Mindy Poder

California

I hunt down the best travel content for @travelagewest. Executive Editor; NATJA 2015 Travel Writer of the Year; @thetrvlretreat. Hair everywhere.

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Articles

How Did Memorial Day Travel Compare to Last Year?

1 month ago | travelagewest.com | Mindy Poder

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How Much Are Social Media Influencers Impacting Travel Decisions?

1 month ago | travelagewest.com | Mindy Poder

Influencers are increasingly driving travel decisions, according to new research from Expedia Group. The organization’s 2025 Traveler Value Index — which received responses from more than 11,000 consumers from 11 international markets — found that 73% of travelers say that influencer recommendations have led to booking decisions.
Why Luxury Travelers with $25K+ Budgets Are Turning to Travel Advisors

1 month ago | travelagewest.com | Mindy Poder

May 19, 2025Family Travel Luxury Travel Preferred Hotels & Resorts Research Travel Agents Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ first-ever Luxury Travel Report 2025 found that “travel advisors are the new power brokers,” with 84% of respondents saying that a trusted travel advisor is more valuable than time-consuming internet research.
Travelers Will Soon Be Able to Book Trips Directly From Instagram Reels. How Does it Work and Do Creators Get Compensated?

1 month ago | travelagewest.com | Mindy Poder

Expedia is now beta testing its Expedia Trip Matching feature, which will create itineraries bookable on Expedia based on Instagram Reels. Travelers initiate the process by clicking the share icon on an Instagram Reel, searching for the Expedia account and sending it the video. Then Expedia replies with travel recommendations, itineraries and trip-planning resources generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Travelers can book directly from the Expedia itineraries.
Review: Alisal Ranch for Families | TravelAge West

1 month ago | travelagewest.com | Mindy Poder

The Solvang, California, luxury dude ranch pulls out all the stops for families, from outdoor culinary experiences and all-levels horseback riding to an active kids’ club and numerous lakeside activities  
How will the Pope's death affect travel to Rome?: Travel Weekly Asia

2 months ago | travelweekly-asia.com | Mindy Poder

Pope Francis' passing is impacting travel to Rome. Heed this travel advisor's advice.
Pope Francis' Death Is Impacting Travel to Rome. Heed This Travel Advisor's Advice. | TravelAge West

2 months ago | travelagewest.com | Mindy Poder

Clients traveling to Rome will need to consider if this is still the right time for their visit — but here’s how travel advisors can help prepare them for a historic trip    
Review: Alisal Ranch for Families

2 months ago | travelagewest.com | Mindy Poder

An acorn woodpecker was calling as I got off Prettyboy, the palomino horse I rode to the cowboy breakfast at Alisal Ranch, a luxury dude ranch in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. It had been quite a ride. Our group spotted wild turkeys and numerous black-tailed deer, with the ranch's 100-acre lake serving as their backdrop. Brown cows grazed on a breakfast of dewy spring grass, rich with nutrients and dotted by orange poppies, yellow buttercups and purple shooting stars.
A Local's Guide to Tokyo

2 months ago | travelagewest.com | Mindy Poder

Anne Kyle first visited Japan at the age of 13 — and loved it so much that she vowed to move there one day. At 19, she left the Philippines and did just that; she has now lived in Japan for 27 years. After some friends who were visiting told her she had a knack for guiding, she began Arigato Japan food tours in 2016. And last year, the company evolved into Arigato Travel, a full-service destination management company (DMC) that pays 10-20% travel advisor commission.
Season 6 Premiere: Mindy Poder's Journey, From Intern to Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West | TravelAge West

Mar 24, 2025 | travelagewest.com | Mindy Poder

In the latest episode of Humans of Travel, TravelAge West Editor-in-Chief Mindy Poder discusses her 14+ years at the publication, dispels some myths about being a travel journalist and more