Area/Topic
Worldwide, Adventure Travel, Tourism Business

Monika Sundem
CEO
Adventure Life

As a Pacific Northwest native I grew up playing in the mountains and lakes of the Cascades. I now enjoy living near Glacier National Park and am learning how to master the adventure called 'motherhood'. I have been an Adventure Lifer for over 18 years during which time I've worn many hats from operations to trip planning to marketing. I have traveled the world, but hold a special place in my heart for Latin America in particular. I love opportunities to interact with indigenous and local cultures and always glean valuable lessons as a result of off-the-beaten travel. I feel honored to be a part of creating similar life-changing moments for our travelers and grateful to work with the dedicated and amazing team at Adventure Life.

https://www.adventure-life.com/

Summary
Monika Sundem, CEO of Adventure Life, shares her journey from bookkeeping to leading a travel company. Her passion for Latin culture and travel inspired her to join Adventure Life. She emphasizes the importance of personal connections and building relationships with clients. The company transitioned to a fully remote team, which has its challenges in terms of training and communication, but also offers the flexibility to hire the best candidates regardless of location. The team's collective travel experience and ability to customize trips based on clients' preferences are key factors in their success. Monika Sundem, the CEO at Adventure Life, discusses the importance of human connection in travel. She emphasizes that it's the people, both the staff and the travelers, that make the experience meaningful and fulfilling. Monika shares personal stories of connecting with travelers and forming deep connections with them. She also highlights the value of cultural connections and the joy of interacting with locals in different countries. Monika acknowledges the challenges of running a travel business, including the weight of decision-making and the responsibility towards employees. Overall, she emphasizes the significance of human connection in the travel industry.

Takeaways

• Passion for Latin culture and travel led Monika Sundem to join Adventure Life
• Building personal connections and relationships with clients is crucial in the travel industry
• Transitioning to a fully remote team has its challenges, but also offers flexibility in hiring
• The team's collective travel experience and ability to customize trips are key factors in their success The people, both staff and travelers, are what make travel experiences meaningful and fulfilling.
• Cultural connections and interactions with locals enhance the travel experience.
• Running a travel business comes with challenges and responsibilities, including decision-making and the well-being of employees.
• Human connection is essential in the travel industry and contributes to memorable experiences.

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.

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, education, and the

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.

Area/Topic
Latin America, Asia, Slow Travel, Trip Planning

Steve Wilson
Founder
LiNGER Travel

I have spent the last 25 years travelling the world, from journeying overland through every country in Latin America to studying and working in Belize, Bolivia, Canada, Mexico and Nicaragua. I took a sabbatical in 2010 to spend a year researching and travelling through South East Asia, China and India.

I became involved with complex trip planning for South America specialist operators in the early 2000s and this formed the basis of my career. The more complex the better. One of my initial projects was for a renowned landscape photographer and his mission to capture images of the extreme cardinal points and edges of the continent – part of a global project with a 104-year-old camera.

https://www.linger.co.uk/

Summary
Steve Wilson, founder of Linger Travel, discusses his unique approach to sabbatical planning and complex trip planning. He defines a sabbatical as a longer than normal period of time to travel, emphasizing that it doesn't have to be an epic adventure or a traditional academic pursuit. The duration of a sabbatical can vary depending on the individual, with trips ranging from a month to up to a year. Steve highlights the importance of attention to detail in trip planning and the need for a strong connection between the travel planner and the client. He also shares his own personal journey from a career in finance to founding Linger Travel.

In this conversation, Steve Wilson discusses the importance of proper planning and pacing when embarking on long-term travel. He emphasizes the need to slow down, avoid travel fatigue, and find a balance between must-see attractions and slower-paced, simpler experiences. Wilson also highlights the significance of understanding individual preferences and interests when creating travel itineraries. He advises against rushing through countries and ticking off boxes, instead encouraging travelers to go deeper within a country and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. Wilson also shares insights on traveling in India and the importance of planning a diverse itinerary to fully appreciate the country's culture and landscapes.

Takeaways

• A sabbatical is a longer than normal period of time to travel, providing an opportunity to break away from routine and have new experiences.
• Linger Travel specializes in complex trip planning, focusing on longer and more adventurous trips.
• There is no hard and fast rule for the duration of a sabbatical, as it depends on the individual's preferences and previous travel experiences.
• Attention to detail is crucial in trip planning, and a strong connection between the travel planner and the client is important for a successful trip.
• Family travel can be a rewarding experience, and introducing children to travel at a young age can have educational and personal growth benefits.
• Long-term travel can have its challenges, such as loneliness and missing familiar comforts, but strategic planning and finding opportunities for meaningful experiences can help overcome these challenges. Proper planning and pacing are crucial for long-term travel to avoid travel fatigue.
• Finding a balance between must-see attractions and slower-paced experiences is essential for an enjoyable trip.
• Understanding individual preferences and interests is key when creating travel itineraries.
• Exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations can lead to unique and rewarding experiences.
• India offers diverse cultural and natu

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.