Truth Behind Travel

In today’s episode, as we all brace for what will be a busy year in travel and tourism, I took a little ‘fun’ time to observe the travel trends we will be witnessing in 2026.  Some were new, some others not so much, but it was good to bring them back to light – or like in trend n.7 to actually switch off that light.  Trends are signs of major shifts in people’s preferences, values, behaviors but the funny thing is that with them, new words come to life, which we use to define and describe the nature of the travel trends – so on today’s episode, we will observe 10 new words in the travel sphere that are underlying a significant travel trend worth of notice.  Bibliography of this episode's content is included in the transcript.  Host of Truth Behind Travel Podcast, Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainability in tourism, digital marketing and how to identify today’s traveler’s needs through technology and innovation. 5 years ago, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Flash episode: Dolores Semeraro interviews eco tourism expert on the field Sonja Gottlebe following the political unrest in Madagascar this week - mid October 2025.  Sonja joins Truth Behind Travel Podcast for the second time after her first episode n.79 on Season 4.  On this episode:  - Dolores & Sonja discuss the recent political unrest and its impact on tourism in Madagascar - Sonja highlights the peaceful Gen Z-inspired protests in October, the rapid digital communication, and the swift departure of key officials.  - The importance of continued tourism to support the destination and urges travelers to rely on personal research and local sources for accurate information. Contact Sonja here Host of Truth Behind Travel Podcast, Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainability in tourism, digital marketing and how to identify today’s traveler’s needs through technology and innovation. 5 years ago, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews Carmen Roberts, BC travel journalist, international speaker and travel expert on the evolution of travel media and the impact of user-generated content on tourism.  Through the lenses of Carmen's vaste experience in travel journalism, this episode exploresCarmen discusses the shift from traditional media to user-generated content, the rise of influencers, and the challenges of maintaining authenticity while managing tourist behavior.  The concept of cultural appropriation, the role of local communities in shaping travel narratives, and the responsibility of content creators in promoting responsible tourism.  More on Carmen Roberts: https://carmenrobertstravels.com ------------------------------ Host of Truth Behind Travel Podcast, Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainability in tourism, digital marketing and how to identify today’s traveler’s needs through technology and innovation. 5 years ago, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews Iris Serbanescu - the founder of wmnsWORK - her journey from risk management to tourism, highlighting her 12-year career in marketing and partnerships.  How she founded wmnsWORK, an award-winning tourism accelerator for women entrepreneurs, during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of systemic change, noting that while 60% of the travel workforce is female, only 8% hold executive positions.  wmnsWORK has supported 60 entrepreneurs over three years, focusing on intuition, networking, and mentorship.  wmnsWORK is a 12-week virtual, equity free accelerator program designed specifically to support women and non-binary tourism entrepreneurs during the most critical part of their business journey – the early stages. About Iris: wmnsWORK was founded in 2022 by Iris Serbanescu, who has spent her decade-long career in the tourism industry consulting with and working alongside entrepreneurial ventures in tourism’s adventure, luxury and tech sectors. Prior to this launch, Iris led partnerships at TourRadar, an online marketplace for multi-day tour operators, and was the manager of trade development at travel consultancy Bannikin before that. About this episode:  Starting wmnsWORK During the Pandemic How the idea came from her desire to support the industry in building back better and her own lived experience in the industry with the resilience and innovation in mind emphasizing the importance of building businesses with intention and aligning them with personal capacity to avoid burnout. Current State of Women in Travel and Tourism Based on whether women in tourism are building, thriving, or just getting by, Iris expresses optimism, noting the rapid changes in gender equality and the increasing support for women-led ventures, discussing the emphasis on following capacity rather than growth at all costs, addressing the issue of burnout among women. Choices and Future Impact The increasing collaboration and gender equity policies being implemented in organizations around the world, the disparity in leadership roles in the travel industry, with women making up 60% of the workforce but holding less than 8% of executive positions. Women-Led Businesses and Their Impact The impact of women-led busines Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews Sonja Gottlebe Sustainable Tourism Advocate | Eco-Lodge Pioneer of Madagascar.  