Opening doors for talented artists and creators

In preparation for every Travel with Ann adventure, Ann conducted rigorous scouting trips. The trips always included efforts to get to know artists, artisans, and other emerging microbusiness leaders whose hand-crafted goods, unique ideas, and special talents could be shared with travelers. Ann sought out and built relationships over time with a wide variety of local entrepreneurs, from Personalized Spanish, the family-run Spanish school where travelers could participate in a short Spanish/Cultural Immersion pre-trip, to emerging restauranteurs in the heart of San José, entrepreneurs on the Local Keeps platforms, and rural artisans such as the mask makers and textile artisans of Boruca. Within each itinerary, she invited them to share their stories and introduce their goods and services in a meaningful and beneficial way for both travelers and creators. She also connected many with other travel leaders and tour operators--providing new market opportunities for the artists and small business owners and creating new offerings for tour operators to offer their prospective travelers.