S5/E15 Small Groups, Big Adventures with Michael Edwards, MD, Explore Worldwide
Listen to the latest episode of our Guided Touring series, where Dan is joined by Michael Edwards, Managing Director at Explore Worldwide, to discuss the rising popularity of small group adventures. Michael shares why he calls this moment the “golden age” of small group travel and highlights how intimate group sizes (12-16 people) foster meaningful "micro-communities," delivering the connection and camaraderie so many crave today.
Spotlight: Earth Day - Lessons in Sustainability with Shannon Stowell, CEO, ATTA and Greg Takehara, CEO, Tourism Cares
This Earth Day, we’re proud to share present our first ATTA & Travel Trends Adventure Series discussion focused on important lessons in sustainability. In this powerful episode, Travel Trends host Dan is joined by co-host Shannon Stowell, CEO of ATTA and together they interview the CEO of Tourism Cares Greg Takehara.
Greg & Shannon unpack the current state of sustainable travel and share many actionable insights on how the industry, along with travelers, can move past surface-level greenwashing to drive meaningful, long-term impact.
Key Highlights from this discussion include:
Environmental Responsibility: Moving beyond buzzwords, learn how real practices can protect delicate ecosystems.
Adventure Travel's Role: Did you know that adventure travel retains 65–70% of spending in local communities compared to only 10–15% for large-scale tourism? These numbers showcase the moral and economic power of mindful travel decisions.
Cultural Preservation: Why Travel is an important bridge to connect and honor diverse customs and traditions.
Human Connection: How this style of travel realizes the ultimate goal—forging connections that last a lifetime.