The VA TourismPodcast

ATLF 2023:Sessions are structured towards actionable solutions- Miller Matola

In today’s episode, the CEO of Millvest Investments and one of the conveners of the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum, Miller Matola previews this year’s event which is a few days away. He says the strategic partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement will be one of the highlights of this year’s ATLF. 

We are engaging government to improve tourism in Mozambique- Noor Momade

Today’s episode is a continuation of our special coverage of Mozambique’s burgeoning tourism sector. My guest is Noor Momade, CEO of COTOUR and President of the Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators of Mozambique. In this conversation, Noor unpacks the recovery of the country’s tourism industry and the role his association is playing to improve the sector. He wants government to expedite action in liberalizing the air transport to improve domestic connectivity.
 

ATLF 2023: Dan Dzouza’s sneak peek of Tourism Entrepreneurship Masterclass

Ahead of the 6th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards slated for the 4-6 October in Gaborone, Botswana, I caught up with Dan Dsouza, a speaker and a  global leader in corporate innovation, with expertise in fostering corporate venturing and start-up creation. He tells me he wants to see influential, and people in power who can influence and create places for safe practice to change the industry.
 

General Manager of Sentidos Beach Resort Lwana Lopes opens up state of Tourism in Mozambique

Today’s episode is a special issue of our coverage of Mozambique’s burgeoning tourism sector. My guest Lwana Lopes, the General Manager of Sentidos Beach Retreat one of the leading resorts in Mozambique, talks about the opportunities and challenges with tourism in the country. Lwana tells me they look at offering an experience and not just sleeping on a bed. She concludes with the hotel’s plans for the MICE and incentive market as it plans to roll out new product offerings.

Eldevina Materula’s take on Mozambique’s burgeoning tourism Sector

In today’s episode, Mozambique’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Eldervina Materula takes a deep dive into the state of the country’s tourism sector following the ringing changes of its visa policy and the rollout of the evisa program. The country recently held the 11th National Cultural Festival and she believes Mozambique’s cultural heritage can propel its tourism renaissance.
 

Building a coalition of environmentally Conscious travellers: A story of Mwanase Ahmed

My guest today is Mwanase Ahmed, the CEO & Co-owner of Distant Relatives Ecolodge and Backpackers, a unique eco-lodge in Kilifi, Kenya. The lodge has in the last ten years built a coalition of environmentally conscious travellers and made the local community the pillar of its project. Mwanase talks about her passion for the work and how destinations could tap into their model to develop robust and sustained domestic tourism.
Mwanase Ahmed, a global citizen with roots on Lamu Island, has journeyed through living in the United States, France, Central America, and Senegal before returning to her homeland of Kenya. As the visionary CEO and Co-owner of Distant Relatives Ecolodge and Backpackers, she combines her rich cultural experiences with a deep passion for sustainable tourism, integrating social and environmental responsibility. With a background in Sociology, International Studies & Political Economy, Mwanase brings a unique perspective to her leadership role, fostering a harmonious blend of ecological awareness, community empowerment, and unity, and enriching travel experiences through positive social & environmental activities.
 
 

Tourism is a key pillar in our investment drive- Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board

My guest today is Margareth Gustavo, the Executive Director for Strategy and Branding at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board. She delves into the key mandates of the Board and what it means to them to host the 2024 edition of the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum.
 

Tourism Seychelles hopes sector diversification can spark boom after first quarter growth

In today’s episode, the Principal Secretary at Tourism Seychelles Mrs Sherin Francis highlights the state of tourism in the archipelago island and singles out the diversification of the sector as an exciting addition to the tourism offering of the island.