[INTERVIEW] G Adventures – ‘Born in Canada’ campaign

Happy Canada Day! Before we begin today’s interview, I know we have not posted in a long while (Sept 2024). Since our 10 year anniversary, we have really scaled back on posting. That being said, you may have noticed our last 3 posts were interviews only. This trend of interviews only will probably continue for a while, so if you are interested, please reach out. Unfortunately we do not have any current plans to blog consistently for a while, but who knows what the future will hold.

That being said, we are really happy to have David Green of G Adventures on Canada Day to celebrate together. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share so much information with us (our longest interview yet!), including details regarding your Born in Canada campaign.

1) Please tell us about yourself and your role with G Adventures?

Of course. I’m David Green, and I’ve proudly been a part of the G Adventures family for over 8 years now. In my current capacity, I wear a dual hat, serving as both the Vice President of Global Sales and Customer Service Operations, and as the Managing Director for Canada.

One of the things I truly value about my role is that there’s no such thing as a ‘typical day,’ which I absolutely thrive on. I’ve always been someone who welcomes a challenge, and the inherent variety in my responsibilities keeps me engaged and energized. It’s not everyone that can say their job is about changing people’s lives, and I’m proud to say that’s what we all do at G Adventures.

As VP of Global Sales and Customer Service Operations, I essentially oversee how we connect with our travellers and ensure they have an amazing experience from start to finish. This means everything from making sure our customer service teams worldwide are top-notch, to working with our travel experts to get travellers the best trips, and even handling things like air travel logistics.

And then, as Managing Director for Canada, I’m focused right here at home. I work closely with our travel agency partners and support our fantastic Canadian sales and marketing teams, making sure Canadians have all the tools and information they need to discover their next adventure with G Adventures. .

2) What is G Adventures about?

G Adventures is a small-group travel company offering an incredible range of over 950 unique trips, spanning 100 countries and every single continent. Our aim is to foster genuine connections for our travellers – whether that’s with local communities, rich cultures, breathtaking landscapes, or amazing wildlife. And, of course, to ensure they have an absolutely fantastic time while doing it!

Our founder, Bruce Poon Tip, started G Adventures back in 1990 with the clear goal of reimagining how people experience the world, and since then, we’ve been at the forefront of small-group adventure and community tourism.

What really sets us apart is our deep commitment to purpose-driven travel. Through our ‘G for Good’ initiatives, every journey with us directly benefits local communities. We’re very proud of our work with Planeterra, our non-profit partner, which has empowered over 130 community projects globally. We also offer our industry-first Ripple Score, providing full transparency on how much of our travellers’ investment directly supports local economies. Also, our Trees for Days program has already seen us plant over 3 million trees – one for every traveller, for every day they’re on tour – demonstrating our dedication to fostering a symbiotic relationship between communities and the environment.

Ultimately, G Adventures is about more than just seeing the world. It’s about the profound impact travel can have, not only on the individual traveller but also on the communities they visit.

3) Please tell us more about the current promotion starting today on Canada Day (July 1)?

We’re incredibly proud of our Canadian heritage at G Adventures. In fact, we recently launched our ‘Born in Canada’ campaign to really celebrate those roots. It truly embodies who we are: born in Canada, and made to travel the world. This means taking those core Canadian values – kindness, community, and genuine connection – and extending them into every aspect of what we do.

We first launched our ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ sale in March. It was just for our Canadian travellers and it was so popular, we’re bringing it back! To celebrate Canada Day, this special offer kicks off on July 1st and runs all month long. Travellers can save 15% on some amazing trips which could include exploring the ancient pyramids in Egypt, island hopping through vibrant Japan, or maybe even one of my personal favorites, Borneo – East Sabah Adventure, which is a favourite for those that love wildlife..

We know Canadians have been through a lot lately, and this is our way of saying thank you and sharing some love, from one Canadian to another!

4) What else can we look forward to with G Adventures?

I mentioned the “Born in Canada” campaign, and with that, we just launched nine new trips for travellers to explore more of Canada. You can chase the northern lights with indigenous storytellers at Métis Crossing, Kayak on the fjord in Quebec, or eat your way through the Maritimes with local guides who know all the best spots. These trips were created due to popular demand so we’re excited for Canadians to be able to explore more of their own backyard.

In addition to that, we also just announced our return to the arctic, which we haven’t been back to since before the pandemic. These are truly once-in-a-lifetime expeditions, complete with amazing on-board experts like marine biologists, ornithologists, geologists, and even historians. There are six unique itineraries to choose from, offering everything from thrilling polar bear spotting and awe-inspiring whale watching, to getting up close and personal with massive ice floes from the safety of a Zodiac boat.

Now, because these trips are brand new and so incredibly unique, they aren’t part of our current sale, but they’re going to sell out fast. So, if an unforgettable Canadian adventure or an Arctic expedition is on your wish list, you’ll definitely want to check them out soon!

5) Any closing thoughts?

I also wanted to share something really important about our trips: we truly have something for everyone, no matter your age or travel style. I often hear people assume G Adventures is mostly for younger travellers, but that’s actually not our largest group at all.

For example, our ‘Solo-ish‘ trips are incredibly popular, especially with women in their fifties and beyond. These adventures are thoughtfully designed so solo travellers feel completely safe and easily make new friends while exploring incredible destinations like the vibrant streets of Portugal, the lush jungles of Costa Rica, the historic wonders of Peru, or the magical landscapes of Morocco.

Then we have our ‘National Geographic Journeys.’ These trips offer upgraded accommodations and are perfect for those who want to dive deeper into the cultures and habitats we visit. Imagine learning about majestic gorillas right in their rainforest home, or exploring ancient archaeological sites with a genuine expert by your side – it’s all about enriching your understanding.

On our ‘Local Living‘ trips, we offer unique experiences like cooking authentic dishes with generational chefs on the Amalfi Coast and if you love the water, our ‘Marine’ collection could have you sailing on a beautiful yacht through the Greek islands. Or, for the more adventurous, our ‘Active’ trips can take you on epic excursions like the Everest Base Camp Trek.

While we do offer fantastic 18-to-30-something trips, it’s clear we’re so much more than just that. I genuinely believe that no matter what kind of adventure you’re dreaming of, G Adventures has the perfect itinerary for you. And, with our Canada Day sale kicking off on July 1st and running all month, it’s a fantastic time to find your next unforgettable journey!