View From Afar

Nayara Resorts is confronting one of tourism's most overlooked problems—the housing crisis that forces local workers out of their communities in remote areas—by building homes for its most vulnerable employees. In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Leo Ghitis, CEO of Nayara Resorts, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to discuss how the luxury resort group is addressing both environmental devastation and social inequality in Latin America's rural communities. Leo shares Nayara's 15-year evolution from "improvising" regenerative travel to implementing a 10-year strategic plan with environmental consultants. The results include planting 40,000 trees to restore a barren mountain in Costa Rica, creating the only carbon-neutral luxury hotel in Chile, and operating a 100 percent off-grid island resort in Panama powered entirely by solar energy. But it's Nayara's housing project that represents its most ambitious social initiative—subdividing land near its Costa Rica properties to provide subsidized lots and mortgages to female-headed households, with no requirement that recipients continue working at the resort. As Leo explains, meaningful luxury today isn't about escaping the world but engaging with it in a safe, sensitive way—and younger travelers increasingly choose hotels based on their positive impact rather than their amenities. What You'll Learn Nayara eliminated plastics 15 years ago and now operates carbon-neutral properties across Costa Rica, with its Chilean property earning the country's highest ecological certification The resort's reforestation project transformed a barren mountain into a thriving ecosystem with birds, monkeys, and sloths after 10 years and 40,000 planted trees Short-term rentals like Airbnb have created a housing crisis in rural tourism areas by pricing out local workers from traditional rental housing Younger travelers ask Nayara's reservation team about environmental and community impact before asking about rates or amenities Key Moments [3:11] Leo reveals how hiring environmental consultants transformed Nayara from "improvising" sustainability to following a strategic 10-year plan with measurable goals [10:36] Discussion of tourism's dark side: how fathers leave rural communities for city work and never return, leaving vulnerable families behind [13:00] The housing project details: providing subsidized land and mortgages to female-headed households with no strings attached to employment [21:09] Leo's observation that meaningful luxury has shifted from "extravagance and hedonistic luxury" to guests wanting to connect with nature, place, and themselves Resources Visit the Nayara Resorts website for property information Read an in-depth, first-person review of Nayara Bocas del Toro in Panama on afar.com. Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Explore Nayara's sustainability initiatives and community programs Stay Connected ⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Unpacked,⁠⁠⁠⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Langham Hospitality Group is proving that heritage brands can innovate without losing their soul, transforming historic buildings into contemporary luxury destinations while maintaining the personal service that defines true hospitality. In this ILTM⁠ (International Luxury Travel Market), recorded live in Cannes, Bob van den Oord, CEO of Langham Hospitality Group, joins Afar editor-in-chief Julia Cosgrove to share how he's guided the 160-year-old brand through thoughtful expansion that honors its British legacy while embracing modern wellness, design, and guest expectations. Bob discusses Langham's journey from opening Europe's first grand hotel with elevators in 1865 to current projects converting iconic buildings—from Chicago's former IBM building to Bangkok's historic Custom House—into luxury properties that tell compelling local stories. The brand now operates with what Bob calls "a British heart, an Asian soul, and a global mindset," creating spaces where posh pubs coexist with traditional Chinese medicine spas and cooking schools share space with world-class bars. Bob also explores the challenge of attracting Gen Z talent to hospitality through specialized academies and how the "Langham Way" of unscripted, authentic service remains the brand's non-negotiable standard across all properties. What You'll Learn The "Langham Way" emphasizes unscripted, authentic service where staff have freedom to engage personally with guests and tell their own stories Modern luxury travelers seek "freedom of time and freedom of space," driving Langham to expand room sizes to 50 square meters and invest millions in garden landscapes Langham selects properties with compelling stories—from Venice's glass factory to Boston's Federal Reserve bank—that help connect guests to local heritage The brand operates four specialized academies (Chinese cuisine, traditional Chinese medicine, pastry, and bar) to attract and develop young talent in hospitality Key Moments [2:30] Bob reveals why he decided to add a "posh pub" to the London property, proving luxury can embrace unexpected elements [3:37] Discussion of a guest's "love letter" describing how staff remember his martini preference and cappuccino style, embodying the Langham Way [9:53] Bob explains Langham's wellness expansion, from traditional Chinese medicine spas to pickleball courts and partnership with Sleep Matters for comprehensive sleep programs [13:27] The talent challenge: How Langham's academy system aims to make hospitality "sexy again" for Gen Z workers Resources Visit the Langham Hospitality Group website for property information and bookings Read our coverage of Langham on afar.com, including a conversation between Bob and Afar senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers. Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For more than four decades, Matthew Upchurch has been a driving force behind how high-end travel is sold, experienced, and understood. As CEO of ⁠Virtuoso⁠ , one of the world's leading luxury travel networks, he's championed human connection in an increasingly digital world and advocated for the enduring value of trusted advisors and transformative, purpose-driven travel. In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Afar cofounder Joe Diaz sits down with Matthew to discuss how the luxury sector is evolving, what personalization really means today, and where he sees the next opportunities for meaningful travel experiences. