21 episodes. 21 conversations. A world of travel, in good company.

Recorded in just one day on the trade show floor at IT&CMA & CTW 2026, the new series of Trends brings together the personalities, places and ideas shaping how we travel, meet and see the world.

Each episode pairs an in-depth editorial in TravelDailyNews.asia with the full video interview on the Trends YouTube channel. Expect fresh perspectives on everything from expedition adventures and corporate cruising to community enterprise and the next generation of tourism talent.

From Asia and beyond, these are conversations worth making time for.

Trends. It’s All Talk!

Fri 2 Oct | Episode 108

Theodore Koumelis meets Ric Gazarian, founder and organiser of the Extraordinary Travel Festival III, coming to Bangkok on 22–25 October 2026.

Mon 5 Oct | Episode 109

Imtiaz Muqbil joins David to discuss his two books on Thai tourism, with cancel culture also on the agenda.

Wed 7 Oct | Episode 110

David meets Jiselle Rafael and Yusuf Falih, Jakarta Youth Tourism Ambassadors bringing a new generation’s perspective to the conversation.

Fri 9 Oct | Episode 111

David meets Jan Basson of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions to explore a more adventurous approach to corporate group travel.

Mon 12 Oct | Episode 112

Theodore Koumelis meets Dr Bongkosh Rittichainuwat, Director of the International Program in Hotel & Tourism Management at Siam University.

Wed 14 Oct | Episode 113

Almaty enters the spotlight as Theodore Koumelis meets Sanzhar Kaleshov from Kazakhstan.

Fri 16 Oct | Episode 114

David meets JP of Travel Press Korea, a publishing veteran and lifetime member of PATA.

Mon 19 Oct | Episode 115

David joins George H. Mandler-Maxheim, founder of Oriental Hospitality Experts, for a conversation on the world of luxury MICE.

Wed 21 Oct | Episode 116

Theodore Koumelis meets Liew Chia Jia “CJ”, Regional Director Southeast Asia at Hong Kong Tourist Board.

Fri 23 Oct | Episode 117

David meets Parth Saranthi Patnaik, IGLTA’s Membership Manager for India & Asia, to discuss the influence and potential of LGBTQ+ travel.

Mon 26 Oct | Episode 118

Theodore Koumelis catches up with Eileen Quek from Singapore Expo.

Wed 28 Oct | Episode 119

Corporate travel takes to the water as David joins Diana Bloss of Worldwide Cruise Associates for an update on corporate cruising.

Fri 30 Oct | Episode 120

The corporate cruising conversation continues with David and Matthew Boutrell of Crystal Cruises A&K.

Mon 2 Nov | Episode 121

David meets global speaker and author Jonathan Low to discuss public speaking and educating the next generation of industry professionals through GRIT.

Wed 4 Nov | Episode 122

David joins Eugene Tan of Trip.biz to explore the world of digitally managed business travel.

Fri 6 Nov | Episode 123

The editor becomes the interviewee as David turns the tables on Karen Yue of TTGmice to ask her questions on today’s MICE industry.

Mon 9 Nov | Episode 124

Author and AI marketing consultant Amber S Hoffman joins David in conversation.

Wed 11 Nov | Episode 125

David meets Khun Naruemon Putchakarn, founder of COCO MICE Management, a social enterprise connecting local farmers with the MICE industry through fresh coconuts.

Fri 13 Nov | Episode 126

David meets Rachel Weiss, Digital Marketing Manager & Travel Creator at Lost Plate Tours, founded in China and now expanding rapidly across Asia.

Mon 16 Nov | Episode 127

Life in Hua Hin comes into focus as David meets Sarah Randall, founder and Managing Director of Crane Events.

Wed 18 Nov | Episode 128

For the final conversation, we turn to the Philippines, meeting Maxine Kate Tagros, MICE Manager at Philippines MICE, on the IT&CMA trade show floor.

Dropping on screens soon! Tune in to Trends. It's all talk!

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