Rory Loader, the Founder and Managing Director of Unearth Experience, is a dedicated hotelier, entrepreneur, and conservationist. His passion lies in bridging these diverse worlds through his work with Unearth Experience.
Rory’s professional journey began in the hospitality industry, where he accumulated a decade of experience working with the Four Seasons Hotel group on a global scale. This was followed by three transformative years at Londolozi Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Subsequently, he took on the role of General Manager at Sanctuary Chiefs Camp in Botswana. However, Rory’s aspirations extended beyond the boundaries of the hospitality sector.
In collaboration with his cousin, Mike Miller, he co-founded Unearth, a conservation and empowerment business with a core focus on fostering sustainable rural communities within Greater Kruger Park. To promote their projects and garner support, they innovatively employed a reality-documentary pilot and introduced the concept of “film-induced tourism.”
Furthermore, Rory, alongside his wife Karen Loader, played a pivotal role in the development of Unearth Experience. Leveraging their extensive networks and collective expertise in tourism, they directed travelers not only to their own projects but also to their industry partners across Africa. This approach provided much-needed funding for on-ground initiatives, further exemplifying their dedication to conservation and community empowerment.
Redefining African Travel
Rory’s dedication to detail and his passion for African travel define Unearth Experience. The team at UNEARTH strives to intimately understand every product and supplier within the supply chain, allowing them to authentically grasp the experiences each destination offers. They accomplish this through personal travels to these locations, enabling a sincere and genuine transmission of information to the end client.
Rory’s business primarily thrives on referrals, a model he greatly values. This means that every client who has traveled with him or been referred already shares a deep rapport. As a South African with a wealth of experience living, playing, traveling, and working throughout Africa, Rory possesses a specialized, first-hand understanding of travel in the region. This expertise is a distinguishing feature of his approach to providing remarkable African travel experiences.
A Well-Rounded Life
Rory comes across as an easy-going individual who has a deep appreciation for the outdoors and nature. He values precision and is meticulous when it comes to attention to detail, ensuring that everything is well-organized and thorough. Family is a top priority for him, and he places significant importance on leading a lifestyle that is both enjoyable and educational for his entire family. Rory’s balanced approach to life, combining his love for nature, meticulousness, and family-centered values, reflects a well-rounded and fulfilling perspective.
Exclusivity and Expertise
Unearth Experience is a comprehensive luxury travel company with a specialization in African travel. Its approach is centered on crafting customized itineraries for each client. Leveraging its profound understanding of the destinations, products, and experiences, the team tailors each itinerary to ensure it meets the unique needs and desires of the client, all while delivering exceptional value.
Rory emphasizes that love, passion, knowledge, and meticulous attention to detail are fundamental principles of Unearth Experience. The company’s core strength lies in their ability to understand the who, the how, the when, and the what when it comes to travel.
Cornerstone of the Travel Business
Rory emphasizes the significance of innovation, particularly in comprehending the evolving requirements of travelers and ensuring the service remains seamless. The adoption of new itinerary building and travel software is instrumental in staying ahead and delivering exceptional, visually engaging, and informative itineraries swiftly. These technologies also enhance the efficiency of client confirmation. By leveraging these innovations, the team can continuously stay updated on new products and services, ensuring they are at the forefront of their industry.
Teamwork and Individual Brilliance
Rory believes that both individual heroics and effective teamwork play vital roles. Individual achievements often stem from the foundation of strong teamwork, enabling specific individuals or groups to excel. The essential strength of any team is rooted in the principles established by their founders and the ability to lead these teams to success, creating an environment conducive to growth and prosperity for all. This balance between individual contributions and collaborative efforts is fundamental to achieving greatness.
Recipe for Success in the Travel Industry
Rory highlights the crucial responsibilities of the Founder and Managing Director of the business. This role entails the continuous drive to foster business growth and prosperity by leading from the front. It involves working closely with the team and guiding them through the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the business while encouraging their intuition and creativity, allowing them to think outside the box to nurture growth. Providing the necessary tools for their team members is also a key part of the role.
What Rory finds most rewarding is the opportunity to learn new things each day. The travel industry, especially in the dynamic African landscape, is constantly evolving with new products, services, cultures, and experiences. Being able to share this knowledge with the team and translate it into exceptional, tailor-made itineraries that evoke a “WOW” reaction from clients, leaving them eager to return time and time again, is a source of great satisfaction. He states, “Africa is a special place and once you travel to Africa, you will always leave a small piece of yourself behind, drawing you back time and time again.”
A Guide to Effective Leadership
Rory’s advice to someone taking on a leadership role for the first time is to emphasize the value of learning before leaping into the position. He recommends taking the time to acquire knowledge and insights, drawing from the experiences of others who have held leadership roles. Once well-informed, aspiring leaders should focus on building their own unique legacy, one that aligns with their personal values and principles, and inspire others to follow this legacy.
Rory also stresses the importance of continuous learning since the field of leadership is ever-evolving. He encourages new leaders to cultivate empathy and understanding towards their team members, as effective leadership hinges on the ability to relate to and support those under their guidance. Lastly, he advises leading by example, as being a role model for the team sets a positive standard that can motivate team members to follow suit.
