About the Author
Aldis Kušķis www.kuskis.lv has been involved in the travel industry for more than 20 years. Starting with managing an around-the-world sailing project at the turn of the century, to defending the interests of the European tourism industry and its citizens on the Committee on Transport and Tourism as a Member of the European Parliament 2004–09, he is now an extremely well-connected travel designer creating tailor-made itineraries for cultural adventurers and sophisticated travellers.
Aldis was born in 1965 in Riga, the capital of Latvia. His structured and logical thinking was nurtured and polished at Riga’s 1st Gymnasium (the oldest school in the Baltic states, which traces its origins to the Riga Dom School, founded in 1211), renowned for its specialisation in mathematics. The heady revolutionary times, when Latvia regained its independence in 1991 were also very creative times. Together with other DJs, Aldis formed the first pirate radio station in Latvia.
Producing and managing music and arts festivals was a natural progression. Other projects followed, including publishing the first “city magazine” in the Baltics and managing the production company that produced Latvia’s most popular TV talk show of the 2000s. As founder and owner of a number of marketing communications businesses, he managed numerous projects in transatlantic locations from Chicago to London to Stockholm, and helped transform a single advertising agency into a network of thirty companies in five European countries.
Interview
Q) Tell us about the idea behind the book?
This is first book in the world by travel advisor for travel advisors and people who are looking for mindful travel adventures. Useful and practical to all aspiring students and hardworking travel professionals who seek to attract and serve sophisticated travellers, but equally invaluable to anyone who just wants to travel better.
Q) How much time did it take in the process of writing?
This was very exciting one year of writing and some five years of dreaming about it.
Also Read: Better Travel by Aldis Kuskis & Brigita Stroda – Book Review
Q) What did the process of writing this book teach you?
Travel is knowledge business. Knowledge is endless and personal growth is continuous.
Q) What inspired you to write this book?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all conscious travellers and, in particular, to my demanding and loyal clients whose thirst for adventure has honed my Travel Advisor’s craft and inspired this book. Many thanks also go to all professional partners, the world’s best hoteliers, concierges, travel designers, and tourism professionals from whom I have learnt and absorbed the nuances of the trade.
Also Read: Interview with Meera J Pillai – Author of Maya And The Sword Of Gringak
Q) Which is your favourite part from the book?
Travel Design and Ethics of Travel.
Q) A book that had an impact on you, which helped you in writing this one?
Hundreds of books shaped my worldview. “A Little History of the World” by E. H. Gombrich probably was one which inspired some basic ideas for Better Travel.
Q) Tell us about your plans? Planning a new book?
More reading than writing. More travelling than dreaming.
Q) How did your life change after the book was published?
It is just a humble step in the development of myself and the possibility to become more conscious traveller.
Q) What is a literary success for you?
Possibility to share knowledge and build more sustainable travel industry.
Q) A message for all the readers.
Reading is one of the greatest pleasures of mankind. Together with Better Travel.
