Travel Channel Bets on Substance With New Food and Politics Series
Skift Take
Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown proved there's an appetite for more substantial travel content that explores the political and social realities of destination -- with a complementary side of delicious cuisine.
Travel Channel is undergoing somewhat of transformation with new leadership and new programming aimed at building an audience by producing higher quality content.
What may be one of its most successful new shows is Breaking Borders, which follows journalist Mariana van Zeller and chef Michael Voltaggio to destinations better known for conflicts than tourist attractions. In destinations such as Northern Ireland, Israel and Palestine, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka, the duo interviews locals from opposing sides of an issue and then sits down with them all together at a meal homemade by Voltaggio. The meal reflects local cuisine and often takes place in a stunning setting such as an empty restaurant overlooking the pyramids of Egypt.
Travel Channel actually purchased the concept of the show from a Norwegian journalist who created a very successful series called Dining with the Enemy that aired in Norway.
Skift recently sat down with hosts van Zeller and Voltaggio to discuss the upcoming series, how it compares to other travel content, and the reality of traveling to the places they visit in the show. An edited version of the conversation can be read below:
Skift: There have not been many breakout travel programs that reach a wider audi
