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We're excited to announce the finalists for the travel startup pitch competition at [Travel Massive Asia Conference](www.travelmassive.com/events/travel-massive-asia-conference-2025-da-nang-5396726180) next week, with five early-stage startups from the Unites States, Singapore, United Kingdom, Belgium and Vietnam joining us in Da Nang to pitch to a live audience and judging panel.
Each startup will pitch to an international panel of judges including [Phuc Le](www.linkedin.com/in/phuc-le-991249127/) (Director, Da Nang Semiconductor and AI Center), [Ally Hongo](www.travelmassive.com/@ally-hongo) (Japan Travel Awards), [Sally Bunnell](www.travelmassive.com/@sallybunnell) (NaviSavi and TechStars 2023), and [Max Kraynov](www.travelmassive.com/@maxkraynov) (IQaaS advisory, ex-CEO of Aviasales/TravelPayouts, and Fun.co).
The finalists will receive valuable feedback from our judging panel, who will determine the winner based on a number of criteria including: business model, size of addressable market in Vietnam and Asia, customer happiness, sustainability, and their potential to disrupt the tourism and hospitality industry for good.
The competition will be moderated by [Ric Gazarian](www.travelmassive.com/@global_gaz) (Extraordinary Travel Festival), and is proudly sponsored by the [Travel Trends Podcast](www.traveltrendspodcast.com). The winner will receive 4 tickets to [Travel Trends AI Summit](www.accelevents.com/e/travel-trends-ai-summit-2025) on October 28.
Finalists will also demo at the Travel Massive Startups booth at [HorecFex](horecfex.com/en/) (26-27 August) — the premier technology event for the tourism and hospitality industry in Vietnam. This year's event will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), digital business, and sustainable development in the tourism and hospitality industry.
There’s still [space for you to join](www.travelmassive.com/events/travel-massive-asia-conference-2025-da-nang-5396726180) — we’re expecting over 3000 attendees and 80 exhibitor booths at the show.
Let's meet the finalists who will be joining us in Da Nang!
Pangea (United States) — Matt Gray
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[Pangea](www.thepangea.app) is a social travel app built for people who want to turn their trips into shared experiences. It helps you connect with other travelers going to the same places, see who’s nearby, and start conversations before you arrive. Whether you're heading out solo or with a group, Pangea gives you an easy way to make real connections while you travel.
Qrospay (Singapore) — Bobby Liu
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[Qrospay](www.qrospay.com) lets you pay via SEA unified QR code, helping to avoid hefty ATM fees and the inconvenience of money changers. Spend like a local when you pay on using the unified QR Code of the country you're in. You won't have to worry how many currencies you need to carry with you. It's all on your phone, in your native currency, and converts only on what you spend locally. It's like having local currency on-demand.
hoppswap (United Kingdom) — Mo Shariff
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[hoppswap](www.hoppswap.com) is a home-swapping platform where users stay in each other’s homes instead of paying for hotels or Airbnbs, saving hundreds per trip. We charge a flat fee per person, per swap, unlimited durations with optional membership for frequent travellers. What makes us different is how we use AI to match people with properties not just properties with people. Our tech looks at user preferences, availability, identity layers, and values (e.g. LGBTQ+, women to women, family-only and accessibility) to deliver hyper-personalised, date-based matches that feel human and relevant.
SplitStay (Belgium) — Ruben Vanhees
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[SplitStay](www.splitstay.travel) helps solo travelers save money and meet like-minded people by matching them to share accomodations. Our platform uses a simple link-based system: users paste an Airbnb or Booking.com URL, input their dates, and SplitStay matches them with compatible travelers based on destination, budget, and timing. We take a commission from each successful match and booking, creating a win-win: travelers cut costs, and hotels boost occupancy.
nuna (Vietnam) — Fran Dieguez
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[nuna](nunatics.com) is shaking up the hospitality industry by empowering hotels to break free from the grip of online travel agencies. Our strategic consultancy and direct sales solutions, along with cutting-edge booking technology and savvy marketing strategies, are designed to maximize direct bookings and boost your hotel’s visibility. It’s time to change the game, booking platforms shouldn’t earn more than hotel owners. Let’s keep more money in the local economy and support sustainable growth.
Want to be part of the action? Join us at Travel Massive Asia Conference 2025 Da Nang!
Get your [free pass](www.travelmassive.com/events/travel-massive-asia-conference-2025-da-nang-5396726180) and join us in Vietnam for a day filled with innovation, ideas and community connections.
I can't believe the startup competition is only a week away!
Congratulations to the finalists, and thank you to everyone who submitted an application to our call-out last month — we received many high quality applications from the around the world. Next year, we'll try to expand the competition so more people can join.
Not only are we excited to have five exceptional travel startups (from five different countries) pitch, but equally excited to bring together some extraordinary talent in our judging panel. We can't wait to see the pitches live on stage.
See you in Da Nang next week and be sure to drop by the Travel Massive Startups booth to meet our startups and team members if you're attending!
I'd love to tune into the pitch session if it might be recorded or livestreamed?
It will be recorded and we will share the video once it’s available.
Great to see UK Representation making the final 5. Go hoppswap!
Woho! Nice line up of startups! Good luck to everyone and I'd love to see the pitches if livestreamed or recorded 🙌
Amazing line up! Great luck guys 🥂
Can you believe it? Travel Massive Asia Conference in Da Nang is practically right around the corner. Get ready to meet fellow Travel Massive members from our network in Vietnam and across Asia — and from the UK, USA and beyond. We can't wait to see you at Ariyana Convention Centre (at Furama Resort) in Da Nang.
You might have already noticed the growing speaker list on our [event page](www.travelmassive.com/events/travel-massive-asia-conference-2025-da-nang-5396726180). Plus, we've selected the finalists of the [travel startup pitch competition](www.travelmassive.com/posts/meet-the-5-travel-startup-pitch-competition-finalists-at-travel-massive-asia-conference-2025-da-nang-334879718) who will be presenting on the stage and exhibiting at the Travel Massive Startup Booth on the exhibition floor at [HorecFex](horecfex.com/en/) on both days (26-27 August).
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*Learn from experts in tourism, travel tech, and hospitality at Travel Massive Asia Conference in Da Nang.*
It's going to be an incredible two-days at HorecFex and Travel Massive Asia Conference, and there's still [space for you to join](www.travelmassive.com/events/travel-massive-asia-conference-2025-da-nang-5396726180) — we're expecting over 3000 attendees and 80 exhibitor booths at the show.
With the clock ticking down, we figured it was high time to reveal the rest of the Travel Massive Asia Conference lineup. So here we go!
Ian Cumming, Founder and CTO at Travel Massive
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[Ian Cumming](www.travelmassive.com/@ian) ([LinkedIn](www.linkedin.com/in/iancumming/)) is the founder and developer of Travel Massive — the global professional network that connects thousands of innovators, executives and creators who are creating the future of travel. Ian is also a founding partner of [Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism](socialtourismcompetition.com) which provides industry support and recognition for social entrepreneurs to develop sustainable tourism projects in their local destinations.
* *Fireside chat: The Role of Community in Shaping the Future of Travel — 4:15pm - 4:45pm*
Natalya Wissink, Co-Founder and CEO at Secret Experiences
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[Natalya Wissink](www.travelmassive.com/@natalya) ([LinkedIn](www.linkedin.com/in/natalya-wissink/)) is founder and CEO of [Secret Experiences](secret-experiences.com) — providing cultural experiences and customized activities focused on food and beverage, and urban exploration. The company also hosts private events and corporate activities for global companies, including Google, Apple, Instagram, Deloitte, and Airbnb. Residing in Vietnam since 2013, Natalya also leads Travel Massive Vietnam and is actively involved in various programs supporting entrepreneurship and innovation across Vietnam's tourism sector.
* *Panel: Top Travel Trends for 2026 — 2:35pm - 3:15pm*
Megan Ly, Country Manager at Cision PR Newswire
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[Megan Ly](www.travelmassive.com/@meg-ly) ([LinkedIn](www.linkedin.com/in/meganly305/)) is the Country Manager of [PR Newswire](www.prnewswire.com), a Cision company, where she leads strategic growth and communications initiatives in Vietnam. With a decade of experience in communications consulting, Megan works closely with brands across sectors—from hospitality and technology to FMCG—helping them amplify their voice and visibility on the global stage. She is passionate about helping organizations craft meaningful narratives and engage audiences worldwide through thoughtful, strategic communication.
