Zachary Shumway-Jones is at the forefront of the travel industry—his Dallas-based travel consulting firm, The Seven (seetheseven.com), an affiliate of Strong Travel (strongtravel.com)—crafts luxury itineraries with experiences that are tailored to client preferences, meaning no two trips will ever be the same. Here, we chat with Shumway-Jones about his transition into the industry (he formerly worked with fashion brands like Tom Ford and Forty Five Ten), top insider tips and predictions for travel in 2022.
Shumway-Jones strikes a pose at Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu.
Why did you decide to move away from fashion and into travel?
I think my perspective changed. When I started in fashion, I was only interested in the latest and greatest... the new and the now. I discovered that over time the joy these things once offered me now seemed fleeting. As I began to see more of the world, I also began to appreciate permanence and the value of experience.
What are your best insider tips?
You will get the most from travel when you actively engage in your experience. I think we sometimes view travel as a demonstration when we should really participate in where we are and what we are doing.
How has COVID-19 impacted the way people travel?
Travel is less about the ‘where’ than it was before. When we decide to travel now, it is more about the ‘who,’ the ‘how’ and the ‘why.’ COVID closed so many doors but opened us up to new ways of thinking about our time spent away from home.
Snorkel the day away in tropical Fiji.
How can we make the most of travel in a pandemic landscape?
Reach out to a travel adviser! We specialize in personalized travel planning and can take the stress out of today’s ever-changing rules and regulations.
Any trend predictions for 2022?
I see travel in 2022 prioritizing privacy, time and togetherness. Larger accommodations will be shared by groups of friends or multiple generations of family for longer amounts of time in one destination. Experiences will trend toward the more exclusive and indepth. 2022 will see us travel deeper and in more meaningful ways.
For a dash of adventure, head to Tanzania for a thrilling wildlife safari.
Finally, what’s on your bucket list?
Searching for polar bears in Svalbard, meditating with Zen Buddhist monks in Kyoto, traversing Chilean fjords… the list goes on!
Photography by: COURTESY OF ZACHARY SHUMWAY-JONES
