
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 Jorge Salas - New Paths Expeditions
Jorge Salas
CEO and Founder
New Paths Expeditions
Jorge Salas, the visionary CEO and founder of USA based New Paths Expeditions, is guiding the celebrated tour operator into its milestone 10th anniversary in 2024. With a lifelong passion for wildlife and exploration, Jorge has extensive experience in the travel industry, having led expeditions across South and Central America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the polar regions. He has served on the board of leading U.S. travel brands, including International Expeditions as Product Developer, Operations Director, Crisis Handler, Director of Safety, and Senior Expedition Leader, while creating personalized journeys for clients worldwide. His commitment to conservation and community development shines through his work with organizations in the Peruvian Amazon. Jorge’s expertise in travel logistics and safety, combined with his passion for transformative experiences, has established New Paths Expeditions as a premier provider of immersive journeys to over 65 exotic destinations.
summary
In this episode of the Big World Made Small podcast, Jason Elkins speaks with Jorge Salas, the CEO and founder of New Paths Expeditions. Jorge shares his journey from a young boy inspired by his grandfather's National Geographic collection to becoming a leader in the adventure travel industry. He discusses the importance of connection in travel, the shift towards private trips post-pandemic, and the unique cultural experiences offered in destinations like Papua New Guinea. Jorge emphasizes the value of small group travel and the careful curation of trips to provide enriching experiences. He also shares exciting plans for family-oriented travel experiences with his daughter, Josefina, as they aim to create memorable adventures for families.
takeaways
- Jorge's passion for travel began at a young age, inspired by his grandfather's National Geographic collection.
- He has over 32 years of experience in the travel industry, starting as a guide in Chile.
- New Paths Expeditions focuses on small group travel to remote destinations.
- The pandemic has shifted traveler preferences towards private trips and family experiences.
- Cultural immersion is a key aspect of Jorge's travel philosophy.
- Papua New Guinea is highlighted as a unique and fascinating travel destination.
- Travel is about connection and sharing experiences with others.
- Jorge emphasizes the importance of expert guides in enhancing travel experiences.
- The company has grown to offer 58 destinations over 10 years.
- Future plans include family trips tailored for children, enhancing the travel experience for families.
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.