Eye on Travel
Eye on Travel — Vinoy in St. Petersburg — July 19, 2025
On this broadcast:
Peter’s News Open, Kerry Sanders, Ask Peter, Mayor Kenneth Welch (0:00-39:40)
Susan White, Elaine Normile, Vanessa Williams, Niles Laughner (39:40-1:19:20)
Susan White, Roger Dow, Ask Peter, Jason Mathis, Ask Peter (1:19:20-1:59:00)

This week’s broadcast of Eye on Travel is from the historic Vinoy hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida. I have all the travel updates, ranging from the continuing Air India crash investigation to some new airline routes (and routes suddenly canceled), a beach resort opening in… North Korea? And how one airline is considering going beyond “basic economy” to “basic… business class.” This weekend marks the 36th anniversary of the tragic crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa, and a reason for an important conversation about that fatal accident with a survivor of UA 232, flight attendant Susan White — what about the lessons learned, and most important, what about the lessons still waiting to be applied? Travel industry icon Roger Dow on the drop in foreign travel to the U.S. in 2025 and what that means for your travel plans. Then, I’m joined by ace NBC correspondent Kerry Sanders on his take of the Vinoy and its robust history. Mayor of St. Petersburg Kenneth Welch talks about the rebirth of the city. Elaine Normile, original docent and historian at the Vinoy, reflects on the battle to preserve the hotel. And as always, I answer your travel questions. There’s all this and more on this week’s Eye on Travel from the Vinoy in St. Petersburg.