The VA TourismPodcast

Conversation with Megan Oberholzer of World Travel Market-Africa

In this episode, (#15) the Director of Travel, Tourism and Creative Industries at Reed Exhibitions, Organizers of World Travel Market-Africa Megan Oberholzer, narrates the extremely challenging situations having to deal with suppliers following the cancellation of this year’s World Travel Market Africa as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. She also outlines incentives for the travel trade and specifically Tourism SMEs in next year’s edition.
Her role includes taking full accountability for the planning and operational management of all aspects of the portfolio, contributing significantly to the development and implementation of Reed’s strategy and to deliver exceptional performance through effective collaboration, management and development of others.
As part of Megan’s role, she builds closer relationships with the key players within the industry and gaining a broader insight into the fundamental issues affecting each show’s industries.
After almost 8 years working in Marketing with Tourvest, Megan joined Reed Exhibitions in 2015 as the Marketing Manager for WTM Africa and IBTM Africa where she oversaw and drove world-class branding and communications for two successful travel trade exhibitions. In 2017, Megan then assumed the role of General Marketing Manager adding the brand ILTM Africa to her portfolio. In this role, she passionately promoted the WTM Africa, ILTM Africa and IBTM Africa brands and oversaw all the events’ relative marketing aspects.
In May 2018, Megan was promoted to Portfolio General Manager for Reed Exhibitions South Africa’s Travel, Tourism and Sport department in which includes various dynamic trade and consumer shows namely; WTM Africa, ILTM Africa, IBTM Africa and FIBO Global Fitness Africa. Following a year as GM, Megan was made Portfolio Director in May 2019.Megan and her team passionately use the exhibition and eventing platforms to create opportunities for Travel & Tourism industry brands to market their products and services to a captive audience through face to face interaction using all of the 5 senses.

South African Multi Award Winning Songstress Simphiwe Dana talks rejection, self love and Arts as Pulse of every Nation

In this episode (#14), Simphiwe Dana a South African songstress and multi-international award winner believe music and tourism are natural bedfellows and if well harnessed can deliver the ultimate experience to the traveler. She has also through her music been a strong voice for feminism in the creative space. In an open conversation on the Tourism Podcast, the afrofuturist snd effervescent Xhosa music act said, ''for a country which has given so much to the music world, it was befitting to honor them with my music latest ''Bamako'' She also narrates how she led the church choir(group) at age 12 and finally gave her take on the impact of the coronavirus on the creative arts sector. Her unique combination  of Jazz, Afro-soul, Rap and Traditional music has seen her been hailed as the "new Miriam Makeba

Tourism News Wrap 15

The VA #TourismNewsWrap14 is a 360 roundup of the latest news in the Travel and Tourism sector. It sums up what you missed the previous week. The video captures, in brief, the major stories. Headlines;•UN Secretary-General underscores the importance of rebuilding tourism in a safe, equitable, and climate manner // Ethiopian Expands Its Global Hub - Bole International Airport with new Aviation Infrastructure // Tourism sector in Congo Brazzaville get set for Restart// 18 whales die in Mauritius stranding// More news on www.voyagesafriq.com 

Chenesai Mangoma identifies collaboration as a key ingredient in growing the Creative Economy

In this episode (#13), Chenesai Mangoma a trade lawyer and Creative economy strategist from Zimbabwe is leading advocacy for the development of a robust African creative economy strategy. Chenesai identifies collaboration as a key ingredient in growing the creative industry. She operates at the intersection of the creative industry, international trade, and human development. With several years of global experience in the business of fashion, trade and program/project development. She is the founder of Chenesai Africa, a fast-growing global entity premised on trade for development and currently leading the network building systems and processes in the creative industries of Zimbabwe towards increasing trade and investment in the sector. Chenesai has led multinational development investments and programs for UNDP, the British Council, and  HIVOs and at the National level has worked to establish the first creative Industries network of Zimbabwe. She is also a common purpose fellow and part of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Responsible Leaders Network.
 

Award winning Ghanaian Tour Guide Nii Ayi Solomon's take on Ghana's competitiveness as a Tourist Destination

In this episode (#12), Award-winning Ghanaian Tour Guide and Playwright  Nii Ayi Solomon talk about the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the tour guiding business in Ghana and why he thinks managers of the tourism sector need to do more to make the West African country a competitive destination. Nii is a professional tour planner and an award-winning tour guide. He has over a decade of experience in tour operations and has guided tourists from all walks of life. He is also a published Poet and a playwright. Nii Ayi holds an HND in Tourism, BSc. In Business Administration and an MPhil in Marketing. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Ghana Business School.

Disability Advocate Farida Bedwei opens up on her journey and calls for real inclusion in the Tourism Industry

In this episode (#11), my guest Farida Bedwei a Ghanaian software engineer, co-founder of a fintech company – Logiciel and disability advocate shares the excruciating pains people with disabilities go through when embarking on tourism expedition. She believes when things are done with inclusion in mind everyone wins and opens up on her demystifying disabilities project. She co-founded a fintech company - Logiciel, which promotes financial inclusion by building micro-banking systems for financial institutions. She has won many awards across Africa for her work in the technology industry as well as her activism in promoting disability awareness. She has been featured on CNN African Voices, BBC, MSNBC Africa, DW Radio, and many other local and international media platforms. She is also a self-published author, having written her first book, “Definition of a miracle”, a few years ago. In October 2018, Farida teamed up with Leti Arts to author the first comic book featuring a superheroine with Cerebral Palsy - Karmzah
 

Tourism News Wrap 14

The VA #TourismNewsWrap14 is a 360 roundup of the latest news in the Travel and Tourism sector. It sums up what you missed the previous week. The video captures, in brief, the major stories. Headlines; •Short-sighted unilateral actions will have devasting impacts on Tourism- UN Tourism Boss/ Nigeria to resume International flights operation from Aug 29// Ghana target Sept.1 for border reopening //South Africa eases lockdown regulations and pushes for domestic tourism revival //Malawi to resume international flight services in September Rwanda Convention Bureau Joins UFI. Visit www.voyagesafriq.com for more updates 

Time with Tim Van der Linden- Chairperson of Malawi Tourism Council,

In this episode,(#10) Tim Van der Linden, the Chairperson of the Malawi Tourism Council looks at measures put in place to resuscitate the ailing tourism sector and further opens up on the country's domestic tourism potential. Tim van der Linden is from the Netherlands and started working in the Malawi Tourism Sector in 2011. He is currently the General Manager of Kiboko Safaris based in Lilongwe. Tim has been the  Chairman of the  Malawi Tourism Council since August 2019 and has 10 years of experience with managing small to medium teams for SMEs related to Malawi Tourism.