In this week’s episode, Penny Thomas and Megan French dive into their travel predictions for 2025 while reflecting on the trends that shaped 2024.

From the “Taylor Swift effect” driving $1 billion in hotel revenue to the resurgence of Egypt and affordable flights to Europe, they unpack 2024’s biggest shifts in travel.

Looking ahead, they spotlight Japan, Southeast Asia and Austria as must-visit destinations, while exploring trends like digital packing, immersive cooking classes and the decline of wellness travel.

+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends.

+ Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences and click on West Travel Club. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

In this week&rsquo;s episode, Penny Thomas and Megan French dive into their travel predictions for 2025 while reflecting on the trends that shaped 2024.
From the &ldquo;Taylor Swift effect&rdquo; driving $1 billion in hotel revenue to the resurgence of Egypt and affordable flights to Europe, they unpack 2024&rsquo;s biggest shifts in travel.
Looking ahead, they spotlight Japan, Southeast Asia and Austria as must-visit destinations, while exploring trends like digital packing, immersive cooking classes and the decline of wellness travel.
+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts &mdash; and share it to your family and friends.
+ Sign up for eTravel via <a href="https://thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences">thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences</a> and click on West Travel Club. It&rsquo;s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

A weekly podcast with Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield and the West Travel Club Team, filled with travel news and stories, in conversation and through the speech and sounds we collect on the road.

A weekly podcast with Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield and the West Travel Club Team, filled with travel news and stories, in conversation and through the speech and sounds we collect on the road.

The Pod Well Travelled

Join The West Australian's travel team as they explore the biggest travel trends for the past month.

Join The West Australian's travel team as they explore the biggest travel trends for the past month.

The Pod Well Travelled | Travel Pulse

Travel trend predictions for 2025

In this episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Penny Thomas and Megan French sit down with Stephen Scourfield to delve into his latest adventure — an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica with Lindblad Expeditions, where he guided a group of enthusiastic West Travel Club guests to one of the planet’s most remote and awe-inspiring destinations.

Stephen shares the excitement of travelling aboard the Lindblad National Geographic Resolution, a ship that strikes the perfect balance between exploration and learning thanks to the expertise of onboard naturalists, photographers, and scientists who enriched every moment.

Stephen also tells us about how he prepared his group for the unpredictable nature of the journey, from practical tips for braving the infamous Drake Passage seas, to the type of camera gear to take and why it’s important to pack lots of layers.

We then discuss the daily rhythm of life on the expedition, from zodiac landings and wildlife encounters to unique activities like the popular polar plunge.

Finally, Stephen leaves us with a poignant reflection on why he thinks this icy frontier continues to captivate adventurers and conservationists alike, before Megan wraps up the episode with another fun round of This or That.

+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts — and share it with your family and friends.

+ Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences and click on West Travel Club. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events, and more.

In this episode of The Pod Well Travelled, Penny Thomas and Megan French sit down with Stephen Scourfield to delve into his latest adventure &mdash; an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica with Lindblad Expeditions, where he guided a group of enthusiastic West Travel Club guests to one of the planet&rsquo;s most remote and awe-inspiring destinations.
Stephen shares the excitement of travelling aboard the Lindblad National Geographic Resolution, a ship that strikes the perfect balance between exploration and learning thanks to the expertise of onboard naturalists, photographers, and scientists who enriched every moment.
Stephen also tells us about how he prepared his group for the unpredictable nature of the journey, from practical tips for braving the infamous Drake Passage seas, to the type of camera gear to take and why it&rsquo;s important to pack lots of layers.
We then discuss the daily rhythm of life on the expedition, from zodiac landings and wildlife encounters to unique activities like the popular polar plunge.
Finally, Stephen leaves us with a poignant reflection on why he thinks this icy frontier continues to captivate adventurers and conservationists alike, before Megan wraps up the episode with another fun round of This or That.
+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts &mdash; and share it with your family and friends.
+ Sign up for eTravel via <a href="https://thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences">thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences</a> and click on West Travel Club. It&rsquo;s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events, and more.

Stephen Scourfield’s Antarctic expedition

This week, we’re kicking off our new Hotels of the World series, where we uncover the stories and secrets beyond the check-in counter at popular hotels.

For our first episode of the new series, Megan French and Penny Thomas chat with Mercure Perth general manager Brian McHenry about what goes on behind the scenes at his hotel in Perth’s CBD. 

Having spent 35 years in the hospitality industry, Brian shares insights into his role, what he loves most about the business, and anecdotes from memorable guest experiences. He also explains the importance of crafting unique, localised stays that leave a lasting impression.

+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends.

+ Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences and click on West Travel Club. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

This week, we&rsquo;re kicking off our new Hotels of the World series, where we uncover the stories and secrets beyond the check-in counter at popular hotels.
For our first episode of the new series, Megan French and Penny Thomas chat with Mercure Perth general manager Brian McHenry about what goes on behind the scenes at his hotel in Perth&rsquo;s CBD.&nbsp;
Having spent 35 years in the hospitality industry, Brian shares insights into his role, what he loves most about the business, and anecdotes from memorable guest experiences. He also explains the importance of crafting unique, localised stays that leave a lasting impression.
+ Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled wherever you get your podcasts &mdash; and share it to your family and friends.
+ Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences and click on West Travel Club. It&rsquo;s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

Hotels of the World | Mercure Perth 

In this festive episode of The Pod Well Travelled, hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French explore the most delightful and quirky Christmas traditions from around the world.

From Germany’s enchanting Christmas markets — where mulled wine, bratwurst and handcrafted ornaments bring festive cheer — to Japan’s unexpected KFC Christmas feast, a tradition born from a clever 1970s marketing campaign, this episode is packed with holiday magic.

The fun wraps up with a festive round of ‘This or That,’ where Megan puts Penny to the test with some lighthearted questions to spark your own Christmas inspiration!
Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends.
Sign up for eTravel via thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.

In this festive episode of The Pod Well Travelled, hosts Penny Thomas and Megan French explore the most delightful and quirky Christmas traditions from around the world.
From Germany’s enchanting Christmas markets — where mulled wine, bratwurst and handcrafted ornaments bring festive cheer — to Japan’s unexpected KFC Christmas feast, a tradition born from a clever 1970s marketing campaign, this episode is packed with holiday magic.
The fun wraps up with a festive round of ‘This or That,’ where Megan puts Penny to the test with some lighthearted questions to spark your own Christmas inspiration!
<ul>
<li>Subscribe to The Pod Well Travelled where you get your podcasts — and share it to your family and friends.</li>
<li>Sign up for eTravel via <a href="https://thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences">thewest.com.au/manage-email-preferences</a>. It’s our free digital edition of travel that gets delivered to your inbox once a week and is full of new stories, fresh podcast episodes, upcoming events and more.</li>
</ul>

Travel trend predictions for 2025

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