travel News: Tourism coalition calls for trade policy changes 3:11 — Road Tip: Accommodating alcohol-free travelers 6:41 — Reserve your spot on our Alabama FAM tour 13:30 — How a young-adult group trip sent Darci Murray down a bad road 14:44 — How alcohol negatively impacts the travel experience 17:05 — Transitioning to alcohol-free living and traveling 20:56 — Sober-curious, sober-supportive, gray-area drinking? 24:14 — The incredible rise of mocktails 27:00 — Who joins an alcohol-free group trip? 28:28 — Where Hooked travelers go 29:55 — How alcohol-free travel supercharges relationship building 35:43 — Is alcohol-free travel poised to grow in the future? 36:39 — How to make alcohol-free travelers feel special on your trips 46:31 — Hot Minute: Do your trips make travelers better or worse people? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Darci on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Adventure travel is for everyone — no matter their age or fitness level. That’s what Shannon Stowell believes. As the CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, Shannon is on a mission to help more people discover the joy of adventure tourism and learn how to do so responsibly. He joins this episode of the podcast to bust common myths around adventure travel and help you discover the adventure style that will thrill and delight your travelers.. Shannon discusses how you might be leading adventure travel without even realizing it. He puts to rest the misconception that older travelers don’t like adventure and shares a framework for traveling like respectful guests in the places we visit. Plus, we have news about dozens of cancellations from a major cruise line; a Road Tip about making your devices and appliances work well abroad; and a Hot Minute about the unprofessional habits of some travel pros. Insights from Shannon Stowell Shannon had lots of ideas about how planners can seek out and deliver enriching adventure activities for travelers of all kinds. Here’s what he had to say about what adventure travel really means: “We did this deep dive study and found that three themes came out clearly to define the core of adventure: nature, culture and activity. “The beauty of that is it’s accessible to everyone. So an 18-year-old who’s climbing a mountain in Nepal, that’s adventure for them. Somebody up there in years who would love to walk from inn to inn in Ireland — that’s an adventure too. They’re just a little bit different…. I think everyone should have access to adventure.” Plus, he had insightful thoughts on: Domestic adventure destinations The booming growth of the adventure travel industry Visiting the national parks in uncertain times Resources Mentioned in This Episode Connect with Shannon Stowell on LInkedIn. Purchase Shannon’s Book “Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean” on Amazon. Learn more about the Adventure Travel Trade Association on their website. Sign up for our FAM trip notifications here. Key Moments From This Episode 1:08 — Travel News: Norwegian cancels 40 cruises 2:20 — Road Tip: Using your electronics abroad 8:08 — FAM tour opportunities you don’t want to miss 13:11 — Shannon Stowell’s journey from e-commerce to adventure travel 15:09 — Defining adventure travel for the 21st century 18:04 — Adventure opportunities for older travelers 21:31 — How adventure travel providers are adjusting to today’s marketplace 24:11 — The incredible growth of the adventure travel industry 26:32 — Adventure travel opportunities in the United States 28:52 — Visiting the national parks in uncertain times 31:55 — Enjoying adventure travel responsibly 39:21 — Training people to become the “right” kind of travelers 52:24 — Hot Minute: Character traits tourism professionals must develop About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

What’s the most important part of your travel business? Lauren Rilling believes it’s profit. For more than a decade, Lauren has been helping small business owners solve their companies’ financial problems. And she believes that most business owners get into trouble by not prioritizing profit. She joins the podcast today to help you understand how to create and maximize profit in your travel company — and why this is essential to every other element of your business. Lauren discusses how tour operators can ensure that every trip is profitable from day one. She gives tips about how to turn a travel hobby into a travel business and offers essential strategies for managing the seasonality and cash flow irregularities of the tourism business. Plus, we have news about the Big Beautiful Bill’s tourism implications; a Road Tip about selecting the best travel snacks; and a Hot Minute about the skyrocketing costs of tourism conferences. Insights from Lauren Rilling Lauren had lots of ideas about how travel business owners can improve their companies’ financial performance. Here’s what she had to say about paying attention to profit from the very beginning of a company: “You can really figure out what your expected profit will be ahead of time. You don’t have to take big financial risks. You don’t need a lot of capital