What makes a destination unforgettable? In this episode, Travel Talk Podcast host Edward Leos sits down with Mario Bass, President & CEO of Visit San Antonio, to explore how culture, collaboration, and authenticity are driving the future of tourism in one of America’s most beloved cities.

From the iconic River Walk to its rising culinary fame, discover how San Antonio is embracing its roots while reimagining what modern travelers crave—connection, inclusion, and true local flavor.

🔗 Learn More About San Antonio
Visit: https://www.visitsanantonio.com

✨ In This Episode:
✔️ How San Antonio is leading with authenticity
✔️ The power of culinary tourism and global foodie appeal
✔️ How DEI is transforming destination storytelling
✔️ Why small businesses and local creatives matter
✔️ Travel trends every city should be watching
✔️ Mario’s career journey from hotels to citywide impact
✔️ The art of balancing tradition with innovation

📍 Featured Destination:
San Antonio, Texas – A city where culture, cuisine, and community come together to create an unforgettable experience.

🧭 Key Theme:
Tourism isn’t just about visitors—it’s about vision.

🌟 About Mario Bass:
With over 20 years of experience in hospitality, Mario leads Visit San Antonio with a future-focused strategy grounded in inclusion, creativity, and collaboration. His leadership showcases how destinations can thrive post-pandemic by leaning into what makes them real.

🛎️ SUBSCRIBE for more stories of travel, transformation, and destination excellence.
👍 Like this episode? Drop a comment, share, and hit the bell so you never miss a new journey.

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Podcast: Travel Talk – Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more

#TravelTalkPodcast #EdwardLeos #MarioBass #VisitSanAntonio #DestinationMarketing #TourismLeadership #CulturalTravel #SanAntonioRiverWalk #CulinaryTourism #InclusiveTravel #AuthenticDestinations #TravelStrategy #WellnessTravel #LuxuryMeetsCulture #TexasTravel #HospitalityLeaders #TravelPodcast

We sit down with the globe-trotting digital nomad himself — Scott Eddy — a world-renowned travel entrepreneur and brand ambassador who’s turned his passion into a powerhouse global brand.

From flying hundreds of flights to building one of the most trusted voices in travel, Scott shares what it really means to live the jet-set life — the mindset, the hustle, and the magic behind unforgettable experiences. ✈️✨

🧭 Hear about:
✔️ How content and community fuel travel brands
✔️ His secrets to staying relevant in an evolving digital space
✔️ The story behind his personal brand success
✔️ His best advice for travelers AND travel marketers

🌟 If you’re in hospitality, marketing, or just obsessed with exploring the world — this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.
📲 #TravelTalkPodcast #ScottEddy #TheHotelGuide #TravelInfluencer #LuxuryTravel #DigitalNomadLife #MarketingInMotion #HospitalityInsider #JetSetGo

Are you a tourism board, hotelier, or travel brand looking to boost visibility and attract more visitors? In this episode of Travel Talk, we break down the Top 10 Destination Marketing Strategies you need to stand out in today’s competitive travel space.

From influencer campaigns and virtual tours to niche travel branding and Google SEO, these proven tips will help you connect with modern travelers and turn your location into a must-visit destination.

👉 Whether you're promoting a city, resort, attraction, or region, these ideas are designed to spark real results.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The power of user-generated content and how to get more of it

• Why storytelling matters more than ever

• How to target niche travel audiences (and dominate!)

• SEO tactics every destination should be using

• How to run high-impact paid ads and build strong partnerships

🔥 Perfect For:

• Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs)

• Hospitality & Travel Brands

• Tourism Agencies & PR Firms

• Hotel & Resort Marketing Teams

🔗 Ready to elevate your destination marketing strategy?
👉 Let’s work together: www.thehotelguide.com
📧 Contact us: erleos@thehotelguide.com

On this week’s Travel Talk, we sit down with the inspiring Amy Wald, founder of GreenLuxe, to explore how sustainability and luxury travel go hand in hand.
From curating eco-conscious experiences to redefining what “luxury” means in today’s travel landscape, Amy shares her journey, her vision, and insider tips for travelers who want to make an impact — without sacrificing style or comfort.
Tune in for:
Sustainable travel trends
GreenLuxe’s mission to elevate conscious tourism
How to travel in style while protecting the planet
Perfect for travelers, hoteliers, and anyone passionate about purposeful journeys.
#TravelTalk #GreenLuxe #SustainableTravel #EcoLuxury #ConsciousTravel #TheHotelGuide #PodcastDrop #LuxuryLifestyle