* *Moderator: Choosing and working successfully with Influencers & KOLs — 1:50pm - 2:30pm*
Sally Bunnell, Founder and CEO at NaviSavi
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[Sally Bunnell](www.travelmassive.com/@sallybunnell) ([LinkedIn](www.linkedin.com/in/sallybunnell/)) is a founder and CEO of [NaviSavi](www.navisaviapp.com) — a video-first travel platform that showcases authentic, bookable, and licensable UGC video content and experiences. As a former music industry executive, Sally has been involved in creating and marketing short-form video content for Millennials and Gen Z with influential artists and brands that have generated over 1 Billion cumulative YouTube views. Sally is also a digital nomad, having visited 118 countries (and counting) while developing her business.
* *Judge: Travel Startup Pitch Competition — 1:00pm - 1:45pm*
* *Panel: Choosing and working successfully with Influencers & KOLs — 1:50pm - 2:30pm*
Ric Gazarian, Founder at Extraordinary Travel Festival
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[Ric Gazarian](www.travelmassive.com/@global_gaz) is an extreme traveler who has visited over 185 countries, and is host of the [Counting Countries podcast](globalgaz.com/counting-countries/), where he interviews the world's most traveled and interesting travelers who are pursuing the goal of visiting all 193 U.N. countries. Ric is also the founder of the [Extraordinary Travel Festival](www.extraordinarytravelfest.com) — a global event that brings together the world’s most accomplished and adventurous travelers.
* *Moderator: Travel Startup Pitch Competition — 1:00pm - 1:45pm*
* *MC: Startup Pitch Awards — 4:45pm - 5:00pm*
Seiya Hongo, CEO and Co-Founder at Shiitake Creative
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[Seiya Hongo](www.travelmassive.com/@seiya-hongo-3781079847) ([LinkedIn](www.linkedin.com/in/seiyahongo/)) is co-founder and CEO of [Shiitake Creative](shiitakecreative.jp/en/), a Tokyo-based multilingual creative agency specializing in crafting innovative promotional content for Japan’s travel industry. Working with both regional and national government bodies, including the Japan Tourism Agency and Japan National Tourism Organization, Seiya brings a global perspective to help share Japan’s culture with the world. A registered travel content consultant with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Seiya is passionate about updating traditional narratives and creating inclusive experiences for international audiences.
* *Panel: Choosing and working successfully with Influencers & KOLs — 1:50pm - 2:30pm*
Ally Hongo, Co-Founder at Japan Travel Awards
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[Ally Hongo](www.travelmassive.com/@ally-hongo) ([LinkedIn](www.linkedin.com/in/ally-hongo-295435139/)) is co-founder and chairperson of the [Japan Travel Awards](japantravelawards.com/en/home), Japan’s largest independent not-for-profit annual travel award program, created under the motto “Travel for Change. Change for Travel.” Now in its fifth year, the initiative spotlights sustainable and inclusive innovations shaping the future of travel in Japan. Originally from Bulgaria, Ally has lived in Japan since 2001, building a career at the intersection of media and tourism as a content creator and consultant.
* *Judge: Travel Startup Pitch Competition — 1:00pm - 1:45pm*
* *Panel: Top Travel Trends for 2026 — 2:35pm - 3:15pm*
Samuel Walter, Founder, Heads on Pillows
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[Samuel Walter](www.linkedin.com/in/samuelwalter/) is the founder and CEO of [Heads On Pillows](headsonpillows.com). Based in Australia and Vietnam, his company supports hospitality, travel, and tourism businesses in building their digital presence across the APAC region through tailored digital marketing that focuses on increasing direct bookings. Samuel is a passionate digital entrepreneur and a. As the founder of 2 digital marketing agencies, his experience spans extensively across SEO, Performance Marketing, web design and social media for enterprises of all sizes.
* *Workshop: Optimizing Your Online Presence With Chat GPT, Deep Search and Agentic AI — 10am - 11am*
Paul Hewett, CEO at In Marketing We Trust
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[Paul Hewett](www.linkedin.com/in/iampaulio/) is CEO of [In Marketing We Trust](inmarketingwetrust.com.au), a distributed global digital marketing agency specialising in data-driven services to help brands grow their online presence — serving global travel clients including Expedia, ClubMed, and Globus. Originally from the UK and now based in Sydney, Paul is an advisory board member for Australia's largest Association for Data-driven Marketing & Advertising, ADMA.
* *Workshop: Creating New Products and Marketing Ideas with AI Coding Tools — 11:00am - 12:00pm*
Max Kraynov, Founder at IQaaS Advisory
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[Max Kraynov](www.travelmassive.com/@maxkraynov) ([LinkedIn](www.linkedin.com/in/maxkraynov/)) is a seasoned executive and M&A advisor with over 25 years of experience in scaling technology businesses and facilitating strategic transactions. As the founder of [IQaaS Advisory](www.iqaas.com), he specializes in working with travel and media startups valued between $10m and $250m, providing advice to ambitious founders. Max is an exited founder and has been a CEO of two successful companies (Aviasales and FunCorp). He resides in Sydney, Australia.
* *Judge: Travel Startup Pitch Competition — 1:00pm - 1:45pm*
* *Panel: Innovations in OTA and Travel Tech — 3:30pm - 4:10pm*
Anne Somanas, Thailand Correspondent, TTG Asia Media
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[Anne Somanas](www.travelmassive.com/@anne-somanas) ([LinkedIn](www.linkedin.com/in/alishanne/)) is a hospitality media & travel trade journalist with [TTG Asia Media](www.ttgasiamedia.com), contributing news reports, analyses and opinion pieces about matters that are impactful to the tourism industry. Anne is also a passionate community builder who helms numerous communities with united interests in Bangkok, most notably the Bangkok Recycling Chain - a grassroots movement to divert waste from landfills, find new homes for unused items and educate people about circular economy.
* *Moderator: Top Travel Trends for 2026 — 2:35pm - 3:15pm*
Jacobo Priegue Martínez, Co-Founder & Head of Operations, SODÅ
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[Jacobo Priegue Martínez](www.linkedin.com/in/jacobo-priegue-martinez-soda/) serves as Head of Operations and co-founder of [SODÅ](sodapowered.com), a fast growing agency which provides tailored hotel management services for long-term partnerships or specific consulting projects. SODÅ's goal is to power free-spirited hotels, emerging hotel groups and visionary hotel developers to elevate their craft and become maestros of hospitality. Originally from Spain, Jacobo has been in Vietnam for over a decade collaborating with international management companies and hotel owners to lead a new wave of hospitality.
* *Panel: Innovations in OTA and Travel Tech — 3:30pm - 4:10pm*
Tan Mai, Founder and CEO at TravelThru
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[Tan Mai](www.linkedin.com/in/tan-mai-a4479a4a/) is the Founder & CEO of [TravelThru](travelthru.com), a travel tech startup transforming airport transportation with premium pre-booking and car hire services in 150+ countries and 700+ cities worldwide. Tan brings practical insight into creating seamless, customer-focused travel solutions with a background in B2B and B2B and over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry. TravelThru proudly sponsors major events including Vietnam International Fashion Week.
* *Panel: Innovations in OTA and Travel Tech — 3:30pm - 4:10pm*
Crystal Phuong, Head of Account Management, APAC, Hospitality Solutions
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[Crystal Phuong](www.linkedin.com/in/crystalphuong/) is an experienced leader in sales, marketing, and account management in hospitality technology across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. She currently serves as Head of Account Management, Asia Pacific at [Hospitality Solutions](www.sabrehospitality.com) (formerly Sabre Hospitality Solutions), where she leads a high-performing regional team focused on strategic partnerships, customer success, and helping hoteliers unlock new revenue opportunities through distribution, retailing, gift cards, and AI-driven guest solutions.
* *Moderator: Innovations in OTA and Travel Tech — 3:30pm - 4:10pm*
Phuc Le, Director at Da Nang Semiconductor and AI Center
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[Phuc Le](www.linkedin.com/in/phuc-le-991249127/) is the Director of the [Da Nang Semiconductor and AI Center](www.linkedin.com/company/dsac-danang/) (DSAC), leading the city’s strategy to develop a competitive semiconductor and AI ecosystem. He and his team drive talent programs, industry partnerships, and startup support, including collaboration with global partners such as NVIDIA, Synopsys, Google, and Arizona State University. DSAC’s initiatives span design training, an advanced packaging lab effort, AI/HPC infrastructure, and policy facilitation for high‑tech investment. Phuc advises on AI and semiconductor policy and works closely with local and international stakeholders to accelerate innovation and market adoption in Vietnam and the broader region.
