Adventure travel is for everyone — no matter their age or fitness level.
That's what Shannon Stowell believes. As the CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, Shannon is on a mission to help more people discover the joy of adventure tourism and learn how to do so responsibly. He joins this episode of the podcast to bust common myths around adventure travel and help you discover the adventure style that will thrill and delight your travelers..
Shannon discusses how you might be leading adventure travel without even realizing it. He puts to rest the misconception that older travelers don't like adventure and shares a framework for traveling like respectful guests in the places we visit. Plus, we have news about dozens of cancellations from a major cruise line; a Road Tip about making your devices and appliances work well abroad; and a Hot Minute about the unprofessional habits of some travel pros.
Insights from Shannon Stowell
Shannon had lots of ideas about how planners can seek out and deliver enriching adventure activities for travelers of all kinds. Here's what he had to say about what adventure travel really means:
“We did this deep dive study and found that three themes came out clearly to define the core of adventure: nature, culture and activity.
“The beauty of that is it’s accessible to everyone. So an 18-year-old who’s climbing a mountain in Nepal, that’s adventure for them. Somebody up there in years who would love to walk from inn to inn in Ireland — that’s an adventure too. They’re just a little bit different.... I think everyone should have access to adventure."
Plus, he had insightful thoughts on:
* Domestic adventure destinations
* The booming growth of the adventure travel industry
* Visiting the national parks in uncertain times
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Connect with Shannon Stowell on
LInkedIn.
Purchase Shannon's Book "Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean" on
Amazon.
Learn more about the Adventure Travel Trade Association on their
website.
Sign up for our FAM trip notifications
here.
Key Moments From This Episode
1:08 — Travel News: Norwegian cancels 40 cruises
2:20 — Road Tip: Using your electronics abroad
8:08 — FAM tour opportunities you don’t want to miss
13:11 — Shannon Stowell’s journey from e-commerce to adventure travel
15:09 — Defining adventure travel for the 21st century
18:04 — Adventure opportunities for older travelers
21:31 — How adventure travel providers are adjusting to today’s marketplace
24:11 — The incredible growth of the adventure travel industry
