In Episode 14 of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Tania Kedikian, Vice President of Tourism at Development Counsellors International (DCI), to unpack new research into who the Canadian traveller is in 2026.

In this episode:
Where Canadians are travelling   
Why long-haul travel is on the rise  
How much Canadians — and affluent Canadians — are spending on travel  
How travel preferences differ across Canadian provinces  
Why safety, value and quality accommodations matter to Canadian travellers  
How social media and AI are continuing to change the way Canadians discover and plan trips  
What these changing habits mean for travel advisors  
Why the Canadian traveller can’t be treated as one single market  

And in The Pulse Check, Tania reveals her biggest travel pet peeve, the travel trend she thinks is officially overhyped, and the destination she’d board a flight to tomorrow.

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.

In Episode 14 of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Tania Kedikian, Vice President of Tourism at Development Counsellors International (DCI), to unpack new research into who the Canadian traveller is in 2026.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Where Canadians are travelling&nbsp; &nbsp;</li>
<li>Why long-haul travel is on the rise &nbsp;</li>
<li>How much Canadians &mdash; and affluent Canadians &mdash; are spending on travel &nbsp;</li>
<li>How travel preferences differ across Canadian provinces &nbsp;</li>
<li>Why safety, value and quality accommodations matter to Canadian travellers &nbsp;</li>
<li>How social media and AI are continuing to change the way Canadians discover and plan trips &nbsp;</li>
<li>What these changing habits mean for travel advisors &nbsp;</li>
<li>Why the Canadian traveller can&rsquo;t be treated as one single market &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
And in The Pulse Check, Tania reveals her biggest travel pet peeve, the travel trend she thinks is officially overhyped, and the destination she&rsquo;d board a flight to tomorrow.
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&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

The Places We’ll Go: DCI’s Tania Kedikian on the Changing Canadian Traveller

In Episode 15 of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Matt DeWitte, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Americas for Hurtigruten.

From chasing the Northern Lights and embracing the growing “coolcation” trend to sailing alongside locals on Norway’s historic Coastal Express, DeWitt explains what makes Hurtigruten a different kind of cruise experience.

He also clears up the confusion between Hurtigruten and HX, breaks down the differences between the Original and Signature voyages, and shares what's ahead for the Canadian market, including new itineraries and expanded advisor training.

In this episode:
Why Norway is attracting growing interest from Canadian travellers
What makes Hurtigruten different from traditional cruising
How Hurtigruten’s 130-year history continues to shape the Norwegian coastal experience
The differences between Hurtigruten’s Original and Signature voyages
Why coolcations, Northern Lights and astrotourism are creating new opportunities
How local communities, authentic experiences and Norwegian cuisine are central to the journey
What solo travellers should know about single supplements
Why Canada is an important market for Hurtigruten and what’s ahead for Canadian travel advisors
New itineraries, expanded advisor training and opportunities beyond the traditional coastal route

And in The Pulse Check, Matt shares the cruise industry jargon he’d happily ban, his best packing advice and the Jimmy Buffett song that sums up his philosophy on travel.

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.

In Episode 15 of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Matt DeWitte, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Americas for Hurtigruten.
From chasing the Northern Lights and embracing the growing &ldquo;coolcation&rdquo; trend to sailing alongside locals on Norway&rsquo;s historic Coastal Express, DeWitt explains what makes Hurtigruten a different kind of cruise experience.
He also clears up the confusion between Hurtigruten and HX, breaks down the differences between the Original and Signature voyages, and shares what's ahead for the Canadian market, including new itineraries and expanded advisor training.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Why Norway is attracting growing interest from Canadian travellers</li>
<li>What makes Hurtigruten different from traditional cruising</li>
<li>How Hurtigruten&rsquo;s 130-year history continues to shape the Norwegian coastal experience</li>
<li>The differences between Hurtigruten&rsquo;s Original and Signature voyages</li>
<li>Why coolcations, Northern Lights and astrotourism are creating new opportunities</li>
<li>How local communities, authentic experiences and Norwegian cuisine are central to the journey</li>
<li>What solo travellers should know about single supplements</li>
<li>Why Canada is an important market for Hurtigruten and what&rsquo;s ahead for Canadian travel advisors</li>
<li>New itineraries, expanded advisor training and opportunities beyond the traditional coastal route</li>
</ul>
And in The Pulse Check, Matt shares the cruise industry jargon he&rsquo;d happily ban, his best packing advice and the Jimmy Buffett song that sums up his philosophy on travel.
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&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.

What the Fjord? Hurtigruten’s Matt DeWitte Talks Norway

In Episode 13 of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton to talk about the company’s 2027 Not Hot List — encouraging travellers to venture beyond the world’s overcrowded hotspots.