* *Judge: Travel Startup Pitch Competition — 1:00pm - 1:45pm*
Chris Tran, Content Creator, @chris.tran.travels
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[Chris Tran](www.instagram.com/chris.tran.travels) is the Creator and Host of [Chris.Tran.Travels](www.instagram.com/chris.tran.travels/), a personal brand focused on travel, culture, and education. He creates content that helps overseas Vietnamese and global audiences reconnect with Vietnam through language, history, and immersive experiences. His work spans cultural storytelling, mutual aid, and heritage-inspired travel. Chris also runs Bamboo Bridge, the company behind language-learning platforms like Survival Vietnamese.
* *Panel: Choosing and working successfully with Influencers & KOLs — 1:50pm - 2:30pm*
David Kaye, Editor-in-Chief at The Dot Magazine
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[David Kaye](www.linkedin.com/in/davidkayedu/) is a branding and marketing industry leader, creative, writer, and editor. As Wink Hotels’ Marketing & Branding Director David’s been the creative vision behind the opening of its six properties. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Dot Magazine — a popular insider guide to Vietnam. Before that, he helped build the international media company Vietcetera. In his free time, David also writes for international publications like 50 Best, Artsy, Drink Magazine Asia, and Condé Nast.
* *Fireside chat: The Role of Community in Shaping the Future of Travel — 4:15pm - 4:45pm*
Maeve Nolan, Product Director at EXO Travel Vietnam
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[Maeve Nolan](www.linkedin.com/in/maeve-nolan-0a21b243/) is Director of Product at [EXO Travel](www.exotravel.com), with over 25 years of experience shaping the landscape of high-end travel. Maeve is a recognized expert in B2B and B2C tourism who has called Asia home for over two decades. In her role as a product developer, she has built a career on creating authentic, experiential journeys. When not focusing on product and business development, she can be found exploring the world on two wheels — always seeking the next adventure, often in remote regions.
*Panel: Top Travel Trends for 2026 — 2:35pm - 3:15pm*
Don't Miss Out: Join Travel Massive Asia Conference 2025 Da Nang!
Alright, are you feeling suitably inspired and excited yet? We thought so! This is just a taste of the incredible energy and ideas you'll discover at Travel Massive Asia Conference.
Workshops, startup pitches, in-depth discussions, networking opportunities, and an international community to help power you through the rest of the year.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your [free pass](www.travelmassive.com/events/travel-massive-asia-conference-2025-da-nang-5396726180) and join us for an unforgettable day of learning and connecting. See you in Da Nang!
Looking forward to all the exciting workshops, panels, startup pitches and networking! Can’t wait to see everyone in Da Nang next week 🤩
Hi everyone, we're so excited to be putting this event together! I've just arrived in Vietnam to help @natalya and the team set up for next week. The food in Da Nang is so good (and very affordable), and it's easy to get around using Grab app (download this if you're attending, it's a must). Da Nang is a very social and welcoming city, so if you hang out in a spot you'll make new friends in no time — there's a huge Digital Nomad scene out here from all nationalities. See you all soon down at the beach and at the conference! 🏖️
*“We’re on a mission from God.”*
— The Blues Brothers (1980)
But in Bali, we’re on a mission from the Gods.
Not one, but many. The ones who dwell in banyan trees, in flowing rivers, in temple courtyards and family shrines. The ones who sit silently in canang offerings and speak through shadow puppets and Gamelan tones. And lately, they’ve been sending signs:
Bali isn’t happy.
Not with how mass tourism has taken hold. Not with how sacred ceremonies have become backdrops. Not with the rise of what some call “tourist spirituality” and others call cultural erasure.
And that’s where we come in.
Remembering the Roots: Adimelali Bali
Back in 2008, when most of Bali’s tourism industry was still using faxes and foot traffic, [Adimelali Bali](adimelali.com/?ref=travelmassive) quietly launched the island’s first internet-based travel service. Bookings via Gmail and Yahoo Messenger. A website before websites were trendy in Bali or even Indonesia tourism.
Was it perfect? No. But it was human.
The goal was never to flood Bali with volume. The mission was to build trust, and to offer travelers more than just pretty views and Instagrammable moments. We invited them to experience Bali like we knew it growing up: sacred, spontaneous, and alive.
We got pushback. The big players didn’t like our model. They liked things predictable, packageable, and profitable.
We kept going.
A Cultural Meltdown or a Melting Pot?
Bali has always been a meeting point of worlds. In the 1930s, European artists like Walter Spies and Miguel Covarrubias came to the island not to take over, but to collaborate. They brought modern techniques and left with deep reverence. They influenced and were influenced.
Modern Balinese painting, music, and performance bear the fingerprints of that cultural exchange. But what was once mutual is now often one-sided.
Today, too many visitors arrive in Bali seeking consumption, not connection.
Not all resistance comes with protests. Some comes with pen and ink.
Gus Dark, a [Balinese cartoonist](gusthebalinese.wixsite.com/darkade/home) with global reach, is using bold visuals to speak uncomfortable truths. His art critiques over-tourism, cultural distortion, and spiritual commodification. His lines are sharp. His metaphors are sharper.
One cartoon shows a man sitting at beach club with fully loaded machine gun of fireworks and shoot into a sitting on ground and praying local Balinese.
This isn’t satire for laughs. It’s satire to shake us awake.
Adimelali x Gus Dark: The Mission Grows
At Adimelali Bali, we see ourselves aligned with Gus Dark’s message as well as many local Bali or worldwide artist and activist who cares and love Bali.
We don’t want to sell Bali. We want to share it.
And that sharing must come with responsibility, respect, and reciprocity.
That’s why we’re growing our movement:
Hosting cultural education journeys for artists, students, and educators
Connecting travellers with local knowledge keepers
Creating immersive experiences that aren’t staged for tourists, but are real, raw, and respectfully opened to those who truly seek
We’re rebranding Bali not as a playground — but as a classroom, a gallery, a spiritual dialogue.
A Sacred Invitation
This mission isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about preservation through progress.
We use tech. We love connection. We’re not anti-modernity.
But what we are… is pro-Bali.
We stand by artists like Gus Dark and many others Bali or global artist and activist who speak truth to power. We honor the gods who gave us this island. And we believe that the only tourism worth building is the kind that builds up Bali in return.
If you believe in:
Travel as education
Culture as sacred
Art as activism
Then maybe this mission is yours too.
So pack your bags. Bring your curiosity. And leave your checklist at the airport. We’re on a mission from the gods.
And Bali is ready to teach.
If this message resonates with you, follow [@AdimelaliBali](www.instagram.com/adimelali_bali) and [@GusDark](www.instagram.com/gus_dark_art). Let’s build the future of meaningful, respectful tourism — together.
*Photos from [adimelali.com](adimelali.com)*
Hi my name is Dee Gorra, I am a founder and team leader of Adimelali Bali.
As a Balinese and been on tourism industry especially in travel industry, I witness the up and down of Bali tourism industry. But for decades of Bali tourism industry, instead the way of stake holder treat Bali and also how Indonesia and Bali government treat Bali and Balinese is not more than just a factory and also mining industry, instead a tourism business or travel business that give real impact to the island and Balinese itself.
So I want to hear what the global might think and have regarding on how their sight or idea about future world of Tourism Industry not just by tag lining as sustain or green but how this move can be global and turn into ideal idea to push government make a real policy that beneficial Bali or any island or place as tourist destination not just an object but a life things with long future, not just a short terms 'mining' industry or can I say modern slavery or new model imperialism cover by tourism?
Slovenia is launching a digital nomad visa. On paper, it’s a permit to live and work here remotely. In reality, it’s an invitation — but to what?
If Slovenia wants nomads to stay longer, contribute more, and integrate, the visa is just the start. We need:
- Frictionless onboarding – fast approvals, clear steps, digital-first systems.
- Social infrastructure – not just coworking spaces, but events, cultural exchanges, and local connections.
- Ways to contribute – volunteering, skill-sharing, and community projects.
- Coliving in smaller towns, Alpine villages, and coastal retreats.
Slovenia’s size, safety, and nature give it a chance to be boutique and premium for remote workers.
👉 What would make YOU stay longer as a digital nomad in a country?
Here is my full piece discussing this topic: traveljournal.substack.com/p/a-second-chance-for-boutique-tourism
Great job starting the conversation. Have you tagged your tourism, immigration and treasury ministers yet? These people will have the power to make a nomad visa either great or small.
Hi Mark, thanks for the comment. Yes, we are in touch with national and destination tourism organizations. The issue is that there is a gap between the policy makers and tourism experts. Everyone is working separately and there is no collaboration.
However, we are trying to fix this gap with our Slovenian Digital Nomad Association. It's new for the country so it will take a while.
I visited Slovenia in 2023 and loved it! It's kind of the perfect country for digital nomads. Ljublana and the surrounded area are great for digital nomading. The country is also in a great location sandwhiched between Croatia, Hungary, Austria, and Italy.
