ABOUT OWNER JIM WEST

Jim West, CEO Craftours
International Ambassador of Arts and Culture

Jim West is the founder and CEO of Craftours, a company that began in his grandmother’s basement in 1995 and has since grown into the largest tour operator in the world for crafters and niche market travelers. He is also the Emmy-nominated producer and host of Destination Craft, distributed by American Public Television. The series has reached more than 90 million households across the United States, representing 85 percent of the American television market according to TRAC Media.

Recognized globally as the “International Ambassador of Art, Culture and Wellness,” Jim has traveled to more than 126 countries, inspiring and uplifting artisans to worldwide recognition and respect. A true visionary, travel entrepreneur, and author, Jim is known for his infectious energy, creativity, and passionate dedication to every project he undertakes.

Before founding Craftours, Jim spent over ten years working as a professional cruise director, completing 1,563 cruises and visiting all seven continents. His expertise earned him a feature as the cruise expert on the Travel Channel program Cruise Ships FAQ.

Following a memorable expedition to Antarctica with Sir Edmund Hillary, Jim authored his first best-selling book, The Essential Little Cruise Book, which includes more than 750 practical tips for cruise travelers. Hillary contributed a quote for the cover, calling it “a very practical book with sound information for everyone, from people planning their first cruise adventure to hardened travel agents.”

Jim consistently exceeds expectations, whether working with television network executives or his production team at Namaste Group Productions, LLC. He is also the owner of Namaste Publications, a publishing company devoted to wellness books for the mind, body, and spirit, and is currently developing new television programs focused on travel, cooking, and wellness.

His achievements also include founding and directing the first International Quilt Festival of Ireland and the first International Batik Expo in Bali. Jim created Craftposium, the first online magazine in the craft industry, and has contributed to several best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul books, including Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Virtues.

Jim is a proud member of the Producers Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Before launching his career in travel and television, Jim worked as an actor in Los Angeles from 1982 to 1993, appearing in national commercials and television shows such as T.J. Hooker, The Facts of Life, Square Pegs, and others. lifting master artisans to a place of worldwide recognition and distinction. Jim is a visionary, travel entrepreneur, and author, with an infectious energy and an enthusiastic approach to all his projects. He delivers beyond the expectations of those who work with him, whether it’s network executives or the crew of his production company, Namaste Group Productions, LLC.

As a world traveler and cruise expert, Jim worked onboard cruise ships as a professional cruise director for over ten years, with over 1563 cruises logged in his nautical diary. He has explored all seven continents and was featured as the cruise expert on the Travel Channel’s program “Cruise Ships FAQ.”

Following his cruise expedition in Antarctica with Sir Edmund Hillary, Jim wrote his first best-selling book, “The Essential Little Cruise Book,” containing over 750 practical cruising tips. Hillary provided a quote for the cover, commenting, “A very practical book with sound information for everyone, from people planning their first cruise adventure to hardened travel agents.”

Jim was the founder and managing director of the first International Quilt Festival of Ireland and the first International Batik Expedition in Bali. He is the creator of the very first and longest running online magazine in the craft industry called “Craftposium,” later changed to “Craftours Lifestyles.”

Jim is a contributing author in the best-selling Chicken Soup books- “Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul” and “Chicken Soup for the Soul-Christmas Virtues.” He is a member of the prestigious Producer’s Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

From 1982-1993 Jim was an actor in Los Angeles with television credits that include national commercials and guest appearances on T. J. Hooker, Facts of Life, Square Pegs and others.