An Interview with Jake Haupert

The BLLA Events Team sits down with Jake Haupert, Co-Founder & CEO at Transformational Travel Council as he prepares to speak at the 2021 Boutique Lifestyle Leadership Conference on October 25-26.

How did you enter the hospitality industry?

My grandmother and my mother were both travelers, my grandma traveled the world and my mother explored inwardly. This led to a deep-seeded curiosity about what lies within and without. It wasn't long before I recognized how traveling outwardly opened up gateways to some lost or hidden parts of myself that seem to spur on my own personal development which also helped me become a better human and a more conscious global citizen. Simply put, that wonder for what lies on the other side left me with nowhere else to go, the travel industry was it for me, it's my calling. And now, along with colleagues and our Allies at the TTC, we're cooperatively shaping the future of mindful and meaningful travel by helping others travel from the inside-out and celebrating how that creates positive change at home and in society.

Why do you believe in the boutique movement?

The boutique movement creates more space for real connection with people and place. Boutique hotels naturally do a better job of creating the conditions for more genuine interactions, higher touch and more personalized experiences, and are also in a better position to be more ethical, equitable, and regenerative.

What does it mean to have an entrepreneurial spirit in this industry?

Due to the current existential crisis are industry is experiences, one brought on by the current social and environmental crisis, entrepreneurs in the space have to be bringing a spirit of cooperation, connection, consciousness, and the courage to help our industry revitalize and reorient under a different set of values.

Do you think that the hospitality industry is going through an awakening? In what sense?

I do, I think our entire society is going through an awakening. We've never been here before, with travel ramping up after an unprecedented grounding, new reflections on how we live, how we'd like to, and a new awareness of flaws in our system. One of my favorite quotes is "the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek," we've all been in a cave for the last months and had an opportunity to slow down, be introspective, and reevaluate how we engage our lives and our planet. Another one of my favorite quotes that speaks to this awakening is "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly."  What a beautiful opportunity we all have to awaken, evolve, and learn to fly to new heights, as individuals, as an industry, and beyond. 

Why are you excited to speak at the 2021 Boutique Lifestyle Leadership Conference by BLLA?

At the TTC, we're all about helping tourism, hospitality, hosts and travelers enhance their practice of travel in order to create positive change in themselves and the world around them. We always appreciate opportunities to reach and connect with other forward-looking, purpose-driven industry professionals. invite them to join our Ally community, and participate in our gatherings, workshops, learning journeys, and consulting services. We believe in the BLLA and the people it has attracted to it's community, lots of good humans that care deeply for the power that travel has in creating positive change in our lives and we're honored to be included. Thank you very much.