Agreed! It does have the perfect location.
For the last 3+ years, I explore the Balkans looking for grassroots regenerative initiatives.
As no posts are still related to Serbia, let me post here a link to a review I did about a regenerative neighourhoud that I've discovered on the border with National park Fruška Gora, in just 12 km from the Serbia's cultural captial - Novi Sad.
There are two families experimenting with ecotourism household, ‘Forest School’, 'Forest University', ecological building, shared gardening and art/research residencies.
Read the full article on Medium at sergeydmitriev.medium.com/transformational-eco-tourism-and-art-of-symbiocenic-living-in-serbia-7407a76b3964
Hi Sergey, thanks for sharing this amazing project. This is a phenomenal article and a refreshing read.
Do the residents live here full time? Or are some community members transient or seasonal?
Including the video from your article here as it's a great showcase:
This reminds me of some community tourism projects from Japan that were featured in the Japan Travel Awards (e.g zero waste village).
Are there any other places in the world that you've come across with similar concepts?
Great to see this project, and the Balkans are a great region to explore.
Exposing Green-washing and staged culture so your experience supports real communities
In today’s tourism landscape, the word “local” has become a buzzword. Travel platforms and tour providers eagerly promote “authentic local experiences” but all too often, what’s advertised as local is nothing more than a performance, carefully curated to look authentic but ultimately designed to profit rather than empower.
At Soul Dreamers, we’ve seen this happen time and again, and we believe conscious travelers deserve better.
Here are the 5 biggest pitfalls of choosing “local” experiences that aren't truly local — and how to avoid them:
1. The Illusion of Authenticity: Staged vs. Lived Culture
Many “local” experiences are orchestrated for tourist appeal. You’ll find costumed dances, rehearsed conversations, and rigid itineraries that replicate the same show day after day. While they may feel exotic, they rarely reflect the reality, diversity, or nuance of real community life.
Instead: Look for experiences that offer organic interactions like joining a real neighborhood jam session or visiting someone’s home kitchen, where culture is actually lived beyond performances or parades.
2. Greenwashing in Disguise
From Eco-walks through manicured parks to community “impact” tours with no measurable impact, many experiences borrow the language of sustainability without doing the work. They capitalize on your values while offering little to the environment or locals involved.
Instead: Investigate the project’s roots. Does it collaborate with grassroots organizations? Do locals benefit financially and narratively? Real sustainability is systemic, not scenic.
3. Locals as Props, Not Partners
In some cases, locals are only marginally involved serving food, dancing, or guiding, but having no stake in the design, ownership, or profit of the experience. This often reinforces inequality rather than disrupting it.
Instead: Support initiatives co-created or fully led by local communities. Ask who designed the tour, who earns from it, and whether locals are active decision-makers.
4. Supporting Gentrification Instead of Inclusion
Well-meaning travelers sometimes end up contributing to the gentrification of vulnerable neighborhoods. When tours treat communities as “exotic backdrops” without investing in their well-being, they can accelerate displacement and inequality.
Instead: Choose experiences that *respect the rhythm* of the place, redirect resources into the community, and foster mutual understanding not extraction.
5. Ignoring Invisible Narratives
Mainstream “local” tours often skip over uncomfortable histories — colonialism, racism, or displacement in favor of feel-good stories. Yet true authenticity embraces the full complexity of a place.
Instead: Seek out experiences grounded in social anthropology and community storytelling. Real stories, especially the difficult ones are powerful tools for connection, healing, and giving back.
Let’s travel with heart. Let’s choose real. Let’s immerse in the real stories of transformation.
Hi everyone, I'm Teddy — a social entrepreneur, cultural experience designer, and founder of Soul Dreamers. I create immersive, story-driven tours and events that connect travelers to the hidden, soulful sides of cities like Lisbon and Medellín.
🌿 At Soul Dreamers, we we walk with literally hand in hand with culture. Our experiences in Lisbon, Medellín, and beyond are designed in close partnership with marginalized communities, grassroots artists, and cultural leaders. Each step of the journey is infused with empathy, truth, and real connection.
👉 Whether you're sipping tea in a rooftop garden, dancing to Brazilian chorinho in a tucked-away tavern, or walking through the complex beauty of Moravia in Medellín you’re not consuming culture, you’re participating in it.
Learn more about us at www.souldreamers.net
The Reality of Numbers.
The Nigerian passport [continues to be ranked](www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking) among the least powerful globally. In 2024, Nigeria's rejection rate for Schengen visa applications soared to 45.9%, making it the third-highest globally—a sharp increase from 40.8% in 2023. Looking over the past 15 years, rejection rates averaged 42.1%, with 491,844 out of approximately 1.1 million applications denied. In financial terms, applicants have cumulatively lost millions in non-refundable fees and processing costs.
Stories from the Ground
Schengen Denials and Lost Time. In 2022 alone, 39,189 out of 86,815 Schengen visa applications by Nigerians were rejected (a 45.1% denial rate). [Visaguide.world noted](visaguide.world/news/more-than-half-of-visa-applications-filed-by-nigerians-were-rejected-by-eu-countries-in-2022/) that of these, Spain exhibited one of the harshest rates, rejecting 65.6%, while Italy was relatively easier at a 32% denial rate.
Asia’s Reluctance. One Redditor recounted [being rejected by multiple Asian countries](www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1gesits/vietnam_evisa_rejected_5_times/) for unclear reasons, despite his Dutch partner being approved quickly:
"Every agency… either stopped replying as soon as I mentioned that I've got a Nigerian passport…"
He had been denied entry to countries like Taiwan and Vietnam due to bureaucratic hurdles and lack of clarity.
US Visa Struggles—and a Twist. Another [personal story](www.reddit.com/r/Nigeria/comments/1iigrur/after_being_denied_a_us_visa_in_nigeria_i_moved/) highlights the emotional toll:
“Being Nigerian is a massive impediment to getting visas… I moved to Canada and got my US visa without any stress or hassle.”
The user suggests that applying from Canada, after a denial in Nigeria, made the process much easier.
Applications Lost in Limbo. In one case, a U.S. immigrant visa applicant in Nigeria waited months for her passport to be returned, only receiving it eight months later, after extensive follow-ups—and having had to renew bridged documents midway.
Adventurers Struggling Within Africa. The Guardian covered the journeys of [Nigerian solo travelers](www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/apr/01/passports-visas-nigeria-africa-adventure-solo-travel-tips-female-influencers) like [Joy Ebaide](www.instagram.com/go_ebaide/), who highlighted that despite visa-free access under ECOWAS, crossing borders—like from Benin to Togo—felt "like a system designed to bleed travellers dry." She notes that travel costs and delays within Africa often outweigh those to Europe.
Similarly, content creator [Alma Asinobi](www.youtube.com/c/almaasinobi) attempted to break a Guinness World Record by [visiting all seven continents within 60 hours](www.instagram.com/p/DGxU2d9oy5H/) to expose the challenges of traveling on a "low-mobility" passport. The attempt ended in 71 hours, largely due to visa delays for her Nigerian passport.
Impact and Reflection
These stories, combined with stark data, paint a compelling picture: Nigerians face a consistent pattern of visa barriers—from Europe to Asia, North America—and even when traveling within Africa. The financial, emotional, and opportunity costs are both significant and systemic.
It’s a remarkable promise: any idea we have can now become a technological reality through artificial intelligence. What’s truly new is this: we no longer need to master programming languages — our everyday language is enough to control programs and digital agents.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, describes this vision [on his blog](blog.samaltman.com) as follows:
“We — the whole industry, not just OpenAI — are building a brain for the world. It will be deeply personalized and easy for anyone to use. Good ideas will define our limits. For a long time, ‘idea people’ — those without technical know-how — were laughed at in the startup scene. But to me, it looks like their big moment is coming.”
Altman doesn’t naively believe in a techno-utopian future. He thinks in extremes, exploring both the light and dark sides of technological progress. In this way, he resembles a modern-day Faust: a pioneer driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, stepping into the unknown — not recklessly, but with the hope that progress is better than stagnation. At the same time, he invests in visionary projects like nuclear fusion and biotechnology.
At an event hosted by the U.S. Federal Reserve in July ([video](www.youtube.com/watch?v=tScbQiavmpA)), Altman was asked what keeps him up at night. His answers were striking:
1. He fears that a “bad actor” might gain control over AI and use it for weapons development or large-scale manipulation.
2. He worries about the psychological well-being of people forming emotional attachments to AI systems that may replace real human relationships.
3. He sees the danger that politicians might one day follow the advice of a superintelligence, believing it superior to their own — thereby abdicating their democratic responsibility.
