This week’s show is sure to hit a chord for wherever your interests are in travel. We have an all-star lineup that’s the Who’s Who of experts in all aspects of travel and we are excited to share all of these wonderful people with you.

TravelTalkRADIO welcomes for the first time, Travel Industry Association (TIA) President and CEO Roger Dow to the program. Roger has recently testified before the US Department of State’s Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy on the growing concern of the image of Americans abroad and how visitors to the USA could help reverse this trend. Roger will share some surprising facts that offer the USA great potential in elevating the image of its citizens across the globe. Roger has been on our radar for sometime now and we are happy that his busy schedule has allowed him time for an appearance on the show. Roger started his career in the travel industry as a lifeguard for Marriott Hotels and has risen up through the ranks to become the leader of one of the most respected associations in the travel industry. He will add some great depth and perspective to our discussion on the current political scene, how it affects travel, and where TIA can make a big difference.

The leader of another Washington DC-based travel association and good friend of TravelTalkRADIO is Peter Pantuso from the American Bus Association (ABA). Peter will also join us this Sunday to discuss motorcoach touring and the big surge in this special travel and transport industry. Peter will also talk about the ABA’s Top 100 Events for 2006 and perhaps give us a peek into the current competition for the Top 100 for 2007.

The president of one of America’s most trusted tour operations, Gary Murphy of Brendan Worldwide Vacation, will also join us to talk about why travelers should always consider using a tour operator and how to take full advantage of modern travel itineraries. We’ve come a long way baby from “if it Tuesday, it must be Belgium” type tours to today’s elaborate, on the road experiences. Gary will talk about some of the best destinations to visit in the world and this is always one of our favorite segments.

This week’s book is The Song of Hannah written by Eva Etzioni-Halvey. Eva will be visiting with us from her home in Israel and will talk about this wonderful biblical-based story of love, temptation and the making of a prophet. The research into traditions, regions and cultures of 3,000 years ago make this a great companion on any trip. And if you are an armchair traveler, you will definitely get the feeling of being in another time and place. The Song of Hannah is a captivating book.

We will also hear from Maya Shehayeb from Lebanon who will be joining us by phone from Aley, (Mount Lebanon). Maya is currently unable to travel because of the dangerous situation in her locality, but she will be able to give us a live report. Maya is the Project Manager for Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, a conference organizing and publishing group in the Middle East. The conferences are focused on investment, tourism, telecom, trade, oil and gas, etc. in cooperation Arab governments, chambers and ministries. She is also responsible for the Arab World Travel and Tourism Exchange (AWTTE) - the major travel exhibition in Lebanon. This exhibition is owned by the Ministry of Tourism in Lebanon.

And for the music this week, we have with us in the studio the internationally acclaimed and very talented Joey Pearson. Joey is a young singer and writer who is taking the world by storm with his music. Join Joey Pearson in the studio with us and enjoy his music throughout the programming.

This is a very trying time for all as we see our good friends in peril in parts of the Middle East. The most important thing is to keep faith and hope alive through actions of peace. From the smallest schoolyard to the streets of our largest markets we must continue to keep our eyes wide open and yet still warmly welcome new and different cultures. Our world is forever changing and we must continue to learn as much as possible about our beautiful planet and its people.