Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Welcome to the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, where we go far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruises to explore the really cool places, people, and activities that adventurous travelers crave. If your idea of a great vacation is sitting on a beach at an all-inclusive resort, you’re in the wrong place. However, if you’re like me, and a beach resort vacation sounds like torture, stick around. You’ve found your tribe.
My name is Jason Elkins, and as an adventure travel marketing consultant and tour operator myself, I am on a mission to impact the lives of adventure travelers, the tour operators they hire, and the communities that host them, creating deeply meaningful experiences that make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
Are you ready to discover your next great adventure, whether that looks something like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, SCUBA diving in the South Pacific, or hot air ballooning in Turkey? Then you’ll be happy to know that each episode of the Big World Made Small Podcast features a fascinating interview with an adventure travel expert that has agreed to share, with us, their own personal stories, favorite adventure destinations, and even some incredibly helpful tips and tricks they’ve learned while in the field. I trust that by the end of each episode you’ll feel like booking a ticket to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these amazing places, and getting to know the incredible people that live there.
I’ll be your guide as we explore this amazing planet and its people on the Big World Made Small podcast. I am a former US Army paratrooper, third generation commercial hot air balloon pilot, paramotor pilot, advanced open water SCUBA diver, and ex-Montana fly fishing guide and lodge manager. I have managed boutique adventure tour operation businesses in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, off-shore in Belize, the Adirondacks in New York, and the desert of Arizona. I also spent nearly a decade with Orvis International Travel, leading a talented team of tour operation experts, putting together and hosting amazing fly fishing and adventure travel excursions around the world. I have tapped into my experience and network of travel pros to put together a weekly series of exclusive expert interviews that I am excited to share with you.
For the last couple of years I have lived a fully nomadic lifestyle, feeding my passion for exploration, creating amazing adventures, and meeting some of the most fascinating people along the way. I record every episode while traveling, so in a sense you’ll be joining me on my journey. Let’s discover some great adventures together and make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
And, don’t forget to take a quick trip over to our website at bigworldmadesmall.com and join our adventure travel community, where you’ll benefit from new episode announcements, exclusive adventure travel opportunities, and special access to the experts you’ve met on the show. You can also follow us on social media, using the links in the show notes below. And, if you’re getting value out of the show please help us grow by sharing it with your friends, family, and anyone else you know that wants to get far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruise ships, the next time they travel.
I’ll publish another episode soon. Until then, keep exploring. It’s the best way to make a big world feel just a bit smaller.
https://adventuretravelmarketing.com/podcast
Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Adventure Travel with Marjanna Akhtar - Great Expeditions Travel
Area/Topic
Worldwide, SCUBA Diving, Responsible Tourism
Marjanna Akhtar
Owner
Great Expeditions Travel
Marjanna’s interest in international travel began in the late ‘80s while pursuing her BA in animal biology at the University of Colorado, and she took her first underwater breath on scuba!
That was the beginning of a travel career that spans over three decades; beginning in 1990 with a specialization in the niche market of scuba diving and the destinations found in the South Pacific.
Over the ensuing years, she has evolved the business to reflect the diverse interests of the company’s growing clientele base, as well as her own style and passion for world-wide travel. Destinations in Africa, Central & South America, SE Asia and Europe now feature strongly in the company's portfolio and incorporating authentic experiences into customized itineraries for individuals, families and small groups of friends are the foundation of Great Expeditions Travel.
Throughout her travel career, exploring the world did not halt when motherhood arrived and her son, now a young adult, has been immersed into international travel since the age of 9 months.
When not on her desk, you can often find Marjanna on the back of her horse, enjoying the rural small communities of western Colorado with her dogs and husband.
https://greatexpeditionstravel.com/
Summary
Marjanna Akhtar, owner of Great Expeditions Travel, discusses her background in adventure travel and the importance of responsible and sustainable tourism. She shares her personal experiences and the impact of travel on her own life. The conversation also touches on the challenges of over-tourism and the role of tour operators in promoting responsible travel. Marjanna emphasizes the need for travelers to support local communities and conservation efforts, and the importance of connecting with people and cultures while traveling. Marjanna Akhtar discusses the benefits of being a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and the importance of networking and connecting with responsible tour operators. She highlights the role of ATTA in bringing together all the components of the travel industry to grow the market in sustainable ways. Marjanna also emphasizes the challenges and rewards of running a tour operation business, including the need for extensive knowledge and education in the industry. She discusses the value of human contact in travel and the importance of personalized experiences. Marjanna shares the satisfaction of creating life-changing experiences for clients and the pride she feels in her work.
Takeaways
- Adventure travel can be a means to explore a destination and connect with local communities and nature.
- Responsible tourism involves supporting local communities, conservation efforts, and distributing income to the people on the ground.
- Over-tourism is a concern, and it is important to find ways to minimize the negative impact of mass tourism.
- Tour operators play a crucial role in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism and educating clients about their choices.
- Travel can help break down prejudices and foster understanding and connection among people from different cultures and backgrounds. Being a member of ATTA provides networking opportunities and connections with responsible tour operators.
- ATTA brings together all components of the travel industry to grow the market in sustainable ways.
- Running a tour operation business requires extensive knowledge, educat
Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.
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