This points to the central question of our time: How — if at all — can we control the dynamics of technology?
A philosophical term is re-emerging in this context: wisdom. Modern neo-Stoicism, for example, advocates calmness and self-discipline in the face of technological disruption. Rooted in ancient Greek philosophy, it doesn’t view AI as a threat, but as part of a changing world. The Stoic mindset calls for inner moderation: technology must not become the measure of humanity — rather, we must preserve our mental and moral autonomy in the face of it.
Against this backdrop, we ask: What role will AI play in the future of travel?
More and more platforms now offer personalized travel planning powered by AI. Everything is becoming easier: planning, booking, and finding destinations. But one question remains that often goes unasked: What is the real meaning of travel?
Much of today's travel content suffers from being superficial — fast, interchangeable, designed for the masses. The same phrases dominate again and again: “The 10 best beaches…,” “Top postcard spots…,” “Must-see cities…” But these often fail to address the deeper why behind travel.
We aim to explore new paths that combine high-quality travel content with AI tools — without losing sight of what travel is truly about. Travel content is only authentic when it communicates real experiences and genuine insights. And if Sam Altman’s vision holds true, it may soon be possible for us to bring exactly these kinds of ideas to life — with the help of technology.
(*Read the [original article](campingkunst.de/en/ideen-ki-und-der-sinn-des-reisens/) in German.*)
I’m deeply interested in the philosophy of travel. My concern is that, amid all the fascination with AI, the quality of travel content might decline. So the real question is: What is the true meaning of travel? And how can we develop AI-supported travel platforms that offer more than just superficial tips and generic recommendations? Thinking about business models....
Hi Andreas, thanks for joining the Travel Massive community and sharing your discussion here.
We've been tracking the impact of AI in travel for a few years now (see our #AI topic). There's two camps on this in terms of the content creation space:
• "AI stole my content:" LLMs have trained on a blogger's hard work to visit and report on a destination is now being regurgitated into chatgpt itinerary planners and AI-snippets with little to zero reference to the person who discovered and shared that knowledge. In my view, this is a form of IP theft and only large publishers such as the NY Times can fight this. For the rest of us, the tech establishment is coming for your content. The only way around this is paywalls to prevent agents.
• "AI is great / AI is helping me make money": The same kind of AI models as above are being used to improve advertising offers on blogs and website and increase conversion rates. This is helping bloggers generate income, in an ever increasing online world with more content and competition.
The interesting thing is that I don't believe both camps are mutually exclusive. I for one, believe in both the above statements. And this has left me wondering for a good while about how I can feel so strongly about two things that are seemingly at odds with each other.
If you zoom out, it's a bit easier to rationalise the paradigm shift going on from the customer's perspective. People want answers to things to make decisions. Travel has an infinite number of questions. So AI can (emphasis on "can") help people get answers to their travel questions.
The challenge is that LLMs are just statistically choosing the next word (or pixel in the case of images) and therefore statistically AI is going to make errors. This is infuriating for the "AI stole my content" camp because not only did AI steal their content, it often makes it worse!
Where I see AI working best in travel is to help do the "heavy lifting" of data analysis, connectivity and customer support behind the scenes, in what we call "the engine room" of travel. I believe there's a lot more opportunity in this space than the customer-facing "top of funnel" marketing. You're probably already benefiting from AI in your travels without knowing it - from faster passport controls, better handling of delays, or even new modes of transport such as self-driving taxis.
PS: Here's a few articles worth exploring:
www.travelmassive.com/posts/a-few-thoughts-from-this-weeks-google-i-o-keynote-834734216
www.travelmassive.com/posts/ai-in-travel-and-tourism-419667227
www.travelmassive.com/posts/is-ai-a-threat-or-an-opportunity-for-a-freelance-journalist-492954756
Thank you for your response, Ian. I share your view technology is a topic beyond good and evil. It's also interesting to see ChatGPT’s response to my question about whether AI can assist in developing a lecture on Goethe’s Italian Journey. Goethe left behind a body of work spanning 30,000 pages. ChatGPT gives a genuinely intelligent answer to this question. Here is the unaltered transcript of the corresponding prompt:
• “Understanding” requires a subjective center. I analyze Goethe’s wisdom, but I do not become wiser through it.
• I do not research out of inner drive, but because I am prompted to. My “curiosity” is simulated, not real.
• Wisdom arises through deliberation in existential contexts. I can imitate these contexts, but never experience them.
In any case, it would be great if we could continue analyzing this topic! Thanks for the links!
GeoLineup is a free web game that challenges your sense of world geography.
🗺️ How it works:
- Sort five cities from north to south by dragging them into place
- Get instant feedback with a map to compare your guesses
- Three difficulty levels & continent filters
- Still building up the city database, I already have some more game modes in mind.
- Play instantly – no sign-up, no download, just click and go!
Hi, I'm Wolfgang, a travel and geography enthusiast based in Vienna, Austria. I started GeoLineup as a hobby project while learning to program.
If you like puzzles, trivia, or maps, I’d love your feedback. There’s also a feedback button in-game if you spot any bugs.
👉 Play the game at geolineup.com
I hope you have as much fun playing the game as I had creating it!
Thanks for checking it out – happy sorting!
Hi Wolfgang, thanks for sharing GeoLineup with the Travel Massive community.
This is a really fun game! And a new novel idea on this genre, bravo!
1. Is there a new round each day? Or are there unlimited rounds?
2. It would be interesting to know what continent or hemisphere people are playing from and how their answers compare. If you're logging players IP then you could probably do this analysis later on and get some insights.
3. It's nice and intuitive, and fast. What did you develop the game in?
Nic, fun to play, turns out I need to head out to spend some time studying up on my geography! It would be fun to have a leaderboard, as well as most often "misplaced" cities.
Hi Ian, thanks very much for your feedback – I really appreciate it! And of course I am glad that you enjoyed the game! On your questions:
1. Currently there are unlimited rounds. However, I am considering to add daily challenges to make it more engaging to compare with friends and share your results.
2. Yes, that will certainly be interesting to see once I have some more data.
3. Thanks! The game logic is plain vanilla JavaScript with Leaflet.js for the maps and Sortable.js for smoother dragging and sorting. For the website around it I used Astro to have a lean and fast experience.
Thank you for your feedback and the additional ideas! I am currently looking into account creation and central data storage to allow for leaderboards and challenges. Hence, stay tuned for future updates :)
Nice. Thx. Cheers.
Thanks for your feedback, glad you like it!
Would it be an idea to connect the game with stories of the places as a learning effect?
Yes, that would indeed be a nice addition for my roadmap, thank you!
Thanks to everyone who joined us live for [How To Build Partnerships That Earn](www.travelmassive.com/events/live-webinar-how-to-build-partnerships-that-earn-panel-with-dmos-creators-and-stay22-3394749905) last week in partnership with Stay22. It was an informative discussion delving into the current state of the travel industry from multiple perspectives: travel industry, travel creator, and travel affiliate network.
Article image #1
*Our LIVE webinar panel had a blast talking about building partnerships.*
👋 The panel: [Ashley Norman](www.linkedin.com/in/ashleynorman/) ([PTG Consulting](ptgconsulting.com), DMO representative), [Kimberly Davies](www.travelmassive.com/@kimberly-erin) ([Walkaboot Travel](walkaboot.ca), Creator), and [Félix Contant](www.linkedin.com/in/felixcontant1/) ([Stay22](tmsv.co/stay22_webinar_recap), Platform perspective), moderated by [Kateryna Topol](www.travelmassive.com/@katerryna), ([Toronto Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/toronto-travel-massive-156537040), [Paths to Travel Magazine](pathstotravel.com)). Give them a follow and have a look at their offerings.
Learn about our speakers and [watch the webinar replay](www.travelmassive.com/events/live-webinar-how-to-build-partnerships-that-earn-panel-with-dmos-creators-and-stay22-3394749905) if you missed it.
👉 This webinar is a continuation of [The 2025 Creators & Travel Industry Study](www.travelmassive.com/stay22/creators-2025-report?ref=webinar_recap) — download and view the report anytime to see the insights from our global survey with hundreds of creators and brands.
Table of Contents
1. [Who are destinations looking to work with?](#1)
2. [What type of content are destinations focusing on right now?](#2)
3. [How are the budgets spread for travel destinations?](#3)
4. [What are the ROI metrics for destinations?](#4)
5. [How do travel destinations discover creators?](#5)
6. [How do creators find partnerships?](#6)
7. [How do creators weigh paid versus trade opportunities?](#7)
8. [Creator dealbreakers](#8)
9. [Earning trends in affiliate marketing](#9)
10. [How do creators use affiliate marketing?](#10)
11. [When do destinations expect to see coverage?](#11)
12. [What do creators see as a reasonable timeline for sharing content?](#12)
13. [Do’s and don’ts for press trips](#13)
14. [How to create smarter, more sustainable partnerships with Stay22](#14)
15. [Audience Q&A ](#15)
Article subheading #1
Who are destinations looking to work with?
