In this special News Flash episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences, host Mario Bauduin breaks down the biggest travel, ticketing, and live event stories making waves in May 2025.

From the explosive growth of music tourism — projected to hit $268 billion by 2030 according to IQ Magazine — to Airbnb’s new partnership with Live Nation, this episode explores how fandom, festivals, and unforgettable experiences are redefining global travel habits. We also examine Booking.com's new NBA deal and how it could change the game for sports-focused travel.

You'll hear:

• Why 60% of travelers (AMEX Global Travel Trends Report) are booking trips specifically for live experiences

• How Airbnb’s “Experiences” finally found a festival-friendly formula

• What A-Rod’s $1B Dominican Republic development means for Caribbean luxury tourism

• Why the Knicks' playoff run is pumping nearly $1B into NYC’s economy

• What the "Trump Slump" means for inbound U.S. tourism from Canada and China — and how premium travelers are keeping Vegas afloat

• Skift’s take on “Live Tourism” and how destinations are leaning into sports and culture to drive repeat visitation

This is the episode for ticketing pros, travel marketers, event producers, and anyone shaping the future of experiential tourism.

Listen and follow for more insights on the business of travel experiences.
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Ep. 37 - Ticketing, Travel, and Trust: Why BookSeats is Winning Over Teams and Fans with Joseph DeMarinis

Podcast Episode Description:
In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences, host Mario Bauduin sits down with Joseph DeMarinis, Founder and CEO of BookSeats.com, for a deep dive into the evolution of fan travel and the technology that's reshaping how sports teams and entertainment properties connect with their audiences.

Joseph breaks down how BookSeats enables seamless ticket + hotel + flight bookings through white-label fan travel platforms for major teams like the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Vegas Golden Knights. From schedule release surges to global fan insights and travel-driven sponsorships, we explore how BookSeats is helping teams monetize travel, simplify operations, and build brand trust with data-rich, low-lift solutions.

This episode covers:

• The rise of event-first travel and what fans are really booking

• Why teams are turning to BookSeats instead of building travel platforms in-house

• How travel data is unlocking new revenue from sponsorships and global fan bases

• The missed opportunity for OTAs in live event ticketing

• What the future of B2B and B2C travel tech looks like for sports and music

If you’re in ticketing, sports marketing, live entertainment, or online travel, this is a must-listen episode.

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For Fan Travel Packages, visit www.bookseats.com

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FREE TICKETS?! Yes, really. In this episode of Tickets to Travel: The Business of Travel Experiences, we’re joined by the ultimate guest list insider, Lance Dashoff, founder of Loudie — the app that’s quietly revolutionizing how fans score free concert, comedy, and festival tickets across the U.S.

From his early days at WME curating VIP access, to launching a platform that fills empty seats and fuels unforgettable nights out, Lance spills the tea on:

• Why 30–40% of tickets go unsold

• How promoters are secretly using free ticketing to boost bar sales and fan buzz

• The economics behind live events and why not all sold-out shows are actually sold out

• How Loudie helps fans and venues win — without the scammy vibes

• Why travel pros and concierges should start recommending this app yesterday

Whether you’re in LA, NYC, or stuck in traffic on the way to Philly — this is the episode you can’t afford to miss (literally).

Download Loudie, follow us @tix2travelpod on TikTok, IG, and YouTube, and grab your next night out before someone else does.

Because every ticket is a ticket to travel — and sometimes the best ones are free.

www.tttpod.com