Pathways to Sustainability: Bahman Azarm of Outdoor Ventures Group On How His Company is Redefining Eco-Friendly Travel and Tourism
An Interview With Martita Mestey
Deep and Authentic Connection to the Natural Environment: Sustainability begins with respect for nature, making a business prioritize conservation and minimize its footprint. For example, informing guests about the treehouses built with natural sustainable materials and wood that is naturally decay-resistant educates children, fostering environmental appreciation and advocacy beyond mere play and fun
The travel and tourism industry is undergoing a significant transformation as more companies prioritize sustainability. These efforts are crucial in addressing environmental concerns and promoting responsible travel. Sustainable practices in this sector not only help protect our planet but also ensure that future generations can enjoy the beauty and diversity of global destinations. I had the pleasure of interviewing Bahman Azarm.
Bahman Azarm, the visionary founder and CEO of Outdoor Ventures Group, is transforming the landscape of adventure and outdoor recreation in the United States. Inspired by his upbringing in the picturesque mountains of Switzerland, Bahman’s passion for the outdoors and his insatiable appetite for physical challenge have driven him to create unique and exhilarating experiences for adventure-seekers across the nation, starting with the first-ever aerial forest park to the United States at Catamount Ski Area in Massachusetts. This summer, he’ll open the nation’s first Nautilus Lookout Tower at Owl Creek Landing in Virginia Beach, VA.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you share a bit about your background and what has led you to your current role?
What inspired you to start or join your business, and what is its core mission?
I’m always looking for my next challenge in outdoor fun & adventure and how to make it part of growing my business. Inspiring others to experience the thrill of the great outdoors motivates me to find new ways to welcome people to enjoy nature and all that it has to offer.
What unique challenges have you encountered in making sustainable practices central to your travel and tourism business, and how have you overcome them?
Extremely limited access (both width and weight) to the Owl Creek Landing property forced us to re-examine how to build in an environmentally-sensitive area. Elements of the steel tower could not exceed 20 feet nor one ton in a single load and had to be transported across an existing pedestrian bridge over the protected waterway. We were also very careful to minimize cutting trees and limited those to dead, diseased or invasive species within the 38-acre wooded site.
How do you balance the need for growth with the imperative to minimize environmental impact in your operations?
There is a fine line between protecting an environmentally sensitive area and having it be accessible and enjoyed by the public without adversely affecting it. Most people don’t realize that soil compaction is one of the worst things affecting a woodland area, so keeping people to staying on paths is really important. We rope off paths and use different signage to educate them on the importance of staying on paths. Then, it’s important to keep invasive plants from establishing themselves, so we spend a lot of time removing them, but also spend a lot of time re-establishing native species within the area we have.
Can you share a specific example of an innovative solution your company has implemented to reduce carbon footprint or promote eco-friendly travel?
We scrutinize everything we do to minimize our carbon footprint. One specific example is our decision to forgo pouring a concrete foundation for the Nautilus Tower that we built. Concrete accounts for 8% of global emissions and a footing requires digging up soil, bringing in heavy machinery, etc. Our design uses a system that sits on top of the soil with rods that are anchored through it, just like tree roots holding up a tree, and is then attached to the tower posts.
How do you engage and educate travelers about the importance of sustainability, and what impact has this had on their behavior?
Along our paths and on the new Nautilus Lookout Tower, we’re incorporating education stations to educate and showcase local flora and fauna while emphasizing sustainable components of the project. With people looking at screens and 24/7 connectivity, it can be hard for them to step away and re-engage with the natural world. But when they do, it literally balances so many systems that contribute to improved emotional and physical health. Recognizing that vital connection humans enjoy with nature is the first step in committing to the preservation and renewal of nature through sustainable actions.
What role does technology play in your sustainability efforts, and how have you leveraged it to enhance eco-friendly travel experiences?
Technology has helped in many ways, from being able to implement smartphone ticketless entry to the use of LED lighting throughout.
What partnerships or collaborations have been pivotal in advancing your sustainability goals within the travel and tourism industry?
Partnering with The Virginia Aquarium who has a similar sustainability ethos has been great. We also are partnering with as many local businesses as we can during construction to decrease the carbon footprint and travel-related emissions.
What role does community engagement play in your business model, and how have you successfully integrated feedback from those you aim to serve?
Our local communities are the heart of our business model, and we love hearing their feedback to continue to refine and improve our products. Community engagement is indispensable for creating environmentally-friendly and successful landscape projects. Taking feedback and incorporating diverse needs and local knowledge allows us to generate ecologically sound designs that are connected to and valued by the people we serve.
What are your “5 Things You Need to Create a Successful and Sustainable Travel Business”? If you can, please share a story or example for each.
1. Deep and Authentic Connection to the Natural Environment: Sustainability begins with respect for nature, making a business prioritize conservation and minimize its footprint. For example, informing guests about the treehouses built with natural sustainable materials and wood that is naturally decay-resistant educates children, fostering environmental appreciation and advocacy beyond mere play and fun.
2. Meaningful Engagement and Benefit for the Local Community: A sustainable venture benefits the local community, connecting them directly to the businesses environment and making them part of the conservation. Our treetop trail project employs local staff, contributing to the community’s connection to the natural area, ensuring their active role in its preservation.
3. A Commitment to Minimizing Environmental Impact: Reducing the ecological footprint is a must, from sustainable construction in our observation tower to natural treehouse building materials and permeable trail materials. Communicating these practices to visitors reinforces our commitment to environmental responsibility.
4. High-Quality, Educational and Enriching Experiences for Visitors: Providing a sustainable tourism activity creates a great appreciation for nature. A treetop trail with interpretive signage, nature walks and a panoramic observation tower offer lasting memories and hopefully inspires environmentally-responsible behavior in visitors.
5. A Long-Term Vision and Adaptive Management Approach: Sustainability is an ongoing process needing a long-term view and the ability to adapt based on monitoring and feedback. Continually tracking environmental health, community involvement, and reinvesting in ongoing improvement ensures the long-term viability of the nature-inspired recreational area.
How do you address the potential trade-offs between offering luxury or convenience and maintaining strict sustainability standards? Balancing the offering of luxury and nature-friendly standards means getting creative about what feels luxurious. We feel really high quality, well-made treehouses and treetop trails that are eco-friendly create a special, high-end experience, while still ensuring what we offer is also the kindest to nature.
Can you share a story of someone who has inspired you in your journey? There really isn’t just a single person or thing that has given me inspiration, but seeing the mountains of Switzerland and surrounding countries and their natural beauty cannot but inspire us all.
How can our readers further follow your work or your company online?
Company website: www.OutdoorVentures.us
Attraction website: www.OwlCreekLanding.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569804369321
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/owlcreeklanding/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OwlCreekLanding
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
Pathways to Sustainability: Bahman Azarm of Outdoor Ventures Group On How His Company is Redefining… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.