Wellness travel is entering a new golden era: Strong growth is predicted in the next three years, according to the Global Wellness Institute. So what does it mean to travel for wellness in 2024?

In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin welcomed senior editors Robert Silk and Christina Jelski and news editor Johanna Jainchill. They delved into wellness-travel trips -- mindful surfing in Costa Rica, exclusive golfing at the new Sensei resort in California and a stay at a traditional wellness-themed resort -- that formed the basis for a Travel Weekly cover story about the myriad experiences that make up today's wellness-travel market.

Among our questions: What is “hard” and “soft” wellness travel? Is wellness travel expensive, or is that just a perception? And for the skeptics out there: What's the value in "wellness," anyway?

Episode sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured https://www.travelinsured.com

Related reports:

Diving into wellness resorts: Three editors sample three takes on self-care https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Diving-into-wellness-resorts

Wellness travel is still in demand, bringing new resorts to bloom https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Wellness-travel-new-resorts

Wellness travel is entering a new golden era: Strong growth is predicted in the next three years, according to the Global Wellness Institute. So what does it mean to travel for wellness in 2024?
In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin welcomed senior editors Robert Silk and Christina Jelski and news editor Johanna Jainchill. They delved into wellness-travel trips -- mindful surfing in Costa Rica, exclusive golfing at the new Sensei resort in California and a stay at a traditional wellness-themed resort -- that formed the basis for a Travel Weekly cover story about the myriad experiences that make up today's wellness-travel market.
Among our questions: What is “hard” and “soft” wellness travel? Is wellness travel expensive, or is that just a perception? And for the skeptics out there: What's the value in "wellness," anyway?
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com">https://www.travelinsured.com</a>
Related reports:
Diving into wellness resorts: Three editors sample three takes on self-care <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Diving-into-wellness-resorts">https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Diving-into-wellness-resorts</a>
Wellness travel is still in demand, bringing new resorts to bloom <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Wellness-travel-new-resorts">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Wellness-travel-new-resorts</a>

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they&rsquo;ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Hosted by Rebecca Tobin, managing editor of Travel Weekly

The Folo by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week. 

In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about.  

You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do. 

Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week.&nbsp;
In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about. &nbsp;
You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do.&nbsp;
Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

The latest in wellness travel: Hard vs. soft experiences

In the past few years, travel agencies have been inundated with business from travelers seeking expert advice and booking assistance on their travel. At the same time, we saw an influx of travel advisors into the business and some career-shifting during Covid from people who wanted to follow their passions. But good travel advisors need training – on systems, on suppliers, on sales tactics and more.

How does a travel agency train up new advisors? How long does it take to create a great advisor? What do experienced advisors need to know if they're planning on mentoring someone new to the business?

In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin and retail editor Jamie Biesiada speak with Gayle Smith and Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel about their innovative partnership with the University of Georgia’s hospitality-management program to create a travel agency internship program, as well as Smith’s passion for mentorship and what skills are critical to teach agents entering the business.

This episode was recorded May 9 and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/

Related reports:

Mentorships bring on the next generation of travel advisors https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Mentorship-next-generation-travel-advisors

Prescription Travel https://prescriptiontravel.com/

In the past few years, travel agencies have been inundated with business from travelers seeking expert advice and booking assistance on their travel. At the same time, we saw an influx of travel advisors into the business and some career-shifting during Covid from people who wanted to follow their passions. But good travel advisors need training – on systems, on suppliers, on sales tactics and more.
How does a travel agency train up new advisors? How long does it take to create a great advisor? What do experienced advisors need to know if they're planning on mentoring someone new to the business?
In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin and retail editor Jamie Biesiada speak with Gayle Smith and Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel about their innovative partnership with the University of Georgia’s hospitality-management program to create a travel agency internship program, as well as Smith’s passion for mentorship and what skills are critical to teach agents entering the business.
This episode was recorded May 9 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. <a href="https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/">https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/</a>
Related reports:
Mentorships bring on the next generation of travel advisors <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Mentorship-next-generation-travel-advisors">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Mentorship-next-generation-travel-advisors</a>
Prescription Travel <a href="https://prescriptiontravel.com/">https://prescriptiontravel.com/</a>

How travel agency mentorships help new advisors

We’re talking about final rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation about when and how airline passengers qualify for a refund. This rule is widely seen as a win for customers -- but there is at least one provision of the rule that could make things tricky for parts of the travel-sales business. In addition, the DOT ruled on when flyers must be told about certain ancillary fees.

