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G Adventures patron Casey Mead in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Casey Mead/Courtesy
Casey Mead, Global Communications Leader, G Adventures
Lots of people love to travel, but G Adventures staff member Casey Mead is in the business of spreading the word about why people should travel. She's a frequent flyer, a national counter attendant, checks in luggage (always), and can't get enough of Heathrow, London's largest international airport. But most of all, she loves contributing to the improvement and prosperity of local economies through tourism.
I'm one of those people who loves flying. I love travel in general: planes, buses, trains, airports, etc. For me, the whole process of getting somewhere is usually just as enjoyable as actually getting there. And I have no problem sleeping, even on a 17-hour flight from Dallas to Melbourne.
I've been working for community tourism pioneer and adventure operator G Adventures for 12 years, starting in London in 2012 and moving to the global team in Toronto in 2017. I moved back to Australia for family reasons and am now part of the Melbourne-based team, working closely with Toronto.
For work, I travel around six times a year, internationally and domestically, but not as often as I might show on social media. I spend most of my time at my desk or in Zoom meetings, like most people these days, whether at home or in an office around the world. I also take around six personal trips, often combining the two to make the most of my time and flights.
My goal is to visit 100 countries, but I'm not in a rush. I just go where it makes sense and I'm drawn to the places I'm most drawn to. I've currently visited 88 of the 193 countries recognized by the UN. I'm also frequently visiting places I love and where I have friends and family, so I'm counting countries a little slower than others who make it a life goal. On my most recent trip, I finally saw the 7th new wonder of the world, Chichen Itza in Mexico. I was so excited!
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Casey Mead visits the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the “Door to Hell,” in Darvaza, Turkmenistan. Mead loves visiting places so different from the ones she grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, and meeting local people along the way. Casey Mead/Courtesy
I just got back from a month of traveling. I was in Mexico working on G Adventures' new Geluxe active adventures. Then, on my way to the Toronto headquarters for a meeting, I had the chance to stop in Slojamastan, a landlocked micronation surrounded by the Southern California desert. My friend and I are the female governors of a state called Hotdamastan within Slojamastan. It's hilarious when you look it up. Next up, I'm visiting a friend on Australia's Gold Coast, then heading to the Solomon Islands in Melanesia, one of the least touristed countries in the world.
For me, food and culture are big draws. I love going to places that are completely different from the places I know growing up in Auckland, New Zealand, and meeting local people along the way. There's only so much time to lie on the beach. Those holidays are fun, but I much prefer to get out and talk to people and taste local cuisine. I also love going to places where tourism is making a difference in the lives of local people, so I can give back in the process. The best examples of this I've seen are the community tourism projects that G Adventures has built with its non-profit partner Planeterra. Projects like a women's weaving cooperative in Peru and a street walking tour of Delhi supporting young people in developing hospitality skills.
When it comes to luggage, I'm a pretty die-hard “team check” guy. This contradicts the preferences of a frequent flyer. These days, I tend to take longer trips that allow me to experience a variety of climates, so it's easier to check my bags. Realistically, it doesn't take that long to wait for my luggage, and it's worth the wait since it means I don't have to do laundry on the go. In my carry-on, I always pack hydration tablets, adapters and chargers, my laptop, books, magazines, and noise-canceling headphones. These are essentials.
I love London Heathrow Airport, especially Terminal 2. I've been there since I first moved to London, and having flown there over 100 times since then, LHR will always hold a special place in my heart. Plus, that touching scene from Love Actually on arrival at Heathrow is a great reminder that the airport is so much more than just getting from point A to point B.
I am well aware that having the ability and means to travel is not a privilege that many people on this planet have. I love the feeling of exploration; getting out of your comfort zone, seeing a culture different from your own, and at the same time realizing that we are all the same. Some of the poorest people in the world are some of the happiest in the world, and I love that bringing tourism to their communities will lead to economic development.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
