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 Chris Torres - The Marketing Coach & Tourprenuer
Chris Torres
Director
The Marketing Coach & Tourprenuer
I started at 16 illustrating children’s books and never looked back.
After that, I spent years learning on the job—working in design studios and marketing agencies as an art-worker, designer, web developer, and eventually a marketing strategist.
I didn’t go to university. Truth is, I hated school. I was told I’d never amount to much. That doubt didn’t discourage me—it fuelled me. I’ve spent my whole career proving people wrong, building a path on grit, self-teaching, and real-world results.
In 2008, I launched a marketing agency from scratch and built it into a global force, working with travel brands and service-based businesses in over 50+ countries. The Tourism Marketing Agency still thrives today.
A huge middle finger to all those teachers that did not believe in me.
Along the way, I’ve helped launch products, crack new markets, and grow small, local businesses into major players. My approach blends storytelling with data, creativity with clarity—making sure your marketing connects emotionally and converts commercially.
You won’t get recycled “funnel hacks” or empty jargon here. What I offer is real-world strategy that delivers. That’s how we helped Gray Line Iceland generate €2M+ in direct bookings. Overland Ireland? Another €2M and a 6000% ROI. And in the wilds of Alaska, a remote operator saw a 463% sales increase year-on-year using the same methods.
My deep sector knowledge, especially in travel and tourism, comes from nearly two decades of hands-on work. Tour operators, DMCs, travel tech firms, hotels—I’ve helped them all refine their messaging, attract the right customers, and grow sustainably.
I’m also part-owner of Tourpreneur, the global community of nearly 20,000 tour operators. I contribute regularly to the podcast and help lead the charge on educational content, mentorship, and strategy guidance for operators looking to level up. Whether it’s through speaking, writing, or behind-the-scenes coaching, my goal is always to help people in this industry thrive.
I also wrote the book How to Turn Your Online Lookers into Bookers, with a follow-up now published: Lookers into Bookers: The Tourism Marketing Blueprint. I speak at tourism events worldwide, running practical workshops that give attendees tools they can use the next day.
summary
In this episode, Jason Elkins interviews Chris Torres, a marketing coach specializing in the tourism industry. They discuss the importance of direct bookings for tour operators, the journey of Chris from art to marketing, and the significance of storytelling in tourism. Chris shares insights on building trust through personal connections, the role of video content, and the impact of reviews and social proof. They also explore the future of marketing with AI, the importance of community support, and advice for aspiring tour operators. Chris introduces his Strategy Builder tool, designed to help operators create effective marketing strategies.
takeaways
- Chris Torres emphasizes the importance of direct bookings for tour operators.
- The journey into marketing often starts from a creative background.
- Niche focus can lead to greater success in the tourism industry.
- Delegation is key for tour operators to focus on what they love.
- Understanding the needs of tour operators is crucial for effective marketing.
- Storytelling enhances the customer experience in tourism.
- Video content is a powerful tool for engagement.
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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