Bruce Poon Tip is the founder of G Adventures, the world’s largest small-group travel company, which takes some 200,000 travelers annually on trips ranging from luxury yachting expeditions for boomers to hostel backpacking excursions for millennials. No matter how different each itinerary may look, they all revolve around the same core themes: cultural immersion, benefiting local communities, and creating a transformative experience for both traveler and host. Indeed, Poon Tip was talking about things like community-based trips and transformative travel long before most people were, and he joins host Bruce Wallin this week to discuss his picks for the best of both worlds: the destinations where your tourist spending has the greatest local impact—and you’ll have a truly amazing, authentic experience along the way. 

One of Poon Tip’s recent projects at G Adventures was to create the Ripple Score, which ranks each trip the company offers based on how much of the trip’s cost stays local. A high score means the majority of the money you spend goes to local hotel owners, transportation companies, restaurants, tour guides, and more. He says that creating the system—and accurately measuring the local impact of each trip—was a huge task that now informs how G Adventures plans every trip. It also made clear which countries are doing the best job at sharing the financial benefits of travel with local communities. 

Those destinations, says Poon Tip, include Egypt, which he believes should be particularly of interest to travelers in 2022. Not only does a large portion of the Egyptian economy rely on tourism, with many people’s jobs depending on the return of international travelers, but Poon Tip says that it is the perfect time to see the country’s iconic sites, free of crowds. Wherever you go throughout the country, he adds, there are a number of high-quality, locally based options. 

Another country with strong community-based tourism is Ecuador, which Poon Tip includes among his favorite destinations for its diversity—from backpacking in the Andes, to diving in the Galapagos, to venturing through the Amazon basin, to exploring the indigenous markets outside of Quito. He discusses some of the issues of going local in Ecuador, including the choice between an LVMH-owned train to Machu Picchu or a somewhat “rough” locally owned option called Inca Rail.

Ecological diversity—and a commitment to protecting that diversity—is a hallmark of Costa Rica, which Poon Tip cites for its high percentage of preserved land, extensive national parks, and gorgeous beaches. He also talks about how Costa Rica is perfect for people at any stage in their “travel career.” 

For travelers looking to have an impact on conservation and sustainability, Poon Tip also suggests the highly diverse—and highly tourism dependent—countries of Southeast Asia. From the jungles and ancient temples of Cambodia, to the beaches of Thailand, to the historic cities and countryside of Vietnam, the region offers a plethora of a community-based travel experiences. 

Learn More:

G Adventures: https://www.gadventures.com/

Inca Rail: https://incarail.com/

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Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters

