The Travel Marketing Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Rami Nuseir, Head of Marketing at Stay22 and a self-described "Story Sage." Rami is a master at taking complex, "incomprehensible" technology and turning it into narratives that anyone can understand.We dive into how Stay22 achieved a staggering 187% growth in 2025 by empowering travel creators with AI-powered affiliate tools. Rami shares his "funny outsells serious" marketing philosophy, the importance of rigorous A/B testing, and why he recently declared the latest Google updates as the "last straw" for the creator community.

Discover how Katalina Mayorga built El Camino Travel into a powerhouse for the "bold woman traveler" without spending a dime on traditional ads. In this episode, Katalina shares her journey from international development to creating a brand that prioritizes deep cultural immersion and local economic impact. You'll learn how she utilizes high-end photography and "scroll-stopping" content to drive a massive word-of-mouth engine.Katalina also reveals the business strategy behind her thriving digital community, which boasts an incredible 40% repeat booking rate. Explore how niche specialization and radical brand trust can cut through the noise of the modern travel industry. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a travel enthusiast, this masterclass in community-building offers essential insights into making travelers feel seen, safe, and inspired.

Mike Petrakis, Co-founder & CEO of Batch, joins the podcast to discuss how they became the top app for planning group celebrations like Bachelorette parties. He dives deep into Batch's evolution from a commission-based Online Travel Agency (OTA) model to a "digital billboard" marketing engine for small businesses.In this episode, we cover the secrets to their B2C acquisition, how they leverage virality (K-Factor) , and their strategy for building a strong, well-positioned brand.Tune in to hear why Mike believes owning the customer is key in the age of AI and how Batch is building the "celebration economy".

In this episode of "Trailblazing Tactics," hear from Barbara, Global Director of Marketing and CRM at Summit One Vanderbilt, as she reveals the strategies that have driven success for world-class attractions. Discover how to balance innovative tactics with data-driven results, and why looking "behind the curtain" of your analytics is crucial.Key topics include:A Winning Campaign: Learn how a lead generation campaign for Legoland New York achieved an incredible 26 cents per lead and sold out its "first to play" tickets.Learning from Data: Hear the story of a "failed" campaign that was actually a success hidden by a data tracking error, highlighting the importance of data integrity.Top Marketing Channels: Discover the surprising mix of top-performing channels, where organic search provides the most growth and Connected TV performs nearly as well as search ads.Brand-Powered Performance: Understand how a strong brand is essential for boosting performance marketing and creating a deeper connection with your audience.Advanced CRM & Tech: Get insights into segmenting your audience with unique categories like "sleepers" and the importance of adopting new technologies like AI to stay ahead.

In this episode, Brennen Bliss sits down with Savvas Georgiou, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Welcome Pickups, to unpack how the company scaled from a scrappy marketplace for local tours into a global leader in airport transfers across 100+ destinations. They dive into performance-driven marketing, short booking windows, the value of bottom-funnel acquisition, and how Welcome approaches attribution and app strategy. Savvas also shares insights into their B2B evolution—shifting from boutique hotels to OTAs and long-tail travel agents—and why focusing on “essential trip steps” has been key to their success.

In this episode, we dive into Contiki’s dynamic travel marketing strategies, exploring how the brand transforms content into bookings. We uncover Contiki’s approach to engaging young travelers, leveraging storytelling, social media, and influencer partnerships to drive conversions. Tune in to learn about the creative tactics and data-driven insights that make Contiki a powerhouse in youth travel marketing.

Lauren shares insights into navigating the acquisition process, maintaining brand authenticity, and balancing creativity with corporate structure.She shares insights on SEO, short-form video, influencer marketing, and paid media strategies across Google, Meta, and Bing. They explore data-driven decision-making, attribution challenges, and analytics, including frustrations with GA4. She also teases new private tours and key marketing metrics focused on revenue and occupancy.A must-listen for travel marketers and brand builders.

Travel Marketing Podcast by Propellic features an insightful discussion with Kevin Indig, a leading SEO expert, on the state of travel industry SEO. Kevin shares key findings from his deep-dive research into travel search trends, highlighting the role of AI, organic growth strategies, and shifting consumer behaviors. Tune in for actionable insights on how travel brands can navigate and capitalize on these industry shifts.

In this video, Brennen Bliss and Fernando Diez discuss Quasar's PPC strategy, balancing brand awareness with targeted keyword efforts. Fernando shares how they rank highly for terms like "Galapagos Cruise Reviews," driving brand recognition, while also focusing on luxury-specific keywords to attract high-intent customers and filter out price-sensitive leads. This targeted approach ensures they reach the right audience for their luxury offerings. Tune in to learn more about effective PPC strategies for luxury travel brands!

