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 Mari-Liis Luha - Taisto Bussid | Europe
Mari-Liis Luha
Sales Director
Mari-Liis Luha is the heart behind our partnerships. With a background in hospitality, sales, and team management, she leads the sales department at Taisto Bussid with care, clarity, and purpose.
As the main point of contact for travel agencies, tour operators, and corporate clients, Mari-Liis ensures every collaboration is smooth, efficient, and built on trust. She combines over a decade of experience in customer-facing roles with a deep understanding of the travel and transport industry to find solutions that truly work – whether it’s a simple airport pickup or a full-scale tour across Europe.
Passionate about both people and logistics, she’s a natural at keeping both clients and our internal teams aligned. Her proactive approach and attention to detail have earned her long-term client relationships and a reputation for getting things done with a smile.
summary
In this episode of the Big World Made Small podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Mari-Liis Luha, the sales director of Taisto Bus Company in Estonia. They discuss Mari-Liis' journey in the tourism industry, her experiences growing up in Estonia during the Soviet era, and the significant changes in the country's economy and travel landscape. Mari-Liis shares insights into the evolution of travel, the importance of flexibility in the tourism business, and her passion for her job. The conversation also touches on the balance between work and family life, as well as advice for those looking to enter the tourism industry.
takeaways
- Mari-Liis Luha has been with Taisto Bus Company for nearly 25 years.
- Estonia has undergone significant economic transformation since gaining independence.
- Traveling by bus was popular in Estonia due to financial constraints on air travel.
- Cultural exchanges with Germany during her youth sparked Mari's interest in languages.
- Flexibility is crucial in the tourism industry due to changing client needs.
- Mari-Liis' passion for her job keeps her motivated after many years in the industry.
- The importance of education was instilled in Mari from a young age.
- Estonia is becoming increasingly advanced in digital citizenship and business.
- Traveling with children requires adapting to their needs and rhythms.
- The tourism industry is dynamic, with new challenges arising regularly.
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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