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping the advisor role, why debriefing clients is the most underrated skill in the business, and how intergenerational collaboration is breathing new life into travel advising. What You'll Learn •       Matthew's philosophy of "automate the predictable so you can humanize the exceptional" and how AI amplifies rather than replaces advisors •       The critical difference between service (what you do) and hospitality (how you make someone feel doing it) •       Why the quality of the post-trip debrief is the number one factor that separates transactional agents from trusted advisors •       The concept of "unique ability teams" and why pairing right-brain relationship builders with left-brain logistics experts creates exponential value •       How the travel advisor profession has evolved from GDS "human ATMs" to unchained creative professionals •       The "FOMO to Slowmo" trend and other shifts in how luxury travelers approach their journeys Key Moments •       [02:00] Matthew introduces his most quoted line: "Automate the predictable so that you can humanize the exceptional" •       [03:30] Will Guidara's definition of hospitality: "Service is that thing you do. Hospitality is how you make somebody feel doing that thing you do" •       [05:00] The framework: what do you do before, during, and after travel—and why the debrief matters most •       [08:00] Anne Scully's game-changing question: "If you could change one thing about that trip, what would it be?" •       [09:30] The evolution of travel advisors from the 1950s Pan Am era through GDS to the iPhone-enabled present •       [12:00] The unique ability concept: what drains you vs. what recharges you, and building teams around this distinction •       [14:00] Chip Conley's wisdom: "I'll lend you some of my EQ for some of your DQ"—the power of intergenerational collaboration •       [18:00] The creative tension of sophisticated travelers: returning to beloved places vs. exploring the new •       [20:00] Why advisors should help clients think strategically about their "most valuable non-renewable asset"—free leisure time Resources •       Learn more about Virtuoso and their global network of travel advisors •       Read Patrick Lencioni's The Advantage and Five Dysfunctions of a Team, referenced by Matthew •       Explore Chip Conley's book Wisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder •       Learn about ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected ⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts,⁠⁠ ⁠Unpacked,⁠⁠⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matter of Form is proving that luxury travel brands need therapy—not to fix what's broken, but to discover what makes them singular in a sea of "elevated experiences" and "art of luxury" clichés. In this ILTM episode, recorded live in Cannes, Anant Sharma, founder and CEO of Matter of Form, joins Afar cofounder Joe Diaz to dissect why luxury hospitality has become awash with homogenized language and how brands can reclaim their confidence through clarity of purpose. With 60 people working across continents, the London-based Matter of Form has transformed hospitality giants like Aman Resorts, Belmond, Mandarin Oriental, and Lindblad by finding the unspoken truths within organizations. The conversation explores luxury travel's eight percent compound annual growth and $1.38 trillion market size, and why bigger isn't always better when everyone's competing with identical promises. What You'll Learn The luxury travel market's growth creates more competition and pushes brands toward clichéd language like "elevated experiences" and "being in the heart of" destinations Successful luxury brands must identify which aspect of their guests' personality they're appealing to and deliver on that singular promise Matter of Form provides three key values: outside perspective, forcing clients to make time for change, and understanding what's not explicitly stated Organizational design and stakeholder values reveal more about a brand's true identity than their marketing materials Key Moments [2:25] Anant traces his path from magazine-obsessed kid with authority issues to luxury brand consultant via a 10-year transformation journey with Aman Resorts [7:36] The homogenization problem: "You can't tell people how to feel. You need to invite them into a stage that makes them feel something" [10:17] Why branding is like therapy: helping intelligent, creative leaders see past their blind spots and find what's naturally special about their culture [12:20] Joe identifies the core issue: luxury brands lack confidence to step into who they truly are, and matter of form gives them permission to be themselves Resources Visit the Matter of Form website for case studies and insights Listen to Anant's podcast, What The Luxe, exploring modern luxury concepts Learn about ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected ⁠Sign up⁠⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter,⁠ ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts,⁠ ⁠Unpacked,⁠⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and⁠ ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AmaWaterways is expanding river cruising's appeal beyond its traditional audience, drawing in solo travelers, active families, and wellness-focused guests who are discovering this style of travel for the first time. In this ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) episode, recorded live in Cannes, Catherine Powell, the new CEO of AmaWaterways, joins Afar editor in chief Julia Cosgrove to reveal the brand's fresh visual identity and expansion plans, including eight new European ships and pioneering Colombian routes. Catherine brings expertise from Disney Parks and Airbnb to the family-founded company, applying her knowledge of memorable guest experiences to river cruising. Under her leadership since early 2025, AmaWaterways is cutting through the "sea of sameness" with distinctive branding and curated experiences, from Smithsonian journeys to Soulful Experiences cruises celebrating Black culture. The conversation also explores the brand's pioneering spirit—and how it maintains intimacy while scaling. What You'll Learn AmaWaterways is launching several new ships through 2027, including the AmaRudi (named after co-founder Rudi Schreiner) Every AmaWaterways ship has a dedicated wellness host leading programs from morning yoga to differentiated hiking levels for "gentle walkers" and active adventurers The brand offers specialized cruises including Adventures by Disney partnerships, Soulful Experiences, Latin Touch, and Smithsonian Journeys to connect like-minded travelers Solo travelers are thoughtfully accommodated with dedicated tours, strategic table arrangements with a fifth chair, and inclusive programming during holidays Key Moments [1:59] Catherine unveils AmaWaterways' brand refresh at ILTM, explaining the need to stand out in a market full of "blue and gold sameness" [4:26] Discussion of Catherine's Disney and Airbnb background: deconstructing hospitality to its core elements of welcome, communication, care, and surprise [6:18] Julia shares her personal experience sailing with young children, highlighting how crew members embodied the family-founded company's warmth [13:35] What wellness on board looks and feels like [16:31] Catherine's vision for innovation: from Colombia's Magdalena River infrastructure to using AI to enhance rather than replace human connections Resources Visit the AmaWaterways website for cruise information and bookings Explore our river cruise coverage featuring AmaWaterways on afar.com Discover ILTM Cannes where this conversation was recorded Stay Connected Sign up⁠ for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor. Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, ⁠Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel, and ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. View From Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. This ILTM special series was recorded live in Cannes, France. View From Afar is a production of Afar. The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices