Expert Volunteer Travel Consultants

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is a global volunteer travel organization founded in 2007 with a mission to make volunteering abroad affordable, accessible, safe, and impactful. It offers more than 300 community-led volunteer projects across 50+ destinations, giving participants opportunities to support education, healthcare, wildlife conservation, environmental sustainability, community development, childcare, and other local initiatives. IVHQ provides structured volunteer experiences that typically include pre-departure guidance, airport pickup, accommodation, in-country orientation, and local support. Its programs are designed to promote responsible volunteer travel, cultural exchange, and positive community impact while helping volunteers develop new skills and gain meaningful international experiences.

For the past six years, my family and I have lived and traveled continuously around the world, visiting every continent in a 13-month span and documenting the experience as full-time travel creators. Along the way, our YouTube channels have grown to more than 700,000 subscribers, drawn not to glossy brochure travel, but to the real version: the logistics, the decisions, the tradeoffs, and the moments that don’t fit neatly into an Instagram square. After decades spent running digital marketing agencies, I co-founded ABC Trips, a luxury and adventure travel agency focused on high-touch, experience-driven travel—polar expeditions, African safaris, expedition cruising, private yachts, and deeply cultural itineraries designed for solos, couples, groups, and families. The work sits at the intersection of brokerage, storytelling, and logistics, with a strong bias toward knowing what’s genuinely worth the splurge—and what’s just good marketing. Along the way, I’ve served as a quoted travel industry source for major publications, appeared on network news segments and podcasts, and collaborated closely with leading travel brands, lodges, and expedition operators worldwide. My commentary often focuses on luxury and expedition travel, family and multigenerational travel, travel trends, and what it actually takes to design a location-flexible life that works long-term. These days, my time is split between: - Advising clients on exceptional luxury and adventure travel through ABC Trips - Serving as a media source and collaborator for journalists and brands - Continuing to explore the world with my family—still learning, still curious I’m not especially interested in chasing trends or shouting into the void. I value thoughtful questions, smart conversations, and people who care about doing things well—and enjoying the ride while they’re at it. If our paths cross, there’s a good chance we’ll have something interesting to talk about.

At Hourglass Expeditions, we are passionate about crafting group and corporate travel experiences that inspire connection, exploration, and discovery while prioritizing sustainability. Since 2017, we’ve partnered with companies, organizations, and groups of all sizes to design custom journeys throughout the globe. We ourselves have traveled to over 50 countries and territories on all seven continents, so we know a thing or two about supporting your global travel needs. Whether it’s a corporate retreat, incentive travel, or an adventure-filled group getaway, we handle every detail—from flights and accommodations to activities and event planning—ensuring an exceptional, stress-free experience. Our expertise spans both land and sea, offering tailored packages that include cultural explorations, luxury cruises, and active adventures, all curated with meticulous attention to detail. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we focus on working with eco-conscious partners, supporting local communities, and promoting travel practices that minimize environmental impact. Whether you’re exploring the pristine landscapes of Antarctica, relaxing on a Mediterranean cruise, or hosting a multi-city corporate event, Hourglass Expeditions delivers extraordinary travel experiences that meets the needs of your organization or business while creating lasting memories.

Jennifer Spatz is the Founder of Global Family Travels and a leader in regenerative, community-based tourism. A cultural anthropologist at heart, she designs immersive travel experiences grounded in her company’s mission to Learn, Serve, and Immerse—connecting travelers meaningfully with local communities, cultures, and natural environments. Through partnerships with global and local nonprofits, Jennifer integrates regenerative tourism principles and aligns programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her journeys combine cultural exchange, educational experiences, homestays, and community-driven projects that strengthen social and environmental systems in the destinations visited. Her insights on regenerative travel have been featured in TravelAge West (“Regenerative Meets Family Fun”) and on the podcast Regenerative Tourism: When Sustainability Isn’t Enough. (see all news links here: https://www.globalfamilytravels.com/news)

I'm building Give Back Guide, a regenerative travel platform that lowers the barriers to sustainable and regenerative travel for everyone. Rather than expecting travellers to understand buzzwords, Give Back Guide meets travellers where they already are but offering easy swaps for the things they already do when they travel. Everything listed on Give Back Guide has a positive impact on people, places the planet.

With 25 years in the travel industry across Europe, I have recently started my own business as a travel consultant. Leveraging my experiences as a tour guide in France, Norway and the Benelux, as well as resort work in other countries, I now help plan itineraries for independent travelers to Europe,

Passionate traveller and co-founder of CheckinAway.com, where I share detailed reviews and guides for upscale hotels and unique destinations. Exploring the world one trip at a time—here to share insights and help you plan unforgettable adventures!

