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Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Welcome to the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, where we go far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruises to explore the really cool places, people, and activities that adventurous travelers crave. If your idea of a great vacation is sitting on a beach at an all-inclusive resort, you’re in the wrong place. However, if you’re like me, and a beach resort vacation sounds like torture, stick around. You’ve found your tribe.
My name is Jason Elkins, and as an adventure travel marketing consultant and tour operator myself, I am on a mission to impact the lives of adventure travelers, the tour operators they hire, and the communities that host them, creating deeply meaningful experiences that make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
Are you ready to discover your next great adventure, whether that looks something like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, SCUBA diving in the South Pacific, or hot air ballooning in Turkey? Then you’ll be happy to know that each episode of the Big World Made Small Podcast features a fascinating interview with an adventure travel expert that has agreed to share, with us, their own personal stories, favorite adventure destinations, and even some incredibly helpful tips and tricks they’ve learned while in the field. I trust that by the end of each episode you’ll feel like booking a ticket to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of these amazing places, and getting to know the incredible people that live there.
I’ll be your guide as we explore this amazing planet and its people on the Big World Made Small podcast. I am a former US Army paratrooper, third generation commercial hot air balloon pilot, paramotor pilot, advanced open water SCUBA diver, and ex-Montana fly fishing guide and lodge manager. I have managed boutique adventure tour operation businesses in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, off-shore in Belize, the Adirondacks in New York, and the desert of Arizona. I also spent nearly a decade with Orvis International Travel, leading a talented team of tour operation experts, putting together and hosting amazing fly fishing and adventure travel excursions around the world. I have tapped into my experience and network of travel pros to put together a weekly series of exclusive expert interviews that I am excited to share with you.
For the last couple of years I have lived a fully nomadic lifestyle, feeding my passion for exploration, creating amazing adventures, and meeting some of the most fascinating people along the way. I record every episode while traveling, so in a sense you’ll be joining me on my journey. Let’s discover some great adventures together and make this big world feel just a bit smaller.
And, don’t forget to take a quick trip over to our website at bigworldmadesmall.com and join our adventure travel community, where you’ll benefit from new episode announcements, exclusive adventure travel opportunities, and special access to the experts you’ve met on the show. You can also follow us on social media, using the links in the show notes below. And, if you’re getting value out of the show please help us grow by sharing it with your friends, family, and anyone else you know that wants to get far beyond the beaches, resort hotels, and cruise ships, the next time they travel.
I’ll publish another episode soon. Until then, keep exploring. It’s the best way to make a big world feel just a bit smaller.
https://adventuretravelmarketing.com/podcast
Adventure Travel Podcast - Big World Made Small
Adventure Travel with Dana Skogstad - Travelzoo
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Guest Bio
Dana Skogstad is the Sales Director, Canada at Travelzoo, a global members club for travel enthusiasts. With extensive experience leading sales teams in the travel industry, Dana specializes in strategic growth, partnership development, and helping travel brands connect with highly engaged audiences.
Raised in Southeast British Columbia and now based in Vancouver, Dana developed an early appreciation for the outdoors that continues to shape both his personal and professional life. From camping and hiking to road trips and sightseeing, he believes adventure is accessible to everyone—and he’s driven to help others turn their travel dreams into meaningful, real-world experiences.
Show Summary
In this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Dana about his journey through the travel industry—from early days in guiding to his current leadership role with Travelzoo. Dana reflects on how growing up surrounded by natural beauty in British Columbia influenced his love of exploration and ultimately steered him toward a career built around travel and adventure.
They explore what sets Travelzoo apart as a global travel club with millions of members seeking high-quality, curated experiences. Dana shares insights into the evolving definition of adventure travel, emphasizing that adventure looks different for every traveler. He also discusses the responsibility that comes with guiding and travel planning, and why storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools in creating unforgettable journeys.
The conversation highlights the importance of trust, community, and vetted travel offers in a crowded marketplace—helping travelers book with confidence while staying inspired to explore more of the world.
Key Takeaways
- ✓ Dana views his work in travel as both exciting and deeply rewarding.
- ✓ Travelzoo connects millions of global members with curated travel opportunities.
- ✓ Quality control and vetting are essential in building traveler trust.
- ✓ Growing up in Southeast British Columbia fostered Dana’s lifelong love of the outdoors.
- ✓ Adventure travel is defined by personal perspective, not just extreme activities.
- ✓ Strong storytelling enhances the emotional impact of travel experiences.
- ✓ Transitioning from guiding to a corporate leadership role offers new ways to shape the travel industry.
- ✓ Passion and professionalism must go hand-in-hand in tourism.
- ✓ Building community is central to creating meaningful travel experiences.
- ✓ Curated travel platforms help turn inspiration into real-world bookings.
Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.
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