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The Truth About Booking Travel (What No One Tells You)

  1. The Truth About Booking Travel (What No One Tells You) Edward Leos, publisher, The Hotel Guide 17:59

What if the greatest barrier to travel isn’t distance—
but access?

In this episode of Travel Talk, Edward R. Leos sits down with Brooks Laich, former NHL athlete turned Founder & CEO of World Playground, to unpack a fundamental shift happening across the global travel landscape.

This isn’t a conversation about booking engines or hotel rooms.

It’s about why travel changes people—and why too many are still locked out of experiencing it.

From standing face-to-face with a lion on safari to building a platform designed to remove hidden costs and industry friction, Brooks shares the moment that reshaped his perspective:

Travel isn’t a luxury.
It’s a human experience that should be more accessible.

Inside this conversation:

  • The moment that sparked a mission to make travel more accessible
  • Why most travelers don’t realize they’re paying hidden commissions
  • How transparency is becoming the new competitive advantage in travel
  • The shift from transactional bookings → meaningful experiences
  • Why the future of travel is about connection, not consumption

At its core, this episode challenges one of the biggest assumptions in the industry:

Is travel something we buy… or something that transforms us?

Because the brands that win next won’t just sell destinations.

They’ll create access to moments that change people.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on luxury travel, boutique hospitality, and the future of traveler behavior

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Edward Leos Edward R. Leos, Publisher - The Hotel Guide

The Hotel Guide is an award-winning, nationally-distributed tourism magazine, website, social media network, and podcast, celebrated for its in-depth exploration of the finest travel experiences.
Our bi-monthly digital magazine showcases top destinations, luxury hotels and resorts, rejuvenating wellness retreats, must-see attractions, and premier events across the U.S. and beyond.
Whether you're seeking inspiration for your next getaway or insider tips on the best places to stay and play, The Hotel Guide is your go-to resource for all things travel. Discover more at www.thehotelguide.com.