Turning to the Trend of Transformational Travel in 2019

According to Trekksoft’s roundup of travel statistics for 2018-2019, personalization was the top drive for travelers in 2018. The need to explore new avenues with a sense of purpose. To connect with members of the community around you, rather than staying within the walls of your comfortable hotel.

Jake Haupert began his adventures with the same drive, opening Evergreen Escapes to give visitors and locals to the Portland and Seattle areas the opportunity to explore the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest – waterfalls and rivers and volcanoes galore outside of the usual tourist spots.

A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.

Inspired by Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey,” he teamed up with Michael Bennett of Muddy Shoe Adventures to expand on the spirit of travel by offering more exploratory adventures with their Explorer X travel program. Providing both individual and group tours, the company creates itineraries based on your goals and experiences. We’ll pool our resources, reach out to our contacts and tap into our own knowledge and experience. Then we’ll select the best options that will surprise and enlighten you, the website invites.

Taking it a step further, Haupert and Bennett established The Transformational Travel Council, reaching out to their fellow travel community members and career adventurers. The “council”, led by eleven guiding practices, provides a network of travelers committed to personal journeys and community-building through travel.

“If we’re going to inspire and motivate people to reduce impact by avoiding overtouristed destinations and becoming more socially and environmentally responsible,” says Haupert, “then we’re going to have to bring a higher-consciousness to travel.”

Driven by his mother’s strength and spirituality throughout his life, he says he hopes to bring the same light forward for others. “I grew up believing that everything was possible, that I could accomplish anything if I tuned into my soul, trusted it’s guidance, developed my inner compass, and worked hard to turn my dreams into my reality.”

“We believe this is an important and necessary shift in travel.”

~Jennifer Matthewson
Photo credit: Jennifer Matthewson / Daily Blender