sonja is a champion of Sustainable Tourism in Madagascar, with over three decades of pioneering work in the tourism industry.  During this episode, Sonja highlights the country's resilience despite crises but noted the severe impact of COVID-19, with tourist numbers plummeting from 400,000 in 2019 to 150,000 in 2024. Madagascar's lack of a national airline and poor infrastructure hinder tourism but Sonja emphasized the need for a comprehensive development strategy, including education, infrastructure, and sustainable practices.  Also on the episode Sonia Gottlebe's Background and Early Tourism Experience Current State of Tourism in Madagascar Challenges and Opportunities in Madagascar's Tourism Sector Strategies for Tourism Development in Madagascar Impact of Poverty and Politics on Tourism Local Talents and Community Involvement Connectivity and Tourism Sustainability Perception and Marketing of Madagascar Responsible Tourism Practices Future of Tourism in Madagascar Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews Tina O'Dwyer - Founder & Chief Facilitator at The Tourism Space® on Regenerative Tourism: where does a destination start the journey?  About Tina O'Dwyer She is the Founder and CEO of the Tourism Space, a leading consultancy and education provider partnering with the public sector to enable sustainable, regenerative and collaborative approaches to tourism. They work alongside government departments, public sector agencies, not-for-profit organisations, destination stewards, and EU projects to drive meaningful change.  Working on the practice of sustainable and regenerative tourism since 2009, her contributions have been recognised nationally and internationally through multiple awards, including the All-Ireland Business Foundation's Tourism Businessperson of the Year award.  She serves as Sustainability Advisor for World Travel Market in London, on the Sustainability Committee of the Irish Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AVEA) and as a Member of the Advisory Board of Atlantic Technological University (ATU).  About The Tourism Space® The Tourism Space® is a leading international consultancy that specialises in enabling sustainable, regenerative and collaborative approaches to tourism. They provide training, facilitation, coaching, speaking and consultancy services to government departments, public sector agencies, not-for-profit organisations, European Institutions and EU-funded projects. ________________ On this episode:  Challenges and Resistance in Implementing Regenerative Tourism Economic Perspective and Visitor Segmentation Responsibility and Visitor Behaviour Collaboration and Community Involvement Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews Anne De Jong - sustainable tourism consultant and co-founder of the Good Tourism Institute on how effectively change the tourism marketing narrative to enhance the message within sustainable practices adopted within the destination.  About The Good Tourism Institute  The Good Tourism Institute is a sustainable tourism development and marketing agency. Their mission is to mainstream and streamline sustainability practices: making sustainability more accessible and appealing, and using sustainability as leverage to run a successful business. Through their programs and consultancy, the Good Tourism Institute transforms travel businesses from sustainable today, to successful tomorrow.  On this episode, Anne discusses the challenges of quantifying the impact of good tourism, emphasizing the need for standardized metrics and a stronger framework. She highlights the importance of balancing sustainability with successful entrepreneurship and creating meaningful travel experiences.  Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews Sarah Payne , Director of Impact at Untours Fundation - on her journey from an MBA in economic development to her current role, emphasizing the importance of impact with social, environmental and economical drive for entrepreneurs.  An entrepreneur herself, Sarah believes passionately in using business as a force for good to create a more just, equitable, and regenerative world. She has also worked with a variety of nonprofits both in the United States and abroad to advance social change and alleviate poverty. Ever adventurous, Sarah loves to travel and enjoy the great outdoors. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in World History from Messiah University and a Master of Business Administration in Economic Development from Eastern University. In this episode: Impact as a Currency for Entrepreneurs Impact as a currency for entrepreneurs, and how stakeholders increasingly want to see positive impact from companies. Integrating an impact mindset from the beginning, considering social, environmental, and economic impacts which encopasses the value of authenticity and transparency Set realistic goals, start with one impact area, and build on the success as well as the importance of having a strong network and community support for entrepreneurs. The Role of B Corps and the B Impact Assessment The Foundation owns the world's first B Corp, Untours, and loves working with B Corps due to their verified impact track records. Not all companies can or want to become B Corps but can still adopt impact-focused practices from the B Corp movement. Highlighting the Foundation's approach to underwriting loans and the importance of creating an ecosystem of interdependent businesses particularly community-driven businesses and smaller enterprises. Women are often more community-minded and impact-focused, balancing business demands with personal priorities. Future Directions and Investments to direct more investments into the places where travelers are going, creating an ecosystem for travelers to engage with the Foundation's impact work. to provide accessible and flexible capital to small tourism businesses worldwide. Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews Vanessa Karel, founder of the award-winning women-led travel guides Greether.  Vanessa Karel, a second-time founder, shared her journey from being stranded in Morocco during the pandemic to creating Greether, a platform connecting female travelers with local greeters for safe and authentic travel experiences.  She highlights the $125 billion female travel market and the 90% of female travelers seeking safer travel options. Greether, now in over 100 countries, employs women and offers personalized services.  Turning an Idea into a Reality: Greether was born.  Identifying a problem with a large market opportunity The challenges of building a travel startup The importance of building a network to succeed in the entrepreneurial journey The Evolution of Greether - from startup prodigy to? The growth of Greether, which started as an idea and has now become a global platform connecting female travelers to local greeters The potential of the female travel industry, which is valued at $125 billion, and the increasing spending power of women Addressing Solo-women Travel Concerns and Risks Risks and concerns for travelers, particularly solo female travelers Consideration on factors like arrival times, communication with loved ones, and the physical demands of travel. Slow travel and getting to know local cultures over rushing through multiple destinations. The Impact of Greether on Local Communities Greether creates jobs for women, providing them with additional income and opportunities for empowerment. Potential for Greether to support women-owned businesses and enhance the overall travel experience for female travelers. Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews founder of UniqueStays Catarina Varão on true experiential hospitality ultimately leads to social growth.  Portugal-based Catarina is passionate traveler by profession, hotel curator by vocation, dedicated to an adventurous lifestyle that inspires and teaches, in contrast to an immersive and “slow” pace of life. Full-time mother and part-time dreamer, whose main activity is consultancy in luxury hospitality and tourism. Hotelier, designer, trainer, coach, PTO (nor just “CEO” jack of all trades) of the company TH2 and founder of the luxury hotel soft brand UniqueStays. Graduated in Tourism Management, postgraduate in Tourism Products, Master in Hotel Management with Character and PhD in Geography.  On this episode: The Importance of Guest Experience The value of “time” in the hospitality industry and the need to focus on guest experience, where even small activities can make a significant impact on guest experience if done with dedication. The loss of human touch in industrialized and standardized hospitality practices. Sustainability and Local Involvement The challenges of industrializing and standardizing hospitality, emphasizing the importance of local community involvement, calling out The McDonaldization of the world and the rise of small boutique hotels. The importance of involving local communities in decision-making processes and the need to respect local habits and traditions while teaching sustainable practices. Authenticity vs. Staged Experiences The difference between authentic and staged experiences with the importance of raw moments over  uber-staged experiences that repel tourists rather than attract them.  The importance of genuine interactions and experiences in creating a memorable guest experience. Connect with Catarina on:  www.th2.com.pt  Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro intervierws the founders of Women Travel Leaders Jennine Cohen and Catherine Gallagher how community over competition comes from abundance mindset, heart-centered leadership is the key to community and true growth, and fostering a supportive, values-aligned network is their prime mission. On this episode:  Birth and Growth of Women Travel Leaders Core Mission and Community Building of the network Women Empowerment and Leadership in the Travel Industry Heart-Centered Leadership and Community Support Future Vision and Growth of Women Travel Leaders Women Travel Leaders supports high performing purpose driven travel business leaders grow their travel businesses in less time by fostering a community of empowered, purpose-driven and heart-led leaders who prioritise authenticity and impact above all else. Together, through online and global in-person events, community lead learning, and peer to peer support, we create the conditions for trusted connections that foster mutual support that lead to new business opportunities.  