Drawing on extensive experience in international travel, destination marketing, and wholesale distribution, Vanessa explains how V Travel Network connects travel agents with trusted global suppliers, what makes a supplier stand out in a competitive marketplace, and why relationships, responsiveness, and customer service remain the foundations of successful travel partnerships.

What you’ll learn in this interview

● How wholesale travel businesses support travel agents and international suppliers
● What Vanessa looks for when evaluating new suppliers, DMCs, and travel experiences
● Why customer service and problem-solving are more important than ever in supplier relationships
● How communication, responsiveness, and reliability influence purchasing decisions
● What makes a supplier stand out at trade shows, workshops, and industry events
● Why unique experiences and clear differentiation are critical in a crowded marketplace
● How FAM trips help travel professionals better understand destinations and products
● What suppliers can do to create more effective and valuable FAM trip experiences
● How global events, travel disruptions, and changing traveller confidence are shaping demand across international markets

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

● Tourism boards and Destination Management Organisations interested in understanding how products are evaluated and promoted in Australia and New Zealand

● DMCs and tour operators looking to expand distribution through travel agent networks
● Hotels, attractions, and experience providers seeking stronger relationships with wholesale buyers
● Suppliers wanting practical insight into what travel agents and wholesalers value most in a partnership
● Travel industry professionals interested in current trends, traveller behaviour, and international travel distribution

Watch the interview below to hear directly from Vanessa Wallace about building successful supplier partnerships, supporting travel agents, and helping travellers discover meaningful experiences around the world.

Drawing on more than three decades of experience creating and leading cultural tours across Italy, Europe, and beyond, James discusses the importance of authenticity, private access, and owner-led travel businesses. He explains how supplier relationships, destination accessibility, and thoughtful pacing shape the guest experience.

What you’ll learn in this interview

● How specialist cultural tour operators evaluate destinations and supplier partnerships
● How James Hill Travels balances comfort, pacing, food, accommodation, and intellectual content in escorted tours
● Why owner-led travel businesses continue to resonate strongly with discerning travelers
● How DMCs can add value by acting as trusted local filters and destination experts
● What James looks for in hotels, restaurants, guides, and transport providers
● Why direct flight access and ease of travel heavily influence destination selection
● Which trade shows, workshops, and FAM trips are most valuable for specialist operators
● How current geopolitical concerns and travel logistics are shaping destination demand

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

● DMCs and suppliers targeting high-end escorted cultural tour operators
● Hotels and experience providers seeking to attract mature cultural travelers
● Tourist boards and destinations wanting to understand the needs of niche cultural travel specialists
● Suppliers interested in building long-term relationships with owner-led travel businesses
● Travel professionals looking for insight into current trends in escorted cultural touring and destination development

Watch the interview above to hear directly from James about creating meaningful cultural travel experiences, building trusted supplier relationships, and delivering tours that combine expertise, authenticity, and personal connection.

Drawing on extensive experience in group touring across Ireland, Britain, Italy, Spain, and Iceland, Robert explains what suppliers need to understand when working with large-scale tour operators, why service and reliability matter so much, and how suppliers can genuinely differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

What you’ll learn in this interview

• The practical requirements suppliers need to understand before working with a large tour operator
•  Why service quality consistently matters more than luxury alone
• Why transparency and long-term collaboration are essential in supplier partnerships
• How customer feedback shapes supplier relationships and product decisions
• Which trade shows and workshop events CIE Tours values most, and why
• How Robert and his team decide which suppliers to meet at trade events
• What makes a supplier presentation stand out from the very first meeting?
• Which travel trends and traveler behaviours CIE Tours is currently seeing across different destinations.

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

• Hotels working with escorted tour operators and group travel buyers
• Destinations and tourist boards looking to strengthen relationships with travel partners
• Attractions and experience providers targeting North American group travel
• Suppliers wanting a clearer understanding of how major tour operators assess partnerships
• Travel industry professionals interested in current trends in escorted touring and international travel demand

Watch the interview below to hear directly from Robert Young about what suppliers can do to build stronger partnerships, deliver better experiences, and stand out in today’s competitive travel market.

In this video interview, Kat Morga, owner of Adventure Smarter, shares candid insights into how a modern independent travel advisor builds trusted supplier relationships, selects destination management companies (DMCs), and navigates the realities of today’s changing travel landscape.

Drawing on her background in hospitality, project management, and experiential travel design, Kat explains how she evaluates supplier partnerships and why responsiveness and transparency are critical.

