Travel has some unique challenges in PR and marketing. You are promoting a product that is by its nature experiential and expensive. In tech, you might send a journalist an evaluation unit but in travel, you can’t take back the product after the review. According to a recent Expedia study, Americans make on average 140 website visits as they do their research for a single trip. This is because the cost of their vacation is expensive, but the cost of their vacation time is irreplaceable. The FIR Network is pleased to announce the release of a new podcast, Passport, focusing on both PR & Marketing in the travel space.

Leif Pettersen (l) and Chris Christensen

Chris Christensen and Leif Petterson co-host the show. Travel writer turned travel PR, Leif Pettersen represented the Mall of America before opening his own agency. As a travel writer, Leif authored the recent book “Backpacking with Dracula“. Veteran podcaster Chris Christensen — an occasional guest co-host on “For Immediate Release” — is the founder of the BloggerBridge.com influencer marketing company as well as the host of the award-winning “Amateur Traveler” podcast and a co-host of the award-winning “This Week in Travel” podcast.

Future topics include social media marketing strategies in travel, hotel marketing in a digital age, and content marketing in travel.

The first episode of “Passport” is available now, featuring an interview with Tim Anderson of Marginal Boundaries about social media marketing and creating a social media strategy in the travel space.

About Shel Holtz

Shel Holtz, ABC (Accredited Business Communicator), is director of Internal Communications at Webcor, a commercial general contractor headquartered in San Francisco. Before joining Webcor, Shel spent 21 years as principal of Holtz Communication + Technology. In addition to integrating technology into communications strategies, his expertise includes strategic communications planning, change management, organizational culture, business initiatives and communications research. Full bio