Hosted by: Bruce Wallin

Produced by: AJ Moseley

Music by: Joey Salvia

A CurtCo Media Production

Bruce Poon Tip is the founder of G Adventures, the world&rsquo;s largest small-group travel company, which takes some 200,000 travelers annually on trips ranging from luxury yachting expeditions for boomers to hostel backpacking excursions for millennials. No matter how different each itinerary may look, they all revolve around the same core themes: cultural immersion, benefiting local communities, and creating a transformative experience for both traveler and host. Indeed, Poon Tip was talking about things like community-based trips and transformative travel long before most people were, and he joins host Bruce Wallin this week to discuss his picks for the best of both worlds: the destinations where your tourist spending has the greatest local impact&mdash;and you&rsquo;ll have a truly amazing, authentic experience along the way.&nbsp;
One of Poon Tip&rsquo;s recent projects at G Adventures was to create the Ripple Score, which ranks each trip the company offers based on how much of the trip&rsquo;s cost stays local. A high score means the majority of the money you spend goes to local hotel owners, transportation companies, restaurants, tour guides, and more. He says that creating the system&mdash;and accurately measuring the local impact of each trip&mdash;was a huge task that now informs how G Adventures plans every trip. It also made clear which countries are doing the best job at sharing the financial benefits of travel with local communities.&nbsp;
Those destinations, says Poon Tip, include Egypt, which he believes should be particularly of interest to travelers in 2022. Not only does a large portion of the Egyptian economy rely on tourism, with many people&rsquo;s jobs depending on the return of international travelers, but Poon Tip says that it is the perfect time to see the country&rsquo;s iconic sites, free of crowds. Wherever you go throughout the country, he adds, there are a number of high-quality, locally based options.&nbsp;
Another country with strong community-based tourism is Ecuador, which Poon Tip includes among his favorite destinations for its diversity&mdash;from backpacking in the Andes, to diving in the Galapagos, to venturing through the Amazon basin, to exploring the indigenous markets outside of Quito.&nbsp;He discusses some of the issues of going local in Ecuador, including the choice between an LVMH-owned train to Machu Picchu or a somewhat &ldquo;rough&rdquo; locally owned option called Inca Rail.
Ecological diversity&mdash;and a commitment to protecting that diversity&mdash;is a hallmark of Costa Rica, which Poon Tip cites for its high percentage of preserved land, extensive national parks, and gorgeous beaches. He also talks about how Costa Rica is perfect for people at any stage in their &ldquo;travel career.&rdquo;&nbsp;
For travelers looking to have an impact on conservation and sustainability, Poon Tip also suggests the highly diverse&mdash;and highly tourism dependent&mdash;countries of Southeast Asia. From the jungles and ancient temples of Cambodia, to the beaches of Thailand, to the historic cities and countryside of Vietnam, the region offers a plethora of a community-based travel experiences.&nbsp;
Learn More:
G Adventures:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gadventures.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.gadventures.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1645592582264000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3_hRnW29nhEvDmywMWAAuC">https://www.gadventures.com/</a> Inca Rail:&nbsp;<a href="https://incarail.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://incarail.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1645592582264000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2X57P2My7s7EMrSl-e8Pa5">https://incarail.com/</a>
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Learn more about the podcast: <a href="https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters">https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters</a>
Hosted by: Bruce Wallin
Produced by: AJ Moseley
Music by: Joey Salvia
A CurtCo Media Production

Travel That Matters (named one of the 10 Best Podcasts of 2022 by Men’s Journal) explores the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences and destinations with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce’s remarkable guests share inspiring, life-shaping stories about their adventures and cultural explorations, as well as travel tips and recommendations for the best destinations, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more. Their travel tales and insights cover everything from where to find delicious foods and ingredients and the most luxurious resorts and hotels, to the most fascinating modern cultural experiences and historical explorations.

The show’s special Master Chef episodes highlight the travels and tastes of the world’s top chefs, from culinary adventures through Africa with Marcus Samuelsson and exploring remote corners of Japan with Daniel Boulud, to discovering insider spots in Australia with Curtis Stone and relaxing and rejuvenating with Nina Compton on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, with its stunning beaches and lush rainforests. You’ll even hear stories about great travelers like Anthony Bourdain and get souvenir recommendations, from traditional handicrafts to unique local delicacies.

Episodes of Travel That Matters span the globe, from Sicily, Italy, to Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tel-Aviv, Israel, and beyond. Listeners also learn about the greatest activities around the United States—award-winning wine tasting, the best new restaurants, epic hiking trails, secret skiing and surfing spots, and charming boutiques in places like Healdsburg and Napa Valley (California), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and New Orleans (Louisiana).

Listen to Travel That Matters every other Tuesday and gain insider knowledge to impactful adventures, extravagant hotels, top chefs, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Travel That Matters (named one of the 10 Best Podcasts of 2022 by Men’s Journal) explores the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences and destinations with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce’s remarkable guests share inspiring, life-shaping stories about their adventures and cultural explorations, as well as travel tips and recommendations for the best destinations, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more. Their travel tales and insights cover everything from where to find delicious foods and ingredients and the most luxurious resorts and hotels, to the most fascinating modern cultural experiences and historical explorations.
The show’s special Master Chef episodes highlight the travels and tastes of the world’s top chefs, from culinary adventures through Africa with Marcus Samuelsson and exploring remote corners of Japan with Daniel Boulud, to discovering insider spots in Australia with Curtis Stone and relaxing and rejuvenating with Nina Compton on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, with its stunning beaches and lush rainforests. You’ll even hear stories about great travelers like Anthony Bourdain and get souvenir recommendations, from traditional handicrafts to unique local delicacies.
Episodes of Travel That Matters span the globe, from Sicily, Italy, to Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tel-Aviv, Israel, and beyond. Listeners also learn about the greatest activities around the United States—award-winning wine tasting, the best new restaurants, epic hiking trails, secret skiing and surfing spots, and charming boutiques in places like Healdsburg and Napa Valley (California), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and New Orleans (Louisiana).
Listen to Travel That Matters every other Tuesday and gain insider knowledge to impactful adventures, extravagant hotels, top chefs, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Explore the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Each episode will inspire you with fascinating stories about unique, life-shaping journeys—and connect you to the remarkable people who make them possible. Gain insider access to extravagant hotels, impactful adventures, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Travel That Matters

