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In Episode 5 of You Came to the Right Place, co-hosts Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia go behind the scenes of the 2026 TravelPulse Canada Readers’ Choice Awards.
Recorded just days after the event at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, the episode offers a candid recap of the highs, hilarity and heartfelt moments that made this year’s awards unforgettable. The conversation covers everything from the explosive reactions inside the ballroom and the rise of ultra-competitive categories to music, fashion commentary, and why the Readers’ Choice Awards mean so much to the industry.
Bert Archer, Jen Mallia & Natasha Lair. 2026 TravelPulse Canada Readers' Choice Awards (Photo Credit: Northstar Travel Group)“One of the biggest moments every year at the awards is the Canadian Travel Hall of Fame,” Lair says. “They were so honoured and appreciative, which felt really good.”
The episode also reflects on the deeper significance of the event: reconnecting an industry built on relationships, celebrating resilience after several turbulent years in travel, and recognizing the advisors, suppliers and sales reps who continue to shape the Canadian travel landscape.
Sponsored by AmaWaterways
Episode 5 of You Came to the Right Place is now available on all major podcast platforms.
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Resources Mentioned:
2026 TravelPulse Canada Reader's Choice Awards red carpet interviews, sponsored by Hyatt Inclusive Collection.
Full list of 2026 Winners: Industry Shines at TravelPulse Canada Readers' Choice Awards
2026 TravelPulse Canada Readers' Choice Awards soundtrack on Apple Music and Spotify.
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic.
Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting.
Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit and sharp industry insight.
From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.
ABOUT THE SHOW
You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release.
Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish.
If you work in travel, you came to the right place.
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