Over the past 25 years, my work has centred on understanding how people move, connect and build relationships through business, travel and shared experiences. I am the Founder of Pollen Dots, a journey design company that helps organisations strengthen leadership, employee experience, customer relationships, dealer engagement, brand activation and community building through thoughtfully designed journeys across India and Bhutan. Alongside building Pollen Dots, I have spent more than two decades with Indian Railways in commercial operations, gaining first-hand experience in mobility, customer behaviour, logistics and large-scale public service operations. Over the last two decades, I have travelled extensively across India and Bhutan, exploring not only destinations but also the communities, cultures and ecosystems that shape them. These journeys reinforced my belief that destinations are not simply places people visit. They influence conversations, relationships, trust and long-term organisational outcomes. Before founding Pollen Dots, I helped build Road Trippers Club, now The Indian Roadtrip Cruisers, which grew into a road travel community across 16 major Indian cities. I was also associated with ScoutMyTrip, recognised as Startup of the Year, India 2019, contributed travel writing to Outlook Traveller, and actively participated in Devil On Wheels, one of India's most respected Himalayan travel communities. Through Pollen Dots, I have developed concepts including Journey Architecture, Destination Thinking, Journey Environment Principle and Care-Based Travel, helping organisations view journeys as strategic business initiatives rather than logistical events. I also lead Spreading Smiles, an initiative that integrates simple acts of kindness, cultural exchange and community engagement into journeys, reinforcing the belief that meaningful travel should benefit both travellers and the communities that host them. Today, I write and speak about leadership, employee experience, organisational culture, customer engagement, dealer engagement, corporate offsites, leadership retreats, MICE, destination strategy, brand activation and responsible tourism. My work explores how thoughtfully designed journeys strengthen collaboration, organisational culture and long-term relationships, helping leaders rethink travel as a strategic platform for building stronger people, stronger relationships and stronger organisations.

Founder of TRAVI World, a comprehensive travel guide platform covering 17+ destinations worldwide. With expertise in global tourism trends, destination insights, and travel industry analysis, I provide in-depth knowledge on hotels, attractions, and experiences across Dubai, UAE, Bali, and other popular destinations. Passionate about helping travelers discover authentic experiences and make informed travel decisions.

My name is Kristen and I have traveled, lived and worked all across the globe for over a decade. In 2013, after nearly a decade building a career in corporate marketing in NYC, I left it all behind to travel solo across 3 continents and 26 countries. From there I became a scuba diving instructor, and spent the next 10 years living and working in Thailand, Mexico, St. Croix and Florida. In 2017, I was voted PADI's Inspiring Woman Diver of the Year. Beginning in 2024 I joined Fora as a luxury travel planner and have launched my own travel brand and blog, Dear Destination Travel, so that I could help inspire others to make their travel dreams and goals come to life. I have now traveled to 6 continents and over 35 countries. My website, deardestinationtravel.com, is a complete travel resource and inspiration hub.

I am a Central America Travel Specialist and Luxury Itinerary Designer at Mayan Gateway, with deep expertise in curating high-end, experiential journeys across Guatemala, Mexico, and the region. My focus is on connecting discerning travelers with authentic cultural heritage, sustainable luxury, and private, off-the-beaten-path expeditions. With a professional background in project management and customer experience, I specialize in the logistics of luxury travel in remote locations—from private helicopter transfers in the Mayan biosphere to exclusive access to indigenous artisan cooperatives. I am passionate about promoting Central America as a world-class destination that balances exclusivity with deep cultural respect and environmental conservation.

Stephen Pike is the Founder and CEO of TravRisk, a Canadian travel preparedness and Travel Risk Management expert with more than 30 years of international travel and occupational safety experience. He specializes in helping organizations and travellers make better decisions under uncertainty through practical preparedness, risk awareness, and human judgment. Stephen is the author of Beyond the Booking: Modern Travel Risk and the Rise of Duty of Care, which explores how modern travel has evolved beyond traditional safety advice and why preparedness has become an essential travel skill. His work bridges the gap between travel planning and real-world travel, focusing on the point where organizational systems, technology, and individual decision-making intersect. His areas of expertise include travel preparedness, travel safety, business travel, duty of care, ISO 31030, travel disruptions, traveller behaviour, destination risk, digital dependency, travel scams, crisis response, artificial intelligence in travel, and decision-making under pressure. He is frequently sought for commentary on breaking travel events, airline disruptions, geopolitical developments, travel technology, and the changing expectations of modern travellers. Stephen's commentary is known for translating complex travel issues into practical, actionable insights. Rather than simply describing what happened, he helps audiences understand what it means, why it matters, and how travellers and organizations can respond more effectively. His core philosophy is that preparedness—not fear—is the foundation of safer travel, and that while travel has become more connected and convenient than ever before, it has also become more complex. His work emphasizes capability, resilience, and informed human judgment as the keys to navigating today's travel environment. Stephen is available for interviews, expert commentary, podcasts, television, radio, and print media, and is committed to providing timely, balanced, and publication-ready insights that help journalists explain travel events with context and clarity.

