VANBASSADOR

Leading Global Teams Starts With Local Insight — A Conversation with Lisa Chen, CEO of ToursByLocals An excerpt from the full interview here https://lnkd.in/gkbXnYSB Lisa Chen leads a marketplace connecting travelers with 5,200+ independent guides in 185 countries. But what caught my attention wasn't just the scale — it was her framing that cultural intelligence isn't a bonus in leadership… it's the key ingredient. Watch a short excerpt here with some solid insights on cross-cultural management styles. 🎒 Key Takeaways: Tourism with agency: How giving guides control over pricing and product shapes stronger local economies and creates a more authentic experience for guest. - A moment on the Great Wall that sparked an international platform. - C.I. — Cultural Intelligence: Why leaders need as much cultural agility as business acumen. - Language gaps inside your own team: The question “Do you feel valued?” means something very different in Argentina than it does in the U.S. - Career acceleration through global context: Living in Tokyo, Taipei, South Africa, Buenos Aires — and why that shaped Lisa’s leadership more than any corporate training. - pick up the book The Culture Map by Erin Meyers https://a.co/d/7rPcWGF 🧭 VANBASSADOR Reflection: To lead globally is to listen locally — to detect the signals inside silence, subtext, and the spaces between cultures. 🎙 Thank you to Arival for gathering the sharpest minds in travel, and to  Bruce Rosard  and Douglas Quinby for creating a space where conversations like this actually go deeper than buzzwords. And special thanks to TourOptima for powering this series — helping operators modernize their guest experience through omnichannel messaging, operator-branded mobile apps, and the only CRM built specifically for direct-to-consumer tours, attractions, and landmark experiences. And my friend Dan Christian from Travel Trends Podcast for sharing space with me at Arival and enlightening me on the challenges of living with elephantiasis. #VanBassador #GlobalMindset #CulturalIntelligence #TravelLeadership #ToursByLocals #TravelInnovation #TourOperatorLife #FutureOfTravel #CommerceAndCulture #HumanCenteredTravel #ArivalEvent #ArivalTravel #TravelTech #TourOptima #DirectToConsumerTravel #ExperienceEconomy #LeadershipAcrossCultures #DigitalTourism #TravelEntrepreneurship #LocalGuides

So great to be on the road heading to my new favorite early Fall place!

For anyone considering a career that gets you out on the road—or off the beaten path—here’s a story for you. As part of the VANBASSADOR’s work profiling careers that help people do what they love, I met with Rebecca Robinson from FareHarbor to talk about her journey from international journalism into outdoor recreation and travel technology. Why tune in? Because Rebecca’s path shows how passion for travel, culture, and connection can evolve into a thriving career in outdoor recreation and SaaS innovation. You’ll walk away with: ✅ Insights into how FareHarbor empowers 20,000+ tour and activity providers worldwide ✅ Lessons on how good products that meet a market pain point transcend cultures and markets ✅ A candid look at community, human connection, and technology’s role in shaping the future of travel ✅ Inspiration for anyone looking to align their career with what they love most This conversation was made possible thanks to: ✨ TourOptima – powering omni-channel guest communications for tour operators and attractions ✨ Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) – strengthening the global adventure travel community ✨ Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office – building careers and supporting the outdoor lifestyle ecosystem  ✨ Outdoor Recreation Roundtable – galvanizing the U.S. outdoor rec industry ✨ Detour Adventure Travel Protection – adventure travel protection  ✨ Outside – Outside Festival and Summit where industry leaders come to share ideas and have fun 👂 If you’re someone who dreams of blending travel, culture, and impact into your professional journey—or just love hearing how others have carved their path—you’ll want to listen in. #VanBassador #OutdoorRecreation #AdventureTravel #CareerStories #TourOptima #FareHarbor #ATTA #ColoradoOutdoorRec #TravelTech