Monique Hayward | DRISCOLL Cuisine & Cocktail Concepts

We’re diving into the art of luxury dining and elevated hospitality with Monique Hayward, the powerhouse behind DRISCOLL Cuisine & Cocktail Concepts. From her dynamic journey as an entrepreneur to redefining the culinary experience for upscale events and elite gatherings — this episode is packed with flavor, passion, and purpose.

🔥 What you’ll hear:
✅ How Monique blends business and creativity in the culinary world
✅ Her vision for next-level private dining
✅ Why personalized service + storytelling is the future of hospitality
✅ Empowering women & diverse leaders in the industry

🔗 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more — or visit TheHotelGuide.com

📲 LIKE, SHARE & TAG someone who needs inspiration in food, hospitality, or leadership.

#TravelTalkPodcast #TheHotelGuide #HospitalityLeaders #LuxuryDining #MoniqueHayward #DRISCOLLCuisine #WomenInBusiness #CulinaryCreativity #FoodAndCulture #PodcastInterview #HospitalityInnovation #FoodEntrepreneur #EventExperience

💡 Culture isn't a buzzword — it's the engine behind five-star service.

In this solo episode, internationally-certified John Maxwell Leadership Coach and hospitality media veteran Edward Leos shares the Top 10 ways culture drives service across hotels, resorts, spas, and travel brands.

🎙️ With 32 years of entrepreneurial experience and proven success scaling businesses by over 600%, Edward breaks down how leadership, onboarding, communication, and empathy shape the guest experience and team performance.

✅ Learn why:
• Culture is your most powerful service tool
• Mission, values, and hiring shape guest loyalty
• Leaders who listen create thriving teams
• Celebrating wins builds brand ambassadors
• Regular check-ins boost morale and retention

🔥 This episode is a must for hoteliers, GMs, spa directors, and tourism pros who want to elevate their team, guest satisfaction, and revenue.
#TravelTalkPodcast #EdwardLeos #TheHotelGuide #HospitalityLeadership #CultureInService #LeadershipMatters #GuestExperience #HotelManagement #HospitalityTraining #TravelIndustryInsights

In this episode of Travel Talk, we sit down with Ignacio Garcia-Menocal, CEO of Grove Bay Group, one of the premier hospitality groups in the U.S. 🌴

Ignacio shares how he helped transform Miami’s restaurant scene, what makes a brand stand out, and the keys to growing a thriving hospitality business. Whether you’re in the industry or just love great food and travel, this one’s for you!

🎧 Subscribe now and catch every episode: www.thehotelguide.com
👍 Like, Comment, and Share if you enjoyed it!

#TravelTalk #IgnacioGarciaMenocal #GroveBayGroup #HospitalityPodcast #RestaurantLeadership #FoodAndTravel #TravelTalkPodcast #TheHotelGuide #MiamiEats #BusinessOfHospitality

Travel Talk: Sailing into Luxury with Riverside Cruises 🌍

In this episode of Travel Talk, we're joined by luxury travel leader Jennifer Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises, as she shares the inspiring story behind Europe’s newest ultra-luxury river cruise line.

From the legacy of Crystal Cruises to the rebirth of elegance on Europe’s most iconic rivers, Jennifer reveals how Riverside is raising the bar for river cruising — blending refined service, immersive experiences, and unforgettable destinations.

✨ What you'll discover:
• The unique vision behind Riverside Cruises
• Why the river cruise market is booming in 2025
• How Riverside redefines luxury and guest experience
• Travel trends shaping the future of river cruising
• Jennifer’s favorite destinations and onboard must-dos

💬 Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just dreaming of your next journey, this conversation will leave you inspired to explore in style.

#TravelTalkPodcast #RiversideLuxuryCruises #LuxuryTravel #RiverCruiseEurope #TravelTrends2025 #HospitalityLeaders #TravelPodcast #ExploreInStyle #CruiseLife #TravelTalk