Advertise on podcast: The Travel Growth Podcast

How do you build the highest-scoring B Corp travel company in the world while turning global re-wilding initiatives into deeply immersive, commercially successful experiences? In this season finale of The Travel Growth Podcast, Duncan Grossart pulls back the curtain on how he founded Journeys With Purpose. While you might expect a purely "touchy-feely" discussion on mission and vision, Duncan delivers a masterclass in practical, hard-nosed entrepreneurship. Drawing on his immense depth of knowledge from his previous media and non-travel businesses, he shares exactly how to apply corporate rigour to passion-driven travel. You’ll learn: How to find great people, communicate seamlessly, and build a team that transforms a vision into realityThe unbreakable link between commercial success and impact success—and why your business needs bothHead vs. Heart: Knowing exactly when to lead with emotion and when to lead with clinical business metricsStorytelling in Travel: Why being less literal with imagery and focusing entirely on feeling will transform your marketingWhat re-wilding and conservation look like when executed as a robust, high-level business strategyThe power of being dependent and dependable, and what "being a strong man" truly means in modern leadership Duncan also shares how his personal upbringing and experiences with loss shaped his profound motivation, what he’s learned from leading experts in global rewilding, and why taking action will always beat sitting around and planning. Whether you're: ✔️ Trying to navigate the rigorous path to becoming a certified B Corp ✔️ A travel founder trying to balance profitability with an environmental mission ✔️ Looking for a real framework to scale and communicate with an international team ✔️ Or an entrepreneur looking for an honest, deeply experienced roadmap to building a meaningful brand This episode is a masterclass to end the season. Key themes: travel entrepreneurship, B Corp travel, rewilding, global conservation, business scaling, team communication, travel marketing, purpose-driven business, leadership. Who this is for: Tour operators, sustainable travel founders, eco-hospitality leaders, and any entrepreneur looking to apply proven corporate strategies to an impactful, passion-led business. 00:00 Introduction to Duncan Grossart 01:00 Duncan's Early Influences and Background 05:09 Transitioning to the Business World 09:45 Key Learnings from Business Experience 18:28 The Importance of Team Communication 26:09 The Birth of Journeys with Purpose 31:35 Understanding Rewilding and Conservation 39:35 Balancing Commercial and Impact Success 46:51 Reflections on the Travel Industry 50:31 The Power of Storytelling in Travel 52:15 From Head to Heart: A Personal Journey 55:16 Defining Success and Impact 01:00:17 The Role of Loss in Motivation 01:03:45 The Importance of Nature and Conservation 01:19:03 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in Travel 🌍 Follow Our Journey north9: https://north9.agency Podcasts: https://north9.agency/podcasts/ 🎗️ 100% Profit Giving We’re giving away 100% of our profits: https://north9.agency/one-hundred/ 👇 Our Socials Facebook: / north9agency LinkedIn: / north9-agency Instagram: / north9agency X: https://x.com/north9agency

