Vacationer of the Week: Robert Sharp, Owner of Out Adventures

For our Vacationer of the Week, we reached out to Robert Sharp, a world traveler who spent a year trekking around the globe before launching Out Adventures in 2008. Sharp is the owner and co-founder of Out Adventures, one of the world’s premier LGBTQ+ tour companies offering group trips and small cruises in over 30 countries around the world. 

The 39-year-old adventurer has lived in Toronto for 20 years, but he was born and raised in Calgary, Canada, located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.

We caught up with Sharp who tells us about Out Adventures’ ongoing mission to support local small businesses while offering authentic, immersive experiences. He also reveals current post-pandemic trends he’s noticed among queer travelers; offers a strong argument for why you should consider a trip to Toronto; and provides us with a glimpse at his travel bucket list, which includes an unconventional pick that will surprise you.

Vacationer Magazine: What sparked your decision to start your own travel business? 

Robert Sharp: I was in a job I didn’t love, and my partner at the time was in adventure travel. We felt that the LGBTQ+ travel world was too heavily focused on luxury and large cruises, and not focused enough on really digging into cultures, so we created Out Adventures. Our focus since has been to support small local businesses, empower local guides rather than always having a guide from North America, and most importantly try to support the queer community along the way.

What types of travel experiences can a queer traveler expect when traveling with Out Adventures? 

In addition to the major highlights of a destination, we try to incorporate hidden gems and engage with the local queer community when possible. For example, our Support for the Cuban people tours are legal for Americans and offer the opportunity to really get to know the destination from a unique perspective. We do a salsa lesson with a gay instructor, visit an art collective, and have a meeting with a local organization that fights for equality. We get together in a queer-managed theatre in Havana where our travelers learn about the organization, ask questions, and even bring much-needed supplies for their efforts. 

This is just an example, but on a broader scale, we also donate $25 on behalf of every guest to Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps resettle LGBTQ+ people facing persecution around the world. We anticipate donating over $30,000 by the end of 2023.

What are some popular travel experiences, arranged by Out Adventures of course, that you would recommend to LGBTQ+ travelers?

We have a slew of popular adventures, and we specialize in destinations that are sometimes a bit more difficult to plan on your own. For the hardiest of the bunch, we climb Mount Kilimanjaro and trek to Mount Everest Basecamp. For those that like a softer landing, we run cultural tours to Machu Picchu in Peru, and we charter private yachts in Croatia, Italy, French Polynesia, the Galapagos Islands, and Greece. Considering we personally curate every itinerary we offer, it’s hard to choose just a few!

So, let’s talk about before Out Adventures was a twinkling in your eye. At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?

I applied for my first passport at the age of 20, and my first trip was to Puerto Vallarta which at the time wasn’t quite the queer mecca it is today.

What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel? 

The extent of my family travel as a kid was the odd camping trip, and the occasional jaunt to Texas to visit family. My partner (and co-founder of Out Adventures) worked in travel when I was in my early 20s, so we would take long weekend trips to places like Paris, Berlin, and New York, usually for gay events. In my mid-20s I spent nine months traveling through Asia, Africa, and Australia and it was then that I really understood the meaning of travel – to experience new cultures and to learn about different points of view. I had no idea how that trip would shape the rest of my life.

What inspires you to travel?

These days my context around travel is either to unwind, to explore new destinations where I curate experiences for LGBTQ+ travelers, or to show clients the many unique places and experiences that excite me. I am constantly inspired by people, culture, and food, and I believe that by learning about people and the way we live, we can all be more open-minded and empathetic. 

Please tell us how you identify yourself on the LGBTQIA spectrum. Tell us if how you identify influences the way your travel. If so, how?

I identify as a gay man, and this most certainly influences the way I travel. I believe in supporting small businesses, but more importantly queer and LGBTQ+ welcoming organizations. It’s easy to rule out a destination by its government policy towards the queer community, but I believe that if it’s safe to visit a country, I should. 

Even as we see in Canada and the United States, government policy does not necessarily reflect the views of all people. I passionately believe that there’s a real opportunity to safely visit less-than-welcoming countries while learning about not only the destination but also the queer community. And by supporting LGBTQ-welcoming and small queer-owned businesses, we can support the people who support us. We can truly open hearts and minds if we are open-minded and respectful towards a culture. 