What you’ll learn in this interview

● How independent travel advisors evaluate and choose suppliers
● Why responsiveness, communication, and reliability matter more than polished sales pitches
● How Kat balances private experiences with small-group travel for modern travelers
● Why strong supplier relationships are essential to delivering seamless client experiences
● How FAM trips, trade events, and networking shape supplier partnerships and destination knowledge
● What makes a supplier stand out when approaching travel advisors
● How travel advisors assess pricing, value, and client trust when building itineraries
● Which traveler concerns and booking trends are currently shaping international travel demand
● Why content creation and destination expertise play such a key role in modern travel advising

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

● DMCs and tour operators looking to strengthen relationships with independent travel advisors
● Hotels and experience providers targeting North American leisure travelers
● Tourism boards seeking to better understand how advisors select destination partners
● Suppliers wanting insight into the expectations of modern luxury and experiential travel advisors
● Travel industry professionals interested in current booking behaviors, traveler concerns, and supplier-advisor collaboration

Watch the interview above to hear directly from Kat Morga about building trusted partnerships, designing meaningful travel experiences, and adapting to the evolving expectations of today’s travelers.

With nearly 30 years in the travel industry, Jamie brings a distinctive perspective shaped by his background in education, independent travel advising, and extensive firsthand travel. In this interview, he talks about how clients come to him with very different ideas and expectations, why trusted local partners are so important, and what suppliers need to do to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

What you’ll learn in this interview

• How Jamie’s journey into travel began, and how it has shaped the way he works today
• Who his clients are, and what they typically come to him for
• How clients approach travel planning, and how he helps shape their ideas into successful trips
• How he chooses which trade events to attend, and what makes them worthwhile
• How he works with DMCs compared with direct suppliers when building itineraries
• Whether supplier relationships can be built online, or still depend on meeting in person
• What makes a supplier stand out and earn his attention
• What success looks like for him in the travel industry today

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

Hotels looking to build stronger relationships with travel advisors
DMCs and receptive operators wanting to better understand how advisors choose partners
Attractions, guides, and experience providers targeting customised travel programmes
Suppliers seeking more effective ways to approach experienced travel buyers

Watch the interview below to hear directly from Jamie about what matters most when building trusted partnerships in travel.

Founded with Africa at its core, Africa still represents approximately 50% of Ker & Downey’s business, and remains central to the company’s DNA. Today, Elizabeth oversees global product strategy across Africa, Europe, the Americas and polar regions, working closely with destination management companies (DMCs), tourism boards and properties worldwide. 

In this conversation, she explains: 

• How she moved into product management in luxury travel 

• Who makes final decisions on adding or removing suppliers 

• What suppliers should understand before reaching out 

• Why long-term DMC relationships are critical 

• How Ker & Downey approaches trade shows strategically 

• How much time product buyers actually spend travelling 

• Which destinations are currently performing strongly 

• Why off-the-beaten-path destinations are gaining momentum 

Elizabeth provides clear, practical guidance for properties, DMCs and tourism boards that want to work effectively with established luxury travel companies. 

If you are a supplier looking to understand how buyers evaluate new partnerships, and how to stand out in a relationship-driven industry, this interview offers valuable, real-world insight. 

Elaine brings more than a decade of experience in group travel, student and youth tourism, and custom tour development across the United States and Canada. In the interview, she explains what suppliers need to understand before approaching a travel company, why relationship-building still matters, and how suppliers can make it easier for buyers to work with them. 

What you’ll learn in this interview 

• How a tour operator assesses potential suppliers 

• Why understanding group travel is essential for success 

• What makes a supplier stand out from the very first approach 

• The real benefits of working with group travel clients 

• Why long-term partnerships matter more than one-off sales 

• Which industry events buyers genuinely value and why 

Who this interview is for 

This interview is especially relevant for: 

• Hotels working with group and wholesale operators 

• Attractions and experience providers targeting group travel 

• Destinations, DMOs, and receptive operators seeking stronger buyer relationships 

• Suppliers who want clearer, more effective ways to approach tour operators 

Watch the interview below to hear directly from a tour operator what helps suppliers get it right. 

With 17 years at Albatross and a career in group travel spanning nearly three decades, Mark contracts hotels and attractions across France, Germany and other European destinations. He works at the heart of itinerary creation, supplier negotiation and long term partnership management for escorted leisure groups from the UK and Australia.

In this conversation, he explains:

• How contract managers design itineraries and select hotels
• Who makes the final decision on adding or changing suppliers
• What potential suppliers should research before making contact
• Why group travel requires a different commercial approach than commission based business
• What makes a hotel truly stand out for escorted group guests
• The importance of personal welcome and treating group travellers as individuals
• Operational challenges facing hotels today, including staffing and restaurant closures
• What attractions must consider for coach access, billing and guided experiences
• How Albatross approaches trade shows and supplier development
• Why face to face meetings and product visits remain essential
• The role of fam trips and why return on investment matters

Mark offers clear, practical advice for hotels, attractions and destinations that want to work more effectively with group travel buyers. He highlights the importance of operational reliability, transparency, flexibility and above all, delivering a guest experience that feels personal rather than transactional.

For suppliers looking to understand how buyers evaluate partnerships, manage risk and protect guest experience across multi day itineraries, this interview provides grounded, real world insight from the contracting front line.