How do you navigate the highly competitive African safari industry as a female founder, while building a purpose-driven group that empowers local communities and secures international awards? In this episode, Lydia Eva Mpanga shares her inspirational story as the co-founder and CEO of Nkuringo Safaris. Operating at the forefront of East African tourism, Lydia reveals how she grew the multi-award-winning Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, established the Gorilla Junction Foundation, and became a true trailblazer in community-led luxury travel and sustainable conservation. You’ll learn: How being purpose-led can build a deeply motivated team that stands together through good and hard timesThe real impact of community-led tourism and how the growth of Nkuringo Safaris directly elevates local livelihoods on the groundHow a unique mix of parental backgrounds gave Lydia the "aggression and empathy" needed to fight for her space in a male-dominated industryAlternative approaches to wildlife conservation that ensure it actually works for the community and all stakeholders involvedHow to manage the intense pressure of leadership when hundreds of lives depend on your business successStrategies for marketing Uganda beyond the gorillas and building iron-clad relationships with international travel agents Lydia delivers an absolute masterclass on what it means to go above and beyond for your guests, face small-operation challenges head-on, and lead with unwavering hope and resilience. Whether you're: ✔️ A travel founder trying to balance commercial success with genuine purpose ✔️ Curious about the realities of sustainable conservation and luxury safaris ✔️ Navigating the complex pressures of scaling a team and an experience-led brand ✔️ Or looking to learn from one of the most powerful female voices in African tourism This episode offers a clear, deeply moving, and honest roadmap. Key themes: travel entrepreneurship, female leadership, African tourism, sustainable safaris, wildlife conservation, community engagement, luxury hospitality, team culture, business resilience. Who this is for: Tour operators, hospitality founders, travel entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about seeing how intentional, community-first business models can scale globally while keeping their soul intact. 00:00 The Genesis of Nkuringo Safaris 03:00 Growth and Evolution of Nkuringo Safaris 05:49 Empowering the Community through Employment 09:07 Challenges in Building a Diverse Team 11:57 The Role of the Gorilla Junction Foundation 14:50 Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement 17:58 The Interplay of Business and Conservation 20:54 Maintaining High Standards and Awards 23:54 Marketing Strategies and Public Relations 33:55 The Sky's the Limit for Coringo 35:10 Competing in the Safari Industry 36:00 Challenges of Small Operations 39:15 Building Strong Relationships with Agents 45:03 Marketing Uganda Beyond Gorillas 49:04 Navigating Challenges in Tourism 52:21 Maintaining Hope and Resilience 53:57 The Unique Qualities of a Leader 01:00:26 Future Plans for Nkuringo 01:04:12 Community and Conservation Efforts 01:08:17 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 🌍 Follow Our Journey north9: https://north9.agency Podcasts: https://north9.agency/podcasts/ 🎗️ 100% Profit Giving We’re giving away 100% of our profits: https://north9.agency/one-hundred/ 👇 Our Socials Facebook: / north9agency LinkedIn: / north9-agency Instagram: / north9agency X: https://x.com/north9agency

How do you turn wildlife conservation and community empowerment into a highly successful, standalone business strategy? In this episode, David Guthrie shares hard-earned wisdom from his 30-year career as a veteran of the East African safari industry. As the co-founder of A Tent with a View and the mastermind behind the innovative Bush Rover Suites, David has been a true trailblazer, helping open up Tanzania’s 'Secret South' and Saadani National Park while proving that profit and purpose can seamlessly coexist. You’ll learn: How to make the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the core engine of your travel businessThe blueprint for maintaining true cultural authenticity while actively supporting local communitiesBehind-the-scenes of the Bush Rover Suites: A pinnacle of innovation in community integration and mobile luxuryHow to build youth projects that empower local children to become the sustainability voices of the futureConservation as a business strategy: How leading with a mission makes your brand stand out from the crowdDavid’s personal journey of adventure that led him from the UK to the lesser-known wilds of Tanzania David delivers sackloads of practical knowledge, inspiration, and honest insights on what it takes to stay motivated, run a passion-driven business, and raise the bar for the entire tourism industry. Whether you're: ✔️ An operator looking for practical ways to integrate sustainability into your hospitality model ✔️ A travel founder looking to stand out in a crowded market ✔️ Passionate about conservation-led tourism and community development ✔️ Or seeking inspiration from a 30-year industry pioneer This conversation gives you a clear, meaningful roadmap. Key themes: safari industry, sustainable tourism, UN Sustainable Development Goals, conservation business, travel entrepreneurship, community integration, Tanzania tourism, and innovative hospitality. Who this is for: Travel entrepreneurs, tour operators, safari guides, lodge owners, and anyone passionate about building an impactful, forward-thinking business in the global travel and tourism space. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:00 The Journey into Travel and Adventure 03:38 Transition to Tanzania and Early Experiences 07:32 Founding Tent with a View 09:11 Current Overview of Tent with a View 12:26 Navigating Tourism and Community Engagement 15:41 Balancing Popularity and Sustainability 20:31 Innovation and Passion in Business 24:08 Future Plans and Wildlife Conservation 26:20 Passion and Team Dynamics in Travel 29:50 Building Trust and Community Connections 34:32 The Bigger Picture: Purpose of Tent with a View 39:08 Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into Business 46:57 Innovative Community Projects and Their Impact 55:09 The Rise of the Girls Sports Academy 57:48 Building Relationships with DMCs 01:00:13 The Importance of Personal Connections 01:04:15 Marketing Strategies for Growth 01:09:47 Resilience in Business 01:19:33 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 01:21:19 Legacy and Future Aspirations 🌍 Follow Our Journey north9: https://north9.agency Podcasts: https://north9.agency/podcasts/ 🎗️ 100% Profit Giving We’re giving away 100% of our profits: https://north9.agency/one-hundred/ 👇 Our Socials Facebook: / north9agency LinkedIn: / north9-agency Instagram: / north9agency Twitter: https://x.com/north9agency

