In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy is joined by Ana Metz, Founder and Editor of Future Travel, to explore how a niche travel tech newsletter has grown into one of the industry's leading media brands—and why community has become just as important as journalism.

From launching Future Travel during the pandemic to building the annual Future Travel Summit in Barcelona, Ana shares what she's seeing across travel technology, the biggest opportunities emerging around AI, and why founders need to think beyond product announcements if they want to earn attention.

The conversation also explores how specialist publications work, what makes a story stand out, the importance of understanding a publication's editorial rhythm, and why building genuine relationships is far more valuable than chasing coverage.

00:00 – Meet Ana Metz, Founder and Editor of Future Travel

01:00 – From EU-Startups to launching Future Travel during the pandemic

03:00 – What Future Travel covers and why travel tech deserves its own publication

04:00 – Inside the Future Travel Summit and bringing the industry together

05:30 – The biggest trends shaping travel technology today

06:00 – AI in travel: balancing automation with human experiences

08:30 – How the Future Travel newsletter is curated each week

09:50 – Using reader questions to demystify AI through industry experts

11:00 – How PR professionals can work with Future Travel

11:45 – Inbox zero, email pitches and managing a growing publication

12:30 – Quick fire: founder interviews, embargoes and pitching preferences

13:20 – Why understanding a publication's editorial calendar matters

16:00 – What PR professionals should do more of—not less

17:00 – Why travel tech founders need to professionalize their communications

18:30 – The AI travel startup story that's exciting Ana most

19:40 – How to get in touch with Ana and the Future Travel team

If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content strategy and thought leadership, get in touch with CEW Communications at cewcomms.com.