to get started…. Know what your profit margins are. Start calculating your costs… And then know what you’re charging people. Then, the remaining amount is your gross profit. “Gross profit is everything when it comes to tour companies. Knowing your gross profit for each trip will help you know how much you need to charge.” Plus, she had insightful thoughts on: Why you shouldn’t manage the books for your own travel business Whether you should operate tours that don’t make money How travel business owners should pay themselves Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about Lauren Rilling at savvystewardship.com. Contact Lauren at lauren.savvystewardship@gmail.com. Apply to attend our OnSite familiarization trip in Alabama here. Key Moments From This Episode 1:13 — Travel News: The Big Beautiful Bill’s impact on tourism 2:44 — Road Tip: What makes the perfect road trip snack? 8:12 — Join us for a trip to Alabama 11:52 — Lauren Rilling’s roots in travel 14:54 — How to know when to turn a travel hobby into a travel business 18:40 — When should you hire a professional accountant for your travel business? 21:20 — Why tourism entrepreneurs should put profit first 23:30 — Planning for profit when your travel business’ income is variable 25:24 — Should you operate tours that don’t make money? 27:45 — Managing cash flow in a seasonable business 30:48 — How travel business owners should pay themselves 35:27 — Don’t spend customer deposits until you have “earned” them 51:06 — Hot Minute: Are tourism conferences getting too expensive? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Lauren on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Legendary broadcaster Peter Greenberg is optimistic about the future of travel. After decades reporting on travel and hundreds of travel shows for CBS News, PBS, Amazon and more, Peter has seen a lifetime’s worth of change and evolution in tourism — and he’s still excited about the industry’s future. In fact, he still travels 300 days a year and loves telling people his secrets for finding deals and inspiring wonder in the American public. He joins this episode of the podcast to help you do the same. Peter discusses some of the biggest changes that have taken place in travel and how today’s tourism professionals can make the most of them. He explains why he’s optimistic about the future of cruising and how tour operators can become more profitable by pursuing specialization. Plus, we have news about a new tour company using the Pan Am brand; a Road Tip about hotel snack shops; and a Hot Minute about the new challenges facing the travel industry. Insights from Peter Greenberg Peter had lots to say about the mindset of the American traveler — and the Americans who don’t travel. Here’s his take on why too many people tend to stay home: “It’s a sad state of affairs that only 38% of Americans have a passport. That means 62% have made a conscious decision not to see anything. That’s a continued sadness, because we live in a global village. I think so much of America has made a conscious choice to be uneducated…. There’s this problem of a lack of curiosity and an overwhelming amount of fear. That combination is lethal.” Plus, he had insightful thoughts on: How to get the best deals on hotel rooms Why COVID made cruising better for everyone Why travel prices may start coming down soon Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about Peter Greenberg and sign up for his free newsletter at petergreenberg.com. Apply to attend our OnSite familiarization trip in Alabama here. Key Moments From This Episode 1:23 — Travel News: Pan Am brand takes flight again 2:49 — Road Tip: Why we love the hotel snack shop 7:50 — Meet us on the road this fall 13:05 — Peter Greenberg reflects on a life in travel 16:21 — Inspiring wonder among American travelers 22:17 — The most important travel changes in the last 30 years 28:39 — Are travel prices about to come down? 35:10 — Why specialization is great for tour operators 37:35 — Traveling with heads of state 47:53 — Hot Minute: Should you be panicked about challenges facing tourism? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Peter, including content not in the regular episode, on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Could the right technology platforms put your travel products in front of the customers who want them? Greg Fisher believes they can. The founder of numerous online travel agency (OTA) and reservation technology (restech) platforms, and author of “Mastering OTAs: The Definitive Guide for Tour Operators,” Greg literally wrote the book on how tour operators can use technology to grow their businesses. He joins this episode of the podcast to help you understand the changing travel tech landscape and how it can benefit your business. Greg introduces tech tools that will help you extend your reach and streamline your operations. He also gives tips on how to make OTAs work for you and insight on why the rise of AI might be great news for small tour companies. Plus, we have news New York’s falling tourism forecast; a Road Tip about increasing socializing among your tour groups; and