How do you scale an adventure travel business, navigate the AI revolution, and find the “riches in the niches”? In this episode, Peter Syme pulls no punches as he shares hard-earned lessons from his journey from the British Army to corporate life, commodity trading, and ultimately mentoring hundreds of tour operators globally as a partner at Tourpreneur. Pete delivers some straight-talking truths about the intersection of tourism and technology, and why there is more opportunity than ever for travel businesses today, if you know how to adapt. You’ll learn: How to successfully transition your mindset from a tour guide to a scalable business ownerThe real opportunities and existential threats that AI presents for tour operators over the next few years“The Riches in the Niches”: Why getting hyper-specific makes customer acquisition and marketing a lot easierCommunity Marketing Secrets: How Pete generated thousands of leads for limited-capacity rafting tripsPersona Mapping: How to understand your audience’s stage of life to tailor your marketing messageFinding “True Influencers”: Why the best advocates for your brand aren't the ones on Instagram or TikTok Pete also shares his raw perspective on embracing failure, building resilience, navigating a non-linear career path, and what it really takes for the youth of today to succeed in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Whether you're: ✔️ Trying to transition from guiding to running a business ✔️ Trying to work out how to implement AI into your tour company ✔️ Looking for a real framework to identify your ideal customer persona ✔️ Or a travel founder looking for a straight-talking roadmap to profitability This episode is an absolute masterclass packed with a wealth of knowledge from an industry veteran. Key themes: travel entrepreneurship, adventure travel, AI in tourism, tour operator marketing, niche business strategy, community marketing, customer personas, business scaling. Who this is for: Tour operators, adventure travel founders, travel agency owners, startup builders, and anyone looking for a direct, honest perspective on navigating the future of the travel industry. 00:00 Introduction to Pete's Journey 02:51 The Evolution of Tourpreneur 06:04 From Military to Adventure Travel 08:59 Transitioning to Business Ownership 12:04 Acquiring and Growing Adventure Businesses 15:08 Understanding Business Fundamentals 18:07 Scaling and Managing Adventure Companies 20:57 Challenges in the Tour Operator Industry 23:56 The Role of Technology in Tourism 26:51 Advice for Aspiring Tour Operators 30:09 Navigating Technology in the Tour Industry 37:15 AI: Opportunities and Threats for Tour Operators 49:05 Managing Travel Volume and Customer Experience 51:32 Niche Markets: Finding Gold in Specific Experiences 59:08 Building Relationships in Adventure Travel 01:00:28 Targeting the Right Audience 01:01:45 Understanding Customer Personas 01:03:21 The Importance of Stage of Life in Marketing 01:05:00 Influencers Beyond Social Media 01:09:53 Personal Attributes for Success 01:14:33 Navigating a Non-Linear Career Path 01:18:57 Discovering Your Passion 01:22:40 Starting a Travel Business 01:28:07 Challenges in Customer Acquisition 🌍 Follow Our Journey north9: https://north9.agency Podcasts: https://north9.agency/podcasts/ 🎗️ 100% Profit Giving We’re giving away 100% of our profits: https://north9.agency/one-hundred/ 👇 Our Socials Facebook: / north9agency LinkedIn: / north9-agency Instagram: / north9agency Twitter: https://x.com/north9agency

