Vice President
Biography: Kathy Dragon has more than two decades of experience in the Adventure/Experiential Travel industry including designing, marketing, selling, guiding and operating small group tours worldwide for active adults. She believes why we travel, how we travel, where we go, what we do while we are there and when we return, all have the ability to effect positive change in the world.
Her focus has been on authentic experiences involving cultural connections, boutique properties, expert local guides, traditional cuisines, and active excursions. Responsible Tourism has been the platform on which all programs are created. Along the way she's trained hundreds of guides and tour operators on the nuances of understanding the North American "Prime Time" (50-70 yr old) Traveler who's impact is substantial and who's needs and interest are unique within the global travel community. From Ladakh to Lithuania, Patagonia to Provence, Kerala to Kilimanjaro to Komodo, Kathy's been there and personally escorted over 3000 guests (primarily Boomers) on life changing adventures.
Over the past several years the interests of travelers has changed. “Vacations” have been replaced by “adventures”, “journeys”, “trips of a lifetime”…all focused on taking home experiences and leaving behind only footprints, relationships and hopefully a better understanding of a destination and it’s people. From Eco-Adventures to Language Immersions, Voluntourism to Culinary Escapes travelers are looking for something different in their travels.
As the founder and CEO of TravelDragon.com, a curated source and search engine for over 6,000 unique, experience focused itineraries offered by 500+ of the best small tour operators in the world with travel products relevant to Boomers and Prime Time Travelers, she helps travelers find trips of a lifetime. She continues to design and lead limited custom departures through her own adventure travel company The Dragon’s Path
Kathy is a frequent international speaker, consultant, strategist and SME (subject matter expert) on active Boomers, Women and Mature/PrimeTime Travelers---how they relate and engage with various industries including travel, natural foods, technology and social media. She's also a bit of a social media geek and enjoys sharing relevant industry information and her travels through posts, tweets, webinars and podcasts. An avid trail runner, cyclist, skier and photographer Kathy enjoys Boulder CO as her home base when not traveling the world.
Speaking Engagements: Marketing to Women (M2W.biz), Good and Green (GoodandGreen.biz) and J.Walter Thompson’s Mature Market Conference, The Adventure Travel World Summit, PATA Adventure and Responsible Travel Conference, Mekong Tourism Forum, The National Ski Area Association anual conference, DEMA (The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association), the Travel Society National Convention, GORE Women’s Council, The Adventure Travel Professional Symposium and many regional travel consumer and trade conferences.
Writing, Interviews & Consulting: As a contributing author of BOOM: Marketing to the Ultimate Power Consumer—The Baby Boomer Woman, as well as JWT LiveWire Magazine and a wide variety of other publications, Kathy has been interviewed as well as presented on numerous live radio shows (The Travel Show ASIA with Dale Lawrence), Brent Green's Generation Reinvention podcasts, webcasts and webinars for both consumers and trade. She has consulted for a variety of companies including TUI, EONS.com, Egg Strategy, Country Walkers, GeoVisions, Buffalo Tours and many others.
Linkedin Profile