Trade Secrets Podcast

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners’ questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more — as long as it’s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at travelweekly.com/podcasts.ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors’ 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.Emma Weissmann brings more than a decade of reporting and editing experience to her role as Features Editor at Travel Weekly, where she covers destinations and retail travel and contributes to social media, podca

Trade Secrets Podcast is a society podcast hosted by Travel Weekly, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Travel Weekly hosts Trade Secrets Podcast, a society show with 100 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #14

  Is fall the new summer? Unpacking luxury travel trends with Virtuoso (feat. David Kolner & Misty Belles)

  Aug 17, 202636 minS7

  This week, Trade Secrets is coming to you from the halls of the Aria Resort & Casino at Virtuoso Travel Week. Co-host Jamie Biesiada is joined by guest host Johanna Jainchill, Travel Weekly’s editor in chief, and Virtuoso’s own David Kolner and Misty Belles. They cover the latest luxury travel trends, from the hot fall season to “maxxing” and beyond. This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International .  Further resources Virtuoso on the web , on Instagram and on TikTok Email Virtuoso’s public relations department Mentioned in this episode: Johanna Jainchill on Trade Secrets After Dark The Bedford by Martha Stewart Brené Brown Travel Weekly’s Virtuoso Travel Week 2026 coverage: Virtuoso forecasts 2026 sales will be up nearly 21% Virtuoso unveils AI-powered intelligence tool The Takeaway: Let’s end these travel trends At Virtuoso Travel Week, word of another banner year Need advice?   Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  Episode #13

  “Breaking the glass:” From family-owned Valerie Wilson Travel to a new homegrown initiative (feat: Kimberly Wilson Wetty)

  Aug 3, 202656 minS7

  This week on Trade Secrets, Kimberly Wilson Wetty discusses her transition from being the longtime co-owner and co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) to her newest venture, Keep Wondering Why. Wetty reflects honestly on the decision to sell VWT – which was first acquired by another family-owned business before transitioning to ownership by Chase Travel Group – and making the choice to branch out on her own. This episode also delves into Wetty’s passion for ensuring that all travelers feel welcomed and respected. This episode was sponsored by Travel Insured International.  https://www.travelinsured.com/ Further resources Kimberly Wilson Wetty on LinkedIn Keep Wondering Why on the web , LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook Mentioned in this episode: Valerie Wilson on Humans of Travel Wilson Wetty’s LinkedIn posts   Breaking the glass Don’t crush the butterfly Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  Episode #12

  Are travel bookings slowing down right now? (feat. Michelle Fee and Ryan Ranahan)

  Jul 20, 202642 minS7

  Inspired by a listener question from travel advisor Megan Vatnsdal, owner of Onyx & Evergreen Travel, Trade Secrets explores what’s going on with travel agency bookings. Join co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada in conversation with Cruise Planners’ Michelle Fee and Oasis Travel Network’s Ryan Ranahan, who offer a birds-eye view of what their advisors are experiencing right now, for the rest of the year and even into 2027 and 2028. This episode was sponsored by  National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions . Further resources Cruise Planners Oasis Travel Network Ryan Ranahan on LinkedIn Need advice? Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  Episode #11

  When the answer is never ‘no’: The world of entertainment travel (Global Travel Collection, part 2)

  Jul 6, 202647 minS7

  The world of entertainment travel can be similar to both luxury leisure and corporate travel, but don’t be fooled: it’s really a beast of its own. This week on Trade Secrets, delve into the world of entertainment travel and everything it entails, from multimillion-dollar contracts and high security clearances to catering to multi-page hotel riders and booking transfers for dogs. Co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada are joined by MD Travel Services’ Michael Dovey, Travel Princess Inc.’s Wendy Nyi-Baylock and ALTx Collective’s Corey Slee, all advisors under Global Travel Collection’s entertainment division. This episode was recorded during GTC’s Arrive conference in Austin in June. This episode was sponsored by National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions .  Further resources ALTx Collective on Instagram Wendy Nyi-Baylock and Travel Princess Inc. on Instagram MD Travel Services on the web and Instagram Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  Episode #14

  An inside look at Global Travel Collection, the $2.4 billion powerhouse host agency (part 1, feat. Angie Licea)

  Jun 22, 202657 minS7

  In this episode of Trade Secrets, recorded in person at Global Travel Collection’s Arrive conference at the Fairmont Austin in June, get an update on all things GTC from president Angie Licea. From the labor of (mostly) love that was the GTC brand unification, uniting several agencies that sell $2.4 billion annually, to the Legacy in Motion program, which helps advisors both grow and sell their businesses, Licea offers an inside look at everything going on at the New York-based host agency. Then, she takes on several listener questions, ranging from breaking into ultra-high-net-worth travel to top holiday destinations. And for those who haven’t seen the ending of “Survivor 50,” beware of a spoiler at the 54:25 mark. This is the first part in a two-part series of episodes recorded at Arrive. In two weeks, tune in for an episode all about entertainment travel. This episode was sponsored by Brendan Vacations .  Further resources Global Travel Collection on the web Mentioned in this episode: Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge Bats The latest from GTC: Brand unification TV show “1st Look Presents – Extra Mile Club” Legacy in Motion program Circle program New-to-industry training program Need advice? Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098 Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com   Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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