In September of 1999, Gig became one of a handful of people who has visited every country on earth, making him the “most traveled” travel agent in the world. According to the Travelers Century Club of Los Angeles, there are 317 countries, Gig has visited all of them (many numerous times) plus several no longer considered countries. His quest has taken him on over 2,600 flights covering 3.4 million miles, over 30 cruises, innumerable trains, motor coaches, taxis, cars and even “hoofing it” when necessary. Local transportation has involved elephants, camels, horses, mules, donkeys and an ostrich.

Three decades as a Travel Explorer and Corporate Manager are blended together for a second passion…travel writing. Today, each of Gig’s journeys takes on special meaning. His observations and perspective are shared with readers in the American Express Persona Magazine. He has been their travel writer for the past four years. His early writing career was nurtured by necessity. As a Product Development Manager for Maritz Travel Company, his destination report was key for client site selection. His position paper on Barbados resulted in 11,000 incentive passengers to the island over a 2-year period. His report on incentive trips to the USSR opened the door to a previously untouched market.

After favorable comments from his colleagues, he got the writer’s bug. As country after country was explored, Gig’s travel logs found their way into local newspapers and magazines. Then Travel Weekly published three articles and he was off and running. Gig has been featured in newspapers worldwide, thanks to Associated Press, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and The Globe and Mail. He is a contributing writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch with lead articles on Mount Kilimanjaro, Hawaii, the King of Tonga and Iran. He has been featured from the Ambassador magazine to the Pacific Stars and Stripes. Recent freelance articles include “Mount St. Helen” and “Greece before the Olympics”. The Travelers Century Club has published several of Gig's articles on exotic vacations.

BACKGROUND

Loving parents fostered his early years of travel in Maryland and later Missouri. Family vacations were full of exploration and by 18, he had visited 46 states. His first international travel experience was a trip to Viet Nam, courtesy of the U.S. Army, and it was the beginning of a lifetime passion for travel and cultures. After graduating from the University of Missouri and a brief stint as a Trans World Airlines reservations agent, he joined Maritz Travel Company. As a Travel Director, Gig traveled extensively and gained experience in trip planning and destination development. In 1979, he founded Gwin’s Travel in suburban St. Louis. The company grew quickly and today includes leisure, business and motivation divisions. Gwin’s has over 40 employees, three offices and does 25 million dollars in annual sales. He is blessed with a 30 year marriage to wife, Terrie, 3 sons and a lazy cat (that sleeps all the time).

First Travel Agent to visit all 317 countries; B.A. Asian History/Business Ad – University of Missouri, St. Louis; Associates Degree, Travel & Tourism – Forest Park Community College; Certified Travel counselor (CTC); Destination Specialist (DS) all nine world regions; Advisory Boards: Bahamas Tourist Board, TWA, Woodside Travel Trust Consortium; Active Member of the Explorers Club, Travelers Century Club, Traveler Conservation Foundation, St. Louis Writers Guild.

• Travel Specialist NBC-KSDK Television, St. Louis (over 100 appearances)
• Radio guest CBC Canada, KMOX St. Louis, WGN Chicago
• Keynote Speaker to over 200 organizations

CONTACT INFORMATION

Gig Gwin, CTC/DS
111 N. Taylor Ave.
Kirkwood, MO 63122
p: 314-822-1993
f: 314-822-1893
ggwin@gwins.com
gwins.com/gig

Articles About Gig
• Islands Magazine: "An Island Gig"
• Travel Weekly : "Around the world in 30 years"