Experts

For information on the Caribbean, and specifically St. Maarten / St. Martin.

Wendy Olson Killion is a seasoned global travel industry leader with over two decades of experience driving growth, innovation, and partnerships across technology, distribution, and consumer travel platforms. She currently serves as CEO of Rome2Rio, the multimodal travel planning app beloved by millions of travelers worldwide for making complex journeys simple and surfacing sustainable alternatives like buses, trains, and ferries. Under her leadership, Rome2Rio is expanding its role as both a consumer favorite and a trusted B2B partner, helping travel brands integrate more bookable and eco-friendly transport options into their platforms.Previously, Wendy held senior executive roles at Expedia Group, where she built strategic partnerships with airlines, hoteliers, and destination organizations. and launched new advertising and technology initiatives. Her career has consistently centered on blending technology with customer-centric experiences to make travel and transport more discoverable, seamless, and accessible. Wendy has also held leadership positions at Cars.com and J.D. Power and Associates, where she focused on product innovation and digital transformation.In addition, Wendy has served on the Board for HSMAI Americas, VisitBritain’s Tourism Advisory Council, and Destinations International’s Partner Advisory Council. She is a sought-after speaker on topics including the evolution of multimodal travel, the intersection of tech and sustainability, and the future of travel distribution, speaking at such events as including Destinations International, Skift Global Forum, and WTM.As a thought leader and advocate for innovation in the travel and travel transport spaces, Wendy brings a dynamic perspective to discussions around how travelers move, what inspires discovery, and how the industry can better serve both people and the planet.

Hey there! 👋 I'm Michelle, a marketing strategist with 15 years of experience in social media and community management. I'm also an entrepreneur who built a following of 120k+ in the pop culture and travel blogging space. I've had the incredible opportunity to work with tech, hospitality, entertainment, consumer, and e-commerce brands and have led global teams that have driven growth and engagement. Formerly, I worked in television for 14 years at studios such as ABC, CBS, WB, and Sony.Currently, I'm focusing on my travel blog, Travel HerStory, and my action-adventure novel.

Meaghan Clawsie - Travel ExpertHi! I’m Meaghan, a luxury travel advisor and founder of Elated Escapes Travel, where I design bespoke journeys that go far beyond the typical itinerary. For the past seven years, I’ve been helping families, couples, and groups discover the kind of trips that stay with them for a lifetime, whether that’s a safari in South Africa, a sailing trip in the Mediterranean, or a food tour of Italy.I’ve been quoted in numerous publications (such as Travel & Leisure, CNN, the NYT, USA Today Travel, etc) as a travel expert.From Silicon Valley to the WorldBefore founding my travel agency, I spent many years in Silicon Valley during the industry's explosive growth. I worked at multiple startups, and living through that era gave me both an appreciation for innovation and a front-row seat to how technology revolutionized the way we discover, book, and share travel experiences.Over time, though, I realized my greatest passion isn’t building businesses, it’s building experiences. Travel has always been my way of connecting more deeply with the world, and I wanted to help others do the same. In 2018, I launched Elated Escapes Travel, and since then I’ve curated and planned trips for hundreds of clients through countless countries, with a focus on immersive, meaningful, and luxury travel.Travel as TransformationI’ve visited over 50 countries myself, across six continents (I still need to get to Antarctica!), and I approach every trip as a chance to experience a place from the inside out. For me, that has meant experiences like:Learning to make fresh pasta at the Pope’s summer palace using ingredients from his on-site farm (Holy cow!)Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and nearly getting charged by a male gorillaCanoeing down crystal-clear Slovenian rivers that feel almost otherworldly (while singing and drinking champagne out of plastic flutes)Peeing my pants on an out-of-control toboggan ride in AustriaTaking part in a communal meal with a Thai family after a pad-Thai cooking class in their homeEmbarking on safaris in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Namibia (can you tell I'm obsessed with safaris?!)And so much more.These aren’t just “vacation highlights,” they’re stories, and they’re the reason I believe travel is as much about transformation as it is about escape.Current ProjectsThe Amazing Place (Substack): My newsletter that combines sharp, personal travel essays with expert insights.The Travel Awards No One Asked For (blog series): A lighthearted but deeply immersive look at destinations I’ve personally explored, framed through unique “awards” (Best Markets: Barcelona; Most Surprising Country: Rwanda; Best Cooking Class: Thailand).Luxury Travel Confidential (book in development): A behind-the-scenes look at the modern travel industry, inspired by the sharp, candid tone of Kitchen Confidential. My aim is to reveal what really happens inside luxury travel, and so far it’s equal parts funny, honest, and revealing.My LifeI’m currently based in Austin, Texas (though my hometown of Alexandria, Virginia is calling me back), and when I’m not writing or planning trips, I’m usually toggling between three pairs of glasses (reading, distance, and computer), wrangling my lovable brindle dog Bear, or coaxing my boy-girl twins into traveling with me (next stop: Japan!).For me, travel is my throughline: it’s how I connect, how I create, and how I help others see the world with new eyes.Let’s connect here on Press Hook, or you can find my latest work at The Amazing Place.

