The VA TourismPodcast

Shaun Wheeler touts sustainability footprint of Radisson Blue Mosi OA Tunya Livingstone Resort

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.
 

We are working towards a robust and impactful membership - Liz Tapawa, President, Skal - Nairobi

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
 

Malawi’s Sunbird Tourism Group targets hotel management services in expansion drive

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
 

Exploring Malawi’s birding haven of Blue Zebra Island Lodge

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)
 

2023 Kriol Jazz Festival makes a glorious return

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.
 

Ghana’s e-visa program to go live by end of year

In today’s episode, the Deputy CEO in charge of finance and administration at the Ghana Tourism Authority Ben Anane Nsiah on the sideline of this year’s ITB Berlin reveals that Ghana’s e-visa program will be rolled out at the end of the year while the Authority is also looking to consolidate its share of the market in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
 

Is Africa doing enough to tap into the Halal Tourism Market?

My conversation today is about how Africa can tap into the growing Halal tourism market. Fayrouz Holiday October a Halal Tourism expert dives deep into the $160 billion industry and how it is reshaping the sector globally.
Travel Designer, Tourist Guide and Owner of Halaal Hopper, Mrs Fayrouz Holliday-October took a leap of re evaluating her experience and position within the Tourism Industry in South Africa. With the 23 years experience in the local and international tourism sector and as a Muslim woman and a Muslim woman traveller she realised that there was a great need to cater to the needs Muslim Traveller with halaal offerings. From food, accommodation and Muslim Tourist attractions the passion grew to join the already main stream of other Muslim operators to give further quality service and options to the Muslim Traveller Fayrouz comes with, a wealth knowledge of the Middle East, being a Dubai Tourism Top Graduate from the Government of Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in 2001 No local formal qualification but still continue to study through the University of Life She is the Executive member of Women in Tourism Western Cape Interim Chairlady of Halaal Tourism Association of South Africa She runs community projects with other women focusing on entrepreneurship for kids Fayrouz is also a mentee of Table Mountain Aerial Cableway- making Table Mountain accessible for disadvantaged local communities My Mat Matters is a prayer mat project which was born in 2020, to alleviate unemployment of local community ladies since there was no longer tourist coming to South Africa during 2020 because of COVID19 and many other ongoing projects in up skilling, training and development of women and youth The list is quite long, but a cat out of the bag.. Fayrouz was the first girl to play cricket for Western Province in a boys team in 1979 and is also a cricket coach Other than that Fayrouz love people, places, spaces and food and believes not to do different things but to do it differently with collaboration and that whatever is meant for you will come your way. GOD WILLING (IN SHA ALLAH)

Ethiopian Aviation University will help develop highly skilled aviation professionals and leaders

In today’s episode, the Acting President of Ethiopian Aviation University Mr. Kassie Yimam discusses the upgrade of the then-Ethiopian Aviation Academy into a University and what that means for the growth of the airline and the opportunities it offers the continent.
The Ethiopian Aviation University, the largest and most modern specialized institution in Africa, is recognized as a ICAO regional Training Center of Excellence. Kassie believes this new step will help develop highly skilled aviation professionals and leaders that meet the growing human resource needs of a competitive aviation industry.