🧳 Growing your freelance brand + where global travel is heading

Here’s what’s inside today’s issue:

• 🎧 Thinking about starting a podcast? Here’s how it can grow your freelance brand, boost your income, and build your network

• 🌍 Tourism in the Middle East is booming—get the latest on luxury, bleisure, and billion-dollar projects reshaping the region

• 🧠 New AI tools are helping tour operators skip the middlemen and book more experiences

• 💼 Remote job alert: IFTTT is hiring a part-time content creator—perfect if you’re creative and automation-savvy

Some of the links featured in this issue are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.

Europe Without the Guesswork

14-Day Essence of Ireland Tour with Daily Breakfast

Dublin, Belfast, Galway, and more—all stitched into a seamless two-week journey. Includes breakfast daily and plenty of time to wander. See how Ireland does longform.

Rome, Florence, Venice Custom Tour (6 to 9 Days)

Hotels, trains, and transfers bundled—your only job is deciding between extra gelato or another museum. Flexible length, fixed ease. Plan your own Italian triple play.

6-Day Ireland Rail Vacation with Chauffeur

You’ll ride in a private car, not a tour bus. Custom stops, Ring of Kerry views, and all the bragging rights of a personal driver. Go off script in Ireland.

7-Day North Ireland Tour with Up to 15% Off

Donegal, Giant’s Causeway, and cozy pub nights along the coast. Buses, ferries, and shuttles are all sorted—you just show up. Let the countryside do the work.

9-Day Titanic Rail Trail and Wild Atlantic Way Tour

Fully hosted trains and coaches take you to Killarney, the Cliffs of Moher, and through Ireland’s lesser-known legends. Bonus: 48-hour Dublin hop-on bus pass. Ride the rails through real Ireland.

🎙️ Why Freelancers Should Start a Podcast

In today's competitive freelance landscape, establishing a strong personal brand is essential. While social media and traditional marketing are common tools, podcasting offers a unique and powerful way to connect with your audience and showcase your expertise.

Hosting your own podcast provides a platform to engage with industry leaders, allowing you to build valuable relationships and expand your network. By inviting guests to your show, you not only learn from their experiences but also tap into their audiences, increasing your reach and visibility.

Podcasting also helps you develop essential communication skills. Regularly engaging in conversations enhances your listening abilities and sharpens your speaking skills, which are crucial for client interactions and public speaking opportunities.

Each episode you produce contributes to a growing portfolio of content that demonstrates your knowledge and thought leadership. This body of work can be repurposed into blog posts, social media content, or even monetized through sponsorships, providing multiple avenues for income and exposure

🗾Epic Journeys Through Asia & Beyond

14-night luxury Asia cruise – 35% off

Sail from Bangkok through Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia. This all-inclusive voyage includes up to 50 shore excursions, gourmet dining, and refined onboard service. View cruise details.

7-night Mediterranean cruise – 20% off

Start in Barcelona and cruise east toward sunny coastal gems with a hint of east-meets-west. Enjoy a 2-for-1 all-inclusive fare and up to 39 guided excursions included. Explore this sailing.

16-night South Pacific cruise – 10% off

Depart from Auckland and explore the Pacific’s hidden islands and coastal escapes. Includes 49 excursions, luxury amenities, and effortless access to Asia-Pacific ports. See the cruise.

9-day Egypt tour with Nile cruise – BOGO deal 

Visit the Great Pyramids, cruise the Nile, and unwind in deluxe hotels along the way. Includes 15 meals, four nights on the river, and limited-time 2-for-1 pricing. Get the full offer.

12-night Antarctica cruise with 14 zodiac landings – save $3,060 

Sail from Ushuaia and step onto ice-packed shores on this fully guided polar adventure. Includes unlimited onboard dining, a pre-cruise hotel stay, and gear to keep you warm. Check availability.

🌍 Middle East Tourism Set to Soar to $350B by 2030

The Middle East is rapidly transforming into a global tourism powerhouse, with projections indicating that travel spending in the region will reach nearly $350 billion annually by 2030—a 50% increase from 2024 levels. 

Inbound tourism is expected to grow by 13% annually through 2030, fueled by improved connectivity and targeted marketing. European travelers currently make up 50% of international leisure arrivals, with India and the UK leading as top source markets. 0. 

Business travel is on the rise, forecasted to grow 1.5 times faster than the global average over the next five years. The region's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa makes it an attractive hub for international conferences and corporate events. The concept of 'bleisure'—combining business and leisure travel—is gaining traction, further boosting the sector. 

Luxury tourism is experiencing significant growth, with high-net-worth individuals seeking premium experiences in the Middle East. Dubai and Abu Dhabi currently host nearly 100 of the region's 170 luxury hotels, with 22 more in development. Saudi Arabia's ambitious Giga Projects, such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project, aim to redefine luxury travel on a global scale. 

Sports tourism is another key driver, expected to grow by 63% by 2030. The region is capitalizing on its experience hosting major events like the FIFA World Cup and Formula 1 races to attract international visitors. Upcoming events, including the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia, are set to further enhance the Middle East's appeal as a premier sports tourism destination.

🌐 In Other News

🧠 New AI Assistant Helps Tour Operators Boost Bookings

CaptainBook has launched an AI tool that helps small tour operators sell more experiences directly, cutting out middlemen. It’s part of a growing trend of AI making travel sales more efficient.

🧑‍💻 Part-Time Gig: Social Media Content Creator at IFTTT

IFTTT is looking for a part-time remote content creator to craft compelling posts and build brand presence. A great fit for creatives into automation and digital storytelling.

💰 Middle East Tourism Spend Set to Hit $350B

A new report shows the Middle East is on track for a major tourism boom, with spending projected to reach $350 billion. It highlights growing investment in travel infrastructure and experiences across the region.

Until next time,
The Nomad Cloud Team ⛅️