I’ve spent over seven years at Yonder Travel Insurance mastering the 'fine print' so travelers don't have to. My expertise lies in deconstructing complex policy language into clear, actionable advice, whether I’m recommending the ideal plan for a unique itinerary or guiding a client through the intricacies of the claims process. By maintaining key partnerships with top insurance providers, I stay at the forefront of industry trends to provide unbiased, expert insights that help travelers maximize their benefits and navigate the unexpected with confidence. I use this experience to craft insightful responses on behalf of Yonder to further educate the public on travel insurance, which you can explore in my featured articles section.

I am the Founder and Managing Director of Outshine Adventure, an established eco-tourism and trekking agency based in Kathmandu, Nepal. With over 15 years of hands-on experience navigating the Himalayas, I specialize in organizing high-altitude expeditions, including the Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu Circuit, and 6,000m peak climbing (Mera Peak, Island Peak). My expertise spans Himalayan logistics, local permit regulations, altitude sickness prevention (AMS), trekking gear, seasonal weather patterns, and sustainable, community-first tourism in Nepal. I frequently advise international travelers, journalists, and adventure enthusiasts on realistic trip budgeting, local cultural etiquette, and safety protocols for trekking in the high Himalayas.

I’m the founder of Limitless Morocco Tours and a Morocco travel expert with hands-on experience designing private tours, desert adventures, and cultural journeys across Morocco. I specialize in helping travelers experience authentic Morocco through customized itineraries, local guides, and immersive desert experiences in places like Marrakech and Merzouga. I regularly share expert insights on Morocco travel, safety, itineraries, and best practices for first-time visitors.

As a seasoned travel advisor, I have immersed myself in the world of travel, constantly seeking out the latest trends, hidden gems, and unique destinations to ensure that my clients' trips are nothing short of extraordinary.

I am a trekking Guide and adventure traveller from Nepal. I have been Handling Adventure Trekking, Expeditions, cultural, and Wildlife Tours in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan since 2006. I love showing new people new places and giving them experiences they'll never forget. I have several past and current clients recommending me and my team, whom you can contact directly. This is, in fact, our best advertisement. Now I am working with smaller and more private groups through this. I love to travel around the world and share my experiences.

A leading expert on motorhome holidays in New Zealand. Offering practical tips, hidden-gem itineraries, and commentary on travel trends for your story, with a focus on sustainable travel. With 20 years of experience helping thousands of people explore New Zealand on the ultimate road trip. Our focus is on high-quality, sustainable travel. Available to provide expert commentary, tips, or full quotes on: New Zealand travel trends, the best self-drive itineraries (both North & South Island), tips for first-time motorhome travellers, sustainable tourism and travel in NZ, the New Zealand tourism industry

I'm a mom of 2, and travel often with my husband and kids. I've travelled to nearly 40 countries and lived in 7. My website, Tiny Footsteps Travel, reaches tens of thousands of readers each month. With almost 10 years of experience as a school teacher, I create thoughtful, eco-conscious travel guides on my site that are family-friendly and inclusive for kids of all ages. I create itineraries, videos, and resources that make meaningful travel accessible for parents and their children. I primarily cover the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, Scandinavia (especially Sweden, Denmark and Iceland) and the British Isles. I ensure that my readers have a true picture of what their trip entails through honest feedback based on real personal experiences.

China Travel Expert & Cultural Insider Experience at crafting immersive journeys across China, I specialize in unveiling authentic stories behind this vast nation. From ancient Silk Road cities of Xinjiang to misty rice terraces of Guilin, I help travelers and media navigate China's cultural treasures beyond the typical tourist trail. As a bilingual China travel specialist, I offer insider perspectives on: Emerging destinations and hidden gems across China's diverse regions Cultural etiquette, local traditions, and cross-cultural insights Sustainable and responsible tourism in sensitive areas Silk Road history and its modern-day significance Regional cuisine, from Uyghur pilaf to Sichuan hotpot Navigating China's evolving travel regulations Off-the-beaten-path adventures for discerning travelers I work with journalists, travel writers, and content creators seeking authentic China stories beyond the headlines. Whether you need expert commentary on travel trends, destination features, or cultural insights, I provide nuanced perspectives rooted in firsthand experience and deep local connections. Available for interviews, podcast appearances, article contributions, and expert commentary on China travel and culture. Martina