Adventure Travel - Big World Made Small  By  cover art

Adventure Travel - Big World Made Small

By: Jason Elkins - Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing
  • Summary

  • 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.


    And finally, if you’re listening right now, chances are you’ve found some great off-the-beaten path locations and met some great tour operators in your travels. I’d love to hear about them as well, so please let me know what ideas you have for the show by reaching out directly at jason@bigworldmadesmall.com.


    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://bigworldmadesmall.com




    © 2024 Adventure Travel - Big World Made Small
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Episodes
  • Adventure Travel with Rob Hamill - The Cruising Kiwis
    Jun 15 2024

    Area/Topic
    Southeast Asia, Sailing, Competitive Rowing, Family Adventure

    Rob Hamill
    Captain
    The Cruising Kiwis

    Marathon rowing champion Rob Hamill represented New Zealand in rowing for 16 years. Rob's numerous rowing achievements include a silver medal at the World Championships, Commonwealth gold and a world record on the indoor rowing machine.

    Rob rowed for New Zealand at the Atlanta Olympics and published The Naked Rower on how he and Phil Stubbs captured headlines around the world winning the gruelling and inaugural Atlantic Rowing Race in 41 days. He then led teams to successful defences in the next two editions making it a three-peat of victories for New Zealand.

    Together with his wife Rachel and their teenage sons they are attempting to circumnavigate this gorgeous planet by sail boat. They have taken their children out of school to educate outside the classroom and learn from nature and new cultures.

    They’ve only begun to scratch the surface with plenty more to explore. They hope to inspire others to explore different ways to live and educate while having a truckload of fun along the way.

    https://thecruisingkiwis.com/

    Summary
    In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, Jason Elkins interviews Rob Hamill, a boat captain and sailor with the Cruising Kiwis. Rob shares his journey of sailing around the world with his family and the challenges and adventures they have encountered. The conversation covers topics such as Rob's childhood introduction to sailing, the tragic loss of his brother, and his own experiences in the Atlantic Rowing Race. Rob emphasizes the importance of following your passions and taking calculated risks in life. Rob Hamill shares his experience of pursuing his passion and overcoming naysayers, including the loss of his brother. He discusses the support he received from his parents and the impact of grief on his mindset. Rob also talks about the financial aspects of his adventures and how he transitioned from in-person speaking engagements to online platforms. He highlights the importance of timing and the enthusiasm of his teenage sons in embracing the sailing lifestyle. Rob emphasizes the sense of community and the joy of exploring different cultures and cuisines along the way. In this conversation, Rob Hamill and Jason Elkins discuss their love for food and different cuisines, as well as their experiences with traveling and exploring new places. They also talk about the importance of exposing children to different cultures and experiences. Rob shares his journey following his brother's footsteps in Cambodia and the emotional impact it had on him. They touch on the challenges and excitement of sailing and the unexpected mishaps that can occur. The conversation ends with a discussion on the value of embracing adventure and avoiding boredom in life.

    Takeaways

    • Rob Hamill shares his journey of sailing around the world with his family and the challenges they have faced.
    • The tragic loss of Rob's brother had a profound impact on his life.
    • Rob emphasizes the importance of following your passions and taking calculated risks.
    • The Atlantic Rowing Race was a significant milestone in Rob's life, and he learned valuable lessons from the experience. Don't let naysayers discourage you from pursuing your passion.
    • Grief can have a profound impact on one's mindset and desire to prove mortality.
    • Timing is crucial when embarking on new adventures.
    • Transitioning from in-person events to online platforms can be challenging bu


    Learn more about the Big World Made Small Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers at bigworldmadesmall.com.

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Adventure Travel with Santiago Granda - Amazing Ecuador
    Jun 12 2024

    Area/Topic
    Ecuador, Adventure Sports

    Santiago Granda
    Cofounder
    Amazing Ecuador DMC

    I am passionate about traveling and enjoying the big outdoors. And having the Andes, the Amazon, the Galapagos and the Pacific Coast as my backyard opens limitless possibilities to enjoy nature, wildlife and local encounters all day, everyday.

    https://amazingecuador.com.ec/

    Summary
    Santiago Granda, from Amazing Ecuador, shares his journey into guiding and the importance of connecting with people and communities in adventure tourism. He was inspired by his mother, who informally guided tourists in Ecuador when he was a child. Santiago realized his natural talent for languages and connecting with people, which led him to become a guide. He believes that the best guides are teachers at heart, eager to share their knowledge and experiences with others. Santiago's first experience as a guide was taking a group to Cotopaxi and Otavalo, and he was hooked from then on. In this conversation, Santiago explains the role of a Destination Management Company (DMC) and how Amazing Ecuador serves as a local partner for travel agents around the world. He emphasizes the importance of respecting the local communities and their ways of life when traveling. Santiago also highlights the value of learning a few words of the local language to enhance the travel experience. He discusses the potential negative impacts of mass tourism and the need to keep it under control to preserve the relationships and natural landscapes in the visited communities. Santiago concludes by expressing his love for the tourism industry and the connections it fosters.