Are you ready to start thriving in your travel business and your life through connecting with a powerful community that truly has your back?  Join the waiting list and mention Dolores in the Referrer name to first access when applications open again and receive 25% off your first year of membership.  Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews Global Tourism Expert and Thought Leader Aradhana Khowala on where do we really stand today in gender representation and opportunities, how to build the mindset of a change maker and where is regenerative tourism heading.  Aradhana Khowala is a global expert and one of the most influential leaders in the luxury hospitality, travel and tourism sector. Today, she is the CEO of Aptamind Partners, a global consultancy firm for governments, emerging destinations, and public and private organisations seeking regenerative tourism development solutions and Prior to her current role, she served as the Managing Director of Tourism at NEOM, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  She pioneers environmental regeneration and social transformation across her diverse range of global roles and responsibilities.  SUMMARY They highlight the lack of progress in gender parity, noting that only 8 out of 78 world leaders at COP29 were women, despite a 1% increase in female participation. Khowala emphasizes the need for structural changes, investment, and accountability to drive gender diversity and sustainability. They also discuss the potential of women in leadership roles, the importance of inclusive systems, and the challenges of greenwashing in regenerative tourism. Khowala advocates for bold, transformative actions and the integration of regenerative practices into tourism's financial models. Gender Representation in COP 29 Challenges and Strengths of Women in Tourism Embracing Sustainability Roles Solutions for Increasing Women's Representation Challenges in Tourism Destinations Regenerative Tourism and Women Leaders Preventing Greenwashing in Regenerative Tourism The Role of Vision and Innovation Final Thoughts and Future Directions Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews tourism expert and internationally acclaimed keynote speaker and thought leader Anna Pollock on her journey in travel and tourism, the evolution of tourism from a network to an industry, and the shift towards technology and the early adoption of the internet and its tools. Anna Pollock constructively criticises the tourism industry's focus on growth and productivity, leading to over-tourism and environmental degradation. She advocated for a regenerative approach, emphasizing community involvement, local pride, and sustainable practices. Talking to Dolores Semeraro, Anna Pollock called for a paradigm shift in thinking, stressing the importance of ecological literacy, community responsibility, and the need for political leadership to align with sustainable tourism goals. Connect with Anna Pollock here. Truth Behind Travel Podcast is sponsored by “Women Travel Leaders” Women Travel Leaders is a community that supports high performing purpose driven travel business leaders grow their travel businesses in less time by fostering a community of heart-led leaders who prioritise authenticity and impact above all else. Through global online and in-person events, community lead learning, and peer to peer support, Women Travel Leaders creates the conditions for trusted connections that foster mutual support that lead to new business opportunities.  Are you ready to start thriving in your travel business and your life through connecting with a powerful community that truly has your back?  Follow this link mention DOLORES in the Referrer name to first access when applications open again and receive 25% off your first year of membership. ____________________________ Welcome to Truth Behind Travel Podcast a platform for tourism, travel and hospitality professionals and enthusiasts to share, learn and unlearn what we need to create better tourism, protect the environment and become better humans.  Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Dolores Semeraro interviews Lola Akinmade Åkerström, international bestselling author, keynote speaker, and award-winning travel photographer for National Geographic, BBC, CNN, The Guardian, Travel + Leisure and more.  Lola Akinmade Åkerström was named one of 2023's Most Influential Women in Travel by Travel Pulse and has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards for her work including Condé Nast Traveler's 2024 Women Who Travel Power List.  connect with Lola Truth Behind Travel Podcast is sponsored by “Women Travel Leaders” Women Travel Leaders is a community that supports high performing purpose driven travel business leaders grow their travel businesses in less time by fostering a community of heart-led leaders who prioritise authenticity and impact above all else. Through global online and in-person events, community lead learning, and peer to peer support, Women Travel Leaders creates the conditions for trusted connections that foster mutual support that lead to new business opportunities.  Are you ready to start thriving in your travel business and your life through connecting with a powerful community that truly has your back?  