Episodes

11 hours ago
11 hours ago
In today’s episode, the CEO of African Tourism Partners Kwakye Donkor and Namibia’s Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism Zebulun Chicalu give an overview of the opening day at the 5thAfrica Youth in Tourism Innovation summit in Swakopmund, Namibia.

6 days ago
6 days ago
My episode today is an exclusive chat with Zambia’s Minister of Tourism and Arts Rodney Sikumba. In our conversation during the recently held Inaugural Travel and Tourism Education Summit in Lusaka, the minister said Zambia is positioning itself in the region as a center of excellence in tourism education as well as incentivizing the private sector to create more jobs and wealth.

Monday May 22, 2023
Unpacking SADC ’s 10 Year Tourism Action Plan
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
In today’s episode, the GIZ/C-NRM Head of Component Climate Resilience Lisa Blanken sheds light on the progress made in the implementation of the SADC Tourism Programme 2020-2030. At a breakfast meeting with stakeholders on the margins of this year’s Africa Travel Indaba, Lisa said her outfit has been supporting the regional body in putting the structures in place as well help build capacity for the team to meet the needs of the time.

Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
My episode today is a tour of Radisson Blue Mosi OA Tunya Livingstone Resort, situated on the banks of one of Africa's longest rivers the Zambezi. The Hotel’s General Manager Shaun Wheeler touts the sustainability footprint of the hotel and believes the property will boost the tourism industry in Zambia.

Sunday May 07, 2023
Sunday May 07, 2023
In today’s episode, the President of SKAL Nairobi Liz Tapawa reveals programs instituted to grow the membership of SKAL International. Liz, who’s an active member of Women in Tourism Group in Kenya, is confident that the Association’s engagements with hospitality institutions to mentor young ladies will help scale up women empowerment
With over 25 years of experience in hospitality business development, LizTapawa is the Director of sales and marketing at Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi airport. An active member of the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism and President Skal Kenya Nairobi 2023.
She is passionate about mentorship and is actively preparing the next generation of sales leaders in the hospitality industry. She currently has 10 mentees working in the hospitality industry 7 ladies and 3 gentlemen .2 of the ladies recently took up sales leadership positions with their current employers

Saturday May 06, 2023
Malawi’s Sunbird Tourism Group targets hotel management services in expansion drive
Saturday May 06, 2023
Saturday May 06, 2023
In today’s episode, the CEO of Malawi’s Hospitality conglomerate Sunbird Tourism Samson Mwale opens up on the new chapter of the hotel Group and its commitments in the areas of women empowerment and clean energy.
Sunbird Hotels and Resorts is Malawi’s leading hotel chain with nine properties including four city hotels in all three regions of Malawi, four popular beach resorts along Lake Malawi and an iconic mountain resort, in the former capital city of Zomba

Friday May 05, 2023
Exploring Malawi’s birding haven of Blue Zebra Island Lodge
Friday May 05, 2023
Friday May 05, 2023
My conversation today is with the Sales & Marketing Manager of Blue Zebra Lodge, Jen Dunlop-Jones. Hosting international buyers and media at the boutique and unique island lodge as part of the post-Malawi International Tourism Expo activities, Jen outlines what makes the island a unique experience and its draw as a birding haven.
Blue Zebra Island Lodge is nestled on Nankoma Island, part of the Marelli Archipelago: an unspoiled paradise under the protection of Lake Malawi National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Tuesday May 02, 2023
2023 Kriol Jazz Festival makes a glorious return
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Today’s special episode was recorded from the capital city of Cabo Verde, Praia host of the Kriol Jazz Festival. Making a glorious return after a 3-year break, the artists were full of praise for the organizers and the municipality of Praia for the Morabeza hospitality accorded during the festival. Dr. Pratt, a Barcelona-based music group on this podcast expressed their adoration for the African vibes and look forward to collaboration with their African counterparts.
Performing for the first time at the Kriol jazz festival, Cabo Verdean songstress Lucibela was grateful for the opportunity offered to her to showcase her craft and hope to take it further in Africa. The Major of the municipality of Praia Francisco Carvalho is determined to consolidate the gains made with events such as the Kriol jazz festival and is committed to making tourism a priority sector for the capital.

VA Tourism Podcast
The VA Tourism Podcast is dedicated to Africa’s travel and tourism industry where leaders from the private and public sectors get to talk to us. It is Africa’s dedicated Tourism Podcast which holds conversations with change-makers, tourism influencers, and thought leaders in Africa and beyond.