Talking Travel with John Kirk

Send us Fan Mail What makes a great cruise vacation — and who is the perfect cruiser? John Kirk sits down with Ian Patterson, Country Manager for Canada at MSC Cruises , for a wide-ranging conversation about the world of cruising and why more travellers are considering a vacation at sea with MSC Cruises. John and Ian talk about the onboard experience, from food and dining to the incredible variety a cruise can offer, and explore how a cruise vacation compares with a traditional land-based holiday. Ian also shares insights into who cruising is really for and discusses MSC Cruises’ Fly & Cruise offerings for Canadians , including the opportunity to combine flights with a Caribbean cruise departing from La Romana in the Dominican Republic . Whether you’re an experienced cruiser or wondering if your next vacation should be at sea, it’s a conversation packed with insights and ideas for your next getaway. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Great conversation during our LIVE radio show on October 4th, the Canadian Travel News Hour on Zoomer Radio in Toronto. Fantastic consumer interest, based on the live calls we took in studio. An amazing Canadian success story, solely owned by Bruce Poon Tip. Enjoy! Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Canadian Travel News Hour with John Kirk: Royalton Luxury Resorts On this episode of the Canadian Travel News Hour with John Kirk on Zoomer Radio , we sat down with Todd Kirlik, Senior Director of Trade Sales & Business Development at Royalton Luxury Resorts , for a wide-ranging conversation about travel, resorts and what’s ahead. We discuss the story behind Royalton as a Canadian-owned luxury resort company , its latest developments and continued growth, as well as the rebound of tourism in Jamaica as Royalton properties reopen and welcome guests back following the hurricane. Todd also shares his perspective on the continued rise of multigenerational travel , with grandparents, parents and children increasingly vacationing together, and how resorts are adapting to the different expectations and needs of each generation. It’s a conversation about Canadian success, Caribbean resilience, new resort experiences and the changing way families travel together. Join us on October 4th on Zoomer Radio at 11:00 EST with G Adventures David Green, VP Customer and Sales Operations & Managing Director Canada. Download the Zoomer Radio app for a superb listening experience. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Politics is a tough gig, to say the least. My guest in this episode is Hon Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism for Jamaica. He has spent close to 50 years serving the people of Jamaica. Those people must love him, because he keeps on getting elected. This was a very interesting discussion for me, drilling down to learn what can motivate someone for so long in the same space. I hope you enjoy this episode with Ed Bartlett. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail What makes G Adventures different from a typical vacation? In this episode David Green, Managing Director of Canada and VP global sales for G Adventures explains how small group travel, authentic local experiences and community tourism are changing the way Canadians explore the world, and learn why purposeful travel creates deeper connections, supports local communities and delivers experiences that last long after you return home. Can Travel change the World? Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oy, Oy, Oy! Really great discussion with Robin Mack, Managing Director of Tourism Australia event in Toronto on March 2 at 1 King West. A few real nuggets of information in here on Canadian travel to the land down under.. oh... and ya.. my Aussie accent gets shot down real quick.. if interested the video version can be found here. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail After encephalitis left him a full-time wheelchair user, veteran travel advisor David Lyons Black rebuilt his business around accessible travel — and uncovered an industry still riddled with gaps. From “on request” hotel rooms to inconsistent standards, he speaks candidly about risk, responsibility, and dignity. This episode is a wake-up call for advisors, cruise lines, and hoteliers alike. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail G Adventures Founder Bruce Poon Tip in conversation with John Kirk at #GXJordan. It's doozy, but worthy of your time. We cover a lot of ground. Community Tourism continues to drive every decision made at G Adventures, and there is no sign of slowing down. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Today, international Women's day, we sat down with two incredible women who are changing the way Canadians fly.. Well kind of. Air Canada announced a huge refresh of their onboard menu items and snacks today. One of which, is a pretzel which you are going to love. You may be thinking.. Pretzel's Kirk seriously? Listen in, and enjoy the journey as Jackie Harkness, Managing Director Product and Services, and Ashley Ehmann, Co-Founder of TWIGZ talk us through the path to the big day. Enjoy! Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail If you are Canadian or live somewhere in the North East US, Porter Airlines is more than likely a familiar name to you. Launched in 2006 out of Toronto City Airport, now known as Billy Bishop Airport, the Airline has patiently grown into a celebrated Canadian Airline winning multiple awards. Now the company has moved into to the world of Jets with their ever growing fleet of Embraer E195-2 Aircraft and are set on redefining what economy class service looks and feels like, as they introduce new routes across North America at a record pace. Make sure to please follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we tour the all Celebrity Excel during her official naming ceremony. Allan Brooks Canadian Director Market Sales walks us through what makes the Edge series so remarkable. Watch the episode here - Copy and paste the link below.. https://www.travelpulse.ca/videos/cruise/babbling-brooks-with-john-kirk-episode-1-video Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Allan Brooks Canadian Director of Market Sales for Celebrity Cruises get into the nitty gritty with me on what makes Celebrity unique to travellers and the evolution of a cruise traveller. We had a blast " Talking Travel " while at a " Golf Simulator " in Toronto. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Bruce Poon Tip Founder & CEO of legendary Canadian adventure company G Adventures spoke with John Kirk in Cusco Peru during the companies annual event. They touch on community tourism, and what philanthropy means to his organisation, the efforts of Planeterra plus more. Enjoy! Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail John Kirk sat down with NCL's Chief Sales officer and talks cruising! During this exclusive interview she reveals some exciting information about the cruise lines newest addition " The Prima " We hope you enjoy this conversation1 Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail We conducted a live interview from Saint Lucia with their Canadian representative Rod Hanna. He provides some pretty interesting insights on what traveling to Saint Lucia is like during COVID Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Fantastic banter during this episode of Kirk Talks Travel. Prime edit for our intro. Incredible similarities between the Music and Travel industries. We talk about those, his recovery from a stroke and the broken neck that sidelined him for a period of time. ENjoy Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Originally aired on May 11, 2020 as COVID-19 circled the globe wreaking havoc on the travel, tourism and hospitality industries we had the opportunity to sit down during a Facebook LIVE interview with Saint Lucian Tourism Minister. It as a devastating, and frightful time with many unknowns. Interesting to sit back and listen to this conversation from alomost 8 months ago. Enjoy. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Original Air Date June 1, 2020. It was fantastic to spend some time with Bruce in the early days of the pandemic. His thoughts and views were engaging and insightful. One of our most viewed episodes available on now on Kirk Talks Travel Podcast. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Original Air Date - November 3, 2020 - We sat down with ACTA president Wendy Paradis, she walked us through the devastating impact COVID is having on Travel advisors across the country, and what the efforts the associations is working on with the Federal Government to ensure some level of sustainability. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.

Send us Fan Mail Originally Aired April 28, 2020 - The Bahamas has done well with COVID-19, but a country that’s extremely reliant on tourism is eagerly awaiting the day when Canadians and Americans can again arrive on its sunny shores. Make sure to follow on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , Amazon Podcast , Spotify or your favourite podcast service.