Heidi Hanna
Founder of Where Next Heidi?
Interview by: Sherry Collins / Photography by: Jonas Hanna
Having travelled around the globe and visited over thirty countries, adventure seeker Heidi Hanna, founder of Where Next Heidi? is passionate about exploring and sharing the places she visits. Since Covid she’s been exploring in her backyard on the island of Jamaica.
What inspired you to launch your brand?
I love to travel, but it’s so much more than reaching a destination and checking it off a list. I really love the entire journey, from researching, planning to documenting my experiences and sharing them with others. But the ultimate inspiration, the part that gives me goosebumps is the conversations that my travels enable with others. From shared experiences to those that are just looking for inspiration.
You were born in Jamaica, lived in Canada and moved to Florida. What was it like living in these different places and how have you drawn on your experiences during your travels?
Living in three different countries has already given me exposure to different cultures and ways of life. With that exposure there is a level of acceptance not only for the differences in people and culture, but also the similarities of people as human beings. It has also piqued my curiosity to see the world.
You launched your brand just after Covid happened, with the hope of travelling the world. How have you been able to still travel?
It’s all about the pivot. I exchanged international travel for #InMiBackYaad travel. So instead of getting on a plane, we got in the car, explored the unseen and unheard places right here in Jamaica. Travel is still a thing, just in a different way.
You’ve recently travelled with the family to see family in America. What was it like travelling outside of Jamaica again?
Stressful! The anxiety was real. Travelling with two children who are unvaccinated changed everything and limited our movements. We had to second guess what we did and where we went. Not to mention constantly stalking them to keep their masks on, keep their hands out of their face and keeping them sanitised.
What are the type of places that you like visiting?
Spin the globe, point to a place and I am there. I want to see it all!
Where is your favourite spot?
In Jamaica, my favourites are Negril for the beach, Treasure Beach for local small-town vibes and Portland because it’s the adventure capital of Jamaica with endless hiking, camping, rivers and waterfalls.
How do you plan on using your brand to give back to local communities in Jamaica?
By highlighting communities and their business, especially places to sleep, eat and explore. The local travel guides play such an important part in being able to see so much of Jamaica, so any support and exposure I can give them helps. Also, I’ve become passionate about the ‘leave-no-trace’ agenda.
What are your hopes for the brand?
To continue building an engaged community and to expand globally by working with tourist boards and other travel brands.
Where Next Heidi?
We don’t have definitive trips just yet - due to the changing nature of the pandemic - but let’s just say we are discussing trips that takes us to the outdoors – US National Parks RV Road trip, a European Winter Getaway, and a Central American Eco Adventure.