In my latest conversation with Brennen Bliss Founder of Propellic - Travel Marketing, we dive deep into what’s driving the future of travel marketing — and what’s holding it back. Brennen started building websites at 14, scaled into SEO, then specialized entirely in the travel industry. What he’s learned along the way is pure gold for operators, marketers, and leaders in tourism. 👉 What you’ll learn in the full video: - Why innovation is the dividing line between companies that thrive and those that fade. - The power of specialization and “pattern recognition” in travel. - How AI search is changing visibility and discovery faster than most operators realize. - Why U.S. companies embrace risk differently than their global counterparts. - What the next 5–10 years of travel marketing could look like in a world of AI, fragmentation, and shifting geopolitics. 💡 Key Takeaways: -Attribution is getting harder — but brands that accept the messy middle will find new alpha. -AI is transforming discovery — prepare now or lose visibility. -Risk tolerance defines growth — U.S. firms test, Europeans hesitate. -Specialization creates expertise — the reps in one industry build pattern recognition. -Overtourism is the fork in the road — handled well, travel remains humanity’s greatest bridge. 🗂️ Sections Covered: - Starting young & scaling into travel - The leap from SEO to full-service digital for tourism - Why specialization matters - The three biggest things travel companies need to do now - How AI and attribution are changing marketing forever - Geopolitical headwinds and the next 5 years 🗣️ Quotes from Brennen: “Innovation is the only way to stay relevant in business — it always has been.” “Pattern recognition is equivalent to expertise. The only way to get there is specialization.” “I want this industry to move faster — travel can be a force for more diverse, accepting humans.” 🎬 Watch the full conversation on YouTube 👉 https://lnkd.in/gedT-435 Made possible with support from: TourOptima Detour Adventure Travel Protection #TravelTech #TourismInnovation #GuestExperience #DigitalTransformation #TravelIndustry #TourOperators #ExperienceEconomy #FutureOfTravel #SmartTourism #CustomerEngagement #HospitalityTech #GlobalBusiness #CXStrategy #SaaSforTravel #TourismGrowth #AttractionsIndustry #TravelLeaders #TravelMarketing #TourismTrends #GuestComms

Alyssa Ravasio, CEO & Founder of Hipcamp, to talk about why the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) matters—for startups, landowners, and the entire outdoor ecosystem. Why ORR matters: One unified voice, real results. ORR brings 100K+ outdoor businesses under a single policy umbrella—streamlining work on access, infrastructure, and permits. Cross-sector collisions. From RVs to boating to camping marketplaces like Hipcamp, ORR’s coalition sparks partnerships that open new places to stay and play. State momentum = local wins. With 24 State Offices of Outdoor Recreation (and “25 in ’25” in sight), companies can pilot programs, align with workforce/education, and grow rural economies. Responsible growth. ORR elevates standards for stewardship, safety, and inclusive access—so outdoor businesses can scale while protecting the places we love. Alyssa’s take: when industry leaders collaborate through ORR, entrepreneurs innovate faster, landowners earn new income, and more people get outside—sustainably. If you run, supply, or support outdoor businesses, plug into ORR and meet the partners who’ll help you scale. 🧭 Featuring: Alyssa Ravasio (Hipcamp) 🤝 Shout-out: Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office 🎒 Host: The VANBASSADOR (Josh Halpern) #OutdoorRecreation #Hipcamp #careersoutdoor #outsidefestival #getoutside #outdoorcareers #OutdoorEconomy #Camping #CampOn #PublicLands #WorkingLands #RecreationAccess #PermittingReform #RuralDevelopment #SustainableTourism #Conservation #Stewardship #StateOutdoorOffices #25in25 #StartupEcosystem #Marketplace #TravelTech #VanBassador