a Hot Minute about the silver linings of decreased tourism. Insights from Greg Fisher Greg had lots of insights about what kind of relationship multiday tour companies should have with OTAs and other travel distribution platforms. Here’s one thing he had to say about how to optimize your listings for maximum visibility: “Make sure you have the absolute best photos. Your primary image should have something called a key moment. It’s that perfect, candid photo of the tour. Capturing those key moments, with people having the time of their lives. And the rest of your photos should tell the story of that experience from start to finish.” Plus, he had insightful thoughts on: Picking the OTAs that are right for your travel business How much commission OTAs charge to tour operators Why every tour business needs a great restech system Resources Mentioned in This Episode Find Greg’s Book “Mastering OTAs” at masteringotas.com. Follow Greg on LinkedIn. Apply to attend our OnSite familiarization trip in Alabama here. Key Moments From This Episode 1:53 — Travel News: Hawaii is increasing tourism tax because of climate change 3:14 — Road Tip: Eliminating annoying lights in hotel rooms 8:48 — The travel newsletter you can’t afford to miss 14:05 — Why river cruising is booming in popularity 15:17 — How much does river cruising actually cost? 18:54 — How river cruise demographics are changing 21:45 — Are river cruises better than land tours? 22:54 — Can river cruise demand keep up with supply? 24:58 — Can Europe’s rivers sustain the growing level of cruise traffic? 30:50 — River cruising in exotic destinations 34:01 — Should you consider a river cruise in the U.S.? 35:31 — Is river cruising feasible for groups? 48:19 — Hot Minute: Can tourism taxes really affect climate change? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Greg, including content not in the regular episode, on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

In 1961, a group of travelers boarded a motorcoach, and their journey changed the world. The Freedom Rides were among many important demonstrations and activities that took place in Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement. On this special bonus edition of Gather and Go, we’re sharing an episode of the Alabama Civil Rights Trail Podcast that tells the stories of the brave men and women who took the first Freedom Ride and how their courage continues to resonate today. This episode is brought to you by the Alabama Tourism Department. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Hear more of the Alabama Civil Rights Trail Podcast and learn more about visiting Alabama’s Civil Rights sites at alabama.travel/civilrights. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

It’s not just you — everybody really is talking about river cruising right now. With new and established cruise lines making their way into the market, river cruising might just be the hottest trend in travel in 2025. Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, knows exactly why. Colleen joins joins this episode of the podcast to unpack the popularity of river cruising and help you understand how you can make it work for your group. Colleen explains the core value propositions that make river cruises popular with travelers. She explains how river cruising differs from ocean cruises and land tours, breaks down the economics of cruise pricing and gives tips for booking the river cruise that’s right for you. Plus, we have news about rising tourism taxes in Hawaii; a Road Tip about sleeping well in hotel rooms; and a Hot Minute about taxation as a solution to climate issues. Insights from Colleen McDaniel Colleen had lots of insights about who is taking river cruises and why the segment seems to be growing faster than any other. Here’s one thing she had to say about the demographics of river cruising in 2025: “I think the demographics are changing. It does tend to be an older crowd, in part because some of the cruises are longer, and younger people might not have the time to get away. But more and more, we are seeing younger cruises on board all the ships that are sailing in Europe. Part of that is that the pandemic changed how people thought about travel. Another reason is because the internet has gotten a lot better. For younger people where getting away from work is really tough, all the sudden working on a cruise ship is doable. And I think that makes a difference.” Plus, she had insightful thoughts on: Why river cruises can be more attractive than land tours Whether Europe’s rivers can sustain the growth in cruise popularity Why groups should consider river cruising in the U.S., Asia and beyond Resources Mentioned in This Episode Visit Cruise Critic online at cruisecritic.com. Follow Cruise Critic on Facebook and Instagram. Email Colleen McDaniel at editor@cruisecritic.com. Sign up to receive our newsletter The Group Travel Minute at grouptravelleader.com/subscribe. Key Moments From This Episode 1:53 — Travel News: Hawaii is increasing tourism tax because of climate change 3:14 — Road Tip: Eliminating annoying lights in hotel rooms 8:48 — The travel newsletter you can’t afford to miss 14:05 — Why river cruising is booming in popularity 15:17 — How much does river cruising actually cost? 18:54 — How river cruise demographics are changing 21:45 — Are river cruises better than land tours? 