Creators who value long term partnerships and care to get to know the company and the destination. PTG Consulting (PTG) are looking for long term relationships and is open to creative pitches about their destinations. They are also looking for destination exposure across multiple channels: immediate exposure on Instagram or TikTok and organic or paid editorial content somewhere down the line (including Substack). This is considered to be good ROI. Emerging media, alternative outlets, and newsletter opportunities are also of interest.
There is also a renewed interest in working with creators not just in the travel niche but in adjacent spaces like lifestyle, food and beverage, outdoors, and wellness. That being said, they are looking to work with people who have a good understanding of the travel industry. The channels destinations focus on are also impacted by the decisions from the client at large (which is often a government). Blogs and Facebook groups often come in play with niche markets and audiences.
👉 Micro-creators (10k followers +) are seen as valuable and PTG is working on a program to accommodate them. But it is worth noting that agencies report to higher up directors and board which traditionally look for big numbers, from the start and over time. Showing micro-creator value is a process that requires some education behind the scenes. All things considered, however, PTG will look at opportunities on a case by case basis, taking into consideration the full potential of the creator and how it aligns with their goals.
Article subheading #2
What type of content are destinations focusing on right now?
It is important to note that travel providers (PR, DMO, etc) often work to satisfy multiple stakeholders within the destination which affects the kind of partnerships they choose to invest in. Recognizing that there are many parties behind the scenes PTG works on fairly evenly divided set of tactics between paid partnerships, earned media, FAM/Press trips, special events, road shows, and so on.
🎬 Video-first campaigns all around are very important at this time.
Article subheading #3
How are the budgets spread for travel destinations?
For context, globally PTG work with a few large DMOs including multiple destinations within Mexico, resorts in Europe, various destinations in the USA, El Salvador, Chile, Nanjing China, and more. US and Canada markets is where PTG sees some of the highest spends. For example, Mexico might spend half a million dollars annually on the primary market (ie. Canada). For paid partnerships for those size of DMOs they will be looking for creators with 200,000+ followers, the fees typically are $5K+ USD depending on the type of content (higher for YouTube campaigns, for example).
🇪🇺 Europe seems to have more opportunity for negotiations for trade and deliverables, here budgets go a bit further. Latin America offers more trade agreements, paid partnerships, however, are becoming more common with rates ranging from $800 USD to $2,000 USD for influencers with 1mln+ followers.
Article subheading #4
What are the ROI metrics for destinations?
Engagement (3%+), hitting the mark on content inclusions and format, showing your audiences how to experience the destination with helpful and actionable consumer driven content.
📈 Shares and views are always a metric they look at.
Article subheading #5
How do travel destinations discover creators?
A combination of using an influencer platform, [Klear](klear.com/creators/?ref=travelmassive), which allows them to see engagement rates for influencers, the desirable number is at least 3%. Outside of Klear, a lot of influencers they work with is a collective effort of the team looking for people proactively. PTG also works with some influencer agencies, host live events, and participates in in-person events like travel conferences.
🤝 In-person is always favoured for meeting people.
Article subheading #6
How do creators find partnerships?
Through a combination of channels. With [Kimberly](www.travelmassive.com/@kimberly-erin), large destinations often reach out to her. But she does often reach out to local tourism boards on her own, especially if she is already traveling to the destination, which has proved to have a positive outcome. Cold pitches to PR firms are useful to get on the radar for different companies. Kimberly would share a bit about who she is coupled with some analytics which often results in event invitations allowing her to build more personal connections.
Influencer platforms, like Klear and [#Paid](hashtagpaid.com/?ref=travelmassive), are in rotation, however, those are less successful than working directly with the tourism boards. Email is the preferred outreach method, to facilitate professional relationships. She might use Instagram to inquire about the correct contact but finds emails works best.
🎯 The outreach emails are tailored to each potential client, specific to the brand. While this does take a lot of time and effort but the tailored emails are more likely to result in a response and thereafter a collaboration.
Article subheading #7
How do creators weigh paid versus trade opportunities?
There is no hard line and paid is always preferred for creators especially. Kimberly noted that a free trip is still a work trip because there is a set itinerary, a shot list and a content list that the creator needs to gather during the visit.
✅ Deliverables also play a large role. A long-form YouTube video, for example, takes an extensive amount of time to create. Short form video, combined with a blog post, social stories, and so on can add an additional 2 weeks of work to the actual trip. “You have to step back and consider your value and time as a creator,” Kimbery points out. Admittedly, new creators often have to take trade opportunities to build up portfolio and there are dream experiences you might not get to otherwise. But unpaid trips can be exploitative, lower industry standards, and you can be overused as an influencer. The considerations also include time and experience, amount of content, how soon the content needs to be live, and so on.
Article subheading #8
Creator dealbreakers
At the end of the day, if a collaboration comes with a list of deliverables it should be compensated. Creators are a one person job who work as a director, photographer, writer, marketer, and come in with their own gear as oppose to an entire production team.
Among other dealbreakers, Kimberly mentioned lack of clear contract and no conversation of usage rates. The opportunity naturally needs to align with her niche and fit within the schedule. For Kimberly, who is an adventure travel creator, ethical considerations are high on the list.
Article subheading #9
Earning trends in affiliate marketing
Historically, [Stay22](tmsv.co/stay22_webinar_recap) saw highest bookings on websites with high traffic volume but recent Google updates have changed that. Now the performance of the creator, regardless of their traffic has an impact on their earnings. They look at how many sessions it take to complete a booking and what they noticed is that creators who earn are:
1. Have a specific niche (ie. LGBTQ+ travel), location and activity (ie. surfing), or specific language (especially in Europe)
2. SEO and diversifying traffic sources
3. Creators who are deeply connected with their audiences and engage with them actively
4. Invest time and research into various ways to monetize content and create stories specifically for affiliates
🧐 Looking at data, Felix noticed for creators who have 2-3 of the above have seen an increase in bookings regardless of the drop in traffic. Most of the bookings come from websites, but they have seen some resourceful creators who leverage social media, downloads, and YouTube.
Article subheading #10
How do creators use affiliate marketing?
Kimberly has found success with hotel bookings, which she very carefully selects for her written articles, packing lists, and best-of lists – all of which are articles moulded to support affiliate links. She’s always been using affiliate links in her Instagram stories and has a landing page with her trusted affiliate list in her profile.
Article subheading #11
When do destinations expect to see coverage?
The expectations are different for creators and traditionally earned media:
* For traditional earned media the timeline can be driven by internal contracts but they do understand that a feature story can take a year+ for some publications.
* For creators, they look for a two week turnaround time for in-feed content (recognizing the need for privacy), longer form content timeline is four to eight weeks.
Article subheading #12
What do creators see as a reasonable timeline for sharing content?
🤳 Similarly, Kimberly shares “live” stories a week or two after due to privacy and security but also to make sure there is access to WiFi. Longer form content can take two to four weeks, taking the audience on the journey with her overtime from social to web.
Article subheading #13
DOs and DON'Ts for press trips
For Ashley, each press trip opportunity is a partnership and they hope to go into each experience with a clear understanding of needs and expectations for both parties. The goal is to align on expectations and be able to facilitate specific content needs.
🥾 Being prepared for the activities is important, the hosts typically set expectations for physical ability needs, weather and so on but as a creator, you can opt out if something is not for you.
Kimberly’s list aligns with Ashley’s with a few additions. For influencers, be on-time in the morning, don’t request last minute changes, do research the country and the brand. For the brand side, the schedules can be too packed leaving creators little time to rest or produce content. An example she shared is a trip on which the brand gave the group four hours of free time during which the influencers worked together to create content collaboratively.
Article subheading #14
How to create smarter, more sustainable partnerships with Stay22
Félix shared that [Stay22](tmsv.co/stay22_webinar_recap) is available to creators of all sizes and are actively learning from them to be a valuable partner. They provide in-person support and have been working with creators on developing features they value including real-time dashboards with in-depth analytics and AI-powered smart links which can monetize autonomously across hotel and activity content.
🧪 Stay22 are currently testing a YouTube feature and other social features are in the works.
