Michael Gardiner

Background

About Michael Gardiner

Travel and tourism professional with over 20 years of experience, specialising in Sustainable Travel, Sales Strategy, and Strategic Partnerships across corporate, independent, and NGO sectors. I am passionate about sustainable and ethical tourism. My experience leading tourism operations for a conservation NGO and supporting community-led travel initiatives has given me a unique understanding of how travel can positively impact ecosystems and local communities. Currently, as Product Executive at WildFoot Travel, I oversee the development of authentic wildlife and adventure experiences. My role includes innovating travel products, managing revenue strategies, and enhancing customer experiences through strong supplier relationships and sustainability-focused initiatives. As an advocate for ethical tourism, I strive to align operations with principles that promote conservation and responsible travel. This has included developing and working with internationally renowned photographers to create bespoke, luxury wildlife photography itineraries for international HNW clients. Previously, I founded Insights Adventure Travel, where I applied my expertise as a Product Innovator to design transformative travel experiences in Namibia and Botswana that supported conservation and community development. As Tourism Manager for the Cheetah Conservation Fund, I combined strategic revenue management with conservation leadership, managing lodge operations that directly funded endangered species protection and delivering measurable growth in visitor numbers and revenue. Earlier in my career, I worked with STA Travel, where I led and coached high-performing teams, resulting in consistently exceeding targets. My leadership also enhanced customer satisfaction, establishing the branch as a top-performing national flagship. Additionally, I have built strategic partnerships with renowned organisations such as National Geographic and G Adventures, showcasing my ability to create collaborations that drive both business results and conservation impact. I believe in empowering teams, fostering innovation, and creating travel experiences that inspire, educate, and contribute to a better planet.