Alan Cannon

Influenced by his mother’s passion for global travel and her mantra that “traveling is one of the best forms of life education,” Alan’s penchant to see the world came at an early age.  Throughout his life, Alan has taken every opportunity to travel the world and has lived for short periods in Italy, Greece, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and Taiwan, equally splitting time from adolescence to adulthood in Philadelphia and Hawaii, Alan now calls the San Francisco Bay Area home.    

After spending significant time over the last decade successfully creating strategies to build productive marketplaces for travel tech companies, Airbnb and Booking.com, Alan’s heartfelt obligation to contribute his efforts to world and community causes made him instantly drawn to the mission of Kind Traveler.

Alan utilizes his spare time to follow his many varied interests.  If not traveling, on any given day, you can find Alan paddling his outrigger off the shores of Northern California, wandering the halls of museums, sunk in a corner somewhere with his nose buried in a good book or managing his fantasy sports teams. Alan is a sports enthusiast participating annually in a flag football league and Outrigger Canoe Club.   Alan’s life long passion for learning has him currently taking Spanish language lessons and mastering his culinary skills. 
 

What’s your spirit animal?

I believe it is a cat.  I have similar traits, I’m naturally curious, independent, and love taking naps. My family always had cats growing up so I feel naturally connected to them. 

Your favorite cause and charity and why?

I don’t know that I have a favorite charity per se but I have a love for animals and for the ocean, so any charity that supports the well-being of animals and the ocean always has my support.

Your favorite travel destination that you’ve been to? 

I have a list of favorite places, but the Maldives are special to me.  It was the most beautiful place.  I have never experienced swimming the way I did there, the fish seemed just as curious about me as I was about them.  They swam right up to me.  It was truly an amazing experience. 

Where do you dream of traveling?

I’d like to visit Machu Pichu.  I have an interest in ancient world history, so it is definitely on my list of places to visit. 

What does it mean to #TravelKindly to you? 

To me, Traveling Kindly starts with taking the responsibility to have personal awareness, sensitivity, and respect for the destination that I am traveling to.  Not taking advantage of the offerings of the destination and having that thoughtfulness to the impact and repercussions of my actions in that environment.