22:54 — Can river cruise demand keep up with supply? 24:58 — Can Europe’s rivers sustain the growing level of cruise traffic? 30:50 — River cruising in exotic destinations 34:01 — Should you consider a river cruise in the U.S.? 35:31 — Is river cruising feasible for groups? 48:19 — Hot Minute: Can tourism taxes really affect climate change? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Lorna, including content not in the regular episode, on our YouTube channel. Thanks to our sponsor Collette, for making this episode possible. Learn more about group travel with Collette at GoCollette.com/groups. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

What would it take for you to grow in your tourism career? For Lorna Holland, it took a customer who believed in her. After years as a freelance tour director, Lorna and her husband took a client’s idea and turned it into not one but two tour companies. Today they operate TourDCWithUs and VaFeltre Tours in addition to raising a young daughter and managing home life in Italy. Lorna joins this episode of the podcast to tell us about her journey from guide to owner and pull back the curtain on life as a mom and tourism entrepreneur. Lorna explains why most guides probably already have the skills necessary to launch their own companies. She also explains the economics and challenges of small group travel and gives us an insight on how she balances family life with a busy travel schedule. Plus, we have news about proposed minimum wage hike for tourism workers; a Road Tip about staying in touch with loved ones while traveling; and a Hot Minute about why elite status isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Insights from Lorna Holland Lorna had lots of encouraging and insightful stories to share about making the transition from guide to owner. Here’s one thing she said about realizing what customers really wanted from her trips: “Many people have told me that what Dante and I are selling is not the tour. We’re selling ourselves. And from that initial click or email or phone call or face on the street, from that moment, they have to realize that they’re buying us and not just buying the Sistine Chapel or the Statue of Liberty.” Plus, she had insightful thoughts on: The challenges of working with travel vendors Why small group tours are all about quality The growing trend of women-only group travel Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about VaFeltre Tours at vafeltre.com. Learn more about TourDCWithUs at tourdcwithus.com. Follow Travel with Lorna and Dante on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. For information about our OnSite familiarization tour in Kentucky, contact Kyle Anderson at 859-334-1718 or kyle@grouptravelleader.com. Key Moments From This Episode 2:02 — Travel News: A $30 minimum wage for tourism workers? 3:42 — Road Tip: Staying connected to family when you work in travel 9:49 — A few spots left on our trip to Kentucky 14:58 — How Lorna Holland found her calling as a tour director 19:14 — The inspiration for starting a tour company 20:29 — How a collaborative marriage set Lorna up for business success 21:53 — The skills you need to start a tour company 24:29 — Tapping into women-only travel 28:09 — The economics of small group travel 33:35 — Scaling a company when you are the primary product 36:26 — Maintaining a healthy family life as a tourism entrepreneur 38:33 — Advice for young parents working in travel 51:34 — Hot Minute: Why I don’t want elite travel status Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Lorna, including content not in the regular episode, on our YouTube channel. Thanks to our sponsor Huntsville, Alabama, for making this episode possible. Learn more about group travel to Huntsville at huntsville.org/groups. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Surfing, stretching and drinking… in a group trip? As a burnt-out fitness professional, Mantas Zvinas was looking for a group vacation that didn’t exist. So he created one for himself. That inspired the founding of SurfYogaBeer, a tour company that has become popular among the young and active. Mantas joins this episode of the podcast to tell his group travel story, explain how his trips build friendships between strangers and share tips for aspiring tourism entrepreneurs. Mantas explains why young people love coming on his group trips (it’s not just about the beer) and how he recruits and trains trip leaders to be excellent at facilitating fun and connection. He also explains why the size of a travel group may not be as important as many people think and gives an inside look at how his company attracts new customers. Plus, we have news about a decline in travel to the U.S. from Canada; a Road Tip about using your phone abroad; and a Hot Minute about the ways a government-imposed Big Tech breakup could impact your travel business. Insights from Mantas Zvinas Mantas had a great