A long-time New Yorker now based in Bermuda, Kate Lessa is the creative behind the brand—responsible for Saint Holiday's design, images, and overall mood. A Philadelphia native and alumnus of Boston University, she started working as a stylist after graduation.  This work led to a fascination with design and a move to New York City.  After years of designing accessories for brands DVF, Vera Wang and J Crew, Kate teamed up with friend Vijay Paintal in 2018 and pivoted into resort wear. An avid traveler, she always shops for wearable souvenirs on her trips.  Exploring markets, hotel boutiques, and artisan shops for embroidered tops, crochet dresses, and beaded jewelry, she likes to find items that conjure memories of a specific place and time. Influenced by this hobby, the duo started making vacation-ready pieces at a small factory in New York City.  The first samples were inspired by a vintage tuxedo shirt bought in the South of France.  Barneys picked up the launch collection, and many of these original designs are still core to the brand. 

My lifelong passion for hospitality has shaped both my personal journey and professional career.I’ve worn many hats over the years: Restaurant Manager, Restaurant Owner, Chef, and Mentor to rising culinary professionals at Johnson & Wales University.I’ve been part of resort and private club development, led full-scale operations as a General Manager and Regional Manager, and worked with incredible teams to bring memorable experiences to life. Travel has been a constant inspiration - whether exploring the coastlines of New England, the deserts of the Southwest, or the vibrant flavors of Europe.Along the way, I’ve pursued another great love: photography. I’m rarely without a camera or a notebook, always documenting meals, street scenes, and the little details that tell the story of a place. This Cafe Life began as a personal project - a way to organize my photos, journals, menus, maps, and memories.It’s grown into a curated collection of travel guides, recipes, and visual stories meant to inspire and inform. I hope you’ll find This Cafe Life to be your go-to for artful travel, culinary inspiration, and thoughtful suggestions - whether you’re planning your next big trip or simply daydreaming over coffee.

Meet Jeremy, your luxury African travel expert. Jeremy Kirschner is the founder of Golilo, a boutique luxury travel agency that creates ultra-personalised, thoughtful and extraordinary holidays across Africa. Born in South Africa and based in Cape Town, Jeremy is a trusted voice on African travel (Southern Africa in particular). He is known for his deep local knowledge, safari insights and passion for showcasing the best of the continent. Jeremy launched Golilo in 2019 with a desire to offer “unreasonably excellent service” and a focus on enriching, tailored experiences. As a serious wildlife and outdoor enthusiast, he has spent many years exploring the unique and untamed corners of the region—whether it’s encountering the Big Five on foot, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, running 100 miles through the Cape’s Garden Route trails, or searching for rare birds in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands.Jeremy’s purpose is to enable more travellers to see Africa the way he does: as the most diverse, inspiring and remarkable place on Earth.

I am an award-winning scholar and media professional, with a PhD in sociology from the University of Florida. I have taught SYG2000 Principles of Sociology and SYA4110 Development of Sociological Thought in the Department of Sociology and Criminology and Law at the University of Florida and food and culture for St. Johns University in Rome. I am a qualitative researcher and food enthusiast with a deep-rooted passion for authenticity in foodways and the social construction of the narrative of authentic food. I am an expert in Turkish meyhane culture and I completed a three year project surrounding authenticity on Italian restaurant websites. I am the past president of the Florida Society of the Social Sciences. My research interests include the sociology of food, authenticity, gender, and ethnicity in food culture. I am also the founder and editor of Authenticfood.com®.AuthenticFood.com® focuses on the exploration of food as more than just recipes and nutritional information, it is about social experiences and history. Food provides a channel to understand collective identities through social interactions. These social interactions can construct concepts like authentic food. Our mission is to tell the stories of how we construct ideas of authentic food as well as preserve food stories that perhaps disappear as food evolves with the help of home cooks, chefs, farmers, academics, and restaurant owners. AuthenticFood.com® is in the food media and cultural storytelling industry. The site specializes in exploring food culture, history, authenticity, and the socio-cultural narratives around food. This type of industry combines aspects of digital media, culinary arts, anthropology, and cultural journalism, creating content that spans beyond traditional food blogging or recipe sharing by delving into the origins, traditions, and meanings behind dishes and culinary practices worldwide. AuthenticFood.com is a dynamic online platform dedicated to preserving and celebrating the true essence of food. Authenticfood.com® is a property of Roma Media.As CEO at Roma Media, Janna has also been a leader in business for the past two decades, developing marketing strategies for companies, conducting in-depth market and customer research, formulating advertising and interactive programs, and maintaining important industry relations. She specializes in creating and executing result-driven email marketing campaigns that resonate with audiences. She has led campaigns that encompass millions of subscribers and billions of emails, from personalized drip campaigns to eye-catching newsletters, finding innovative ways to deliver value through the inbox while focusing on crafting compelling narratives and driving meaningful customer engagement. She is a firm believer in the power of data and A/B testing. Every email is an opportunity to learn and refine strategies for better open rates, click-through rates, and conversions. She is committed to staying at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.Janna is an avid traveler and has visited over 50 countries across all 7 continents.