In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin goes over both rules with Laura Chadwick of the Travel Technology Association and our aviation editor Robert Silk.

This episode was recorded Friday, May 3, and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor: 

This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/

Related reports: 

Biden administrations finalizes rule establishing airline refund requirements https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/DOT-rule-finalized-airline-refunds 

New airfare refund regulations are a win for consumers https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/New-airfare-refund-regulations-strike-a-blow-for-the-consumer 

Mark Pestronk’s Legal Briefs column: Is the DOT refund rule still anti-agent? https://www.travelweekly.com/Mark-Pestronk/Is-the-DOT-refund-rule-still-anti-agent

We’re talking about final rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation about when and how airline passengers qualify for a refund. This rule is widely seen as a win for customers -- but there is at least one provision of the rule that could make things tricky for parts of the travel-sales business. In addition, the DOT ruled on when flyers must be told about certain ancillary fees.
In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin goes over both rules with Laura Chadwick of the Travel Technology Association and our aviation editor Robert Silk. This episode was recorded Friday, May 3, and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor: 
This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy. <a href="https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/">https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/</a>
Related reports: 
Biden administrations finalizes rule establishing airline refund requirements <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/DOT-rule-finalized-airline-refunds">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/DOT-rule-finalized-airline-refunds </a>
New airfare refund regulations are a win for consumers <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/New-airfare-refund-regulations-strike-a-blow-for-the-consumer">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/New-airfare-refund-regulations-strike-a-blow-for-the-consumer </a>
Mark Pestronk’s Legal Briefs column: Is the DOT refund rule still anti-agent? <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Mark-Pestronk/Is-the-DOT-refund-rule-still-anti-agent">https://www.travelweekly.com/Mark-Pestronk/Is-the-DOT-refund-rule-still-anti-agent</a>

The U.S. clarifies airline refunds, ancillary displays: Who wins?

In this episode we look at a new company called Black In that's building tours to celebrate Black history and support Black-owned businesses in each destination. Our guests are the founders of Black In: Martinique Lewis, the creator of ABC Travel Greenbook and the president of the Black Travel Alliance, and Ashley Company, the owner of Jelani Travel. Tours editor Nicole Edenedo leads the discussion about Black In, how the tours are created and why. In the second half of the episode, we discuss where the travel industry is overall in terms of diversity programs and inclusion efforts -- and what it could or should do next.

This episode was recorded April 23 and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured

Related reports

Black travel entrepreneurs launch tour company https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Black-travel-entrepreneurs-launch-tour-company

Shifting landscape of DEI in travel https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Shifting-landscape-of-DEI-in-travel

In this episode we look at a new company called Black In that's building tours to celebrate Black history and support Black-owned businesses in each destination. Our guests are the founders of Black In: Martinique Lewis, the creator of ABC Travel Greenbook and the president of the Black Travel Alliance, and Ashley Company, the owner of Jelani Travel. Tours editor Nicole Edenedo leads the discussion about Black In, how the tours are created and why. In the second half of the episode, we discuss where the travel industry is overall in terms of diversity programs and inclusion efforts -- and what it could or should do next.
This episode was recorded April 23 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured
Related reports
Black travel entrepreneurs launch tour company <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Black-travel-entrepreneurs-launch-tour-company">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Black-travel-entrepreneurs-launch-tour-company</a>
Shifting landscape of DEI in travel <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Shifting-landscape-of-DEI-in-travel">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Shifting-landscape-of-DEI-in-travel</a>

The latest in wellness travel: Hard vs. soft experiences

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