Follow this link mention DOLORES in the Referrer name to first access when applications open again and receive 25% off your first year of membership. ____________________________ Welcome to Truth Behind Travel Podcast a platform for tourism, travel and hospitality professionals and enthusiasts to share, learn and unlearn what we need to create better tourism, protect the environment and become better humans.  I am your host Dolores Semeraro and every week I bring on the podcast the voices of those out there making a difference, to learn the hard truths behind the world of travel and tourism, what works and what we can collectively do better.  Welcome to Season 4 - a series of conversation fully dedicated to Women in Travel the trailblazers the visionaries who have been and continue to be the force for good we need to hear more from.  Dolores Semeraro is a sought-after international tourism keynote speaker and sustainable tourism marketing professional. Dolores actively works in the tourism and travel conference space as a keynote speaker and moderator, gracing the stages of international tourism summits and trade shows. As a professional keynote speaker, Dolores’ speaking topics encompass sustainable digital marketing for the tourism industry, how to establish digital mastery, and learn how to identify today’s traveler’s needs. During the pandemic, Dolores launched her podcast show named ‘Truth Behind Travel Podcast’ where she regularly interviews tourism and travel industry leaders and representatives on how to rebuild the future of travel. In the recent years, Dolores has continued to work and live on beautiful islands such as Mauritius, where she started her tourism and hospitality marketing consultancy working closely with the Mauritian luxury hospitality sector as corporate trainer. According to her international clients, Dolores is a gifted trainer and intuitive workshop facilitator. She is now based in Europe where she actively works as keynote speaker and corporate trainer in the tourism industry. www.doloressemeraro.com dolores@doloressemeraro.com Instagram @dolores_semeraro LinkedIn @dolores.sem

Podcast host Dolores Semeraro interviews Josh Filler, Managing Director of D&S Travel Supplies based in the UK on how to nail the art of gift giving in the tourism and travel corporate world.  This is a very special time of the year.  For those of you celebrating the festivities ahead of us, this is a time that calls for celebration and reflection, time that we want to spend with our families and friends. But even if you are not celebrating the festivities right around the corner, it’s almost impossible to escape the commercial side of things and the urge of buying gifts for the ones we love, the ones we work with, the boss or anyone else for that matter nowadays.  So today’s podcast episode is dedicated to the art of gifting, particularly in the hospitality and tourism industry.  How do we gift a business partner? A client of the travel agency, an attendees of our trade and tourism event, a guest of our hotel?  And most importantly What do we gift them with? A branded pen? A notebook? So much in the gifting arena has been said and done, so today, when eco-friendly materials and renewable energies are becoming one of the key decision factors in whether a gift is successful or not, wrapping up a branded item is simply not enough.  My guest today is an expert in the art of gifting, particularly when it comes to corporate branded gift in the travel and hospitality industry. Mr. Josh Filler.  Josh is the Director of D&S Travel Supplies, a specialist in promotional gifts and branded merchandise based in the UK.  With Josh we are going to discuss how the art of gifting in the corporate world has changed over the years, what are people asking and how we can come up with the perfect gift for the perfect occasion, a process that he calls ‘the journey’.    Dolores Semeraro is an internationally recognized tourism keynote speaker and trainer who has inspired thousands of people in the tourism industry to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient future of travel. In her keynotes, Dolores shares with her audience how to develop sustainable marketing thinking through her action-oriented thought process, which observes the interconnectivity of the stages in the travel product life cycle. By applying this process, operators in the tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors can visibly enhance the longevity of their marketing strategies, effectively rendering them more sustainable in the long term for the well-being of all stakeholders involved. Dolores is a passionate advocate for responsible travel, sustainability, and innovation. With her signature Mediterranean warmth and straightforwardness, she encourages audiences to challenge their "Business As Usual" status and strive for the improvement of the tourism industry and the well-being of all stakeholders. Through her decades-long experience in the industry, she has motivated hoteliers and tourism professionals to take action, enhance their communication, and create a purposeful and innovative tourism ecosystem. She also advocates for slow travel, exemplified by her extensive travels with her husband and beloved dog in their campervan. When not chronicling ...

