Wellness travel is booming, but what does "wellness" actually mean?

And how can travel advisors confidently recommend experiences that deliver more than just a spa treatment?

In Episode 8 of You Came to the Right Place, hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia are joined by Oxana Spivey, Vice President of Wellness Standards and Education at Wellness in Travel and Tourism (WITT), and Lauren Pronger, Founder and CEO of Well Inspired Travels.

Together, they explore why wellness travel is becoming one of the industry's fastest-growing segments and what that means for travel advisors.

In this episode:
• Why wellness travel is becoming an expectation - not a niche
• How to identify authentic wellness properties and avoid "wellness washing"
• What today's wellness travellers are really looking for
• Why industry standards matter
• How advisors can tap into the growing wellness market with confidence

Plus, the Pulse Check returns with rapid-fire questions on most underrated wellness destinations, digital detoxes and the wellness trend our guests just can't get behind.

Subscribe to You Came to the Right Place wherever you get your podcasts.

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny, and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit, and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis, and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.

ABOUT THE SHOW

You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.

Wellness travel is booming, but what does "wellness" actually mean?
And how can travel advisors confidently recommend experiences that deliver more than just a spa treatment?
In Episode 8 of You Came to the Right Place, hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia are joined by Oxana Spivey, Vice President of Wellness Standards and Education at Wellness in Travel and Tourism (WITT), and Lauren Pronger, Founder and CEO of Well Inspired Travels.
Together, they explore why wellness travel is becoming one of the industry's fastest-growing segments and what that means for travel advisors.
In this episode: &bull; Why wellness travel is becoming an expectation - not a niche &bull; How to identify authentic wellness properties and avoid "wellness washing" &bull; What today's wellness travellers are really looking for &bull; Why industry standards matter &bull; How advisors can tap into the growing wellness market with confidence
Plus, the Pulse Check returns with rapid-fire questions on most underrated wellness destinations, digital detoxes and the wellness trend our guests just can't get behind.
Subscribe to&nbsp;You Came to the Right Place wherever you get your podcasts.
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny, and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit, and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they&rsquo;ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis, and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.
ABOUT THE SHOW
You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn&rsquo;t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.

Canada’s travel trade doesn’t need more spin — it needs real talk. On You Came to the Right Place, TravelPulse Canada's Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia unpack the news, trends, and tensions shaping the industry, with candid conversations and a distinctly Canadian point of view.

Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic.

Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny and deeply curious - known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, brings two decades of travel media experience, along with charm, quick wit and sharp industry insight.

Together, they deliver real talk, smart perspective and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.

Questions or comments? Contact us at mail@travelpulse.com

Canada&rsquo;s travel trade doesn&rsquo;t need more spin &mdash; it needs real talk. On&nbsp;You Came to the Right Place, TravelPulse Canada's Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia unpack the news, trends, and tensions shaping the industry, with candid conversations and a distinctly Canadian point of view.
Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic.
Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny and deeply curious - known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, brings two decades of travel media experience, along with charm, quick wit and sharp industry insight.
Together, they deliver real talk, smart perspective and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.
Questions or comments? Contact us at <a href="mailto:mail@travelpulse.com">mail@travelpulse.com</a>

You Came to the Right Place, by TravelPulse Canada

You Came to the Right Place: TravelPulse Canada’s Podcast

Healthy Bookings: Wellness Travel Trends Shaping Client Demand

In the latest episode of You Came To The Right Place, hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Donna Looby, Regional Sales Manager at Brendan Vacations, to discuss the trends shaping travel to the Celtic Isles and the opportunities advisors shouldn't overlook.

You'll learn:

• Why bookings for 2027 are already gaining momentum
• How small group travel is attracting experienced travellers and solo adventurers
• The growing appeal of ancestry and heritage travel among Canadians
• Why multi-generational families are choosing Ireland and Scotland
• The client segments advisors should be targeting right now
• What top-selling advisors are doing differently to grow their business

Looby also shares insights from her own experience growing up in Ireland, explains why these destinations continue to resonate with Canadian travellers, and discusses the tools, training, and support available to advisors through Brendan Vacations.

Plus, hear details about Brendan Vacations' current booking incentives and an upcoming Ireland FAM designed specifically for travel advisors.

Episode 7 of You Came to the Right Place is now available on all major podcast platforms.

Sláinte!

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny, and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit, and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis, and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.

ABOUT THE SHOW

You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.

