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Uncharted Worlds: Perspective-Shifting Journeys with Crooked Compass
Manage episode 516227863 series 3474086
Curiosity changes everything. That’s the thread running through our conversation with Crooked Compass founder and CEO Lisa Pagotto, whose frontier-travel philosophy favors depth over dazzle and local impact over checklists. In this second episode of our Emerging Multi-Day Tour Operators series, we explore how she designs perspective-shifting journeys in safe yet overlooked destinations — from Papua New Guinea’s highland festivals and WWII relics to Mongolia’s sweeping steppe — and why honesty about difficulty, logistics, and culture leads to more meaningful travel.
Lisa reveals the craft behind the brand: small-group tours capped at 12, a post-pandemic rise in private touring, and a rigorous duty of care that comes before any itinerary is built. For her, sustainability isn’t about box-ticking — it’s about keeping money in local communities and creating genuine cultural exchange. We also look at who’s booking these trips: often 55-plus, well-traveled, with a growing solo-female segment seeking connection, storytelling, and transformation.
We chart what’s next in frontier travel — from the Balkans and the Silk Road’s five Stans to North Africa’s unsung gems like Tunisia and Algeria. Lisa also shares how she evaluates post-conflict destinations such as Iraq or Syria through careful risk frameworks, and why transparent pre-trip education turns hesitation into confidence. Along the way, a remarkable field story from North Korea challenges perceptions and captures the true spirit of perspective-shifting travel.
Come for the inspiration, stay for the playbook — how to spot emerging destinations, build local partnerships, and choose journeys that make a difference. Learn more at crooked-compass.com.
👉 Listen to Uncharted Worlds: Perspective-Shifting Journeys with Crooked Compass Now
🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoad
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds.
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/
Chapters
1. Passion Over Profit (00:00:00)
2. Series Setup And Sponsor Credits (00:00:24)
3. Meet Lisa And Crooked Compass (00:02:05)
4. Defining Frontier Travel (00:03:00)
5. Origin Story And Brand Naming (00:04:26)
6. Markets And Core Destinations (00:06:50)
7. Inside Papua New Guinea (00:08:18)
8. Designing Truly Immersive Itineraries (00:11:00)
9. Who Travels And Why (00:13:40)
10. Sustainability As Community Benefit (00:15:18)
11. Private Vs Small Group Post‑Pandemic (00:17:06)
12. 2025 Trendspotting And Next Markets (00:18:30)
13. Readiness After Conflict And Risk (00:21:12)
14. Overcoming Hesitation And Myths (00:23:12)
15. Iraq, Syria, And West Africa Watchlist (00:25:20)
16. Saudi Arabia’s Controversial Allure (00:27:18)
17. Don’t Miss Now: Balkans And Silk Road (00:30:08)
18. Growth Plans And North America Launch (00:31:40)
19. Founder Travel And Team Scaling (00:33:02)
20. Advice For Aspiring Female Founders (00:34:40)
21. A North Korea Story That Surprises (00:37:12)
22. Where To Find Crooked Compass (00:41:20)
23. Series Wrap And Next Guest (00:42:00)
164 episodes
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