How do you build a luxury hospitality empire that is both highly profitable and deeply sustainable? In this episode, Portia Hart reveals how she founded Blue Apple Beach, The Pink Mango, and Townhouse in Cartagena. From her early days moving to Colombia to becoming a pioneer of B-Corp standards in the Caribbean, Portia’s approach to business is a masterclass in regenerative hospitality, community integration, and visionary leadership. You’ll learn: How to make sustainability highly profitable and place it at the core of your brand DNAReal strategies for community immersion and building structures that support local locals as an outsiderThe concept of "awkward hospitality" and how to rethink traditional luxury to make guests feel truly welcomeBehind-the-scenes insights from hosting billionaires like Jeff Bezos and what it takes to serve ultra-high-net-worth individualsThe "Happy Toad" framework for creating a vibrant workplace culture and an effective teamHow a beautifully simple mission like "have a nice time in a nice place" can drive massive success Portia also shares her experiences with innovative management structures, balancing work and family as an entrepreneur, and how protecting the natural world directly impacts your bottom line. Whether you're: ✔️ Building or scaling a hospitality brand ✔️ Trying to put sustainable tourism into profitable practice ✔️ Passionate about community-centric business models ✔️ Or looking to innovate your internal management culture This episode is packed with practical insights you can use in your own business today. Key themes: travel entrepreneurship, regenerative hospitality, sustainable tourism, community engagement, luxury hospitality, B-Corp standards, workplace culture, and leadership. Who this is for: Hospitality founders, hotel owners, tour operators, travel entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about building a highly profitable, experience-led business that creates a genuine positive impact. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Portia Hart 01:23 Portia's Journey to Colombia 04:12 Transitioning to Blue Apple Beach Club 08:15 The Birth of Blue Apple 12:01 Building a Community-Centric Business 17:37 The Importance of Community in Travel 24:49 Strategies for Community Engagement 32:24 Sustainability and Profitability in Tourism 34:04 The Natural World and Business Success 39:14 The Interconnection of Business and Community 41:47 Creating a Positive Workplace Culture 49:59 Defining Good Hospitality 56:32 Rethinking Luxury in Hospitality 01:01:05 The Purpose Behind Hospitality 01:05:12 Challenges in the Hospitality Industry 01:08:51 Innovative Management Structures 01:13:34 Personal Qualities of a Leader 01:17:43 Balancing Work and Family 01:23:26 Future Aspirations and Community Impact 01:28:01 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 🌍 Follow Our Journey north9: https://north9.agency Podcasts: https://north9.agency/podcasts/ 🎗️ 100% Profit Giving We’re giving away 100% of our profits: https://north9.agency/one-hundred/ 👇 Our Socials Facebook: /north9agency LinkedIn: /north9-agency Instagram: @north9agency Twitter: https://x.com/north9agency