Erika has been deeply invested into the restaurant and theater industries since 2006, straddling both to fulfill her innate creativity. Head bartender, Mixologist, and Experience host, she is always looking for new products to improve the ride. Wine enthusiast, beer lover, and cocktail creator, she is currently the front of house manager at Martha’s in Hoboken.

Elizabeth spent the first ten years of her career producing commercials for some of the biggest brands and advertising agencies around the world, with her work taking her across North America, South America, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It was while working with overseas clients and local film crews in places far from home that Elizabeth realized the kind of meaningful change that can take place when you spend time experiencing cultures different from your own.  As a dual citizen of the UK, Elizabeth was born in London and spent her early years there before moving stateside to Richmond, and then Atlanta. After graduating from Ole Miss, she moved to New York City for nearly a decade before she and her husband relocated to London for a few years, during which they traveled Western Europe extensively. When they relocated to Denver, Elizabeth launched her travel business under the tutelage of industry veteran Betty Jo Currie. She is delighted to have found a home at The Local Foreigner, which will allow her clients to benefit from the company’s wealth of knowledge, leverage their incredible worldwide relationships, and enjoy all the VIP perks and treatment The Local Foreigner is known for.

Dana Abraham is the CEO and co-founder of Kidgo, the world's first centralized platform for family travel. Think of it like the TripAdvisor for babies. Dana can speak to building the app, traveling with little children, parenting, and adventuring with small children.

To date, I’ve been published with Conde Nast Middle East, Tasting Table, EuroCave, Travel Curator, Vogue Arabia, Fast Company, Destinations of the World, Forbes Middle East, Curiosity Magazine, Elite Daily, The Forward Feed, Food&Wine, A Luxury Travel Blog, Matador Network, Sopexa, JustLuxe, Travelettes, Citizen Femme, Columbus Travel, Dining and Nightlife Middle East, and Roads & Kingdoms. I provide global hotel coverage with Northstar Media and was part of The World’s Most Luxurious Hotels program on BBC5 in 2019. Most recently, I’ve appeared on EuroNews, DXB Today, and as the host of the first season of UAE byFood. I’ve written commercially for Couqley, AddMind Hospitality, Dima Ayad Consulting, Spinneys, Sapaad, and Umami Communications. I also regularly contribute to Dubai Eye 103.8 for food and travel.I’ve spoken at a number of conferences, including hosting the Top Table at Gulfood 2024 and being both a panelist and moderator at The Restaurant Show, Middle East Food Forum, Travel Tech Middle East, Caterer Middle East, PechaKucha, and SMS Summit Jordan. I attended the Google Local Guides Summit in October 2018 and November 2019, as well as The World’s 50 Best Restaurants international and MENA events and San Sebastian Gastronomika. Unilever invited me to attend the Future Trends report in March 2023 and hosted the Middle East activation in June 2023. I served as a judge for the Specialty Food Festival YouthX 2023 panel and the Deliveroo Awards 2023. I’ve worked with Marriott More Cravings, 1800 Tequila, Louis XIII, Wonderful Pistachios, Grana Padano, California Wines, Carnistore, Jacob’s Creek, Silver Fern Farms, and Dubai Tourism. I was recently recognized by Raemona magazine in their 2024 ‘40 over FORTY’ list, and in March 2024, I was tapped as a Luxury Lifestyle Awards Food & Beverages Advisory Board member.