For the first time, a Canadian destination has made the list: Whitehorse, Yukon. Thornton explains why it made the cut, why Intrepid believes “Not Hot” is really about better tourism rather than less tourism, and how destinations are evaluated to ensure they’re actually ready for more visitors.

The conversation also tackles one of tourism’s biggest contradictions: Once you shine a spotlight on an under-the-radar destination, how do you stop it from becoming the next overcrowded hotspot?

In this episode:
Why Whitehorse became the first Canadian destination on Intrepid’s Not Hot List
How Intrepid decides whether a destination is ready for more tourism
Whether redirecting travellers can actually help combat overtourism
The role social media plays in where — and how — people travel
Why Canadian travellers are increasingly looking beyond the traditional bucket list
How travel advisors can sell destinations clients may never have considered
Why responsible growth matters more than simply growing visitor numbers

And in The Pulse Check, James reveals his biggest travel pet peeve, the “hot” destination he can’t resist and the travel behaviour he’d permanently ban.

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.

In Episode 13 of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton to talk about the company&rsquo;s 2027 Not Hot List &mdash; encouraging travellers to venture beyond the world&rsquo;s overcrowded hotspots.
For the first time, a Canadian destination has made the list: Whitehorse, Yukon. Thornton explains why it made the cut, why Intrepid believes &ldquo;Not Hot&rdquo; is really about better tourism rather than less tourism, and how destinations are evaluated to ensure they&rsquo;re actually ready for more visitors.
The conversation also tackles one of tourism&rsquo;s biggest contradictions: Once you shine a spotlight on an under-the-radar destination, how do you stop it from becoming the next overcrowded hotspot?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Why Whitehorse became the first Canadian destination on Intrepid&rsquo;s Not Hot List</li>
<li>How Intrepid decides whether a destination is ready for more tourism</li>
<li>Whether redirecting travellers can actually help combat overtourism</li>
<li>The role social media plays in where &mdash; and how &mdash; people travel</li>
<li>Why Canadian travellers are increasingly looking beyond the traditional bucket list</li>
<li>How travel advisors can sell destinations clients may never have considered</li>
<li>Why responsible growth matters more than simply growing visitor numbers</li>
</ul>
And in The Pulse Check, James reveals his biggest travel pet peeve, the &ldquo;hot&rdquo; destination he can&rsquo;t resist and the travel behaviour he&rsquo;d permanently ban.
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&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 Road Less Travelled: Inside Intrepid’s 'Not Hot List' with CEO James Thornton

What does it take to bring hundreds of people from across the travel industry together in one destination and make sure their presence leaves something meaningful behind?

In Episode 12 of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha and Jen sit down with Dre Giroux, Director of Global Community Operations at G Adventures and one of the driving forces behind GX, the company’s annual community tourism summit.

With GX Cambodia just around the corner, Dre takes us behind the scenes of an event that requires a full year of planning, a small-but-mighty team and, apparently, a truly heroic number of spreadsheets.

Dre reflects on the moments that have stayed with her from past GX events, why she believes travel builds empathy, what excites her most about this year’s destination and why sometimes the best travel advice is simply to “lean into it.”

And in the Rapid Fire Five: Jordan, a travelling pharmacy, Taylor Swift almost makes an appearance, Wonderwall refuses to die, and we learn why Dre was once cut out of an outfit with a chef’s knife.

It’s a conversation about the enormous amount of work that happens behind the scenes of transformational travel and the people and communities who make it matter.

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.

What does it take to bring hundreds of people from across the travel industry together in one destination and make sure their presence leaves something meaningful behind?
In Episode 12 of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha and Jen sit down with Dre Giroux, Director of Global Community Operations at G Adventures and one of the driving forces behind GX, the company&rsquo;s annual community tourism summit.
With GX Cambodia just around the corner, Dre takes us behind the scenes of an event that requires a full year of planning, a small-but-mighty team and, apparently, a truly heroic number of spreadsheets.
Dre reflects on the moments that have stayed with her from past GX events, why she believes travel builds empathy, what excites her most about this year&rsquo;s destination and why sometimes the best travel advice is simply to &ldquo;lean into it.&rdquo;
And in the Rapid Fire Five: Jordan, a travelling pharmacy, Taylor Swift almost makes an appearance, Wonderwall refuses to die, and we learn why Dre was once cut out of an outfit with a chef&rsquo;s knife.
It&rsquo;s a conversation about the enormous amount of work that happens behind the scenes of transformational travel and the people and communities who make it matter.
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&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 Places We’ll Go: DCI’s Tania Kedikian on the Changing Canadian Traveller

You Came to the Right Place, by TravelPulse Canada

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