Inside Experiences: A New Video Series from Arival

Arival has become the place where the tours, activities and attractions community comes together — to learn, to do business, and to make new connections. One of the biggest challenges, often, is time: not having enough time to attend all the sessions you want to attend, do all the business you want to do, meet all the people you want to meet (not to mention, eat all the things you want to eat). 

So, to keep those good vibes going in this in-between season, we’re starting a new video series, “Inside Experiences”, to share some of the conversations we capture with Arival speakers and attendees around Arival events. 

Here are some of the conversations we had with attendees at the latest Arival event in Washington, DC. We discussed everything from how tour operators are innovating, to how they’re adapting to concerns of overtourism in a community-friendly way, to even how one attendee handled bringing her baby along for the conference ride. 

Most of these conversations will also be made available on YouTube, but for now you can check out the start of the series here:

An AI Action Plan for an Unsuspecting Operator: Discover Banff Tours

At the AI Forum for Destination Experiences, Emily Duann of Discover Banff Tours found herself unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight as the business selected for a live AI skills competition, in which two teams competed to recommend AI-powered improvements for her tour company. In this conversation, Duann shares what the experience was like, the recommendations that stood out to her from the AI pro teams, and what she plans to implement when she goes home. 

She also touches on how her business is being impacted (or not) by changing traveler patterns around U.S. travel — as more international travelers are choosing Canada, and Canadians and Americans alike continue to visit Banff. 

Selling Customized Tours in the Multi-Day Space: KimKim

In this conversation, Joost Schreve, CEO of Kimkim, lifts the curtain on how the multi-day tour operator curates nearly 10,000 private trips each year, what travelers actually want in 2025 and beyond, and why the human specialist still beats a fully automated AI planning tool.

We talk about curated supply, the rise of the spreadsheet-weary traveler and the tension between social media and search engines. Schreve also shares surprising lessons from early AI experiments, the company’s evolving brand strategy and where he sees the biggest opportunities and challenges heading into 2026.

Leading Boat Tours with Innovation: Holo Holo Charters

In this conversation, we catch up with the winner of Arival’s Tour Innovator Spotlight Award, Holo Holo charters. Director of Sales & Marketing Megan Coscarella describes how her company’s innovation story stretches from the Napali Coast all the way to the boatyard. She shares how the company’s innovative shipbuilding efforts — they are constructing two 75-foot, carbon-infused catamarans using materials more commonly found in rockets and Formula One cars — are a breakthrough for marine tourism in Hawaii. 

She also discusses how Holo Holo blends innovation with a commitment to their community, including through a paid volunteer program, conservation initiatives and a donation matching partnership.

What’s Behind a Restech Rebrand (Besides Koalas): Cobber

Often, tech companies focused on the experiences sector will choose to announce new things during Arival events — new tools, new ideas, and sometimes even new names. This year, attendees may have noticed a few more koalas around the networking lounge, as longtime reservation tech provider ResPax unveiled its new identity as Cobber — a name drawn from an old Australian slang term meaning “trusted mate.” We caught up with CEO Tony Bridgewater on the story behind the re-naming.

How Can Operators Adapt to Overtourism? Connecting Travelers with Locals in a Community-Friendly Way: El Taco Club

“Overtourism” isn’t only a challenge in Europe — in Mexico City, the local backlash against what they refer to as “touristification” has become a hot topic. In this conversation, Melissa Foley, COO of El Taco Club, a Mexico City based tour operator, explains the growing challenges of working (and living) in a destination increasingly popular with digital nomads, and how her team is navigating these dynamics. By shifting conversations with travelers toward local norms and expectations, Foley says they aim to help visitors engage more responsibly and authentically with Mexico City’s people and culture, resulting in a better experience for locals and visitors alike.

ARIVAL 360 | VALENCIA

27-29 April 2026

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Transforming Audiences with Real Stories, Authentic Connections: Phare The Cambodian Circus

The word “authentic” gets overused but when Phare The Cambodian Circus Founder Craig Dodge says it, he means it. In this conversation, he shares a bit of what makes Phare different from your typical circus, and how it has changed the lives of the many staff and performers involved — not to mention the travelers that have experienced it.

Dodge also reflects on the idea of transformational experiences, noting that the impact works in both directions. Visitors often feel a deeper connection because the performances are rooted in real experiences rather than staged spectacle, while their attendance supports performers who have rebuilt their lives through Phare’s arts-based programs. This mutual exchange, he says, helps audiences leave with a sense that the encounter was both meaningful and genuinely shared.

Is that a… Baby? Arival’s Youngest Attendee

Usually when people talk about their “baby” in the context of a conference, they’re referring to an idea or a project or a company that they care deeply about and have invested a lot of their time and passion in. Sometimes, however, they’re talking about an actual baby. 

In this conversation, Walks & Devour Tours’ Nikki Padilla (and baby Anna) talk about navigating Arival with a baby in tow, and offer insights to other parents who might be considering bringing a pint-sized plus one.

See What’s New at Arival

From new faces to new ideas — and sometimes, new names — Arival continues to be an ecosystem of opportunity where the Best Part of Travel comes together to shape the future of experiences. We’ll continue to share highlights from conversations at these in-person events in the “Inside Experiences” video series. Don’t miss the next Arival event to connect, learn, and see what other surprises and possibilities await you, live and in person!.

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