Travis Welch - Founder

Travis grew up exploring the outdoors with his family on foot and in kayaks. Starting in 2003 he entered the industry professionally with a retail job at REI. Over the following 5 years, he bounced around the USA working at different stores, advancing his career, and building an understanding of his love for change.

Change took hold with a 3-month sabbatical that turned into a multi-year journey when the adventure bug truly bit and he discovered the joy of jump-photos.

During these years he developed the building blocks that led to World Travel Project. He became an educator as an MSDT SCUBA Instructor in Thailand, waited tables and bartended in Indonesia, was an activities director in Guatemala, guided kayaking in Nepal, and journeyed through Africa, Europe, South and Central America on every means of transportation imaginable. Most importantly, he built friendships everywhere he went, ones that continue to endure the test of time.

After extensive participation in what is now known as the “gig economy” Travis landed in Lander, WY, sitting at an office in the corporate headquarters of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). The work was interesting enough but the community was profound and 15 years later, he still lives in Lander.

Most recently, Travis was directing the Alumni Trips division at NOLS. Under his leadership that program had expanded to 70+ trips a year in 20+ countries. After building and stewarding hundreds of alumni connections with NOLS, Travis saw the broader opportunity for this type of programming and what it could provide to other organizations. Fifteen years after starting in NOLS Administration, Travis’ entrepreneurial spirit broke free and he left to start World Travel Project.

Today, Travis focuses his energy on World Travel Project but has officially rejoined the gig economy as well. He continues to work as a Senior Expedition Instructor and a Wilderness Medicine Instructor for NOLS and helps out on other small projects in his community. Above all else, he spends time exploring the world with his family while remaining committed to discovering the perfect jump-photo.