The VA TourismPodcast

Africa’s Travel Trade hails the return of Botswana Travel & Tourism Expo

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.

UNWTO Digital Futures Program will accelerate the adoption of technologies in the Tourism Value Chain

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.

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.