In today's dynamic travel industry, achieving the right balance between brand building and performance marketing is crucial for sustained growth. Leigh Barnes, COO at Intrepid Travel, emphasized this balance in a recent video, where he shared his perspective on how Intrepid shifted its marketing strategy.According to Leigh, after the pandemic, Intrepid made a bold move by significantly increasing investment in brand-building efforts, such as out-of-home advertising, radio, podcasts, social influencers, and PR. This rebranding strategy, coupled with a broader focus on long-term growth, has led to record-breaking results year after year, including higher bookings, profits, and brand awareness.

In this episode, Fabio Bin, CMO and founding team member of WeRoad, reveals how they transformed a simple idea - connecting strangers who want to travel together - into a €100M travel company in just seven years. Fabio shares their unique approach to community building, including how they've cultivated a network of 3,000 travel coordinators across Europe and built a two-million-strong engaged social media following. From their innovative city domination marketing strategy to their blend of digital and real-world brand activations, discover how WeRoad created a travel movement that goes far beyond just selling tours. Learn about their marketing evolution from pure social media to a sophisticated omnichannel approach, and how they've maintained authentic community engagement while scaling across multiple European markets. Whether you're in travel marketing or building a community-driven brand, this episode is packed with actionable insights on combining performance marketing with genuine community building.

In this episode of the Travel Marketing Podcast by Propellic, CEO Brennen Bliss interviews Ismael Garcia, CMO and Head of Growth at Civitatis, a leading online travel agency in Latin America and Europe. Garcia shares insights on the intersection of SEO, paid media, and AI-driven channels in travel marketing, along with strategies for optimizing budgets, testing, and measuring campaign performance.The conversation delves into managing multi-market campaigns, balancing B2B and B2C strategies, and the importance of "tropicalization" when entering new Latin American markets. Garcia also discusses Civitatis’ approach to customer care, crisis management, and building brand trust. Finally, he reflects on his career journey from Geneva to London and his path to becoming CMO at Civitatis, offering valuable advice for travel marketing professionals.

In this podcast episode, Brennen and Alex discusses effective SEO strategies for multilingual websites, emphasizing search intent and the importance of testing tools. They share how they optimized a testimonials page to manage reputation effectively. The conversation highlights the need for hands-on SEO testing and offers valuable insights for travel marketers on managing organic traffic.

This episode dives into the strategies behind appearing in evolving search modules of "Things To Do", balancing paid ads with organic listings, and why optimizing visuals is a game-changer for click-through rates. Plus, hear about the future of AI in search marketing, the growth potential in tours and activities, and how to fix the fragmented reservation systems. Whether you're in travel or tech, this conversation offers key insights to boost your digital strategy.

In this episode of the Travel Marketing Compass Podcast, SEO expert Kevin Indig shares deep insights into the travel industry's search dynamics. From Google's dominance in travel searches to the importance of visual content and programmatic SEO, Kevin explores how travel brands can optimize their strategies for better visibility and engagement. This episode is packed with actionable advice for both large and small travel companies looking to enhance their SEO efforts.

In this episode of the Travel Marketing Podcast, brought to you by Propellic, we're diving deep into the intersection of travel and marketing with Matthew Barker, founder of Horizon Guides. Matthew's unique approach to content marketing and zero-commission advertising offers valuable insights for travel businesses looking to navigate today's competitive environment. We explore the critical decisions around using AI versus human-written content, strategies for scaling a content marketing organization, and the importance of diversifying marketing channels.

In this insightful episode of the Travel Marketing Podcast, hosted by Propellic, we sit down with Janette Roush, the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital at New York City Tourism and Conventions. Janette, a leader in the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) space, shares her innovative approaches to integrating AI into her team's marketing strategies. We discuss the future of destination marketing, the importance of storytelling, and the challenges of measuring the impact of marketing efforts in a city as dynamic as New York. Janette also delves into the evolving role of AI in creative processes and leadership, providing valuable insights for marketers

Brennen interviews Allyson Carpenter, an industry veteran with experience at Brand USA, Virgin Australia, Qantas, and more. Allyson shares insights on driving traffic and visitors to destinations, focusing on data, creativity, and actionable strategies. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for travel marketers looking to elevate their game.

Ever wondered how to effectively market multiple travel brands? Jamie Storrs, VP of Marketing at Chenmark, shares his expertise on managing diverse marketing strategies across various travel companies. Learn from his innovative approach and boost your marketing game!

Our latest podcast episode is a compilation of the best insights from the first half of the year! This special episode features standout moments and expert perspectives that you won't want to miss.Cynthia Huang / Building a Decentralized Travel EcosystemTravis Tallent / Peak Performance: Insights into Mountain TravelKelsey Tonner / Empowering Tour OperatorsRebecca y Brennen / SEO is Dead, AgainJustin Buzzi / Marketing Strategies for Multilocation Travel CompaniesSveinn Birkir Björnsson / Reimagining Destinations: The 'Inspired by Iceland' Campaign Success StoryAlexander Ragin / Personalized Tech in Tourism: Alexander Ragin's Take on the Future of Travel