Article image #7
*Already a Stay22 partner? Join the [Stay22 referral program](tmsv.co/stay22_referral_program_via_webinar), or the [early access program](tmsv.co/stay22_youtube_eary_access_via_webinar) for YouTube.*
🤩 Stay22 allows you to turn your travel content into revenue effortlessly with [Let Me Allez](tmsv.co/stay22_letmeallez_webinar_recap) which not only automatically replaces broken links but auto-inserts all new web links saving literal hours for creators. In 2024 alone, Let Me Allez powered over $500M in bookings for content creators. [Sign up on stay22.com](tmsv.co/stay22_signup_webinar_recap).
Article subheading #15
Audience Q&A
Thanks to everyone in the audience for your questions!
Here's some follow-up answers from Ashley Norman (PTG Consulting).
Evelien (Travel blogger): Do you work together with influencers specialised in family travel? And should this be an English speaking account?
Ashley (PTG Consulting): We do work with family travel influencers, when the client’s budget and desired target audiences align. Typically, these partnerships have been in partnership with all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, as this helps us efficiently manage costs when hosting multiple members of a family. We have executed very successful YouTube and IG-centric campaigns with family travel influencers.
Language all depends on the scope of the project and focus markets…all of the US, Canadian and European influencers we have worked with to-date have created English content. However, if a client was launching a new flight from Montreal (for example) I could see us potentially targeting influencers who publish content in French. We regularly work with Latin American influencers who publish in Spanish and Portuguese to reach audiences in their countries of origin.
Janice (Content Creator): Targeting demographics - how important do you see the over 50/senior/retirement travel market?
Ashley (PTG Consulting): Every age demographic plays different, but equally important roles in supporting visitation to our destinations. We strategically develop storylines that tend to appeal to travelers based upon their age. For example, we know that, on average, 50+ travelers have the capacity to stay longer, spend more, and often they are bringing along children or grandchildren. So we will find the best stories that support this type of travel, and pitch them to the legacy media outlets (print and digital) like Travel + Leisure, AFAR, The New York Times, Globe & Mail, etc; regional luxury lifestyle magazines; and demographic-specific titles like AARP and Zoomer. We have done one successful influencer campaign for a Chinese destination, and we’d be open to working with other older creators if the audience reach and engagement was strong.
Kerwin (Author): Why wouldn't a blog or Facebook group not be appealing to brands? I mean, it’s a targeted audience. I have a lot of seniors in my Facebook group and newsletter.
Ashley (PTG Consulting): Many destinations PTG Consulting works with are highly focused on gaining exposure in well-known/prestigious media outlets with wide appeal, and/or working with highly-engaging influencers. For clients we have worked with in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, this type of “name brand” exposure resonates most with the political leaders and stakeholders they answer to, and demonstrates that the tourism board’s efforts are generating impressive results. They are in a position where they are justifying every dollar invested in airfare, activities, etc., so there is a bit of a political element to these decisions.
In my experience, DMOs in the US and Canada - in particular - are more open to partnerships involving media like blogs and Facebook groups to support drive market/ domestic tourism strategies and special interest targeting.
Cruise lines and theme parks are other great sectors for these types of partnerships given the massive online communities built to serve enthusiasts.
Diana (Content Creator): I’ll be speaking at a travel conference in Kansas this October about Intellectual Property for travel content creators. Have you ever faced copyright or trademark issues in your work? I’d love to hear your experiences and what topics you’d be most interested in learning more about.
Ashley (PTG Consulting): We work with a dedicated contracts team to ensure that any aspect of influencer partnerships is extremely clear in terms of content ownership and usage rights. We often put $ behind Meta ad campaigns to support our influencer partnerships, so it’s super important for everyone to be on the same page regarding usage rights. We have faced a few issues in the past when our clients re-share or post content from an influencer partnership or sponsored event, and the content is in conflict with the partnership guidelines — for example, posting about an event or piece of media coverage too soon or using incorrect tags. We have adjusted by over-communicating the guidelines to clients and the teams managing their owned accounts — sending one email just isn’t enough!
In terms of the conference, I think it would be interesting to learn what are the biggest IP/copyright challenges influencers are currently facing and what can we do to be better partners. I’d also love to know how many influencers are open to capturing / producing assets that don’t include their likeness and selling those with unlimited usage rights in perpetuity, while they are on assignment for a traditional influencer campaign.
Dilip (Adventure Travel Operator) What kind of partnerships do you see working best when one party is based in Europe and the other in Asia?
Ashley (PTG Consulting): When it comes to Asian DMOs, it’s usually easiest to facilitate partnerships through their agency representative based in your market. More often than not, this allows for much smoother facilitation of deliverable discussions, contracting, and trip planning, without language barriers. In terms of the type of partnership, it all depends on the specific market, their strategies, and their level of sophistication in understanding your focus channels.
For example, one of our biggest challenges working in China where they primarily use completely different, Chinese owned social channels, is when IG changes how it values measurement metrics. It took considerable lobbying over several years to get our tourism board clients to shift their Meta strategy from followers to impressions, and now engagement.
With this in mind, I recommend having very clear conversations with any potential partners to understand what success looks like to them, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Andrew (Content Creator) What makes you open a cold email and want to get on a call with them?
Ashley (PTG Consulting): It’s best when influencers reach out and mention a specific reason they are interested in having a conversation with us (they know we have worked with one of their friends/colleagues, they saw a project we featured on our owned channels, etc), or a specific client they are interested in. Bonus points for including a link to your media/sales kit!
Thanks to Ashley Norman, Kimberly Davies, Félix Contant and Kateryna Topol (moderator) for sharing their expertise and insights!
*Download our free [2025 Creators & Travel Industry Study](www.travelmassive.com/stay22/creators-2025-report?ref=webinar_recap) with insights from our global survey.*
*Join Thousands of Bloggers Earning Passively with Stay22. Stay22’s free tool, [Let Me Allez](tmsv.co/stay22_letmeallez_webinar_recap) has helped creators monetize more than $500M in bookings with AI-powered smart links and tools. [Sign up now](tmsv.co/stay22_signup_webinar_recap).*
If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more, watch the webinar replay below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aha46chobr0
Thanks to Ashley, Kimberly, Félix, Maria and Jazz (backstage) and the Stay22 team for making this event possible. Please let us know what topics you'd like to explore in our next webinar, and see you at our next event!
This was a great webinar! It really helped me to clarify some ideas I had and also gave really useful resources. I am looking forward to developing some new plans and partnerships with everything I learned. Thank you!
HERE'S THE NEXT 5 UPCOMING EVENTS:
Join the top travel innovators and leaders from South East Asia at Travel Massive Asia Conference 2025, in Da Nang, Vietnam on August 27th.
Travel Massive Asia Conference 2025 Da Nang will be hosted on Day 2 of HorecFex (26-27 August) — the premier technology event for the tourism and hospitality industry in Vietnam which attracts over 3,500 attendees and 80 exhibition booths. This year's event will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), digital business, and sustainable development in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Travel Massive will be hosting an exclusive full-day conference at HorecFex with a focus on building the future of travel: comprising of expert-led workshops, industry panels, destination presentations and an innovation pitch competition. The conference will also follow with industry networking with attendees, investors, and leading travel brands.
🏝️ The event will be hosted at the Ariyana Convention Centre, a 5-star conference facility built for the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, located in the centre of the beachfront Ariyana Danang Tourism Complex. The site is just 10 minutes from the city and a short drive to Hoi An — a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its well preserved ancient town.
🇻🇳 Da Nang is the largest city in Central Vietnam and a regional hub for Vietnam's fast growing tourism market, which received 17.6 million international tourists in 2024 and is the 3rd largest travel destination in South East Asia. Vietnam's top inbound source markets include the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, India, and Russia.
👉 This is an exclusive event for: travel industry professionals, tourism operators, travel startups, verified travel influencers and KOLs, and relevant industry experts and media. This is a great opportunity to learn from and meet with like-minded professionals from across the tourism, hospitality, and online travel sectors in South East Asia and globally.
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Program and topics
🤖 (Workshop) Optimize your Online Presence with ChatGPT, Deep Search and Agentic AI
💻 (Workshop) Creating New Products and Marketing Ideas with AI Coding Tools
🤝 Choosing and working successfully with Influencers & KOLs
🇻🇳 Future Trends of Central Vietnam Tourism and Hospitality
✈️ New Innovations in OTAs and Travel Tech
🚀 Travel Startup Pitch Competition.
🌏 The Role of Community in Shaping the Future of Travel
🥂 Industry networking, followed by exclusive after-party (seperate ticket required)
Tickets and Registration
Registration for Travel Massive Asia Conference 2025 Da Nang (27 August) is complimentary for Travel Massive members and includes entry to HorecFex Hospitality Exhibition and Forum (26-27 August).