How do you build an 8-figure travel empire by staying "hyper-niche" and avoiding boring marketing? In this episode, Matthew Newton reveals how he grew Leatherback Travel into a global house of brands, including Patch Adventures and Magnificent Rail. From his early days at Tourism Tiger to leading a multi-day tour operator space, Matthew’s approach to business is a masterclass in modern company culture, operational excellence, and the psychology of sales. You’ll learn: How to build a "large group of small companies" to dominate niche marketsThe "Operating Principles" strategy: Why memorisation is key to a high-performing teamReal strategies for creating a culture of ownership and "almost perfect" guest satisfactionHow to identify and fix "Oozers", the hidden inefficiencies killing your productivityThe "Special Feeling" framework for recruitment, marketing, and guest experienceBehind the Scenes of Salemi Ceramics: A project revitalising a Sicilian town through tourism Matthew also shares his "Meatball" theory of delegation, how to use data to drive marketing decisions, and why writing like a human being is the ultimate competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. Whether you're: ✔️ Scaling a multi-day tour operator ✔️ Building a "house of brands" strategy ✔️ Obsessed with improving company culture and operations ✔️ Or looking to inject more authenticity into your marketing This episode is packed with magical nuggets you can use in your own business today. Key themes: travel entrepreneurship, niche marketing, company culture, operational efficiency, business acquisitions, leadership, sustainable tourism, and brand scaling. Who this is for: travel entrepreneurs, tour operators, agency founders, and business leaders who want to build a scalable, high-satisfaction business without losing its "soul" or "special feeling." 00:00 Introduction to Matthew Newton and Leatherback 01:58 Matthew's Journey to Entrepreneurship 04:01 The Birth of Leatherback and Its Brands 05:58 The Structure of Leatherback's Business Model 08:59 Identifying Niche Markets and Brand Development 12:02 Acquisitions and Business Growth Strategies 14:54 The Importance of Team Culture and Structure 16:57 Operational Strategies and Continuous Improvement 24:06 Cross-Brand Collaboration and Future Directions 28:37 Cross-Pollination in Operations 31:06 The Importance of Operating Principles 33:19 Gardening and Continuous Improvement 36:14 Empowering Teams with Meatballs 39:41 Onboarding and Memorization of Principles 43:11 Special Feeling in Recruitment 47:17 Leadership and Time Investment 50:58 Balancing Fun and Profitability 54:58 Salemi Ceramics: A Community Revitalization Project 01:00:07 Marketing Strategies and Authenticity 01:01:41 Writing with Authenticity 01:04:37 Targeted Marketing Strategies 01:07:36 Data-Driven Marketing Decisions 01:08:27 The Role of AI in Travel 01:12:51 Personal Qualities for Business Success 01:17:55 Continuous Improvement and Learning 01:20:18 Future Growth and Brand Expansion 01:22:51 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 🌍 Follow Our Journey north9: https://north9.agency Podcasts: https://north9.agency/podcasts/ 🎗️ 100% Profit Giving We’re giving away 100% of our profits: https://north9.agency/one-hundred/ 👇 Our Socials Facebook: / north9agency LinkedIn: / north9-agency Instagram: / north9agency Twitter: https://x.com/north9agency

In this episode, we sit down with Sonal Uberoi, founder of Spa Balance, author of The Wellness Asset, and host of the Wellness in Hospitality podcast, to explore the real business of wellness, hospitality, and sustainable growth. From studying law to working at Goldman Sachs, and now advising global hospitality brands, Sonal’s journey is anything but conventional. Her diverse background, spanning Kenya, the UK, and now Madrid, brings a unique, commercially grounded perspective to an industry often driven by trends rather than substance. We dive into what it truly means to integrate wellness into a brand’s DNA (not just add it as an amenity), and why understanding the numbers is just as important as understanding the guest experience. This conversation covers: • How Sonal’s investment banking experience shaped her approach to hospitality and asset management • The balance between purpose and profit - and why both are essential • Commercial sustainability and the ROI of wellness • The role of indigenous wisdom and timeless practices in modern hospitality • Building a personal brand through content, books, and thought leadership • Scaling a one-person business and creating a long-term content ecosystem • The importance of resilience, grit, and knowing when to say no • Emerging trends shaping the future of wellness and hospitality Whether you’re in hospitality, wellness, or building any kind of business, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Sonal's Journey: From Law to Wellness 04:57 Lessons from Goldman Sachs: Grit and Sustainability 10:02 The Intersection of Purpose and Profit 14:56 Mission-Driven Wellness: Reviving Traditions 19:55 Defining Wellness: Tools for Well-Being 25:07 Creating Unique Wellness Experiences 29:52 Marketing Wellness: Engaging the Consumer 34:56 Building Thought Leadership in Wellness 42:37 Building a Varied Content Ecosystem 46:03 The Journey of Writing a Book 51:45 Scaling a One-Person Operation 01:01:30 Overcoming Challenges in Entrepreneurship 01:18:40 Future Trends in Wellness and Hospitality Whether you're: ✔️ Building a wellness or hospitality brand ✔️ Trying to balance purpose with profitability ✔️ Developing a personal brand or thought leadership platform ✔️ Scaling a solo business or consultancy ✔️ Or looking to create more meaningful, experience-led offerings This episode gives you a clear, practical perspective on what it really takes to build something sustainable in today’s market. Key themes: Wellness in hospitality, commercial sustainability, personal branding, entrepreneurship, content strategy, thought leadership, ROI of wellness, guest experience, business growth, resilience Who this is for: Hospitality professionals, wellness entrepreneurs, consultants, founders, creators, and anyone looking to build a purpose-driven, commercially viable business. If you found this valuable: Like | Subscribe | Share with someone building their next chapter in business Podcasts: https://north9.agency/podcasts/ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/north9-agency Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/north9agency Thank you!