Want a career where you get paid to be outside, build community, and create lasting memories? 🌲🚴♀️ Jeremy Loewenstein of SpiceRoads Cycling, one of Asia’s leaders in cycling tours, shares how he leverages being "with the people" and his superpower, ADHD, to build a cross-cultural career outside! If you know my backgroun working for a couple decades in economic & workforce development (in government and through my own training initiatives Getting to Global)—and our informal collaboration with the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, you’ll see why I’m excited to share this. As we become more insular and screen-dependent, the outdoor lifestyle sector is a powerful path for people starting out, switching careers, or leveling up and looking to spend time talking to real humans while feeling the wind through your hair. Career takeaways from Jeremy’s journey: Pathways are flexible: guiding tours ➜ operations ➜ sales/partnerships—skills transfer if you stay close to end-users and product. Talking to people at conferences and networking is the way to go. Forget clicking “easy apply.” Service = strategy: guest care is differentiation; learn to operationalize it at scale. ADHD as an edge: harness energy, curiosity, and pattern-switching for creative problem solving. Be in the room: “Be in the position to be in the position.” Proximity creates opportunities. Asia lens: cultural fluency + local partners matter as much as route design. If you’re exploring an outdoor career—or hiring for one—this is a practical, no-fluff listen. Shout-outs to those who made this possible: TourOptima and Detour Adventure Travel Protection Adventure Travel Trade Association Escape Vans #OutdoorIndustry #AdventureTravel #Cycling #CareerAdvice #WorkforceDevelopment #CareerSwitch #ADHD #VanBassador #SpiceRoads #GetOutside #Hiring #Jobs#WorkforceDevelopment #CareerAdvice #TravelTech #TourOperators #SustainableTourism #AsiaTravel #ADHD #NeurodiversityAtWork #VanBassador Adventure World Adventure Cycling Association

🌍 In this VANBASSADOR episode, Josh Halpern sits down with Alyssa Ravasio, Founder & CEO of Hipcamp, to unpack how a simple family trip and a campsite-search became a worldwide platform connecting campers, farmers, and public-land stewards. From Silicon Valley code to Aussie outback insights, Alyssa reveals what it really takes to scale a tech‐driven outdoor brand across borders—and why open data, local partners, and a “two-summers-per-year” mindset keep Hipcamp miles ahead of the pack. Why Watch Global Expansion Playbook – Hiring locals, honoring culture, and outsmarting fast-moving competitors in new markets. Data for Good – How Alyssa is lobbying for open APIs so every traveler can seamlessly book public-land campsites. Defensible Differentiation – 100,000+ farm & ranch sites you won’t find anywhere else, and a strategy rivals can’t copy. Founder Tactics – Solo-camping think time, nonstop customer calls, and boots-on-the-ground visits before any launch. AI & the Outdoors – Where machine learning fits into making “any campsite, anywhere” bookable in real time. Take-Action Tips – Concrete advice for entrepreneurs leaping from one market—or one continent—to the next. “When someone copies your mission to help farmers, part of you is thrilled—impact first.” — Alyssa Ravasio Chapters 0:00 Intro & Why Camping Still Wins 1:45 Hipcamp 101: From Frustration to #1 App 5:12 Two Summers a Year: Lessons from Australia 🇦🇺 10:30 Cracking the UK & Competitive Curveballs 15:48 Policy & Open-Data Advocacy with recreation.gov 20:20 Building Moats: Exclusive Inventory & Community Love 24:55 Founder Superpowers, AI, and the Future of Booking 29:40 Rapid-Fire Takeaways & Closing 🎉 Special Thanks & Partner Shout-Outs to our supporters Adventure Travel Trade Association TourOptima Detour Adventure Travel Protection Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Outside Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office #OutsideFestival #OutsideSummit

🎙️ New VANBASSADOR episode: I caught up with Antonio JF Gavinho, Co‑Founder of Portugal Nature Trails (PNT)—the family‑run operator that’s spent 20 years mapping the best hiking & biking routes across Portugal (plus the Azores & Madeira). Market pulse António sees steady demand for active travel even amid global jitters. His advice: reassure U.S. visitors they’ll be welcomed—Portugal always rolls out the red carpet. Why PNT stands out • All‑terrain mastery – coastal cliffs, island volcanoes, mountain backroads. • Self‑guided freedom, concierge care – GPS tracks, luggage transfers, 24/7 support. • Hand‑picked stays – small, character‑rich hotels that elevate every stage. • New horizons – fresh guided adventures in Morocco and a sister brand, Exotic Nature Trails, for bucket‑list destinations worldwide. • Built‑in peace of mind – they recommend Detour Adventure Travel Protection so guests roam worry‑free. Episode supported by industry leading organizations including: - Adventure Travel Trade Association - Detour Adventure Travel Protection - TourOptima 💡 Press play to learn how a boutique outfitter scales sustainably, designs unforgettable itineraries, and keeps guests safe from start to summit. #VanBassador #PortugalNatureTrails #AdventureTravel #HikingPortugal #BikingPortugal #Azores #Madeira #MoroccoTravel #SelfGuidedTours #FamilyBusiness #SustainableTourism #DetourInsurance #ActiveTravel #ExplorePortugal Josh Halpern Getting to Global

