Gather and Go with Brian Jewell

If you made smarter use of your email list, would you sell more trips? Sheila Scarborough believes you would. A travel journalist turned tourism marketing consultant, she has helped dozens of organizations hone their marketing strategies. And in the age of social media, she’s still a big believer in old-fashioned email. Sheila joins this episode of the podcast to share how travel entrepreneurs can use email to build a reliable marketing strategy when social stops working. She gives some practical advice on what your email campaigns should look like and gives an inside look at her list-building program. Plus, we have news about a proposed rule that would require international visitors to submit their social media history to U.S. customs officials… and a Hot Minute about why this is a terrible idea. Insights from Sheila Scarborough Sheila had lots of real-world tips about how travel sellers can create email campaigns that nurture profitable relationships with their audience. Here's what she had to say about how to build a solid email list, even if you’re starting small: “You need to make it stupid easy and worth their while to subscribe to your newsletter. So for starters, the sign-up box needs to be on every page of your website. There needs to be a call to action at the bottom of every single blog post. “You’ll also have a landing page set up that is specifically on your website for email subscriptions. And that’s going to be the URL you are going to share out regularly on social. “Explain why it’s valuable. Explain the periodicity. Make it stupid easy to sign up because it’s everywhere they go on your website, at the bottom of every blog post.” Plus, she had great perspectives on: Why the “sales funnel” doesn’t work What kind of email content your audience really wants Which email metrics you should be tracking Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about Tourism Currents at tourismcurrents.com. Read Sheila’s blog series on email marketing here. See an example of a social-to-email marketing post here. See our list of upcoming FAMs and sign up to attend at grouptravelleader.com/fams. Learn more about GroupCollect at groupcollect.com/gatherandgo. Key Moments From This Episode 1:18 — Travel News: CBP proposes rule to require social media history from visitors 6:26 — How Sheila Scarborough went from Navy vet to tourism marketing pro 11:40 — Why social media shouldn't be your only marketing channel 17:24 — How effective is email marketing in the 2020s? 21:51 — What should be in your marketing emails? 29:37 — Which email metrics matter most? 32:58 — How to build your email list 50:00 — Hot Minute: Will a required social media history backfire on American travelers? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Sheila on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

