This week, Eye on Travel broadcasts from the Medellin Marriott Hotel in Medellin, Colombia. (Photo below is Peter at the grave of Pablo Escobar…Even though he was killed 25 years ago, some still consider him a hero and flowers still adorn the site). Joining the program is Patrick Smith, Author of Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel: Questions, Answers, and Reflections, on the preliminary investigation into the recent Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia. Jeff Paschke, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of MedellinGuru.com, talks about how much Medellin has changed from Pablo Escobar times. Megan Janetsky, Journalist at Colombia Reports, debunks the misconceptions that Americans tend to have about Medellin. Then, Peter Fankhauser, CEO of Thomas Cook Groups, explains his company’s decision to booking tour packages to SeaWorld — a major company stance on animal rights. There’s all this and more as Eye on Travel broadcasts from the Medellin Marriott Hotel in Medellin.
Click here to listen to the show streaming live from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 3, 2018.
Have a travel question? Then ask Peter. Call 888-88-PETER (888-88-383), email him at peter@petergreenberg.com, or tweet your questions to @petersgreenberg (include #AskPeter).
Jeff Paschke, Founder and Editor-in-Chief at MedellinGuru.com, talks about inescapable legacy of Pablo Escobar that often discourages Americans from visiting. He explains how much Medellin has changed from Pablo Escobar times and how it is becoming the world’s most innovative city. He then talks about Colombian dishes that visitors should try.
Alejandro Echeverri, Architect, Urban Planner and Director at URBAM Universidad de EAFIT, shares a unique aspect about Medellin. Unlike in many other South American cities, even the poorest neighborhoods have high quality designs, developed transportation and equipped public spaces in Medellin.
Megan Janetsky, Journalist at Colombia Reports, tells Peter how inaccurate the preconceptions that many Americans have about Medellin are. She then shares her problem with the Netflix show Narcos.
Peter Fankhauser, CEO of Thomas Cook Groups, discusses its decision to stop taking tourists to SeaWorld in order to help protect orcas. He also explains why more and more tourists today want tour operators that care about animals.
Emiliano Valdés, Head Curator of Medellin Museum of Modern Art, talks about the most provocative artist, who is exhibited in the museum. He then explains why it’s important to create dialogue between local and international arts.
Andrew Dier, Author of Moon Medellin and Moon Colombia, shares how when he moved to Colombia, he had a bullet-proof car. He then explains why people in Bogata are very jealous of the people in Medellin. He also discusses how Colombia has developed a real food culture with international flavors.
Adriana Valderrama, Director at Museo Casa de la Memoria, talks about the importance of storytelling for her museum and how it tries to create an open and inclusive narrative about Medellin’s past, present and future. She also addresses misunderstandings about Pablo Escobar’s charity.
Patrick Smith, Airline Pilot, Author and Travel Blogger, discusses the recent Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia. The causes are unknown and it’s still too early speculate. Patrick explains why it’s unfair to use this tragedy as an indication of Indonesian Airlines being unsafe.
Victor Vazquez, Regional Head of Development for Marriott International, discusses how Colombia is an example of a country that took the right steps to change its international image and how it has become a worthy destination for leisure travel. He then explains why South America is a land of opportunity.
By Alisa Sokolova for PeterGreeberg.com
