228 - Find Yourself through Travel with VegVoyages Founder Zac Lovas

Episode • May 3, 2023 • 1h 6m

Have you ever dreamed of having unparalleled access to the culture, people, and mouthwatering vegan cuisine of such faraway lands as India, Thailand, or Indonesia? Ever wanted to step off the beaten path and experience an exotic locale in an authentic way, generally reserved for locals? Today’s guest can provide precisely what you’re looking for and more. Zac Lovas is the co-founder of Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages. This vegan cultural adventure tour company brings you an immersive experience that will leave you enriched and forever changed.

It’s Zac’s extensive background in the film industry that brought him to India initially, which brings us full circle because it’s another reason why we’re very excited to have him here—to discuss his work on Maa Ka Doodh, the gutsy documentary that takes an unflinching look at India’s Dairy Industry.

“Even to this day, about 20 to 30 percent, I would say roughly of our guests are nonveg, but they are vegan when they’re with us. And they always say right at the beginning, because, again, preconceived notions people have that we don’t really eat. Vegans really don’t eat. You know? We only eat salads and side dishes, and it’s all bland. And so they always come up, usually in the first day or so, and say, ‘Hey, you know what, look, I may have to duck out on a meal, or another meal,’ and they’ll go grab something, and by the time we get to the end of it, and I even will say, because we have one free night or something where people can go out on their own, and I say ‘this is your opportunity if you wanted to go out,’ and they’re like, ‘no way. Are you kidding?’” - Zac Lovas

What we discuss in this episode:

What it was like for Zac to move to India at the age of 18.
How he transitioned from working in the film industry to creating a tour company.
What differentiates his vegan tour company from others.
The countries his company explores.
How living abroad has changed his worldview.
Zac’s travel tips for first-time travelers to Asia.
Insights into the making of the documentary Maa Ka Doodh, and the truth about what’s happening to cows in India.