Navigating Summer 2022 Travel Challenges

Navigating Summer 2022 Travel Challenges

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Niche tourism experts’ best advice for a curated vacation
August 4, 2022
Duma Explorer, founded by Stacy Readal (’05), organizes treks to places in East Africa, like Tanzania’s Barranco campsite

Duma Explorer, founded by Stacy Readal (’05), organizes treks to places in East Africa, like Tanzania’s Barranco campsite


As the country embarks on its summer vacations, UCLA Anderson students and alumni working in niche travel, leisure and hospitality weigh in with their best advice for U.S. travelers looking for safe, affordable and enjoyable ways to get away — whether overseas or right in their own cities.

Lyle Seebeck (’23), co-president of the Travel and Hospitality Association at Anderson, is interning in summer 2022 at Portland-based Modern Adventure, a travel experiences service founded by Anderson alumnus Luis Vargas (’09). The carbon-neutral certified B Corp partners with expert “tastemakers” to benefit the local economies of the places they travel. “It’s a very optimistic brand,” Seebeck says of Modern Adventure, where he is shaping the company’s digital media strategy and talent acquisition process. “There’s a big market for curated experiences. Travel is becoming more mindful.” A travel blogger himself, Seebeck advises vacationing Americans, particularly those heading into volatile regions internationally: “Be aware of people locally, and their customs.”

Students in the desert

Lyle Seebeck (’23) joined UCLA Anderson’s Morocco trek in 2022

Students in Ireland

Lyle Seebeck (’23) visited the Irish countryside in 2022

Stacy Readal

Stacy Readal (’05) founded Duma Explorer after falling in love with Tanzania when she studied there as an undergraduate and returned later as a volunteer. Her company arranges trips throughout East Africa — from Kilimanjaro to the beach, and lots of safari in between — with staff from from various backgrounds and African regions. “Unlike in the USA,” she says, “most people in East Africa did not leave their jobs in the service industry in 2020. So things are very much like they were pre-pandemic. It’s a great place to visit right now!” But what about flight delays and the chaos at airports this summer? “I have been recommending that people pack their first few days of clothes in their carry-on luggage,” says Readal. “Once you arrive in Africa everything is okay, but because of the major uptick in travel the international airlines are struggling to cope.”

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cheetah on truck

"Duma” is Swahili for cheetah

Duma Explorer guides and staff

Duma Explorer guides and staff

Annie McNutt (’23)Allie Pearson (B.S. ’13, ’23)

Annie McNutt (’23) and Allie Pearson (B.S. ’13, ’23) are co-presidents of the Wine Club at Anderson, which recently represented UCLA Anderson at the highly competitive Left Bank Bordeaux Cup in France. But among their favorite wine destinations is Santa Ynez, less than a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. “Santa Ynez has some big, flavorful, full-bodied reds and views of rolling hills,” says McNutt. “It is a dense region, so you can get from one winery to the next with minimal hassle and travel.” Whereas current gas prices might deter a long road trip, California’s Napa Valley wine country has come back strong from the economic effects of pandemic lockdown. Pearson says, “Most wineries are doing everything they can to make the tasting experience safe — they want business back! So most have outdoor seating options.” “Be sure to plan in advance,” adds McNutt. “Many wineries and vineyards operate on a reservation-only basis and do not accept walk-ins.”

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Students with wines

Left to right: Allie Pearson (’23), co-president of the Wine Club at Anderson, with club members Taylor Smith (’22) and Henry Ma (’23), who competed in France’s prestigious Left Bank Bordeaux Cup in 2022