Rodale’s Scuba Diving

An Interview with Ken Knezick

Ken Knezick is owner and President of Island Dreams Travel in Houston, Texas. He has logged more than 2500 dives and 2000+ hours underwater, diving virtually all over the world. His travels have included Truk Lagoon, Palau, the Philippine Islands, the Red Sea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Costa Rica, Galapagos Islands, Singapore, the Maldives, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean, the Sea of Cortez, Europe, the Soviet Union, and Japan. He also has extensive experience as a divemaster in the Texas Gulf of Mexico and has led more than 50 dive groups to Cozumel alone. Since 1983, Ken has served as Executive Director of Houston's SEASPACE Exposition, is past President of Houston International Diver's Club, and a founding member of the Houston Underwater Photographic Society. He has served on the Boards of Directors of SEASPACE, and G.R.E.A.T. (Gulf Reef Environmental Action Team), the organization responsible for achieving National Marine Sanctuary status for the Flower Gardens Reef in the Texas Gulf of Mexico. Ken has presented dive and travel seminars for dive shows such as SEASPACE, Beneath the Sea, Our World Underwater, Ocean Expo, Boston Sea Rovers, and the Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association (DEMA). A graduate of Rutgers University and a member of Mensa, Ken has made Houston, Texas his home since 1977.

RSD Extra: Can you tell us a bit about the history of Island Dreams?

Ken: I have been in the dive travel industry since the late-1970s, traveling the world in search of the best dive spots. Island Dreams Travel was formed in 1987, in answer to a demand for a scuba diving wholesaler with a true in-depth knowledge of diving and international dive travel destinations. The entire premise behind Island Dreams and it's continuing raison d'etre, is my love for the sport of diving. This company has been successful because all Island Dreams employees are dedicated travelers and scuba divers. All staff members travel frequently, so that our advice to clients is based on personal, first-hand experience. It is a formula that has worked for us and for our valued customers.

RSD Extra: Tell us about Explore 2100 Network.

Ken: The Explore 2100 Network is a compilation of various Internet web sites designed to provide dive travelers with the most up to date and accurate information about a wide variety of world-wide diving sites.

RSD Extra: What do you see for the future of dive travel in 2002 and onward?

Ken: In my experience, scuba divers are adventurers. As such, we are a very resilient, savvy bunch of world travelers. Divers are willing to visit exotic, remote locales, if the diving prize at the end is worth the trip. As a result, I have conducted dive tours from the Rea Sea to the wilds of Borneo, and beyond. As many Americans and Europeans are currently in dire need of a vacation getaway, I believe that dive travel will heat up in 2002.  Mexico, Cozumel, and the Caribbean will be the first recipients of these travelers, but I expect Asia travel, Indonesia, Malaysia, Fiji, etc., to soon come back on-line as well.

RSD Extra: What would you recommend to dive retailers to increase their dive travel sales?

Ken: Keep your product line diverse and interesting, and be sure your salespeople are knowledgeable about the destinations you represent.

RSD Extra: What is your most popular destination and why?

Ken: In this hemisphere, I have always been a big fan of Cozumel, and in fact have been there on more than 50 separate occasions. I love the Mexican people and the topside environment, but above all, it's Cozumel's diving that keeps me coming back for more. The fact that the Gulf Stream has washed over these reefs for millennia, has insured that the reefs remain vibrant and healthy.

On the other hand, I am a big fan of travel to Asia. I was fortunate to be one of the first North American travelers to visit Sipadan Island, in Borneo, Malaysia, and in fact am lucky to have been there more than ten times. Now, Indonesia is a favored travel destination. In particular, I recommend dive travelers to see Wakatobi Resort, in far S.E. Sulawesia, Indonesia. Wakatobi puts a truly remarkable marine environment literally at the diver’s doorstep. I am convinced that Wakatobi currently has the world's best shore diving. But Indonesia has many wonderful diving opportunities. Many may be reached only via live-aboard and are definitely worth the trip.

RSD Extra: Is the Internet an important part of your business?

Ken: Yes, very much so, for marketing, research, and communication. In fact, coming online in 1985, Island Dreams was the second dive travel company to put a substantial web presence on the World Wide Web. We were preceded only by Carl Roessler's website, and that by only a few weeks. The web is a valuable tool, and an ongoing challenge. It is critical that web information be maintained accurate and up to date.

RSD Extra: Anything else you'd like to add?

Ken: Certainly, and thank you for the opportunity to share this thought. Scuba diving is a truly wonderful sport, putting us face-to-face with immense natural beauty and delivering an almost unequaled experience of physical freedom. I encourage the dive industry and divers at large to share this excitement and make our sport fun and accessible to new divers. In the meantime, I'll be out here looking for the next great dive destination to keep certified divers and all the old mossbacks like me interested and involved. Let's go diving!