We had the good fortune of connecting with Alana Hayden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alana, how do you think about risk?
The American traveler is highly sensitive to situations that occur outside the U.S. Whether it is political or physical, they are quick to avoid certain destinations. The travel industry is one of the first to feel the impact of a political rally, an outbreak of disease, a global event in a nearby country, or even reports of an isolated criminal incident. For 50 years, I’ve had to go with the flow. My approach to risk and just being in the travel industry might seem counterintuitive, but I’ve actually stayed relatively conservative, which I believe is why my business has thrived for 50 years.

The real risk in our business isn’t about making bold moves but rather about having the courage to stay steady when others panic. We’ve weathered numerous crises – Desert Storm, 9/11, conflicts in Israel, and most recently, COVID-19. Each time, many travel companies folded, but we remained strong.

The biggest risk I’ve consistently taken is maintaining our experienced staff during downturns. It’s tempting to cut costs by letting people go when bookings dry up, but I’ve learned that the travel public stops suddenly and restarts just as quickly when situations improve. Many times, travelers have increased their desire to see the world, such as the extreme upturn we’ve seen after COVID. Having a knowledgeable staff ready to go when demand returns has been crucial to our longevity.

For us, risk-taking is about having the fortitude to “hang in there” when times are tough. Working with a staff willing to decrease hours when necessary and increase them when demand returns—and making it worthwhile for them—has been key to our success. That’s where the real risk—and reward—lies in this business.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I believe my previous responses also address this.

Lessons I’ve learned: Be patient. Put yourself in your clients’ place—this is their dream trip. Listen to them, hear them, don’t sell to them—guide them in creating their dream journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Kenya—meeting the people, seeing the wildlife, and taking the time to sit back and realize where we are—not just moving every day. Again, meeting the people is the most important part.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Beyond 50 years of experience, the Born Free name is familiar to many due to the success of the film and books. Born Free is the story of Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion cub. The familiarity of the name became our branding, and people looking for safaris felt we had been around for years. It’s really simple name recognition.

Our company was originally started as the fundraising arm of the Elsa Wild Animal Appeal for Mrs. Adamson’s foundation. But the success of our brand lies in having a knowledgeable staff who listens to clients, who aren’t afraid to give their opinion, and who doesn’t just take orders. Being transparent with your clients—understanding who they are, their needs, and trying to find something special to do for them on every trip—is crucial.

I’ve also had the opportunity to travel and meet the top lodge and transport companies in the business. I honor them, do not abuse their services, or make unreasonable demands. I understand that everyone makes errors on both ends, so I give my partners on the ground—the guides, the support teams in Africa—a huge hug. I wouldn’t have been able to execute the dream trips I’ve created without them carrying it out.

Website: https://www.safaris2africa.com

Instagram: @bornfreesafaris

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/bornfreesafaris.com

Facebook: @bornfreesafaris

Image Credits
not necessary for credit personal pictures

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