perspective about the real mission of SurfYogaBeer’s trips and why they resonate so deeply with customers. Here’s what he said about the power of personal connection in group travel: “It’s all about bringing people together. What we focus on these trips is that camaraderie, and you create that through going through something difficult. But we also play games throughout the day that bring people together…. By the end of day one, you’re so connected with everybody. You’re having a beer and you’re sharing your deepest secrets with somebody you met 24 hours ago.” Plus, he had insightful thoughts on: Training world-class trip leaders Building a company that goes beyond your personality The role of great content in travel promotion Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about SurfYogaBeer at surfyogabeer.com. Follow SurfYogaBeer and Mantas Zvinas on Instagram. Connect with The Group Travel Leader on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Key Moments From This Episode 1:50 — Travel News: Inbound travel from Canada is falling 3:20 — Road Tip: Using mobile data when traveling abroad 8:38 — Great follows on social media 13:56 — How Mantas Zvinas discovered fitness travel amid professional burnout 19:48 — The community effort that built SurfYogaBeer 23:20 — What SurfYogaBeer trips look like today 27:41 — Training world-class trip leaders 30:01 — What’s the ideal size of a group trip? 31:19 — How customers fine SurfYogaBeer 33:12 — Turning a following into a travel company 49:52 — Hot Minute: How could a Big Tech breakup affect your travel company? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Mantas, including content not in the regular episode, on our YouTube channel. Thanks to our sponsor Visit Atlantic City for making this episode possible. Learn more about group travel to Atlantic City at visitatlanticcity.com. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Today’s Black travelers are standing on the shoulders of giants. David Jackson is on a mission to make sure these hidden heroes finally get their stories told. After spending most of his career in hospitality, meetings and destination management, David answered the call to join some colleagues in resurrecting the historic Green Book, a segregation-era resource for Black travelers. David visits the podcast to discuss how Black travel pioneers made history, why their stories matter today and how modern travelers can experience their legacy. David shares what he and his colleagues are doing to preserve and grow the Green Book. He also discusses ways that tour operators and destination managers can tap into the power of the Green Book to deliver cultural travel experiences that will benefit both travelers and the communities they visit. Plus, we have news about a decrease in travel spending; a road tip about using music to liven up your motorcoach trips; and a Hot Minute about the worst part of air travel in 2025. Insights from David Jackson David had lots of great insights about how telling stories from travel’s past can impact people’s future. Here’s what he had to say about the way cataloging Black travel sites could revitalize communities: “It represents a fresh start. It’s like manna from heaven. You’re saying you can now promote us to a national audience, and folks that are coming into town that didn’t even know we existed can extend their trip or come to the area because of us…. This is a new day. This is a new revenue stream. We have the assets. Now we can promote our destination that has been under served.” Plus, he had insightful thoughts on: Building a catalog of cultural travel sites Partnering with other cultural travel organizations How to find Black travel experiences for your group Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about The Green Book Experience at greenbookexperience.com. Follow the Green Book Experience on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Follow David Jackson on LinkedIn. Get free resources for faith-based group travel at Going On Faith. Discover more episodes of Gather and Go. Key Moments From This Episode 1:30 — Travel News: Americans are spending less on travel 2:46 — Road Tip: Liven up your road time with music games 8:38 — A free resource for faith-based travel planners 14:41 — How David Jackson found a new calling late in his career 18:13 — The unsung heroes who paved the way for Black travel 23:58 — Building a catalog of cultural travel sites 27:17 — Unearthing Green Book sites in 2025 29:04 — Partnering with other cultural tourism organizations 31:44 — How a focus on cultural tourism can impact marginalized communities 33:21 — How to find Black travel experiences for your groups 38:45 — How Brent finds great young employees 47:55 — Hot Minute: The worst thing about air travel in 2025 Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with David, including content not in the regular episode, on our YouTube channel. Thanks to our sponsor Louisville Tourism for making this episode possible. Learn more about group travel to the Bourbon City at gotolouisville.com/travel-professionals. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.