The VA TourismPodcast Kojo Bentum-Williams

In our special coverage of Destination Malawi, I spoke with the General Manager of Sigelege Resorts, Farai Marara. Farai discusses the hospitality sector in Malawi and reveals the vision of the hotel group to further its footprint in Malawi.
An achievement oriented and transformational leader. Seasoned hotelier with remarkable attention to detail and excellent customer engagement skills. Passionate about innovation, sustainability, coaching and mentoring teams to optimal performance levels. With over 15 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Farai Marara has successfully overseen the operations of both city hotels and resorts in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malawi, consistently achieving remarkable growth, profitability, and guest satisfaction ratings.
 

Today’s episode was recorded at this year’s Malawi International Tourism Expo in Lilongwe. VoyagesAfriq’s content editor Samuel Obeng Appah sat down with Noma Moyo, a Sales executive at Pay Changu, a Malawian FinTech startup. She says the Company’s objective is to help fix the payment challenges in Malawi of which the tourism sector is heavily affected. She believes their payment gateway will enhance the services offered by the destination.

My conversation today is an exclusive chat with the CEO of Africa's Eden Tourism Association, Jillian Blackbeard. She tells me the main objective of Africa’s Eden is to drive travel and tourism that positively contribute to society and the local/regional economy. Africa’s Eden is a private sector-driven organisation representing Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, undertaking an ambitious destination marketing strategy and campaign at all levels of the tourism supply chain.
 
Jillian's passion lies in African tourism and Conservation, she has been leading the industry for over 10 years specifically in marketing, first for a Southern African hotel and resort chain, followed by 5 years as director for marketing and product development at Botswana Tourism Organisation, followed by Director for Africa for The World Travel and Tourism Association. She is now the CEO of Africa's Eden Tourism Association, the first purely private sector driven organisation representing Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, undertaking an ambitious destination marketing strategy and campaign at all levels of the tourism supply chain. Jillian's passions extend to conversation, managing the Tlhokomela Endangered Wildlife Trust for 5 years and continues to support projects that link tourism with conservation. Over the past years, she has spoken at international conferences and events on the importance of intra-African travel and opportunities and challenges for the sector across the African continent.

In today’s episode, the Acting CEO of Botswana Tourism Organization Keitumetse Setlang at the recent WTM Africa show in Cape Town revealed the ambitious Strategy for Diversification and Growth for the Southern African Nation. She also gave an update on the country’s MICE Strategy which she describes as cardinal to their tourism drive
 

Today’s conversation is an exclusive chat with the newly appointed Executive Director of Zambia Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS)Mrs. Anne Kaoma-Sibanda. On the sidelines of the just-ended 2nd Travel, Hospitality, and Tourism Education Summit held in Lusaka, Anne tells me ZITHS is committed to using initiatives such as the summit to help address the gaps in the human resource base of the tourism sector. Anne outlines her vision for the country’s leading hospitality institution and how partnerships will help ZITHS  adapt to the fast-changing needs of the sector. 
Mrs. Anne Kaoma-Sibanda brings a wealth of experience in the field of tourism and hospitality. Her background in human capital development coupled with a strong leadership acumen, aligns perfectly with the current strategic vision of reclaiming ZITHS’ rightful position as an educator of choice in the region and beyond.
Mrs. Anne Kaoma-Sibanda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Psychology and a Master of Business Administration. As Executive Director, Mrs. Kaoma-Sibanda plays a pivotal role in steering ZITHS toward new heights of hospitality education in Zambia through strategic vision coupled with the commitment to fostering growth and educational innovation to contribute significantly to the success of the institute and the hospitality industry at large.
 

In today’s episode, the founder of Essence of Africa Amanda Margison unpacks the reasons behind the launch of the continent’s latest travel show. Taking place from 2-4 October 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, The Essence of Africa show a collaborative work between Onshow Solutions and ATTA is a private sector-led initiative focused on expanding the potential of tourism across Africa by bringing together the right global buyers and committed local sellers.