From Christmas markets to beer festivals, some of Germany’s most iconic experiences are hidden in its historic cities. With more than a millennium of history, Germany offers American travelers an abundance of unique travel opportunities. And among the most memorable are experiences that await outside larger destinations, in cities where travelers can enjoy the best of German culture shoulder-to-shoulder with locals. On this episode of Gather and Go, Sascha Mayerer and Sandra Weinacht of Historic Highlights of Germany uncover these German travel treasures. They tell us about the fascinating history of 17 German cities, take us inside local beer festivals, tantalize us with visions of charming Christmas markets and give us details for planning amazing German travel adventures. This episode is brought to you by the Historic Highlights of Germany. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about Historic Highlights of German at historicgermany.com. Key Moments From This Episode 3:06 — Wrapping your mind around thousands of years of German history 6:37 — What can American travelers expect to experience in Germany? 9:08 — Where are Germany's Historic Highlights? 11:03 — Theme tour opportunities in Germany's historic cities 14:32 — All about Germany's famous beer festivals 17:30 — How difficult is it to take a group to a German beer festival? 21:30 — Germany's magnificent Christmas markets 26:18 — Authentic connections with German locals 30:02 — Germany's year-round festivities 34:40 — Safety, security, currency and language 39:05 — Finding partners for your group's trips to Germany Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Sascha and Sandra on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Is artificial intelligence the best thing that ever happened to small tourism companies? Dan Flores believes it may be. A longtime travel marketing executive and current head of tourism for Satisfi Labs, Dan has worked with dozens of organizations to help leverage the power of AI to extend their capabilities and increase sales. And he's excited about what the future this technology holds for tourism entrepreneurs. Dan joins this episode of the podcast to share how AI can give small tour companies a competitive advantage and explain why you can't afford to delay in adopting this technology. He also gives some insights about how travel companies should organize their web content to become more discoverable by AI agents. Plus, we have news about a rollback of airline compensation rules and a hot tip about signing up for the industry's best familiarization tours. Insights from Dan Flores Dan had lots of exciting perspective about how artificial intelligence tools can benefit travel professionals. Here's what he had to say about how AI can give smaller operators a competitive edge: great things done. Here’s what he had to say about how he learned to build a great remote culture: “For a small tour operator or entrepreneur, it actually gives you opportunities. It democratizes scale. We're seeing more solo entrepreneurs build companies that they couldn't build in that time frame right now becoming millionaires because they can use AI to build all these things…. They don't have to have the cash flow to hire all of these people to do it. It makes two people, three people, five or six people operate as if they had 18, 20 or 25 people.” Plus, he had great perspectives on: How to build website chat bots people want to use How AI agents can save you time Integrating agentic AI into your travel sales pipeline Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about Satisfi Labs at satisfilabs.com Follow Dan on LinkedIn. Sign up for our OnSite familiarization tour list at https://grouptravelleader.com/fams/. Key Moments From This Episode 1:08 — Travel News: DOT rolls back airline passenger compensation plan 2:22 — Be the first to know about our upcoming FAM trips 6:09 — The stunning growth of AI tools and adoption 8:11 — How Dan Flores uses AI in everyday life 12:49 — How AI is impacting tourism businesses 17:06 — A better way to answer customer questions 23:10 — Leveraging AI agents to serve customers better 30:06 — How close are we to fully automatic AI sales in travel? 31:46 — Optimizing your website to work with AI agents 34:48 — Will AI disrupt your travel career? Watch the Full Interview See the full interview with Dan on our YouTube channel. About the Podcast Gather and Go with Brian Jewell is a tourism industry podcast that helps group travel leaders plan, promote and lead better trips. There are also tips and insights for destination marketers and others who support the tourism trade. Each episode reaches thousands of professional tour operators, travel agents and the volunteer group leaders they serve. The audience also includes destination museum leaders, church travel leaders and other tourism enthusiasts around the world. Each show includes an interview with a smart travel pro or an insightful person from outside tourism who’s expertise can help make travel businesses better. You’ll also hear travel news, road tips and more. New episodes are released about twice monthly. You can find Gather and Go wherever your listen to podcasts or subscribe by email.

Researchers Lew Myers and Omneya Fahmy join the podcast to share the results of their groundbreaking study of group travel's economic impact.

Remote culture guru Ryan Kramer of GroupCollect joins the podcast to share how to build dynamic travel teams that can succeed from anywhere.

On this special episode of the podcast, hear how a determined student in Virginia turned a bad morning into a Civil Rights watershed.

Fintech guru Greg Bottenhorn joins the podcast to share how to save cash on card processing and protect your traveler's funds on the road.

Anna McKitrick joins the podcast to share how she turned a personal passion into a thriving vegan tour company.

Destination marketing leader Rebekah Snider joins the podcast to share lessons she has learned about recruiting and tourism professionals.

Travel veteran and business advisor Andrea Ross joins the podcast to share how tourism entrepreneurs can overcome challenges and build value.

Design expert Ross Evans joins the podcast to explain why visual branding is key to travel business success — and how to make yours better.

Tourism pro Darci Murray joins the podcast to share why trips are better without booze — and how she built an alcohol-free tour company.

Active travel guru Shannon Stowell joins the podcast to explain why adventure is for everyone — no matter their age or fitness level.

Business finance coach Lauren Rilling joins the podcast to share how tourism entrepreneurs can become more profitable and build peace of mind.

Legendary travel broadcaster Peter Greenberg shares his tips for finding savings and inspiring wonder on this episode of the podcast.

Travel tech guru Greg Fisher joins the podcast to explain how online travel agencies and reservations technology can boost tour businesses.

On this bonus episode, hear the stories of the Freedom Riders and how they changed history from the Alabama Civil Rights Trail Podcast.

