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Erik Hastings (born XXX YYY, ZZZZ) is an American travel expert, performer and radio and television host. As "Erik the Travel Guy" he is the Emmy Award–winning host of the Emmy Award–winning public television program "Beyond Your Backyard," which is syndicated in 48 U.S. states and internationally. Hastings' stated mission is to get Americans to travel more often by introducing them to fascinating destinations.

Early life and career

Erik Hastings got his first taste of being an entrepreneur as a young boy in Des Moines, Iowa, by selling school supplies while a student at Hubbell Elementary School. That experience became a lifelong commitment to living life successfully on his own terms. Drawn to performing, Hastings became a regular player in the Des Moines local theater scene. His early acting career was highlighted by a lead part in the international production of "Peace Child" at the Des Moines Playhouse. "Peace Child" is a powerful musical about war as seen from a child’s point of view. At the age of 14, "Peace Child" took Hastings on a six-week performance tour to the Soviet Union.

Hastings honed his performance craft through performing arts classes at HIGH SCHOOL and dance classes at Betty Hill Dance Studios as well as taking music lessons and acting workshops. At the age of 15, Hastings began his radio career. Working at RADIO STATION every weekend until he graduated from high school, Hastings gained the experience required to become a successful on-air personality. He continued his radio career in Des Moines at RADIO STATION and then in New York City at WABC. At 17, Hastings added video production and on-camera hosting to his capabilities.

In 1996, Hastings left the Midwest and relocated to New York. Over the next decade, he would return to video production repeatedly while expanding his resume in radio, media design and production, theater, commercial work and on-camera hosting, including work for WABC, HBO, The Disney Channel, PBS and the Starz and Encore networks. Over the years, Hastings has interviewed thousands of celebrities and headline-makers including performers Jennifer Aniston, Michael J Fox, Tom Hanks, Wayne Newton and John Ritter; news anchors Lester Holt, Dan Rather and Brian Williams; governors Haley Barbour and Jim Justice; and professional golfers Phil Mickelson, Gary Player, Bubba Watson and Tom Watson; among countless others.

Current activities

In 2005 Erik Hastings launched his own production company that specialized in creating high-quality, low-cost travel videos for online distribution. That enterprise combines Hastings' extensive experience in video production, writing and performing. Since his company's inception, he has amassed a client roster that includes Carnival Cruise Line, CruiseOne, The Greenbrier Resort, Hertz, Pinehurst, Iberostar and dozens of official tourism bureaus around the world.

In 2017 Hastings and his creative team began production on "Beyond Your Backyard," a new educational travel series for Blue Ridge PBS. The series debuted in April 2018 on Blue Ridge PBS and other public broadcasting stations and quickly gained national attention and new affiliates. Today, the series is seen by millions of viewers nationwide. The series is syndicated by NETA, carried on the CREATE Channel, represented internationally by TVS and available to Amazon Prime members. In its first season, the series won an Emmy Award for the show itself and a second Emmy for Hastings, its host.

Hastings spends an average of about 25 weeks on the road each year. When he's not traveling, he spends time with his two daughters in New York City.