The VA TourismPodcast

My conversation today looks at the expectations of Africa’s tourism industry players ahead of the maiden Essence of Africa travel show scheduled for 2-4 December 2024 in Nairobi,Kenya. In this chat, Rosemary Muthoni Director of sales at Sopa lodges tells me the track record of Onshow Solutions and ATTA, organisers of the show makes her confident of meeting the right buyers from the key source markets.

Rosemary Muthoni brings vast experience and expertise to the Sopa Lodges team, having worked with renowned hotel brands in Kenya and across the East African hospitality industry. As the Director of Sales, Rosemary leverages her extensive knowledge to drive business growth and build strong trade partner relations. 

Her leadership skills and innovative approach ensure that the Sales team delivers efficient and personalized services, while contributing to the company's growth. Rosemary’s passion for hospitality and her commitment to excellence align perfectly with the Core Values of Sopa Lodges, ensuring that guests continue to enjoy unforgettable experiences at all Sopa properties. 

A visionary leader, Rosemary holds a degree/master’s in Accounting, Finance, Business Management, and Business Administration from KCA University and the Kenya Institute of Management, respectively. She also holds a qualification in Strategic Management from the European Business University of Luxembourg and remains continuously committed to staying ahead of industry trends and innovations. Her expertise in the hospitality industry makes her a vital part of the Sopa Lodges' leadership team. 

In today’s episode, the owner of SA based White Shark Projects 'Jessica Smit' shares her expectation of the maiden Essence of Africa Travel show scheduled to take place from 2-4 December in Nairobi, Kenya.

The owner of White Shark Projects 'Jessica Smit' is a conservationist focusing on the behaviour and welfare of the marine life that we have the pleasure of working with daily. In her own words ''To have the ability to observe our wild marine life free swimming in their natural environment is an honour that we shall never exploit, or harm only observe with respect and admiration''.

White Shark Projects is a renowned global research organisation founded in 1989. It is dedicated to the conservation of South Africa’s shark species and our oceans. Shark cage diving and viewing not only provides a unique opportunity to witness the wonder of our beautiful sharks in a safe and professional environment, but also serves as a conservation education platform to help protect these vulnerable animals. Through our shark cage diving excursions, volunteer programme and vital community outreach projects, we aim to give people the knowledge to help conserve sharks and the environment to create a more sustainable future.

Today’s episode takes a deep dive into the Associations' Business as part of the MICE ecosystem. My guest, Jeffers Miruka the Founding President of the African Society of Association Executives (AfSAE)highlights the crucial role of the Association sub-sector in the development of MICE in Africa. Jeffers says associations provide significant value to members including skills enhancements and networking opportunities among others. He rounds up the chat on the upcoming 2024 Africa Associations Summit to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 29th – 30th October. 

Mr. Jeffers Miruka is the founding president of the African Society of Association Executives (AfSAE). He is also the Managing Director of the African Associations Management Company (AFAMCO) and the Secretary General of the Association for Kenya Business Events (AKBE). With a career dedicated to advancing Association Management as a profession in Africa, Jeffers is a respected global leader and mentor in the field.

My conversation today is with the CEO of Dana Tours Natalie Tenzer-Silva . Dana Tours, Mozambique’s leading Inbound operator has in the last 25 years + worked tirelessly to make the destination a must-visit place in Africa in spite of the challenges. In this Chat, Natalie takes me through her journey and why she believes the time has come for Mozambique to make MICE a major part of its tourism development. 

 Natalie Tenzer-Silva was born in South Africa and moved to Mozambique in the early 90s where she learned Portuguese. Natalie has worked in the tourism industry since 1994 first managing a large travel agency and then becoming Mozambique’s largest inbound tour operator. Her language skills and capacity as a team leader have earned her respect both within Dana Tours, the Mozambican business community and the Government having been a member of the Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee. She spends her spare time with her husband and two boys.

In this conversation, the CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa explains in detail the landmark ruling of SA’s Competition Commission on the Removal of price parity clauses between online travel agent (OTA) Booking.com and contracted accommodation providers in South Africa and what it means for the industry especially for Tourism SMEs.

In this episode, the Acting CEO of the Namibia Tourism Board Charmaine Mathues reflects on the Board’s successful ‘’Reason to Visit Namibia’’ Roadshow in Botswana. Charmaine believes the partnerships formed and the B2B engagements with the trade, coupled with the announcement by Air Botswana to launch direct flights between the two cities will further boost trade and tourism into Namibia and the sub-region.

Today’s episode discusses Mozambique’s potential as a growing MICE Destination. The General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Maputo Rob Van der Velden weighs in on the country’s Meetings space and why he thinks a lot needs to be done to address the challenges to unlock its full potential. Rob gives his impressions on FIKANI, Air connectivity and the diversification of its offering.

In today’s episode recorded on the sidelines of FIKANI Tourism Fair in Mozambique, the newly appointed Director for Africa of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Frank Murangwa outlines his vision for Africa and discusses the continent’s readiness to make MICE and Business events sectors key economic drivers.

My conversation today takes a look at Uganda’s tourism sector and how its soon to be launched 10-year Tourism development plan incorporates elements such as gastronomy tourism. In a chat with the CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board Lilly Ajarova at the recently held UN Tourism Forum for Gastronomy tourism in Zimbabwe, she mentioned how the conference was timely and the take outs with help them fine tune their gastronomy and agro tourism sectors.

On Today’s episode, the Director General of the Basque Culinary Centre Joxe Mari Aizega unpacks the potential and opportunities for gastronomy tourism in Africa. Speaking on his experience during the first UN Tourism maiden gastronomy forum held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Joxe Mari said he was excited by the genuine interests and commitments by African tourism to develop the sector and place African gastronomy on the world stage.