Meet our CEOs

Gerhard (Guts) Swanepoel
Chief Experience Officer

South Africa

Years Experience: 3
Trips run:

Guts is the perfect nickname for this hardcore lover of life. A true explorer and extreme adventurer, Guts’ passion for photography has taken him to some of the world’s most remote and extraordinary places—just to get that perfect shot. Well versed in adventure tourism and advanced military survival training, he is equipped to take you out into the wilds of Africa to experience the trip of a lifetime—just don’t forget your camera!

Elbie Potgeiter
Chief Experience Officer

South Africa

Years Experience: 2
Trips run:

Elbie Potgieter has been accompanying international groups through southern and eastern Africa for more than five years. After herself “falling down the rabbit hole of travel”, Elbie believes that travel is a challenge that everybody should add to their lives. She’s had the opportunity to visit many countries outside of Africa, which helps her to better understand the travellers she meets. Elbie hopes to reveal to you the beauty in unexpected places. She believes that “doing nothing is the greatest mistake of all” and encourages you to visit the life-changing, breathtaking landscape of the so-called “last destination"—Africa!

Keiko Ota
Chief Experience Officer

Japan

Years Experience: 1
Trips run:

Born and raised in Japan, Keiko appreciates the opportunity to share the region’s rich cultural traditions, modern architecture, incredible nature and friendly cities with people from all over the world. She believes that experiencing modern Japan will help you better understand its rich and varied culture and history. Konnichiwa!

Govind Jha
Chief Experience Officer

India

Years Experience: 1
Trips run:

Govind comes to G Adventures with a love of travel. He has a Masters Degree in Tourism and a solid understanding of what makes India such a wonderful destination. He enjoys adventure travelling and encourages his travellers to interact with locals in order gain greater insight into the region’s cultures. He’s been dubbed “the Google of India” owing to his passion for and knowledge of the region. He encourages you to visit all areas of this fascinating land to arrive at a greater understanding of the people and culture of ‘Incredible India’.

Courtney Hazleton
Chief Experience Officer

United States

Years Experience: 6
Trips run:

Courtney has been working with G Adventures since December 2008 and loves all of the adventures that Central America has to offer! As an Anthropology and International Affairs major (with minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies) from the University of New Hampshire, she feels leading trips with G Adventures provides the best hands-on experience to utilize the knowledge she has gained. With a passion for whitewater rafting, hiking and surfing, she loves to partake in any adventure. Opportunities to meet new people, play outside everyday, speak Spanish, dance to salsa and learn about other cultures are the reasons that she thinks she has the best job in the world!

Sakai Naismith
Chief Experience Officer

Australia

Years Experience: 6
Trips run:

Born in Australia, Sakai Naismith has worked as a G Adventures CEO for over six years. Travel has shown him that life isn’t about the number of breaths we takes but the moments and places that take our breath away. Working as a CEO provides Sakai with the opportunity to share this passion with other people. He writes: “I am blessed with the chance to meet some amazing travellers and keep seeing South East Asia through other people’s eyes. Every day that I wake up to see the sun rise over Angkor Wat, or cruise through the islands of Halong Bay, or rock-climb the limestone cliffs of central Laos—I realize I am the luckiest man alive.”

Carolina Acosta
Chief Experience Officer

Peru

Years Experience: 3
Trips run:

CONGRATULATIONS Carolina! Carolina has been received a special mention from Wanderlust magazine for their 2011 Guide of the Year awards. Although she did not win, to be given special recognition is a great honour with thousands of entrants every year. G Adventures thanks you for Leading with Service Carolina!