The VA TourismPodcast

Managing Director of Tanzania Tourist Board Felix John outlines plans to diversify its market

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
 

Unpacking Botswana’s Tourism Revival: A conversation with Minister of Environment and Tourism Philda Nani Kereng

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

Unraveling Aviation’s crucial role in Africa’s Tourism Recovery with Jon Howell

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. 
 

The Live Return of MKTE has come at the right time- Kenya Tourism Board CEO

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.

International Tourism Fair of Mozambique (FIKANI) will help in our recovery efforts- Marco Dos Anjos

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.
 

Why African Destinations should focus on MICE and Business Events: A conversation with ICCA’s Esmaré Steinhöfel

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. 
 

Enhanced e-Visa Platform for Nigerian Travellers to South Africa goes Live

In today’s episode, the Chief Operating Officer of South African Tourism Nomasonto Ndlovu discusses the newly introduced Enhanced e-visa platform for Nigerian travelers to South Africa. The SAT Executive also reflects on the latest tourism recovery figures as well as feedback on their just-ended roadshow in Ghana and Nigeria.
 

Maldives invites Africa to experience the sunny side of Life

My Guest today is the CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed. He tells me the joint efforts of the island’s tourism industry have seen the destination accelerate its recovery efforts. Mr. Mohamed invites Africa and the world to come and experience the sunny side of life.
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.