| This is the candid and illuminating story of how Kevin | | | | guests what they wanted in their active vacations, |
| Warren turned his travel passions into substantial | | | | Many tourism professionals Kevin has met over the |
| profits, fun and adventure. | | | | last 15 plus years - or those wanting to get into |
| Back in august of 1970, the Warren brothers Kevin, | | | | tourism - also seek to combine their passion for |
| Steve and Tim moved with their family from | | | | travel, sport, adventure, the outdoors and make |
| Chicago, Illinois to San Diego, California. As teenagers | | | | good money too. |
| they grew up surfing, riding dirt bikes, camping, flying | | | | Does this sound at all like you? |
| hang gliding and ultra-light airplanes, traveling to the | | | | Or something you are dreaming of…? |
| backcountry and nearby Baja, Mexico. | | | | Kevin's tourism business and income have earned him |
| It's true. | | | | two eco-adventure resorts in Baja, Mexico, a new big |
| They were all energetic "slightly challenged youths". | | | | 5-bedroom house in San Diego, 4 airplanes, a lovely |
| One of the schools they attended was the Athenian | | | | wife and three beautiful daughters. |
| School in N. California; a college prep, coed boarding | | | | Kevin's material success is only a small part of the |
| school with an emphasis on academics and the | | | | more valuable rewards of: appreciating life, living your |
| outdoors. Their first rafting trips, snow camping, | | | | dreams and experiencing joy daily in your tourism |
| backpacking trips, and x-country skiing trips, as well | | | | profession. |
| as extreme skateboarding, building a bamboo hang | | | | Success and quality of life - however you define it - |
| glider out of bamboo, secret beer-making | | | | is what you can have as tourism professional if you |
| experiments under the bed and many other | | | | take the right steps. |
| adventures, all happened at Athenian. | | | | Follow this link to read the second part of this real-life |
| Part of their graduation requirements was a 28-day | | | | tourism business and hospitality marketing case study |
| survival and outdoors skills "outward bound-type" | | | | - and hear a "Secret to Their Success" Interview |
| training in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. | | | | Series, more best practices and resources that have |
| It was fantastic! | | | | absolutely increased the bottom line and quality of life |
| And yes, between adventures, they studied too. | | | | for Kevin and so many tourism projects around the |
| It was clear. They loved the outdoors, flying, | | | | world. |
| adventure and novel business adventures… | | | | The travel business has been good to Kevin and |
| Fortunately, None of them died, was not expelled | | | | sharing these articles and tips is a way to give back |
| and they eventually graduated from Athenian. | | | | to the industry. |
| Back in San Diego, being adventurous, young and | | | | Starting, promoting and running any type of tourism |
| entrepreneurial, Kevin started a business towing aerial | | | | business or destination - takes a lot of time and |
| advertising banners low and slow along the beaches | | | | work. So all articles, tips, resources and news - will be |
| of North County San Diego with our ultralight airplane | | | | in short "readers digest" versions. |
| around 1978. | | | | Upcoming Tourism Business Categories and |
| He was getting $175 for 1/2 hour to pay for our | | | | Resources |
| hobby. How cool, getting paid for what he loved to | | | | Future contributions will include topics on: |
| do! | | | | Sales |
| In the early 80's Kevin's passion for flying continued. | | | | Marketing |
| He wanted to fly for the airlines and started flying | | | | E-marketing |
| buddies into remote areas of Baja, Mexico to surf, | | | | Search engine Optimization |
| build his flying hours and share the cost. He started | | | | Pay per Click Advertising |
| getting calls from people he never met with | | | | Online Reservation & Distribution Systems |
| questions like this, | | | | E-mail newsletters and databases |
| "My buddy Jeff flew into Baja and went surfing with | | | | Advertising |
| you. Sounds fantastic! How can I go too?" | | | | Management |
| Kevin thought, "Could I get paid to do some of the | | | | Home-based travel agencies |
| things I most love; surfing, flying and travel?" | | | | Operations |
| ---------The Answer Was a Big YES --------- | | | | Development |
| What started as a hobby, turned into a life changing | | | | Finance |
| tourism career for him with the launch of Baja | | | | Risk management |
| AirVentures in 1985. Kevin's early trips focused on | | | | Communications |
| 4-day fly-in surfing expeditions into remote dirt strips | | | | Strategic planning |
| on Baja's isolated Pacific coast. Empty and perfect | | | | Media and media relations |
| waves, pristine nature, catered camping - just what | | | | Working with suppliers |
| mostly professional men who loved to surf wanted. | | | | Trade show marketing and much more. |
| Kevin's Baja surfing tour company grew into a | | | | Not only will you learn what business and marketing |
| diversified and profitable multi-sport soft | | | | strategies work, but how-to avoid critical mistakes |
| Eco-Adventure Baja travel company, by asking his | | | | that spell disaster. |