Dolores Semeraro on the truth behind Accessible Travel today with guest speakers Ali Parker from Travel Counsellors and Mike and Silvia Hill from Endeavour Safaris in Botswana.  We most commonly in tourism and travel, refer to Accessible Travel as the sphere in which travellers with limited mobility or disabilities can access travel options in a fully inclusive way.   In this episode we explore the truth behind booking accessible travel holidays for travel agents and tourism operators. In particular we discuss:  1.  The Educational Sphere around Accessible Travel: the training needed amongst the tourism operators in order to deliver great travel experiences for travellers with limited mobilities or disabilities.  2. The Supply Chain and all the parts involved in delivering the perfect travel experience: from the travel enquiry to the accommodation, the transport and all the logistics.  3. The Hotel experience and how can hotel rooms & suites be more accessible and inclusive without compromising the look and feel of the space.  4. Normalise Accessible Travel and the conversations we have both with the clients and the suppliers: how do we shift from accessible to inclusive. 5. The Business Volume: is it big enough to prompt more investments and much needed changes?  6. The role of Governments and the public authorities in tourism and travel in Accessible Travel, where do the private operators feel supported and where, instead, lack of support negatively impacts the outcome of the travel experience.  The Podcast guests: Ali Parker - personal travel consultant with Travel Counsellors, a global award-winning travel professionals’ network.  Ali has more than 20 years’ experience in making holidays and travel accessible and inclusive to all, and ever passionate on how to create holidays and travel that meet the need of travellers with even the most complex access and mobility requirements.   Ali is going to take us on a journey to when Accessible Travel was not even a thing to a world where traveling on a wheelchair is not a privilege but a right.   Mike and Silvia Hill - founders of Endeavor Safaris in - Maun, Botswana where they operate – perhaps being the only ones  - incredible safari Dolores Semeraro is an internationally recognized tourism keynote speaker and trainer who has inspired thousands of people in the tourism industry to build a stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient future of travel. In her keynotes, Dolores shares with her audience how to develop sustainable marketing thinking through her action-oriented thought process, which observes the interconnectivity of the stages in the travel product life cycle. By applying this process, operators in the tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors can visibly enhance the longevity of their marketing strategies, effectively rendering them more sustainable in the long term for the well-being of all stakeholders involved. Dolores is a passionate advocate for responsible travel, sustainability, and innovation. With her signature Mediterranean warmth and straightforwardness, she encourages audiences to challenge their "Business As Usual" status and strive for the improvement of the tourism industry and the well-being of all stakeholders. Through her decades-long experience in the industry, she has motivated hoteliers and tourism professionals to take action, enhance their communication, and create a purposeful and innovative tourism ecosystem. She also advocates for slow travel, exemplified by her extensive travels with her husband and beloved dog in their campervan. When not chronicling ...

