This week, Eye on Travel broadcasts from the Peninsula Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California. Joining Peter is Travel Weekly’s Arnie Weissmann with a report on the government shutdown and how it’s affecting passengers, airports, airlines, and  air traffic controllers. The Wall Street Journal’s Scott McCartney explains why we may be lucky that the government shutdown is happening in January, and he also shares his airline rankings for 2019. Phil Savenick, President of the Beverly Hills Historical Society, talks about the surprising beginnings of Beverly Hills (yes, the legends and unlikely events include cowboys and Indians). And Julian Gold, the Mayor of Beverly Hills, talks population growth, development and change in his charmed and high-end enclave. There’s all this and more as Eye on Travel  broadcasts from the Peninsula Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California.

Click here  to listen to the show streaming live from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

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).

Arnie Weissmann, Editor in Chief for Travel Weekly, joins the show to discuss the TSA slowdown and the government shutdown – and how it’s affecting the air traffic controllers already working with outdated systems. He also speaks about the irregularity of boarding groups, outrageous car rental and hotel fees (and why it’s the car rental and hotel industries that are losing) as well as the constantly changing tides in travel trends. What’s on the horizon for 2019? Arnie says impactful travel.

Scott McCartney, Author & Travel Editor for The Wall Street Journal, speaks about how the government shutdown is affecting travel for everybody, understaffed airports and how we’re lucky it’s happening in January – the slowest travel month of the year. He also reveals why airlines are begging for regulation. He also gives us the lowdown on airline rankings for 2019 and his biggest surprise/let down.

David Codney, Executive Chef at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, talks about the true Dover species, how to keep up with the wild (versus farm-grown), and practicing sustainability and making conscious decisions. He then reveals his biggest failures and successes on the menu at the Belvedere and what inspired them.

Phil Savenick, Filmmaker, Local Historian and President of the Beverly Hills Historical Society, talks about the beginnings of Beverly Hills, the very first owner of the city (and the legend that followed) and reintroducing the history of the city. Phil also talks about some surprising and unlikely events that took place in the city,

Offer Nissenbaum, Managing Director at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, talks about the incredible, in-demand destination that is Beverly Hills, the hotel’s historical significance and the five-star standards the hotel tries to uphold for all its guests–like the little details (technological and not) that aim to make hotel guests’ stays comfortable.  

Rene Reyes, Production Executive at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, talks about the 200,000 hours of visual history available at the center and the extensive variety of events that take place there. Rene also talks about the cultural history in media that is being discarded, the rare gems that have been rescued and his favorite exhibit recently.

Julian Gold, the Mayor of Beverly Hills, talks about the meaning of being Mayor, the biggest surprise about the city and being a “little village” surrounded by Los Angeles. He expands on population growth, development and change, and the perception he had of Beverly Hills when he first moved here. He expands on the city’s legacy and creating a walkable destination via its historic landmarks.

Nancie Clare, Author of The Battle for Beverly Hills, tells the story of and reasons behind the actual battle for the famous city, all the key players that took part in the historical turmoil and the significance of retaining its cityhood. She expands on the water issue that almost led Beverly Hills to become part of Los Angeles as well as its commitment to being a liveable city, and it all comes back to water.

Carolyn Marsden-Smith, Associate Director of Exhibitions at the Getty Museum, talks about the extensive collections that are housed in both the Getty Villa in the Pacific Palisades and the Getty Center Brentwood and rotating exhibits throughout the year–over 200,000 objects. She expands on the notable paintings at the center and the problem with the watercolor pieces. She reveals her favorite painting and discusses the more unknown and unexpected collection at the Getty.

Frank Parr, Concierge at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, talks about “knowing a guy” and the connections that open the doors of the world to you. He speaks to personalizing the stay of guests and listening to their needs, which sometimes means helicopter rides to Burning Man. He reveals one of its most fun requests and what Black Panther and other Marvel characters had to do with it.

By Alessandra Taryn Bea for PeterGreenberg.com