The VA TourismPodcast

State of Tourism in Maldives and outlook for 2023: A conversation with CEO of MMPRC Thoyyib Mohamed

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.

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.