Episode 150 with Ross Borden - Humble Beginnings at Matador Network to GuideGeek, the Future of Travel With AI

Hello, and welcome to Episode 150 with Ross Borden, the founder and CEO of Matador Network. First of all, thanks for joining me on this journey to the 150th guest episode; it has been unreal!So, what better way to finish the first 150 episodes than with a special episode with Ross, who has created one of the biggest online travel brands in Matador Network? Matador is the leading online travel publisher with over 140 million monthly video views. Fast Company has named it one of 2024's Most Innovative Companies for its groundbreaking use of AI to create the most accessible and accurate AI travel assistance, GuideGeek.In this episode, we will discuss Matador's humble beginnings at the top of a mountain in Peru, why Ross turned down a finance internship to work with a travel company in Kenya, how he befriended a travel agent in Madrid to travel Europe for free while improving the agent's sales, and one of his favourite experiences swimming with whales in Tonga.We discuss Matador Network's current trajectory with GuideGeek, the AI travel assistant. We talk about how AI can change travel in the future and why we should embrace it. Ross is currently one of the leading people in travel using AI. It is an episode combining wanderlust and an ambition to share amazing travel stories with the world (Matador Network). Not only will you be inspired to travel the world, but you will also be inspired to write that first travel blog or start that first travel podcast or YouTube channel. Whether Ross is talking about his dirtbag travel lifestyle in Peru or his vision for AI in travel, there is something for everyone in this conversation! Thanks, Ross, for coming on! Enjoy. Be inspired!Episode 150 Blog - www.wingingittravelpodcast.com/episodes/the-future-of-travel-ai-powered-solutions-for-a-seamless-journeyMatador NetworkWebsite - https://matadornetwork.comGuideGeek - https://guidegeek.comInstagram- https://www.instagram.com/matadornetwork/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@matadornetworkRoss Borden LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-borden-768b242/Patreon Shout-OutThanks to Laura Hammond for supporting this podcast. She does so by purchasing a monthly membership on my Patreon. You can support me, too, by checking out the details below!Winging It Travel PodcastWebsite - https://www.wingingittravelpodcast.comWinging It Travel Podcast CreditsHost/Creator/Writer/Composer/Editor - James HammondProducer - James HammondPodcast Art Design - Swamp Soup Company - Harry UttonContact me - [email protected] Social Media - follow me on:Instagram - wingingittravelpodcast - https://www.instagram.com/wingingittravelpodcast/TikTok - wingingittravelpodcast - https://www.tiktok.com/@wingingittravelpodcastFacebook - Winging It Travel Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/jameshammondtravelReview - Please leave a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts!Support My Podcast - MembershipsPatreon - HereBuy Me A Coffee - HereSupport My Podcast - Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.Book Flights with Skyscanner - https://skyscanner.pxf.io/ZQ7b0XUse Revolut Travel Card - HereBook Your E-Sim With GigSky - gigsky.pxf.io/Qy7XAxBook Hostels With Hostelwor...