What does it really take to build a travel business that survives crises, scales globally, and stays true to its purpose? In this episode, Simon and Alistair reveal how they grew a small startup with just £10,000 into a thriving international travel company serving over 16,000 customers a year. From teaching English in Japan to leading a multi-destination brand across Asia, their journey is packed with hard-earned lessons in resilience, strategy, and growth. You’ll learn: • How to turn a niche passion into a scalable global business • The shift from specialist to multi-destination operator • Real strategies for surviving crises like COVID-19 and natural disasters • How to use customer insight and data to drive profit and growth • The role of partnerships, local leadership, and company culture • What it’s really like working with private equity while keeping founder control They also share behind-the-scenes insights on navigating the 2011 tsunami, managing uncertainty during the pandemic, and securing major investment - including a landmark partnership with Japan’s Sovereign Wealth Fund. Whether you're: ✔️ Starting a travel business ✔️ Scaling a tour company ✔️ Navigating uncertain markets ✔️ Or building a purpose-driven brand This episode gives you a clear, honest roadmap. Key themes: travel entrepreneurship, startup growth, resilience, scaling a business, sustainable travel, leadership, private equity, crisis management Who this is for: Travel entrepreneurs, founders, tour operators, startup builders, and anyone passionate about building a meaningful business in a challenging industry. If you found this valuable: Like | Subscribe | Share with someone building their dream business Podcasts: https://north9.agency/podcasts/ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/north9-agency Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/north9agency Thank you!

We’re starting Season 3 with a bang as we welcome Juliet Kinsman—the powerhouse behind Bouteco and host of the Funny Old World podcast. Juliet has lived a dozen lives in one, from the heady days of Ibiza music journalism to shaping the voice of Mr & Mrs Smith and being the first Sustainability Editor at Conde Nast Traveller. We cover a lot. How do travel brands avoid greenwashing and maintain integrity? What does sustainability really mean? And what part does storytelling play in it all? Whether you’re interested in the evolution of travel journalism, the ethics of AI, or practical PR & sustainability strategies, Juliet brings decades of experience to the table. We discuss her journey from Ibiza journalist to sustainability consultant and explore why grit is the secret ingredient to a successful career in travel. What you’ll learn in this episode: Juliette Kinsman’s journey from music journalism to travel mediaThe growth of sustainable and regenerative travelHow luxury hotels are adapting to conscious consumersThe role of influencers and digital media in modern storytellingWhat “solutions-led storytelling” means (and why it matters)How brands can create stories that truly engage audiencesThe balance between data and creativity in content strategyThe future of journalism, trust, and earned mediaKey traits for success: grit, integrity, and curiosityActionable advice for newcomers in travel and hospitality This is a real beauty to get Season 3 started - let us know what you think! 💥 *** If you liked the episode we'd be super grateful if you could rate and review the show so we can get it out to as many people as possible and keep creating more content like this. For future updates subscribe here, and you can also follow us on the social platforms below where we'll share future podcasts along with more helpful insight in various forms. Podcasts: https://north9.agency/podcasts/ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/north9-agency Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/north9agency Thank you!

