463. Group Travel Trends for 2026: Voices from the ABA Marketplace in Reno Part 1, with Nicole Mahoney
Release Date: 02/11/2026
475. Bridging Cultures Through Scuba Diving Trips, with Melanie Marsell & Kathleen Hall
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Kathleen Hall and Melanie Marsell, founders of Dive the Americas and Explore the Americas. Kathleen, who has called Costa Rica home for over a decade, and Melanie, who has roots in both the US and Central America, share the journeys of creating two innovative travel brands: Dive the Americas and Explore the Americas. We discuss how they’re reshaping tourism by supporting local communities, collaborating with other travel professionals, and providing personalized guidance that helps travelers feel confident venturing into unfamiliar...
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474. The 100th Anniversary of Route 66, with Rhys Martin
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Rhys Martin, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and Preserve Route 66 Manager for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We explore the fascinating history and ongoing cultural impact of Route 66, and how this 2,448-mile linear village has driven economic growth and inspired travelers around the world for nearly a century. As Route 66 gears up for its Centennial Celebration, Rhys shares behind-the-scenes insights on managing a celebration of this magnitude, the creative events planned along the legendary highway, and...
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473. Connecting Community, Nature, and Visitors at Cayuga Lake, with Astrid Jirka
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Astrid Jirka, Director of Tourism Initiatives at Discover Cayuga Lake. We discuss the difference between sustainable tourism and ecotourism, and Astrid shares more about the evolution of Discover Cayuga Lake from a community-focused organization into a tourism attraction. We also discuss the importance of being intentional and authentic in your messaging about your sustainable tourism goals and initiatives. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Astrid’s professional journey, from international travel to study abroad initiatives,...
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472. Events & Major Milestones as a Catalyst for Future Growth: Community Conversation
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Amir Eylon, CEO of Longwoods International; Debra Ross, author of “The Eclipse Effect” and founder of Kids Out and About; Jean Mackay, Deputy Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor; and Jennifer Miller, Domestic Tourism Manager for Visit Detroit. Our discussion is all about how events and major milestones, from sporting events and festivals to milestone anniversaries, can become catalysts for future tourism growth and regional transformation. The panel shares their perspectives on the importance of preparation,...
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471. Building a Sustainable Future for Mongolian Tourism, with Jalsa Urubshurow
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Jalsa Urubshurow, CEO and Founder of Nomadic Expeditions. Jalsa shares the story of how he co-founded one of Mongolia’s most significant cultural events, the Golden Eagle Festival, held annually in the country’s remote West. Drawing on his background as the child of Mongolian refugees and his decades of experience bridging entrepreneurship and heritage, Jalsa shares firsthand stories about partnering with local communities and creating initiatives that drive economic growth while protecting Mongolia’s unique natural and cultural...
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470. From Total Eclipse to Community Impact, with Debra Ross
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Debra Ross, author, community engagement advocate, and entrepreneur. We talk about her recent book, The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities, and how it was inspired by planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse. Drawing from her experience planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse and spearheading community engagement initiatives. Debra also shares her practical strategies for turning extraordinary events into lasting networks. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Debra transitioned from a...
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469. Empathy and Self-Awareness in Difficult Conversations, with Dayne Whitehurst
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with communication and leadership specialist Dayne Whitehurst, and author of “Empathy Impact: The Wild Effects of Kindness in Action”. She explains why communication is central to building collaborations, developing relationships, and driving sales. Dayne also explains how personal triggers can get in the way of our communications and provides strategies for identifying and pushing past those triggers. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dayne became an expert in communication and de-escalation How recognizing and addressing...
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468. Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Joshua Harrell, Chief Revenue Officer at WorldVia, joins me to discuss the evolution of travel advisors in the United States in a post-pandemic world. Joshua shares his insights on how content creation can help travel advisors build their businesses, and he offers some fantastic practical tips for sharing great content with your audience. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Joshua transitioned from a background in marketing and entrepreneurship into the travel advisor industry How the travel advisor profession has evolved to provide...
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467. Can AI Improve Visitor Experience? with Dan Flores
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, all about using AI in the travel industry. We discuss how conversational artificial intelligence can help drive revenue and operational efficiency, and Dan offers real examples of where this AI is being deployed and how it has had real impacts. We also talk about adoption rates of AI within the tourism industry, and Dan shares a framework for approaching this new technology in your organization. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dan Flores transitioned from a long career in tourism...