Travel That Matters (named one of the 10 Best Podcasts of 2022 by Men’s Journal) explores the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences and destinations with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce’s remarkable guests share inspiring, life-shaping stories about their adventures and cultural explorations, as well as travel tips and recommendations for the best destinations, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more. Their travel tales and insights cover everything from where to find delicious foods and ingredients and the most luxurious resorts and hotels, to the most fascinating modern cultural experiences and historical explorations.

The show’s special Master Chef episodes highlight the travels and tastes of the world’s top chefs, from culinary adventures through Africa with Marcus Samuelsson and exploring remote corners of Japan with Daniel Boulud, to discovering insider spots in Australia with Curtis Stone and relaxing and rejuvenating with Nina Compton on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, with its stunning beaches and lush rainforests. You’ll even hear stories about great travelers like Anthony Bourdain and get souvenir recommendations, from traditional handicrafts to unique local delicacies.

Episodes of Travel That Matters span the globe, from Sicily, Italy, to Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tel-Aviv, Israel, and beyond. Listeners also learn about the greatest activities around the United States—award-winning wine tasting, the best new restaurants, epic hiking trails, secret skiing and surfing spots, and charming boutiques in places like Healdsburg and Napa Valley (California), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and New Orleans (Louisiana).

You might enjoy Travel That Matters if you also enjoy one of these other podcasts: Travel with Rick Steves, Zero to Travel Podcast, Condé Nast Traveller Podcast, Know Before You Go Travel Show, Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast, Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler, or Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast.

Listen to Travel That Matters every other Tuesday and gain insider knowledge to impactful adventures, extravagant hotels, top chefs, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Travel That Matters (named one of the 10 Best Podcasts of 2022 by Men’s Journal) explores the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences and destinations with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce’s remarkable guests share inspiring, life-shaping stories about their adventures and cultural explorations, as well as travel tips and recommendations for the best destinations, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more. Their travel tales and insights cover everything from where to find delicious foods and ingredients and the most luxurious resorts and hotels, to the most fascinating modern cultural experiences and historical explorations.
The show’s special Master Chef episodes highlight the travels and tastes of the world’s top chefs, from culinary adventures through Africa with Marcus Samuelsson and exploring remote corners of Japan with Daniel Boulud, to discovering insider spots in Australia with Curtis Stone and relaxing and rejuvenating with Nina Compton on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, with its stunning beaches and lush rainforests. You’ll even hear stories about great travelers like Anthony Bourdain and get souvenir recommendations, from traditional handicrafts to unique local delicacies.
Episodes of Travel That Matters span the globe, from Sicily, Italy, to Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tel-Aviv, Israel, and beyond. Listeners also learn about the greatest activities around the United States—award-winning wine tasting, the best new restaurants, epic hiking trails, secret skiing and surfing spots, and charming boutiques in places like Healdsburg and Napa Valley (California), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and New Orleans (Louisiana).
You might enjoy Travel That Matters if you also enjoy one of these other podcasts: Travel with Rick Steves, Zero to Travel Podcast, Condé Nast Traveller Podcast, Know Before You Go Travel Show, Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast, Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler, or Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast.
Listen to Travel That Matters every other Tuesday and gain insider knowledge to impactful adventures, extravagant hotels, top chefs, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Travel That Matters | Luxury Travel Recommendations by Master Chefs, Travel Industry Leaders, and Adventurers

G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip is a pioneer of community-based tourism and the creator of the Ripple Score—a scale that measures how much of the money you spend on a trip stays local. In this episode, he shares his top spots—from Egypt to Ecuador, Costa Rica to Cambodia—where your spending has the greatest community impact.

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