• Morning workshops are limited to 100 seats.
• The post-event after-party in Da Nang city will be ticketed separately.
To secure your spot at Travel Massive Asia Conference 2025 Da Nang:
✅ Register on this official event page on Travel Massive
✅ Complete your free registration for HorecFex at horecfex.com/en/
FAQ: Where to stay / how to get there:
• The event will be hosted at the Ariyana Convention Centre in Da Nang, Vietnam.
• The official hotel is Furama Resort Danang (a 10 minute walk to the convention centre)
• Map of nearby hotels at viata.ai/event/travelmassive2025
• There are many accommodation options nearby the convention centre, and in Da Nang city.
• Fly direct to Da Nang International Airport (DAD) from international hubs including Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, or transit via Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Hanoi.
• Bus and train from HCMC (Saigon) to Da Nang for as low as $20 USD (full day or overnight trip)
• We recommend to extend your stay to explore Hoi An and Central Vietnam!
Event Updates and Offers
• From August 25-28 HoecFex and XanhSM (a Vietnamese e-car and e-bike hailing app) are working together for the sake of our environment. Book "Ariyana" as the starting point or ending point of your journey and get a 15% discount (max. VND 50,000 per ride). Download at www.xanhsm.com/download
• Download the full HorecFex agenda PDF (including networking events) at horecfex.com/en/agenda/
Questions or need advice? Contact us at danang@travelmassive.com
Link to event pageJoin us as we connect, brainstorm and analyze the future of travel in West Africa's largest cosmopolitan city of aquatic splendour. Mark your calendar!
Join us from 11am - 3pm at Seventh Heaven Lounge & Bar, VIP Section, 6th Floor, Heritage Mall, Iju Road, Ifako-Agege. For enquiries, kindly Call / WhatsApp +234 803 442 1195
Link to event pageFuture Ready: Scaling Travel Innovation — An Evening with Stripe, Scalerr & Travel Massive
Travel Massive Melbourne, Stripe and Scalerr invite travel industry leaders to an exclusive travel industry innovation night. Join us at private gathering of industry pioneers, leading travel brands, investors, and disruptive startups reshaping the future of travel and hospitality.
Venue: QT Melbourne (Paramount Room)
📍 Location: 133 Russell St (maps.app.goo.gl/E6sKXgJQHBb54Gmd9)
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 16th September 2025
🕕 Time: 5:30pm - 6pm registration. Main event 6pm - 8pm.
✅ Spaces are limited, RSVP is essential
Why Attend?
This curated evening is for travel professionals and agencies seeking a strategic edge. Gain exposure to emerging travel technologies and ideas, and meet the executives and founders behind innovative Australian travel companies who are driving sector-wide transformation at scale.
The Program Features:
Panel discussion and 1:1 interviews with innovative Australian travel companies who are scaling their businesses to solve real-world challenges in travel operations, experience design, payments, and personalisation.
High-impact insights from executives and entrepreneurs on what it takes to scale innovation in Australia and how AI and new technologies are transforming travel experiences.
Networking, drinks and bites with peers and disruptors, including executives, senior decision makers, and startup founders at the forefront of next-generation travel solutions.
Schedule:
5:30pm: Arrival & Welcome Drinks
6:00pm: Opening Welcome by Stripe and Scalerr
6:10pm: Panel Discussion
7:00pm: Networking & Drinks
Featured Speakers:
• James Lemon, Global Lead - Travel, Transport, Leisure and Automotive, Stripe
• Helen Fee, General Manager APAC, Rezdy
• Mennan Yelkenci, Founder & CEO, Booked AI
• Michael Krywyn, Head of Commercial, Slice Pay
As the travel sector continues to evolve rapidly, this event offers a strategic lens into the technologies and models that could define your next competitive advantage. Who are the disruptors your business needs to watch? Where is innovation driving scale and efficiency? How should Australian travel companies position themselves for what's next?
Join us to find out.
Questions about this event? Please email Ian C: ian@travelmassive.com
📸 Please note: when you register for this event (which must be done in advance) we will also be sharing your details with Stripe and Scalerr to allow us to process your registration and facilitate your access to the event. There will also be photography at the event.
Link to event pageNoVacancy, held at the world-class ICC Sydney on 17 & 18 September 2025, is the biggest and most important annual event for professionals in the hotel and accommodation industry.
Access big developments in new brands and product launches, essential education and industry insights, crucial networking, and serious deal-making. It’s all here waiting to be experienced.
Discover 300+ leading exhibitors and innovators on the NoVacancy expo floor.
From sourcing new products to exploring industry trends and experiencing live demos, this is your chance to connect with exhibitors showcasing the latest tools, tech and services designed to elevate your hotel operations and guest experience - all in one place.
Targeted and focused, we’re bringing the best minds, hottest case studies and brutally honest panel discussions together for two days of gripping knowledge sharing at NoVacancy.
Learn from leading experts from: Accor Group, Accommodation Australia, Amadeus, HSMAI, Ovolo Hotels, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels, Marriott International, Colliers International, Salter Brothers Hospitality, CrystalBrook Collection, Transport & Tourism Forum, TFE Hotels, SiLANT, The Langham Group and many many more.
2024 NoVacancy Expo — Tech Highlights
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFNqQTVswpY
This is your opportunity to make smart connections, gather insights, and get business done, all in one place. Secure Your Free Ticket Today.
Link to event pagePDX Travel Massive events are free and have connected thousands of tourism professionals, travel media, creators, and startups over the past decade.
Join us for an evening of connection and conversation at The Society Hotel, located in Portland’s historic Old Town. Built in 1881 as a safe haven for sailors, the hotel has served many roles—hospital, Japanese-owned hotel, and Chinese American meeting hall—adding to its rich cultural legacy. Revived in 2013 by a team of local visionaries, it now features boutique lodging, a rooftop deck with sweeping city views, and a welcoming café. The team has also expanded to Bingen, Washington, where their second location offers a wellness retreat with spa amenities and cozy cabins in the Columbia River Gorge.
When you arrive, check in at the front desk, and we encourage you to order food and drinks from the Society Hotel Café (available for purchase). Feel free to mingle in the lobby before heading up to the rooftop for sunset views, great vibes, and an end-of-summer celebration.
📋 Café Menu: thesocietyhotel.com/portland/cafe/menu/
Kandace Paradee, the General Manager of The Society Hotel, will also be joining us to share her journey - from retail to hospitality - and her experience running one of downtown Portland’s most iconic hotels. Don’t miss this chance to connect and celebrate the travel community together.
Event Details
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 17
⏰ Time: 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Location: The Society Hotel
203 NW 3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon
🗺️ Address: maps.app.goo.gl/8vJMQBEo6Nos54wK8
👉 RSVP is essential. Please register on this event page. Note that attendance is limited to 50 people.
The Society Hotel
📸 www.instagram.com/societyhotel/
🌐 thesocietyhotel.com/portland/
Travel Innovation Night — A Social and Networking Evening with Stripe, Scalerr & Travel Massive
Travel Massive Sydney, Stripe and Scalerr invite travel industry leaders to an exclusive travel industry innovation night. Coinciding with the NoVacancy Hotel & Accommodation Industry Expo, join us at private gathering of industry pioneers, leading travel brands, investors, and disruptive startups reshaping the future of travel and hospitality.
Travel Massive first timer or long-standing regular, we're looking forward to welcoming you.
Venue: Little National Hotel Sydney (Rooftop Bar)
📍 Location: 26 Clarence St (maps.app.goo.gl/ctgRuZaoW4zsnHwB7)
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 17th September 2025
🕕 Time: 6pm - 9pm (Welcome drinks 6pm to 7pm).
👉 Spaces are limited, RSVP is essential
We're looking forward to bringing the Sydney Travel Massive community together for an evening of networking, food and drinks. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. Whether you're attending the NoVacancy Expo or not, come and meet with like minded professionals from across the travel, hospitality and leisure sectors.
The evening is also an opportunity to connect with Stripe's Travel, Transport and Leisure Lead James Lemon, and their Australian solutions team. Millions of companies from the world's largest enterprises to the most ambitious start-ups use Stripe.com to accept payments, grow revenue and accelerate new business opportunities.
Also joining us will be Kerry Tate, Global Director of Travel Technology of Scalerr.com — a global agency that scales high grown tech companies with a strategic playbook of proven growth strategy and talent acquisition.
Questions about this event? Please email Ian C: ian@travelmassive.com
📸 Please note: when you register for this event (which must be done in advance) we will also be sharing your details with Stripe and Scalerr to allow us to process your registration and facilitate your access to the event. There will also be photography at the event.
Link to event pageHere's the 10 latest classified ads:
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