Adventure Travel with Jon Nicholson - Miru Adventures

Adventure Travel - Big World Made Small

Episode Topics:
Worldwide, Exotic Destinations, Career
Jon Nicholson
Founder & Director of Planning and Product
Miru Adventures

Jon has been planning trips professionally for over 45 years and is still passionate about finding new destinations that are just opening or returning to a place to have new and different experiences. Believing strongly that the investment in travel to enrich your life is one of the best investments you can make he takes it to heart and travels whenever he can.
Having visited over 100 countries on all 7 continents he brings this background to planning adventures at Miru. When not dreaming and planning he is an avid cyclist, hiker and runner.

https://www.miruadventures.com/
Summary
Jon Nicholson, the founder and director of planning and product for Miru Adventures, shares his unique journey in the travel industry and his philosophy on travel. He emphasizes the importance of slow travel and creating trips with a common theme or story. Jon also discusses the value of travel agents and the challenges they face in a changing industry. He highlights the need for tourism boards to promote destinations and rebuild infrastructure to attract travelers. Overall, Jon's passion for travel and expertise in adventure travel shines through in his approach to planning unforgettable trips. The conversation covers topics such as politics and State Department warnings, the importance of research and local vendors, approaches to tourism and conservation, big game hunting and conservation, and sustainability and the future of travel.

Takeaways

• Slow travel allows for a deeper and more meaningful experience of a destination.
• Travel agents provide expertise and personalized service, especially for complex or high-value trips.
• Tourism boards play a crucial role in promoting destinations and rebuilding infrastructure to attract travelers.
• Combining unique countries or destinations with a common theme can create a more immersive and cohesive travel experience. Consider the politics behind State Department warnings when evaluating travel destinations.
• Do thorough research and consult with knowledgeable individuals before making travel decisions.
• Choose local vendors who have developed relationships and connections in the destination.
• Support sustainable tourism models that benefit local communities and preserve wildlife.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction

01:22
Jon's Origin Story

05:31
Passion for Flying

06:54
Interest in Travel at a Young Age

10:11
The Value of Travel Agents

16:55
Profound Changes in the Travel Industry

20:25
The Role of Travel Agents

23:24
Becoming a Travel Agent

27:07
Jon's Philosophy on Travel

30:47
Combining Unique Countries

34:12
Challenges of Reopening Destinations

41:12
The Role of Tourism Boards

43:24
Politics and State Department Warnings

44:14
Importance of Research and Local Vendors

47:37
Approaches to Tourism and Conservation

51:04
Big Game Hunting and Conservation

52:47
Sustainability and the Future of Travel

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