Vacationer of the Week: Jason Smith, GuysAdventures Travel, Tours & Events

With the excitement buzzing around Sydney WorldPride, Vacationer decided to connect with Jason Smith, our Vacationer of the Week Down Under. The fun-loving founder and owner of GuysAdventures Travel, Tours, and Events was born in Surfers Paradise in Queensland, Australia. 

Currently, he lives with his partner Liam Farmer, who is a dairy farmer. No joking! They live on 1,000 acres with just over 3,000 head of dairy cattle in an area called Jervis Bay, located in Southern New South Wales. He said that the stretch of sand, Hyams Beach, is famous for having one of the whitest sands on any beach not only in Australia but in the world.

Before the big Pride celebration in Australia starts, we wanted to connect with Smith to talk to him about his long career in the travel industry, what tours and holidays he has planned for GuysAdventures’ clients this year, and his recommendations on what you should see and do when visiting Sydney for the first time. 

Vacationer Magazine: At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?

Jason Smith: I was 19 and living in Sydney, it was Mardi Gras in 1996.  I met a very sexy guy who was Australian but living in London.  We hit it off and before I knew it, five weeks later I was on a flight and moving to the UK. 

What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel? 

I traveled from London to NYC for Pride in 1997.  I’d never been to the US before, and I was totally blown away. Being 20 years old and experiencing Pride in NYC, I thought I’d died and gone to man heaven: street parties, amazing nightclubs, bars, drag queens, and hot guys.  I never wanted it to end.

What sparked your passion to own your own LGBTQ+ travel business? 

After moving to London, I got a job with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines starting off at the bottom of the pecking order in Reservations.  From there, I stayed in the Airline Industry for just over 20 years, working my way through the ranks at Heathrow Airport, then moving into Sales and Marketing back here in Oz.  Working for Qantas Airways, United Airlines, and Qatar Airways, I had a hoot and absolutely loved the industry.  It’s all changed from back in the 1800s when I started. (laughs) Nowadays, working for an airline isn’t as much fun as it used to be…. well, for me anyway. 

With that insight and passion, and enviable professional network, the leap to become a gay travel entrepreneur was a relatively easy one.  GuysAdventures was born from the simple idea that gay travel should be championed and, frankly, done better.

You tailor travel packages for special LGBTQ+ events. Tell us about these special events and what services you provide for Queer travelers. 

One of our upcoming events is for Sydney WorldPride on February 28, 2023.  We’ve chartered Sydney’s’ most luxurious superyacht cruise, The Jackson.  On our LGBT+ Bottomless Sunset Cruise, anyone and everyone will be able to kick off their heels and enjoy a 4-hour event with unlimited drinks and canapés, whilst rubbing shoulders with the hottest Ru Paul’s Drag Race Down Under stars, Maxi Shield, CoCo Jumbo, and Molly Poppinz! And on the decks, we have Aussie renowned DJs Kate Monroe and DJ Baby Bear. (Visit http://sunsetcruise.guysadventures.com/ for more information about GuysAdventures’ Sunset Cruise during Sydney WorldPride.)

Alongside our epic cruises, GuysAdventures creates small-group tours, tailored travel experiences, and holidays for the adventurous LGBT+ community. 

Our brilliant adventures range from mid-range and affordable to pointy-end luxe with fancy touches galore. And who doesn’t love a fancy touch every now and then?

Please tell us how you identify yourself on the LGBTQIA spectrum. 

A gay guy who loves life and everyone in my little realm. 

Is there a travel destination that most queer travelers would think isn’t safe to visit, but you’ve visited and enjoyed it? If so, where? 

I traveled to Jordon on a business trip pre-pandemic and was totally blown away with how beautiful, welcoming, and friendly the Jordanians were. Amman is such an amazing city, and the old town and markets were bustling and so colorful.  I was lucky enough to also visit Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. I never felt uncomfortable nor not welcomed anywhere in Jordon. Ten out of 10 and highly recommend it!

You live in Australia. What are some travel destinations you think your clients are most excited to visit this year?

Australia is so vast, and we have so many unique and wonderful places to visit.  The top three places or tours we’re working on this year are:

1. Our Western Australia Tour – Perth, Rottnest Island, Margaret River Wine Country with the Indian Pacific train from Perth back to Sydney

2. Broome to swim with the Whale Sharks 

3. Hobart for Mono’s – Dark MoFo Festival 

If someone were visiting Sydney, what are a few recommendations – must-see sights or things to do – that every LGBTQ+ traveler should do when visiting for the first time?  

1. A must-do in Sydney is the Bondi to Bronte cliff walks.  Here you get to walk along the most amazing coastline and see dolphins and whales cruising past (depending on the time of the year) along with great restaurants, bars, and parks to explore. 

2. The Blue Mountains with their spectacular waterfalls, bush walks, and dawn/dusk glow of blue from the Eucalyptus trees

3. The Manly Ferry from Circular Quay to Manly.  Here you’ll get to see our beautiful harbor whilst cruising past the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Taronga Zoo plus the beautiful Manly Beach.

What’s the best tip you’d offer travelers?

Don’t backtrack, directional travel is the way to go.  You experience and see more places. 

What are your top three favorite places to visit?

Bucharest, Maldives, and Machu Picchu

What three places are still on your bucket list to visit?

Iceland, Puglia (Southern Italy), and the Caribbean (IGLTA’s conference is in Puerto Rico this year. My flights booked and can’t wait!)

What’s one thing you never forget to pack in your suitcase?

Buggy Smugglers (swimmers)

You’re going on a road trip. What singer or band is always on your playlist?

Chvrches (Scottish pop band from Glasgow)

What travel trend or industry shift are you most excited to see this year?

WorldPride being in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time!  Not only Sydney, but the whole country has gotten behind this spectacular world event.  Sydney and our outta regions are alive, thriving, and waiting with open arms to welcome the World to our beautiful country.  

For more information about GuysAdventures, you can visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.