Dolores Semeraro speaks to the Director General of Slovenia Ministry of Tourism Dubravka Kalin about the success story of destination Slovenia and how it became the sustainability most-copies and observed case study in Europe. On this episode Dubravka shares:  The challenges faced growing and developing tourism industry The best practices that everyone embraced The shift in the type of tourists coming to the destination Who does Slovenia look up to? and much more! Learn more about Slovenia here: https://www.slovenia.info/en Dolores Semeraro is a Tourism Keynote Speaker & Hospitality Communication Expert who has helped hospitality, tourism organizations, and travel professionals to navigate the tourism industry crisis during the pandemic and restore travel confidence in their clients. Prior to becoming am international tourism speaker, Dolores has worked in tourism and hospitality for about 20 years across Europe, Asia and the Indian Ocean in Marketing and Communication senior roles for some of the most established global hospitality organizations. She delivers inspiring and actionable Tourism & Hospitality Keynote talks to travel and tourism conferences, summits, and industry events focusing on the future of travel, travel and tourism recovery, hospitality digital marketing and communication, and tourism innovation. www.doloressemeraro.com

Truth Behind Travel Podcast Host Dolores Semeraro talks to Mark Duckmanton, co-founder and CEO of Path Net Zero on the carbon footprint of the tourism industry and shares the solutions provided by the platform. Path Net Zero  provides Carbon Impact Correction solutions for travel, tourism and commercial organisations focused on CSR & ESG.  This episode focuses on how the whole impact of of the travel experience can be measured and mitigated with the tools provided by the platform, engaging travel and tourism operators in a more committed and actionable journey to a more responsible tourism business management.  Dolores Semeraro is a Tourism Keynote Speaker & Hospitality Communication Expert who has helped hospitality, tourism organizations, and travel professionals to navigate the tourism industry crisis during the pandemic and restore travel confidence in their clients. Prior to becoming am international tourism speaker, Dolores has worked in tourism and hospitality for about 20 years across Europe, Asia and the Indian Ocean in Marketing and Communication senior roles for some of the most established global hospitality organizations. She delivers inspiring and actionable Tourism & Hospitality Keynote talks to travel and tourism conferences, summits, and industry events focusing on the future of travel, travel and tourism recovery, hospitality digital marketing and communication, and tourism innovation. www.doloressemeraro.com

The GLOBAL COLLECTIVE FOR TRAVEL is a group of Destination Management Companies dedicated to true connections between the travellers and the destination.  The Founders of The Global Collective for Travel Tuan Pham, Çağlar Gökgün and Pravin Tamang speak to host Dolores Semeraro about: The truth behind carbon offsetting Community tourism frameworks How does greenwashing looks like so travellers can learn how to spot it  For them, sustainability and community tourism are not just buzzwords– they do not want to leave things as they found them, the want to leave things better!  Get in touch with them at https://www.globalcollective.travel Dolores Semeraro is a Tourism Keynote Speaker & Hospitality Communication Expert who has helped hospitality, tourism organizations, and travel professionals to navigate the tourism industry crisis during the pandemic and restore travel confidence in their clients. Prior to becoming a professional speaker, Dolores has worked in tourism and hospitality for about 20 years across Europe, Asia and the Indian Ocean in Marketing and Communication senior roles for some of the most established global hospitality organizations. She delivers inspiring and actionable Tourism & Hospitality Keynote talks to travel and tourism conferences, summits, and hybrid industry events focusing on the future of travel, travel and tourism recovery, hospitality digital marketing and communication, and tourism innovation. www.doloressemeraro.com

Founder Oriol Pamies shares the mission and the strategies behind the global success of Queer Destinations, leading LGBTQ+ tourism company that provides consulting and marketing strategies to destinations and tourism companies around the world on the LGBTQ+ travel segment. Oriol Pamies speaks to host Dolores Semeraro about  how to  actively promote your tourism and travel business across the LGBTQ+ segment develop and implement responsible policies towards the LGTBQ+ people  through the work of Queer Destinations today.  Learn more about Queer Destinations here Follow the work of Oriol Pamies here Dolores Semeraro is a Tourism Keynote Speaker & Hospitality Communication Expert who has helped hospitality, tourism organizations, and travel professionals to navigate the tourism industry crisis during the pandemic and restore travel confidence in their clients. Prior to becoming a professional speaker, Dolores has worked in tourism and hospitality for about 20 years across Europe, Asia and the Indian Ocean in Marketing and Communication senior roles for some of the most established global hospitality organizations. She delivers inspiring and actionable Tourism & Hospitality Keynote talks to travel and tourism conferences, summits, and hybrid industry events focusing on the future of travel, travel and tourism recovery, hospitality digital marketing and communication, and tourism innovation. www.doloressemeraro.com