Riva Bacquet is the COO at SA Expeditions, a virtual travel company that specializes in curating bespoke, privately guided travel experiences to the Americas and increasingly to other destinations around the world. She is a strong believer in the power and responsibility of travel to create positive change, and she takes a unique purpose-led approach to business leadership and team building. Trips created by SA Expeditions are designed not only to benefit travelers but everyone impacted by them, from local communities to the people in the business who run them. As someone who is clearly hugely driven by personal development, Riva has so much to bring to the table in this conversation. We go into depth on B Corp and the journey to get there, benefits of doing it and why B Corp is important. I’m personally fascinated by this as it’s a journey we’ve embarked upon with SEO Travel and I love hearing about other people’s experiences with it. This ties into a wider conversation about purpose and what drives the growth of SA Expeditions which is not your typical travel business, from its virtual initiatives to its direction which is starting to veer towards becoming a tech company and an ‘uberised’ form of travel. She has some excellent tips for women in business and hunting balance as a mum, changing paths from being a DMC and what made her take a punt on a couple of guys setting up a new travel company many moons ago. I loved everything about this conversation. There is direct, actionable advice based on Riva’s experiences, thorough, educated insight into business and travel twinned with a nice dose of idealism, and also plenty of humility to show that Riva doesn’t feel she’s got it all worked out despite having achieved so much already. *** If you liked the episode we'd be super grateful if you could rate and review the show so we can get it out to as many people as possible and keep creating more content like this. For future updates subscribe here, and you can also follow us on the social platforms below where we'll share future podcasts along with more helpful insight in various forms. Twitter - https://twitter.com/seo_travel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seotravel/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/seotravel/ Thank you!

John O’Ceallaigh is the founder of Lute, an agency that provides consultancy, branding and content-creation services to luxury-travel businesses. He was previously the luxury travel editor at the Telegraph Media Group, overseeing all their luxury travel content.  He continues to write for some of the leading luxury travel publications internationally, including the Financial Times, The Times, Departures and Robb Report. John’s insight into the world of luxury travel is fascinating and comes from someone who has now seen it frommany different angles.  We discuss some of the incredible experiences he had during his time at the Telegraph, such as being the first to stay in the world’s first fully underwater hotel room as well as getting to the core of what makes good travel writing (and what doesn’t!). John shares some excellent tips on how to get coverage in the kind of publications he’s worked at, and how to deal with journalists in an effective and respectful way, which includes the difference between pitching staff writers vs freelancers. There is also some very practical insight into branding and what that means in the real world rather than just what colours you use on your website or what your logo looks like. But the thing I enjoyed most in this conversation was how candid John was. He’s a straight talker and doesn’t pull any punches when explaining how he works which has clearly been a big contributor to his success. And he has some very surprising insight for budding travel journalists… *** If you liked the episode we'd be super grateful if you could rate and review the show so we can get it out to as many people as possible and keep creating more content like this. For future updates subscribe here, and you can also follow us on the social platforms below where we'll share future podcasts along with more helpful insight in various forms. Twitter - https://twitter.com/seo_travel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seotravel/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/seotravel/ Thank you!

Peter Banks is the Managing Director at Rudding Park, a privately owned luxury hotel with destination spa in Harrogate, Yorkshire. He’s been at the helm of Rudding since the beginning, overseeing the launch and a raft of updates and improvements over the years that have led to Rudding winning award after award. I have a strong personal connection to Rudding, with my brother having got married there and also being a very happy customer after many visits to the hotel and spa, so it was fascinating to sit down and speak to the man behind it to try and uncover some of the secrets to its success. And boy does Peter deliver! He’s a hugely entertaining storyteller and unsurprisingly has some very illuminating experiences to draw on after a long career in hospitality. From behind the scenes antics at hotels to the behaviour of the general public, he’s got plenty of material! We talk in depth about how to build a culture of care and very practical actions you can take to do that in your own teams and businesses, from the recruitment process all the way through to the day to day management.  We also cover Peter’s thoughts on how Rudding approaches its brand, why cash is everything  and some fascniatnig insight into how TripAdvisor works and what Rudding did in the past to gain success there. Whether you’re an established hotelier, work in hospitality or just run a business in the travel sector I think you’ll find this fascinating. I did simply as someone who uses hotels! This one is quintessential Yorkshire from top to bottom, with Peter even getting a cup of tea delivered mid conversation. So put the kettle on, relax and enjoy me talking to Peter Banks! *** If you liked the episode we'd be super grateful if you could rate and review the show so we can get it out to as many people as possible and keep creating more content like this. For future updates subscribe here, and you can also follow us on the social platforms below where we'll share future podcasts along with more helpful insight in various forms. Twitter - https://twitter.com/seo_travel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seotravel/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/seotravel/ Thank you!

