Can tour operators grow without relying on OTAs? In this episode of The Best Part of Travel podcast, we explore how private tours and personalized experiences are reshaping the future of travel. Context Travel’s CEO June Chin shares why private, personalized experiences are the key to long-term growth and loyal customers.Discover: ✅ Why personalization is becoming the competitive edge in travel ✅ How private tours build loyalty and repeat bookings ✅ Why and how the company has avoided distribution through major OTAs (and what they do instead) ✅ Finding the balance between agency partnerships, direct sales, and digital channels ✅ How AI is reshaping search, discovery, and operations—and what “AEO” means for operators ✅ Context’s vision for scaling from 100,000 to 1 million travelers annually by 2030 ✅ How Context is seeing triple-digit growth in Japan ✅ The importance of expert guides to maintain high quality experiencesIf you’re looking to future-proof your business, this episode offers actionable insights into how personalized travel and direct connections with your customers can fuel sustainable growth.See also: 👉 Arival research on the rise of the private tour taker 👉Arival research on the 2025 Experiences Traveler 👉 June Chin on the Private Tours, Big Profits panel at Arival 360 | Washington, DC 👉 How generative AI is revolutionizing Travel 👉 Distribution strategy with Arival
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Experiences, Economy, Evolution: The Rise of The Transformation Economy |
People are choosing experiences over things — but what happens when even experiences risk becoming commodities? In this episode of the Best Part of Travel podcast, Joe Pine, co-author of The Experience Economy and author of the forthcoming book on The Transformation Economy, joins hosts Janelle Visser and Stephen Joyce to talk about experience design, commoditization, and how tour and activity operators can design experiences that are not just memorable, but life changing. Key topics include:The economic evolution from commodities to goods and services to experiences… to what’s next.How travel brands can encourage repeat business by offering experiences focused on personal transformation.Commoditization, differentiation and standing out in a “sea of same.”What it takes to design travel experiences that are not only memorable, but meaningful — and even transformational.The upcoming Arival 360 conference in Washington, D.C.If you’re in the business of experiences, this conversation will challenge how you think about travel, guests, and the future of the industry.👉 Resources & Links:Escaping the Tour Commoditization Trap: https://arival.travel/article/escaping-the-tour-commoditization-trap/ The Experience Economy by Joe Pine and James Gilmour: https://www.amazon.ca/Experience-Economy-New-Preface-Authors/dp/1633697975/ The Transformation Economy book by Joe Pine (forthcoming): https://www.amazon.ca/Transformation-Economy-Guiding-Customers-Aspirations/dp/B0DS4649VL Arival 360 | Washington DC and the Executive Summit: https://arival.travel/event/2025-washington-dc/ , https://arival.travel/event/2025-washington-dc-exec-summit/ The Best Part of Travel podcast is brought to you by Arival. Season Two is sponsored by Protect Group.
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AI, Androids & Destination Experiences: Janette Roush, Chief AI Officer at Brand USA
In this episode of the Best Part of Travel podcast, hosts Janelle Visser and Stephen Joyce discuss the current state of AI in the travel experiences sector (and their favourite androids). Joined by special guest Janette Roush, Chief AI Officer at Brand USA, they delve into the opportunities and applications of AI in travel, both practical and creative. Key topics include: the impact of AI on website traffic and trip planningthe use of AI tools for everything from operations to language translation to content creation (including "Yarn Janette"), the importance of AI in destination experiences marketing and discovery,women and men in AI and tech,the future of AI in travel experiences.The episode also covers the upcoming AI Forum for Destination Experiences at Arival 360 | Washington, DC, aimed at helping travel professionals explore and share AI technology knowledge and experiences.The Best Part of Travel podcast is brought to you by Arival. Season Two is sponsored by Protect Group.
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What's Next in Booking Tech with FareHarbor CEO Andrea Carini
In this episode of the Best Part of Travel podcast, hosted by Janelle Visser and Stephen Joyce, we discuss the evolution of online booking systems, or "restech platforms" in the tours, activities and attractions sector of travel, and listen in on a conversation between Andrea Carini, CEO of FareHarbor, the largest restech in the travel experiences space, and Arival CEO Douglas Quinby, which took place at the recent Arival 360 conference in Valencia, Spain. Topics of discussion include:Booking system pricing models, from monthly recurring fees to transaction-based fees. The growth of the online travel agency (OTA) market and how this impacts the pricing models and viability of restech platforms, in particular FareHarbor.FareHarbor's recent addition of a 2% fee for API/OTA bookings.The potential applications of AI in current booking systems, and potential for developing future booking system technology using AI.The future of the booking tech and how restech providers and tour and activity operators are adapting to the evolving landscape.Some resources that we mention:Arival Guide: How to Choose a Booking SystemArival Guide to Booking System PricingPeek "CoPilot" Connects Operators with AI ToolsThe Best Part of Travel podcast is brought to you by Arival. Season Two is sponsored by Protect Group.
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Koalas, Collaboration & Cultural Attractions: How Australian Attractions Work Together to Deliver Elevated Experiences
In this episode of the Best Part of Travel podcast, hosted by Janelle Visser and Stephen Joyce, we travel Down Under to delve into Australia's unique approach to cultural attractions tourism and visitor experiences. Featuring guest interviews with: Annabel Sullivan, Executive Officer of Cultural Attractions of Australia; Catherine Hughes, Business Development Manager at the Sydney Opera House; Mirjam Hilgeman, Museum Shipkeeper at the Australian National Maritime Museum;The episode covers how Australian attractions are collaborating to attract more travelers to their attractions by offering elevated, immersive experiences for both international and domestic travelers. Discussions include the rise of passion-based travel, the importance of bespoke and VIP experiences, and Arival research on visitor attractions and the affluent traveler.Some resources we mention:The State of Visitor Attractions (Arival report on Attractions): More Attractions Offer Guided Tours, VIP Experiences The State of Experiences in Australia & New Zealand Koalas & the Jurassic Park T-Rex (YouTube) The Best Part of Travel podcast is brought to you by Arival. Season Two is sponsored by Protect Group.
Sobre The Best Part of Travel | Inside the Business of Destination Experiences
The Best Part of Travel podcast takes you inside the business of destination experiences. That’s all the things you do when you get there. It’s been an underdog sector of the wider travel industry for decades, but the world is catching on, as more people prioritize experiences over things. It’s a sector filled with passionate people, incredible stories, and many unique and interesting challenges. In each episode, your hosts — Janelle Visser from Arival and industry veteran Stephen Joyce — will explore a different topic that’s relevant for operators of tours, activities and attractions today.
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