Richard and Holly look back at 2025 and discuss what't hot and what's not for the year ahead.

Some of the significant developments in 2025 discussed are Intrepid's change to it's Climate Action Plan that Richard thinks will likely reverberate across the industry in 2026, as well as the decision by the office of Rail and Road to grant Virgin Trains access to Temple Mills which could open the door to future international train services. Holly was excited by the launch of Rewilding Europe's travel booking platform WilderPlaces.com, and they discuss the rise in the phenomenon of 'Coolcations' as well as the ongoing issues of overtourism, and that in Hilton's trend report, 'road trips' were identified as one of the stand out themes for 2026.

Looking ahead to 2026, Holly is excited to see how Julie Cheetham as the new CEO of Travalyst takes forward its new Data Hub, which launched at the end of 2025, as well as seeing The Travel Foundation's 'Where Next' campaign develop with its hard-hitting themes of climate justice, climate adaptation and risk of the climate crisis. Richard and Holly also discuss some of the exciting new overland routes in Europe, including overnight coach and rail services.

For Richard, travel highlights of the year included a visit to Les Arcs, the first B Corps mountain resort in Europe, seeing community-based conservation projects in Saint Lucia, discovering rural life in Gran Canaria and visiting it's neighbouring island El Hierro, and exploring the coast of West Sweden. For Holly, travel highlights included a swimming holidays in Malta, a press trip with Exodus to support the work of Rewilding Apeninnes, and a family holiday in Albania enjoying a 'day in the life of a shepherd' with Undiscovered Balkans.

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It’s a Journey is a brand new podcast series hosted by Richard Hammond, Publishing Director of Green Traveller Media and Holly Tuppen, sustainable travel writer and expert. Sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lemongrass⁠⁠⁠, the series tackles the uncomfortable, complex, and often overlooked questions facing the travel industry as it strives to have a better impact on people and places.

Thanks for listening! Please submit any questions or comments to ⁠⁠⁠⁠itsajourneypodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

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