Viking ships in the Mediterranean

Episode Summary

Discovering The World With Viking: Well-Traveled with AAA

Host Julio Soto sits down with seasoned travel expert Michael Eng to take a closer look at what makes Viking cruising so special. Together, they cover it all — from sailing Europe's legendary rivers to setting course through the Mediterranean during its quieter, more relaxed season.

 

Expect an honest conversation about small-ship luxury, deeply immersive cultural experiences, and how the right journey doesn't just take you somewhere new — it stays with you long after you're home. Brought to you by AAA Travel.

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Michael Eng
meet the guest speaker

Michael Eng

Michael Eng is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in national accounts and trade strategy within the travel and hospitality sectors. Currently serving as Sr. Director of National Accounts and Sr. Director of Trade Strategy and Digital Engagement at Viking since December 2021, Michael has previously held several key positions there, including Director of Trade Digital Product and Senior Manager of National Accounts.

Prior to Viking, Michael worked at Accenture Interactive as a Travel & Hospitality Consultant and at Viking Cruises in various marketing roles. Michael's career began at Wells Fargo as a Sales Analyst & Assistant. Michael holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from California State University, Fullerton.

Julio Soto
meet the host

Julio Soto

Julio Soto began his career with AAA in 1992 as a Travel Counselor and quickly transitioned into management, later becoming the District Sales Manager for AAA Travel’s Group Department. In this role, he brought innovative products and services to market, positioning the department as an industry leader. After briefly joining Alexander & Roberts in 1999, where he worked with top accounts and traveled extensively, Julio returned to AAA in 2000 as Director of Sales & Alliance Services. He expanded AAA’s group-centric departures across the U.S., building partnerships with clubs like AAA Southern California, AAA Texas, and others.

Now serving as Travel Product Manager, Julio collaborates with leading partners such as Disney, Universal Orlando, Marriott, and Royal Caribbean. He has been instrumental in developing AAA Vacations, which generates over $500M in annual sales and delivers unforgettable experiences to thousands of members. With a passion for travel and extensive expertise in customized itineraries, Julio continues to inspire travel advisors and AAA Members with his firsthand knowledge of destinations like India, Egypt, South Africa, and Europe.


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