    Keywords

    Santiago Granda, Amazing Ecuador, guiding, adventure tourism, connecting with people, communities, natural talent, languages, teaching, first guiding experience, DMC, local partner, travel agents, respect, local communities, language, mass tourism, negative impacts, connections

    Takeaways

    • Guiding is about connecting with people and sharing experiences.
    • Being a guide is a natural talent that involves teaching and sharing knowledge.
    • The outdoors and adventure activities can help with personal growth and overcoming challenges.
    • Being present in the moment is important in adventure tourism.
    • Connecting with communities and learning from locals enhances the travel experience.
    • Adventure tourism is about the connection with people, not just the destination. Destination Management Companies (DMCs) like Amazing Ecuador serve as local partners for travel agents around the world, handling logistics and providing personalized itineraries for travelers.
    • Respect for the local communities and their ways of life is crucial when traveling, including being mindful of cultural norms, learning a few words of the local language, and appreciating different ways of doing things.
    • Mass tourism can have negative impacts on communities and natural landscapes, so it is important to keep it under control and prioritize sustainable and responsible travel.
    • Learning from and connecting with local people and cultures can enhance the travel experience and foster meaningful connections.
    • The tourism industry plays a significant role in promoting understanding, empathy, and peace by bringing people from different cultures together.


    Learn more about the Big World Made Small Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers at bigworldmadesmall.com.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Adventure Travel with Pamela Martin - Blue Jellyfish SUP Adventures
    Jun 8 2024

    Area/Topic
    Canada, BC, Paddleboarding

    Pamela Martin
    Owner
    Blue Jellyfish SUP Adventures

    Pam tried paddleboarding for the first time in 2010 and fell in love! She is now is a certified Paddle Canada SUP Basic & Advanced Flatwater Instructor, as well as a Coastal Touring 1 Instructor.

    ​Pam studied Marine Biology at the University of Guelph & Commercial Photography at Sheridan College. Her love of the water has led her to many aquatic pursuits - canoeing as a child, competitive sailing, sprint canoe/kayak racing and long-distance Outrigger Canoe racing before discovering the sport of Stand Up Paddleboarding.

    https://www.bluejellyfishsup.ca/

    Summary
    Pam Martin from Blue Jellyfish Stand Up Paddle Board Tours shares her journey in the adventure tourism industry. She has always been drawn to the water and pursued a career in marine biology. After discovering stand-up paddleboarding, she started incorporating it into her tours and adventures. When her business partner had to step away due to illness, Pam focused more on lessons and courses, but now she is bringing back the culinary and music components. She plans to expand her business to warm destinations like Costa Rica and Ireland, where she has already explored and paddled. The food scene in Ireland has evolved to include healthy farm-to-table options, and there is a strong emphasis on community and connection. In this conversation, Pam discusses the different types of paddleboards and their pros and cons. She explains that inflatable paddleboards are not a gimmick and that high-quality inflatables can feel just as solid as hardboards. Pam also mentions that inflatables are a great option for those who don't have storage space for a hardboard and are easy to travel with. She emphasizes that paddleboarding is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels, and that it offers a low-impact workout that engages the core. Pam encourages people to give it a try and experience the magic of being out on the water.

    Takeaways

    • Pam Martin's love for the water and the outdoors led her to pursue a career in adventure tourism, specifically in stand-up paddleboarding.
    • She values the connection and community that can be created through adventure tourism experiences.
    • After her business partner had to step away, Pam shifted her focus to lessons and courses, but she is now reintroducing the culinary and music components to her tours.
    • Pam plans to expand her business to warm destinations like Costa Rica and Ireland, where she has already explored and paddled.
    • The food scene in Ireland has evolved to include healthy farm-to-table options, and there is a strong emphasis on community and connection. Inflatable paddleboards are not a gimmick and can feel just as solid as hardboards.
    • Inflatables are a great option for those who don't have storage space for a hardboard and are easy to travel with.
    • Paddleboarding is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels.
    • It offers a low-impact workout that engages the core.
    • Paddleboarding allows for a magical experience of being out on the water.


    Learn more about the Big World Made Small Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers at bigworldmadesmall.com.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins

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