🚢 Todd Smith, Founder & CEO of AdventureSmith Explorations, believes small-format expedition cruising is one of the most powerful tools for transforming travel — and maybe even diplomacy. 🌍 In this latest VANBASSADOR interview, hosted by me, Josh Halpern, Todd shares how he went from guiding in Alaska to building a global brand that brings travelers face-to-face with breaching whales, calving glaciers, and delicate ecosystems — from the Galápagos to the Mediterranean. But this is more than just adventure travel. Todd dives into: ✅ Why small-format cruising is the antidote to over-tourism ✅ How automation and tech are helping operators scale connection, not just operations ✅ What travelers really want in 2025 — and why last-minute bookings are on the rise ✅ A bold vision for “floating diplomacy” — getting stakeholders on a ship to solve big global challenges together 💬 “If you can create an emotional connection with a place, people will fight to protect it.” It’s one of the most inspiring conversations we’ve had — and essential viewing for tour operators, DMCs, DMOs, and anyone shaping the future of travel. 🎥 Watch the full interview now right here and please follow VANBASSADOR to catch future interviews. Big thanks to our partners: ✅ Adventure Travel Trade Association ✅ Detour Adventure Travel Protection ✅ TourOptima #AdventureTravel #SmallShipCruise #SustainableTourism #VanBassador #ToddSmith #JoshHalpern #FloatingDiplomacy #ConservationThroughTravel #TourOperatorLeadership #ATTA #DetourProtects #TourOptima #AdventureSmithExplorations #TravelIndustryLeadership #ExpeditionCruise #TravelInnovation #GlobalMindset

🌎 The full interview is LIVE! I sat down with Heidi Durflinger, CEO of EF World Journeys , to unpack how a global mindset can take you from a small farming town in Kansas to leading one of the world’s largest educational‑travel powerhouses. ✨ Highlights you’ll hear in the episode: - How hosting nine exchange students ignited Heidi’s lifelong curiosity - Why EF’s “nothing‑is‑impossible” and entrepreneurial spirit values unite 50+ country teams - The Gallup Strengths trick Heidi’s crew uses to keep multicultural collaboration humming - How the newly launched EF Adventures is crafting culturally immersive, active trips for travelers who want their feet wet & minds global - AI, solo‑travel communities, and what’s next for connecting people and cultures worldwide Plus, a shout‑out to David Mesicek , VP Marketing at EF Adventures—thanks for the Boston lunch and sharing what its like to walk down a hallway filled with optimism in a time like this! This episode is powered by: 🔹 Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) 🔹 TourOptima — the omni‑channel tour communications solution 🔹 Detour Adventure Travel Protection  — the most renegade adventure travel insurance around - Special thanks to Brian Hoyt  and the whole EF team for making this possible. - Thanks to Shannon Stowell from ATTA for letting us hang at your ELEVATE conference in Denver. If you’re chasing global horizons—personally and professionally—this convo is your roadmap. Hosted by yours truly, Josh Halpern “The VANBASSADOR” 🚐✨ FOLLOW VANBASSADOR for an onslaught of cool conversations I'm having with industry thought-leaders on the interest of COMMERCE & CULTURE CATCH Heidi Durflinger upcoming long-form podcast with the travel industry leader Dan Christian on his acclaimed Travel Trends Podcast! #EFWorldJourneys #EFAdventures #VanBassador #GlobalMindset #TravelEd #Wanderlust #AdventureAwaits #StudyAbroad #EdTravel #CultureConnect #LeadershipInsights #MindsetMatters #LifelongLearning #LearnByDoing #TravelTuesday #ATTA #TourOptima #DetourInsurance Getting to Global Grow Big Initiative