Becky Harris is one of the co-founders of Viaventure, a DMC in Central America where she worked between 2001 and 2016. Since leaving she has set up a range of businesses, from SaaS products like Squirellfish to Travel Kinship, her consultancy for DMCs. I’ve known Becky for many years and she’s never been short of ideas or enthusiasm for business and is a wonderful person always looking to help others, as the nickname ‘Mother Teresa’ testifies which she mentions when we speak! We go down all sorts of rabbit holes in this chat, including keeping focus, challenges with the traditional sales approach and what to do when you leave the business that has been your life for 15 years. We also talk about the unsexy side of business, with Becky the new self-proclaimed queen of systems! It’s much more interesting than it sounds I promise! Becky is a very open person and she shows a huge amount of vulnerability in this conversation about the challenges she faces as a single mum, dealing with a loss of direction and how imposter syndrome can overcome you. But the main thing that came out of this for me was the depth of knowledge Becky has from her experience. She’s obviously got bags of practical knowledge from running a business for so long, but it’s also clear how much time she’s put into personal development over the years and she brings so much value here that people can lift and use for themselves.  It was a pleasure to spend this time with Becky and I’m super grateful to her for everything she shared which i’m sure anyone listening can benefit from on many levels, whether its practical business advice or the empathy that comes from someone sharing their personal challenges so openly. *** If you liked the episode we'd be super grateful if you could rate and review the show so we can get it out to as many people as possible and keep creating more content like this. For future updates subscribe here, and you can also follow us on the social platforms below where we'll share future podcasts along with more helpful insight in various forms. Twitter - https://twitter.com/seo_travel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seotravel/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/seotravel/ Thank you!

Nick Pulley founded Selective Asia in 2005, a tour operator that creates unique trips to Asia in a sustainable and meaningful way.  Nick is the founder of One Bottle at a Time, an initiative aimed at reducing the amount of plastic used throughout Asia by working with local NGOs. He was also the behind the launch of the first ‘half moon’ parties in Koh Phan Ngan (which he insists are far better than the ‘full moon’ version!). I met Nick last year when he reached out to me after we announced our 100% initiative to find out more around the thinking behind it. We’ve since had many discussions and I’ve learnt lots from him and his approach to business and travel which I’m really excited to share with you today. We discuss how Nick got into travel and immediately had a desire to run his own business, how he defines success and what it means to be an entrepreneur.  But the main topic is something we both have in common which is moving our businesses to being self managed organisations and the benefits that can bring. We’ve both been working on this over the last year and this conversation highlights lots of the actionable things Nick has done that I think are super interesting and might well prompt you to delve deeper into the topic for your own business or the business you work in. *** If you liked the episode we'd be super grateful if you could rate and review the show so we can get it out to as many people as possible and keep creating more content like this. For future updates subscribe here, and you can also follow us on the social platforms below where we'll share future podcasts along with more helpful insight in various forms. Twitter - https://twitter.com/seo_travel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seotravel/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/seotravel/ Thank you!

Tom Bodkin is the founder of Secret Compass, an organisation that pushes the boundaries of what is possible, taking people, brands and organisations to corners of the earth which many say isn’t feasible. Tom was an Officer in the Parachute Regiment for 6 years, and commanded on operations in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2010, working alongside Afghan security forces. He’s also a qualified Jungle Warfare Instructor and has spent lots of time working in Africa and the rain forests of Brunei.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and loves ski-touring, snowboarding, mountain biking and kite-surfing, all the more when it is done in the world’s wildest places. *** If you liked the episode we'd be super grateful if you could rate and review the show so we can get it out to as many people as possible and keep creating more content like this. For future updates subscribe here, and you can also follow us on the social platforms below where we'll share future podcasts along with more helpful insight in various forms. Twitter - https://twitter.com/seo_travel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seotravel/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/seotravel/ Thank you!