What domestic and international destinations do you think will be popular travel destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers this year?

My travel experience is primarily international, and there is a huge demand for a wider variety of destinations than I’ve seen in my 14 years in the travel industry. Queer travelers are so hungry to travel and to reconnect with the community. I think on one hand the big Pride festivals and LGBTQ+ events will thrive this year (and next), such as Madrid, Taipei, Sao Paulo, and early next year World Pride paired with Mardi Gras in Sydney. On the other hand, at Out Adventures we’re seeing a renewed interest in more far-flung destinations like Peru, Argentina, Thailand, South Africa, and even traditionally unwelcoming places like Morocco, Egypt, and safari trips in Kenya and Tanzania.

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? What made it a memorable experience?

I’ve had such unique and welcoming experiences in places like Cuba, Croatia, and India, but Morocco stands out to me. By Middle East standards, it is more progressive than say, the UAE. It also has a unique and fascinating history that has been influenced by Berber, African, Arab, and Jewish cultures. On my first visit to the country in 2011, I discovered the country has so much to offer – from food (tagine, anyone?) to ancient medinas packed with local butchers and carpet shops, to the dunes of the Sahara, and some of the most spectacular boutique hotels I’ve ever experienced. But what really surprised me was the kindness of the people. I believe in learning about a culture ahead of a visit so I can be respectful to the people when I visit, and in doing so I was able to have some incredible thought-provoking conversations.

What are three things you would recommend LGBTQ+ travelers do when they visit Toronto? Feel free to explain why?

Toronto has been labeled the most diverse city in the world by publications like BBC and The Economist, and rightfully so. It is home to over 230 nationalities, and this is reflected in the various pockets around the city like Greektown, Little Portugal, Koreatown, Little Italy, and the many Chinatowns. To get to know this city is to love it. 

At first glance, it can feel like any other big city, but once queer travelers dig deeper, they will experience what the city really has to offer. Of course, we have huge festivals like Toronto Pride, but you will really get to know this city through its food. You can have Afghani and Indigenous food one day, Italian the next, and some of the best Dim Sum outside of Asia the next. 

Our queer community is also diverse, and I encourage people to check out the bars and queer-owned restaurants around the city like Lavender Menace, Sweaty Betty’s, and El Convento Rico. We’re on the other side of one of the longest lockdowns in the world, and I think we are about to experience a new wave of entrepreneurs that will create exceptional experiences for locals and visitors.

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

In this day and age, anyone looking to travel the world needs to approach planning with patience and understanding. This is an industry that was completely decimated by the pandemic. Many travel professionals left the industry entirely, so we are all doing our very best to ramp up, rehire, and ultimately get back to doing what we love. Responses from tourism businesses may be slower than they were pre-pandemic, costs may be higher, and staff may be new in their roles. 

It’s also important to protect a travel investment like you would any other big expense. Things are changing rapidly, and I recommend all travelers consider purchasing comprehensive travel insurance packages that will cover them for what they feel is important. That could be trip cancellation coverage or specific pandemic coverage. Simply ask yourself “am I willing to lose what I’ve spent if things go sideways?”

What are your top three favorite places to visit?

I’m an adventurer, so Nepal, a spectacular country in the Himalayas, will forever have a special place in my heart. From a food perspective, I can’t get enough of Mexico City. And when I think of the perfect balance of adventure, nature, and luxury, South Africa is always top of mind.

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

I’ve been to over 60 countries, but surprisingly have never been to Spain. I would love to visit Barcelona, Madrid, and go hiking in the north. Sweden is also on my list. Stockholm sounds like a lovely city. Lastly, and an unconventional pick I’m sure – if I could visit safely, I would love to explore Iran. There’s a big Iranian population here in Toronto, and I’ve heard wonderful things about a side of the culture we don’t hear about in North America.

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

A buff. It’s a tubular piece of fabric that can be worn in a number of ways – from a hat to a bandana to a sweatband to a face mask. So butch, right? I’m not though, really!

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

Jill Scott, Lady Gaga, and The Tragically Hip.

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

Travel can be very corporate, but I’m so excited to see people more committed than ever to supporting small queer businesses, most of which suffered greatly in the past few years but are thriving today.