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.

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