Cruise Critic editor-in-chief Colleen McDaniel joins the podcast to explain why river cruising in the travel experience everyone wants.

Tour guide turned company owner Lorna Holland joins the podcast to share her perspective on operating tourism enterprises as a mom.

SurfYogaBeer founder Mantas Zvinas joins to podcast to share how he built a fitness-and-fun tour company for burnt-out professionals.

David Jackson of The Group Book Experience joins the podcast to tell stories of Black travel's historic pioneers — and why they still matter.

Student tour operator Gaurav Namit joins the podcast to explain why youth travel is thriving in 2025 and how you can be part of it.

Anna Cashman of GetYourGuide joins the podcast to share exciting new data on how to identify and sell to the best group travel customers.

Veteran tour director and tech enthusiast Micky Kandola joins the podcast to share how AI is making life better for him and his customers.

Plus-size travel personality Jeff Jenkins joins the podcast to share how to grow business by embracing travelers of all sizes.

Travel entrepreneurs fail to tell their brand stories. Communications pro Justin Brady shares solutions on this episode of the podcast.

Video storyteller Tony Gnau joins the podcast to share how travel promoters can boost their businesses with smart video strategies.

Gen X tour operator Brent Dalrymple joins the podcast to share how adult group travel has changed and why his companies are thriving.

Travel Scope India founder Mohan Narayaswamy joins the podcast to share the secrets of planning group trips to this fascinating country.

Travel marketing guru Marica Mackenroth Brewster joins the podcast to share tips on making advertising work for tourism companies.

Legal woes, chargebacks and more — Travel Industry Solutions founder Sheila Folk joins the podcast to share tips on travel's biggest risks.

Travel journalist Paige McClanahan joins the podcast to share why she's excited by "the new tourist" — and how you can be one.

Discover a one-stop solution for fall foliage tours of New England in this bonus podcast episode sponsored by White Mountain Hotel and Resort.

Sandra Weinacht of Inside Europe joins the podcast to share her secrets to creating magical moments on European tours.

Social media entrepreneur Shanay Braxton joins the podcast to share how travel pros can leverage the influencer economy to increase sales.

Tour operator Kyle Campbell joins the podcast to share how she builds tours that attract — and thrill — travelers form different generations.

Zach Holifield of Coastal Mississippi joins the podcast to share insiders tips to great Gulf Coast tours and offer a free trip giveaway.

Travel pro and mental health advocate Patrick Marsden joins the podcast to share the incredible benefits of disconnected trips.

Stacy Barry of Sharin' the South joins the podcast to share how receptive operators can help travel planners save money — and their sanity.

Learn a behavioral economist's secrets to building better travel memories and increasing sustainable behaviors on this podcast episode.

TV travel icon Andrew Zimmern joins the podcast to help us uncover authentic experiences in an Instagram world.

Tourism coach and entrepreneur Tamika Carter joins the podcast to share how she blazed her own trail to group travel success.

Business author Joe Pine joins the podcast to share how tourism leaders can leverage the power of experience to build successful companies.

On this episode of the podcast, Brian Jewell explores research and ideas about how to deliver transformational travel experiences.

Culinary tour entrepreneur Theresa Nemetz joins the podcast to share how she uses food to create authentic travel experiences.

Tourism researchers Danny Guerrero and Esra Calvert join the podcast to share exciting new findings on emerging travelers and their mindsets.

Jeremy Sampson of the Travel Foundation joins the podcast to explain how tourism can grow while reducing its climate impact.

Tour company marketing guru Dan Christian joins the podcast to help us get inside the mind of post-pandemic traveler buyers.

Kelsey Perri of Road Scholar joins the podcast to discuss the benefits of lifelong learning and getting out of your comfort zone on the road.

Physician and TravelMeds2Go founder Tammy Allen joins the podcast to share how smart preparation can keep medical issues from ruining trips.

Travel Coach Network founder Sahara Rose De Vore joins the podcast to explain how travel can open the door to life-changing experiences.