Ep 30 - Travel Off the Eaten Path with Traveling Spoon and Aashi Vel

The Luxury Travelers Podcast

In this episode, Rodney is joined by Aashi Vel, the visionary founder and CEO of Traveling Spoon. Aashi and her team are revolutionizing the travel industry by connecting travelers with authentic, in-home culinary experiences worldwide. Unsurprisingly, publications like Forbes have dubbed Traveling Spoon the 'future of culinary tourism – a remarkable achievement. Finally, we'll delve into Aashi's inspiring journey, explore the magic of experiencing a different culture through the lens of its cuisine, and discover how Traveling Spoon is empowering local communities while creating unforgettable memories for travelers.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [2:36] Aashi described the catalyst for her business
• [5:08] How Traveling Spoon grew to be featured in Forbes Magazine and the experience of dining in someone's home
• [10:54] Aashi describes the expanse of the countries they cover, and she shares experiences from host families and members
• [19:11] Travel advisors and national magazines recommend the Traveling Spoon to clients
• [22:14] Your hosts are the best home cooks around the world

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Traveling Spoon operates in 70+ countries and 230+ cities, connecting travelers with in-home cooking experiences hosted by residents, including many women who are now micro-entrepreneurs
• Traveling Spoon offers unique and memorable travel experiences, fostering lasting connections through in-home dining with locals and providing a more profound cultural immersion than traditional tourism. With top destinations like Japan, Bali, Italy, Mexico, and Greece, Traveling Spoon enables families to create lasting memories by sharing meals and learning culinary traditions within local homes, offering a more authentic and enriching travel experience.
• Traveling Spoon, recognized by Forbes as the "future of culinary tourism," connects travelers with authentic in-home dining experiences worldwide, fostering cultural immersion and empowering local communities and hosts.

RESOURCES:

Luxury Travelers - Podcast

Luxe Travel - Website

Luxe Travel - Facebook

Luxe Travel - Instagram

Traveling Spoon - Website

Aashi Vel - LinkedIn

GUEST BIOGRAPHY:

Aashi is a food and travel enthusiast who is passionate about creative problem-solving, product innovation, and foraging. An industrial designer and patent holder, Aashi has designed several award-winning products. She is a magna cum laude graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design and received her MBA from UC Berkeley.