 

In the latest episode of You Came To The Right Place, hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Donna Looby, Regional Sales Manager at Brendan Vacations, to discuss the trends shaping travel to the Celtic Isles and the opportunities advisors shouldn't overlook.
You'll learn:
&bull; Why bookings for 2027 are already gaining momentum &bull; How small group travel is attracting experienced travellers and solo adventurers &bull; The growing appeal of ancestry and heritage travel among Canadians &bull; Why multi-generational families are choosing Ireland and Scotland &bull; The client segments advisors should be targeting right now &bull; What top-selling advisors are doing differently to grow their business
Looby also shares insights from her own experience growing up in Ireland, explains why these destinations continue to resonate with Canadian travellers, and discusses the tools, training, and support available to advisors through Brendan Vacations.
Plus, hear details about Brendan Vacations' current booking incentives and an upcoming Ireland FAM designed specifically for travel advisors.
Episode 7 of You Came to the Right Place is now available on all major podcast platforms.
Sl&aacute;inte!
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny, and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit, and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they&rsquo;ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis, and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.
ABOUT THE SHOW
You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn&rsquo;t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.
&nbsp;

Castles, Clans and Big Commissions: Brendan Vacations on What's Trending in the Celtic Isles

In episode six of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Ian Patterson, Country Manager for MSC Cruises Canada, to discuss what's driving demand among Canadian cruisers, the growing popularity of short sailings and MSC Yacht Club, and how the cruise line is expanding its Fly & Cruise options for Canadian travellers.

Patterson also shares insights on MSC Opera's new Dominican Republic homeport, the arrival of MSC World Europa in the Caribbean, what advisors should know about MSC World Asia, and the booking trends shaping the cruise market heading into 2027.

Whether you sell cruise regularly or are looking for new opportunities, this episode offers practical insights into one of the industry's fastest-growing cruise brands.

Episode 6 of You Came to the Right Place is now available on all major podcast platforms.

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.

ABOUT THE SHOW

You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.

In episode six of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Ian Patterson, Country Manager for MSC Cruises Canada, to discuss what's driving demand among Canadian cruisers, the growing popularity of short sailings and MSC Yacht Club, and how the cruise line is expanding its Fly &amp; Cruise options for Canadian travellers.
Patterson also shares insights on MSC Opera's new Dominican Republic homeport, the arrival of MSC World Europa in the Caribbean, what advisors should know about MSC World Asia, and the booking trends shaping the cruise market heading into 2027.
Whether you sell cruise regularly or are looking for new opportunities, this episode offers practical insights into one of the industry's fastest-growing cruise brands.
Episode 6 of You Came to the Right Place is now available on all major podcast platforms.
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they&rsquo;ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.
ABOUT THE SHOW
You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn&rsquo;t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.

The Next Wave of Cruise Travel: MSC's Ian Patterson Dishes on What's Selling, What's Changing and What's Next

In Episode 5 of You Came to the Right Place, co-hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia go behind the scenes of the 2026 TravelPulse Canada Readers’ Choice Awards.

Recorded just days after the event at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, the episode offers a candid recap of the highs, hilarity and heartfelt moments that made this year’s awards unforgettable. The conversation covers everything from the explosive reactions inside the ballroom and the rise of ultra-competitive categories to music, fashion, and the meaning of the Readers’ Choice Awards to the industry.

“One of the biggest moments every year at the awards is the Canadian Travel Hall of Fame,” Lair says. “They were so honoured and appreciative, which felt really good.”

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.

ABOUT THE SHOW

You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.

In Episode 5 of You Came to the Right Place, co-hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia go behind the scenes of the 2026 TravelPulse Canada Readers&rsquo; Choice Awards.
Recorded just days after the event at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, the episode offers a candid recap of the highs, hilarity and heartfelt moments that made this year&rsquo;s awards unforgettable. The conversation covers everything from the explosive reactions inside the ballroom and the rise of ultra-competitive categories to music, fashion, and the meaning of the Readers&rsquo; Choice Awards to the industry.
&ldquo;One of the biggest moments every year at the awards is the Canadian Travel Hall of Fame,&rdquo; Lair says. &ldquo;They were so honoured and appreciative, which felt really good.&rdquo;
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they&rsquo;ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.
ABOUT THE SHOW
You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn&rsquo;t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.

Healthy Bookings: Wellness Travel Trends Shaping Client Demand

In 1 playlist(s)

You Came to the Right Place: TravelPulse Canada’s Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips