Why guide? Greatland Adventures owner Steve Busby loves to show off Alaska

Q: What do you most like about tour guiding?

My favorite thing about guiding tours is sharing experiences I love with guests who are experiencing them for the first time. It’s an indescribable feeling when I see the excitement of someone experiencing the northern lights for the first time, or viewing a brown bear at close range in the wild. Life is richest when shared, and I get immense personal gratification from sharing my expertise with others. My second favorite thing about tour guiding is that it allows me to be outside; I am at my best when I am able to draw energy from the natural world.

Q: You visit amazing places every time you bring guests. Does the experience still impress you?

This is a common question asked by guests and the answer is always Yes, Alaska still continues to impress me! Every time I leave the state for vacation, I find myself looking forward to coming home. This is a place that offers constantly-changing scenery, each day is different and every guest brings a unique set of interests to our tours. Seeing Alaska through a guest’s eyes keeps the experience fresh and interesting.

Q: What is special about Greatland Adventures? Why would you recommend it as a way to see Alaska?

Greatland Adventures is special because we recruit and retain the best tour guides and employees because we invest in the best vehicles and equipment possible, and because we never compromise on quality. When you contact our office, you will speak to a real person that who cares about helping you make the most out of a visit to Alaska. When you are picked up by your guide, you will meet a friendly, fun, and professional expert in their craft.

Investing in a team of local professionals can greatly enhance an Alaska experience, allowing visitors to relax and fully enjoy this truly magnificent state. Planning for and traveling with local expert guides allows guests to learn and experience aspects of Alaska they could never do on their own.

Q: What are the challenges of running a tour company?

We all love our jobs but running a tour company definitely has its challenges. Travel is a discretionary expense subject to changes in the economy and world events. And, as we’ve seen through the COVID-19 pandemic, It can be a challenge to plan around environmental or societal disasters that cause people to travel less.

Also, the travel industry tends to be cyclical, with people traveling more during the summer months, over holidays, and school breaks. It can be a challenge to meet the demands of busy seasons while also maintaining our commitment to full-time employment for staff during slower times. But we do it, and are proud of the fact we can supply regular hours in a tourism workforce that is decidedly seasonal.

To be continued with the third installment of a conversation with Steve.