Recorded live in Puerto Natales, Chile, this special Event Spotlight takes you inside the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) — the annual gathering of global adventure leaders hosted by the Adventure Travel Trade Association.

From rewilded national parks to the gravel roads of Aysén, from marble caves at sunrise to a tent shaking to the sounds of Los Jaivas, this episode captures the spirit of Patagonia — a rare mix of purpose and play.

Our host, Dan Christian shares his firsthand experience cycling through Patagonia on a five-day pre-summit adventure with CicloAustral, learning the meaning of “forest bathing,” and discovering how e-bikes, small groups, and community connection redefine sustainable adventure.

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.

Welcome to Season 4 Episode 1 of the Travel Trends Podcast where our host Dan Christian welcomes Shannon Stowell, the esteemed CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), for an engaging discussion on the dynamic world of adventure travel. Prepare to hear Shannon's expert insights into the key players and overarching trends shaping this exciting sector, unravel the three core pillars of adventure travel—nature, culture, and activity—and understand the significant growth and financial prospects within the industry.