Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) Adventure Champions are the vanguards of the adventure travel industry, having been members of ATTA and leaders in the community for a minimum of 15 years. They are true believers in the power of adventure travel and have made an impact on the direction of ATTA and on the industry as a whole. To honor their commitment to their ethos and lasting contribution to the adventure travel industry, we are spotlighting Adventure Champions through a series of interviews.
Tusker Trail
Adventure Operator
Headquarters: United States
ATTA Member Since 2008
Introducing Eddie Frank, Founding Guide of Tusker Trail:
Tusker Trail is the embodiment of raw adventure, beckoning the audacious at heart to discover untamed landscapes. Tusker's adventures aren't just trips; they're crucibles of grit and discovery. From scaling the colossal heights of Kilimanjaro, where the air thins, and the heart races in the quest for summit glory, to venturing deep into Mongolia’s far west, where every step reveals nature's hidden wonders. With seasoned guides as comrades, Tusker Trail transforms every trip into an intrepid exploration, where trip members forge bonds with the wild. It's the feel of this pulse of the untamed, and the promise of life-changing expeditions that define Tusker Trail's spirit.
Why have you stayed an ATTA member for 15+ years?
During the pioneering days of adventure travel, we, the guides, found camaraderie by chance in the wilderness or at local pubs after our expeditions. My client connections were forged through classified newspaper ads in the pre-internet era. Then, ATTA arrived, serving as the remarkable glue that links guiding companies together in a truly fantastic manner.
How has your company changed over the last 15 years?
Simply put, it has become much less engaged with real adventurers, and more engaged with every day folks looking for an adventure....without the risk.
What is the greatest force that drives you to work everyday?
The unquenchable thirst for the untamed. The allure of uncharted landscapes, and the relentless pursuit of adventure. Each day's a thrilling odyssey. It burns in my blood.
What gives you hope about the next generation of adventure travel leaders?
I'm buoyed by visionary individuals who's bottom line is measured by extreme nature preservation, zero patronizing with maximum respect for local cultures, and building foundation of exploration amongst youngsters in the adventure travel world.
What is your advice for young adventure travel companies?
Follow your heart, and the toes of your boots. Money will come....or not.
What gets you excited about the future of adventure travel?
The few individuals who embrace an ethos of exploration nature preservation, rather than the ecosystem of mass tourism.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
For nearly half a century, I've been immersed in the world of Kilimanjaro, leading climbs and scaling its majestic heights time and again. Yet, for the past four decades, a dream simmered within me. A dream to unveil the untold narrative of the unsung heroes of Kilimanjaro—the guides and porters. In the quietude of the COVID era, my brother and I embarked on a cinematic odyssey, weaving their stories into a mesmerizing feature film, underscored by an original soundtrack. It's a pioneering endeavor, an exhilarating journey. Witness their tales at https://www.kingsofkilimanjaro.com and be transported to the heart of Africa's iconic volcano.
