Turbocharged by the reporting energy and reach of the world’s most recognizable news brand, CNN Travel’s extensive network
of contributors take audiences to every corner of the planet in pursuit of the stories that showcase the amazing places we
all dream of visiting and the people whose adventures inspire us to pack our suitcases and get out there.
With award-winning writing, video, photography and interactive design, CNN Travel draws huge global audiences across a
range of platforms, regularly topping lists of the planet’s most engaging content, with digital written features,
bespoke social media packages and regular newsletters.
In 2025, CNN Travel launched its first podcast to accompany
its blockbuster Chance Encounters franchise about romance and friendship on the road. It became an instant hit and
is already on its second series.
Join TravMedia Meets to go behind the scenes with CNN Travel. The lively conversation with the Global Travel Editor and his team will cover the core topics below — with ample time for questions from listeners.
Global Editor
CNN Travel
Barry supervises all travel-related content across CNN's platforms. Based in London, he helms a team of staff reporters and international freelancers, working closely with CNN Travel's teams in New York, Atlanta, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
Neild joined CNN in 2006, working for its digital news operations before switching to its Travel team in 2015. Prior to working at CNN he worked as a correspondent for the AFP news agency, reporting headline news stories from destinations including Afghanistan, Indonesia, China and Iraq.
Senior Producer
CNN Travel
Maureen is involved in travel-related content across all CNN’s digital products, with a particular responsibility for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Based in London, she supervises staff reporters and international freelancers, working closely with CNN Travel’s teams in New York, Atlanta, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
She writes CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter “Unlocking the World,” with a wide global subscriber base, and has appeared as a travel expert on podcasts and at industry events. O’Hare joined CNN in 2015, having previously worked for MSN International, internet TV platform Babelgum and BBC Worldwide.
She studied English Literature and French at Trinity College Dublin and is originally from County Down, Northern Ireland.
Writer
CNN Travel
London-based Francesca oversees CNN Travel’s Chance Encounters series, as well as interviewing travelers from across the world about their experiences and exploring travel news. Francesca also reports, hosts and writes CNN’s Chance Encounters podcast series.
In recognition of her work for CNN, Francesca was awarded an MHP 30 under 30 Young Journalists Gold Award in 2019. She also won the Breaking Travel News award at the Travel Media Awards in 2019 and 2020, and picked up Business Travel Journalism Awards in 2020 and 2023.
Five of Francesca’s 2023 articles and four of Francesca’s 2024 articles appeared in audience monitor Chartbeat’s round-up of the most read articles of the year. Francesca’s also been profiled in the Washington Post and was interviewed about her work on CNN’s This Morning show.
Global Advisor
TravMedia
I’m a consultant specialising in communication and PR in the travel industry and beyond.
I can offer strategic advice to businesses on the top-level elements of their communications strategies and media engagement programmes. I’ve over 35 years’ experience of the PR world, journalism and news distribution.
One of my key roles is acting as Global Adviser to TravMedia, which connects the travel industry with the media. This follows my sale of my shareholding in TravMedia UK and my company News4Media in July 2024 to TravMedia CEO and founder Nick Wayland.
I co-founded TravMedia UK in 2003, in conjunction with Nick, launching Food4Media soon thereafter. I also founded Property4Media.com and Homes4Media in 2005 through News4Media, a company I created to license TravMedia’s technology to connect business with the media across other industry verticals.
Highlights of my tenure as former UK Managing Director of TravMedia were launching the IMM concept in the UK in 2013 - the event now connects the travel industry with the media on a global basis, with events across multiple regions of the world - and launching the TravMedia Awards, which made their debut in London in 2020.
I’ve over 30 years’ experience of the PR agency world, journalism and news distribution, and I’m working as a consultant , so please make contact if you believe there's an opportunity to work together.
Global Media Director
TravMedia
Kim probably knows, or has worked directly with, more travel writers than anyone else on the planet.
She draws on those media connections to ensure TravMedia attracts the best media to the platform. At TravMedia she manages and executes all media-related aspects of the IMM North America and grows the media side of TravMedia.
Across 30 years, Kim has worn many travel hats as Author of almost 50 guidebooks for most major print publishers; Developer of Slow Down See More using AI, "Authentic Intelligence"; Founder of Bindu Trips, a platform for 150 colleagues; Chief Content Officer at Sutro Media, the world's largest mobile platform for indie travel writers; Travel Acquisitions Editor at The Countryman Press, acquiring and shepherding 150 titles through to completion; and Stock Photographer represented by Getty Images.
