Episode 39 - Crowd Control, Peaceful Paradises & the Seat-Swap Showdown

Are your favorite destinations being loved to death? Where in the world is it still blissfully peaceful? And what exactly is going on with passenger behavior up in the sky? Sean Mouttet of Gallivant Luxury Travel and Ilisa Oman of One World Family Travel get into all of it — no filter, no holding back. In this episode of Checked Bags & Big Tags: 🌍 OVER-TOURISM IS REAL — NOW WHAT? Barcelona. Santorini. Kyoto. These iconic destinations are buckling under the weight of too many visitors — and locals are pushing back hard. We break down what's actually happening on the ground, the new tourist taxes and visitor caps being rolled out across Europe and beyond, and most importantly — what responsible luxury travelers can actually DO about it. Spoiler: the answer is better than you think.  🕊️ PEACEFUL PARADISES — THE WORLD'S MOST PEACEFUL DESTINATIONS FOR 2026 The Global Peace Index just released its 2026 rankings — and the top of the list is full of incredible travel inspiration. Iceland holds the #1 spot for the 19th year in a row. New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia, Portugal, and Japan all make the top 10. We dig into the list, talk about the hidden gems worth adding to your bucket list, and discuss how peace rankings factor into how we counsel our clients. ✈️ WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CABIN? Flight attendants are warning that passenger behavior has declined sharply — and the numbers back it up. We share what crews are dealing with daily, what airlines are doing about it, and why the first 90 seconds of boarding sets the tone for the entire flight. 🪑 THE HOT SEAT: DO YOU SWITCH SEATS WHEN SOMEONE ASKS? Someone taps you on the shoulder and asks you to give up the window seat you booked three months ago. What do you do? Sean and Ilisa go head to head on one of the most divisive debates in air travel — and we want YOUR take in the comments. --- 🎙️ ABOUT THE SHOW Checked Bags & Big Tags is the no-filter, no-holds-barred travel podcast for people who take their trips seriously. Hosted by two of the travel industry's most passionate insiders, this show covers insider tips, destination deep dives, and the travel news that actually matters.   Sean Mouttet — Founder, Gallivant Luxury Travel [email protected] 🌐 www.gallivantluxurytravel.com   Ilisa Oman — Founder, One World Family Travel [email protected] 🌐 www.oneworldfamilytravel.com Do you have any travel questions or topics you want us to cover? Send us an email at [email protected]. Find us on Facebook! Watch on Youtube Listen on Apple Podcasts  Listen on Spotify Do you have any travel questions or topics you want us to cover? Send us an email at [email protected].   Music track: Cuba by ASHUTOSH Source: https://freetouse.com/music Free Music No Copyright (Safe)