The VA TourismPodcast

My Podcast today is coming to you from the iconic Okavango Delta in Botswana, where  Dux Mareja of Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp, part of the Nbeyond Group walks me through the uniqueness and why one needs to visit.

The Okavango Delta in northwest Botswana comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost intact. One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods. It is an exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, hydrological and biological processes. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion.

Dux is a passionate Nature Conservationist with a wealth of experience in the Tourism industry spanning over a period of twenty 20 years (6) years of admin and marketing and fourteen (14 years) within the field of guiding, (7 years as full-time guiding and fulfilling H/Guides roles & responsibilities and 7years now as ranger trainer and specialist guides in various fields including birding). He is always seeking new challenges where I am given an opportunity to grow with the company, helping the company achieve its ultimate goals under the component of human development.

A high degree of commitment, honesty, and reliability are some of the assets I would bring to any workplace. Dux has strong organizational and administrative skills with the highest ability to work independently without supervision. I enjoy working under pressure to meet tight deadlines. I am well-rounded in tourism industry needs and expectations, and a great ambassador to the company and the country of Botswana.

He is also capable of working in a multicultural team as I adapt to new cultures very easily. My previous and current positions involved working with large groups of people including external stakeholders. My dedication to a cause and high level of responsibility has always made me an asset to any organization.

In today’s episode, we take a look at the state of tourism in the Maldives and it’s quest to collaborate with partners to offer more airlifts to the sunny side of life from the Africa region. The CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation Thoyyib Mohamed tells me the new strategies of Maldives is to ensure that they move forward in a way that is environmentally sustainable, economically feasible, and preserves the integrity and value of its cultural heritage for generations to come.

Thoyyib Mohamed has over two decades of extensive experience in management, strategic planning, marketing, and international networking, with an emphasis on fostering creativity for executive managers. 

Being appointed to his current portfolio by H.E. President of Maldives in 2018, he played an instrumental role in navigating MMPRC to market the destination through the pandemic. Under his leadership at MMPRC, Maldives achieved the highest tourist arrival figure in Maldives history and Maldives won the position of the World’s Leading Destination for two consecutive years amidst the pandemic

A Bournemouth University graduate with a Master of Arts in Broadcast and Film Management, his career began in the broadcast field. Later he held various high-profile positions in the government such as the Chairman of MMPRC and the Minister of State for Tourism, Arts and Culture.

My conversation today is an interaction with the travel and tourism trade who participated at the return of this year’s Botswana Travel and Tourism Expo in Kasane. From SMEs to international tourism buyers, they share their impressions about the show as well as how the industry has changed post the pandemic.

My Guest today is the Director of Innovation, Education, and Investments at the World Tourism Organization, Natalia Bayona. UNWTO at its recent 117th Executive Council Session in Marrakesh, Morocco announced a partnership with the Moroccan authorities to accelerate the digitalization process of 10,000 SMEs through its Digital Futures Program. Natalia in this conversation unpacks the figures and rationale behind this project.

Natalia Bayona leads the innovation, education and investment strategy of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations specialized agency for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism worldwide.

With a diverse background in politics, destination management and business, she has become the first innovation director at UNWTO, has introduced entrepreneurship and education as key factors for tourism and development, and has positioned UNWTO as an innovation benchmark within the wider United Nations system as recognized in the UN 2020 Mapping of Innovation, Data, and Digital Capacities. Furthermore, she has joined the UN Executive Leadership Programme for Sustainable Development led by the UN System Staff College (UNSSC).

Her work consists of identifying the most disruptive startups and investment projects and matching them with Member States and leading corporations. As an advocate of youth and technology, she seeks to make entrepreneurs grow for a promising future in all regions.

The Managing Director of the Tanzania Tourist Board Felix John on the sidelines of the just ended World Travel Market outlines Tanzania's post pandemic strategies and to diversify and grow its market share on the VA Tourism Podcast

In today’s episode, Botswana’s Minister of Environment and Tourism Hon Philda Nani Kereng tells me the southern African country is going to take a long time to recover from the joy and the fulfillment because of how Botswana delivered this year’s Africa Tourism Leadership Forum. Speaking to the needs of youth and women, the minister believes event such as this will help provide opportunities for them to connect with Capacity Building potential partners

In a joint podcast recorded onsite from Kruger Shalati train on the bridge, Founder and CEO AviaDev Jon Howell joined Kojo Bentum-Williams to dissect the synergy between Aviation and Tourism on the back of the 52nd Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) annual AGA.

The conversation also looked at the pathway to a robust and sustained recovery for both sectors. 

In today’s episode, the CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board Dr. Betty Radier walks me through the activities earmarked for the return of the country’s flagship event the Magical Kenya Travel Expo. She says the show would provide an ideal opportunity for the travel industry to network and explore business opportunities in person.

My Guest is the Director General of Mozambique’s National Institute of Tourism Marco Dos Anjos. Marco walks me through the policies put in place by the Government to revive the tourism sector. He is optimistic the upcoming International Tourism Fair of Mozambique (FIKANI) will further quicken the country’s recovery.

In today’s conversation, the Regional Director for Africa of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Esmare Steinhofel weighs in on the role of business events in the recovery of tourism in Africa. Esmare points to training as an essential element in developing Africa's  MICE industry.

Esmaré currently fulfils the role of Regional Director for Africa for the International Congress and Convention Association.  Her key focus is to deliver ICCA services, products and events, for the recruitment and retention of members and for maintaining and enhancing ICCA’s reputation and awareness amongst target markets. 

She has extensive experience in the international marketing and sales arena. Before joining ICCA, she managed the International Sales portfolio at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). 

Prior to her joining the CTICC she worked at Arabella Starwood South Africa, promoting the 5* Westin Cape Town and the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa.   She was also part of the opening team that started the Cape Town Convention Bureau where she fulfilled the role of promoting Cape Town to the meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition industry with a focus on Association Marketing and Research.

Esmaré is currently a member of SAACI, the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry, and has served on the SAACI National Board as Venues Forum Chair as is currently a Board member of the SAACI Western Cape Chapter.  She also served on the Board of the African Society of Association Executives.

She has been awarded the SAACI Fellowship Award in 2017 as well as the Top 40 Women in MICE in both 2017 and 2015.