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466. Indigenous Tourism and Community Impact at Métis Crossing, with Juanita Marois
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Juanita Marois, CEO of Métis Crossing, shares her personal experience in developing a tourism destination tied to her roots as a Métis Indigenous person from Canada. She shares in detail how the destination engages visitors by sharing what makes them special, including the experiences Métis Crossing offers—from paddling down the North Saskatchewan River in voyageur canoes to wandering historic buffalo habitats, indulging in Indigenous cuisine, and soon, relaxing at a uniquely Métis-inspired wellness spa. We also talk about collaboration and how...
info_outlineThis episode of Destination on the Left is a special roadshow edition recorded live at the American Bus Association’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno, Nevada. I’m joined by a fantastic group of industry leaders to hear first-hand how collaboration is playing a critical, mission-driven role in the future of group travel, moving beyond a “nice-to-have” and becoming essential for success. My guests discuss the economic impact of group travel and the importance of restoring cross-border connections between the U.S. and Canada, to creative regional itineraries, and share ideas for navigating the political and economic headwinds facing the industry.
In this episode, you’ll hear from these extraordinary leaders:
- Fred Ferguson: https://www.buses.org/
- Terry Fischer: http://tcsbus.com/
- Patricia Cowley: https://pabus.org/
- Jim Warren: https://www.andersonvacation.com/
- Stacey David: https://www.metrowestvisitors.org/
- Todd Read: https://www.gosoin.com/
- Whitney Lubbers: https://visitduboiscounty.com/
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How ABA’s leadership is addressing current challenges in group travel, including restoring the crucial relationship between the U.S. and Canada
- Why collaboration between industry partners, including operators, suppliers, associations, and destinations, is mission-critical for the future of group travel
- Trends are shaping group travel in 2026 and beyond, such as the rise of experiential itineraries, smaller group sizes, and the impacts of major events like the FIFA World Cup and MA250
- How regional and cross-border partnerships are creating unique travel experiences and tour products that benefit entire ecosystems, not just individual destinations
- Collaborative initiatives, such as Tour in 64 are demonstrating the value of teamwork
- How industry organizations like ABA can accelerate personal and professional growth
The Future of Group Travel is Collaboration
The ABA 2026 Marketplace is filled with optimism, but nobody shies away from today’s realities. Fred Ferguson sets the stage by underscoring the economic importance of group travel—$158 billion in economic output and 800,000 jobs in North America.
The entire travel flywheel, operators, destinations, restaurants, and attractions, only spins when everyone works in sync. Fred Ferguson and Terry Fischer both stress that now, more than ever, strategic alliances and industry unity are essential for lasting impact. It’s no longer enough to operate in silos. As Terry puts it, “It takes a village,” and internal and external collaboration are the most important ingredients in weathering disruptions, from politics to pandemics.
Collaboration in Action
My guests also share what deep collaboration looks like in practice. Across the group travel ecosystem, leaders are getting creative. We hear how DMOs are embracing regionalism, and Todd Read from SoIN Tourism and Whitney Lubbers of Dubois County described how Tour in 64, a partnership among destinations along Interstate 64, helps smaller markets punch above their weight. By pooling marketing budgets, sharing top experiences, and even jointly running an ABA booth, collective impact outweighs any competition for hotel nights.
With mega-events like the FIFA World Cup and MA250 (America’s 250th anniversary) on the horizon, Stacey David detailed how municipalities, nonprofits, small businesses, and big attractions can co-create fan zone festivals that benefit everyone. Every stakeholder has a seat at the table for shared successes.
The Power of Relationships
The ABA conference is a great way to build relations, get involved, and engage with others in the travel and tourism industry. Jim Warren of Anderson Vacations credits strong partnerships as the industry’s lifeblood, helping everyone survive the inevitable economic and political storms.
Those connections are formed and deepened at conferences like ABA Marketplace. Investments in community, from Women in Buses initiatives to association days, make all the difference for newcomers and veterans alike. Leaders are putting collaboration-first strategies in place—whether it’s regional joint marketing, creating new products, or advocating for the sector at the policy level.
Resources:
- Fred Ferguson: https://www.buses.org/staff/fred-ferguson-mba-ms/
- Terry Fischer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-fischer-31895b122/
- Patricia Cowley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pcowley/
- Jim Warren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-warren-1b2b59187/
- Stacey David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-david-940a214/
- Todd Read: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-read-182ab73a/
- Whitney Lubbers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-lubbers-07374360/
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