I Am Tourism Stories Podcast Amplifies Voices Of Women Youth And Leaders In Africa’s Tourism Sector

I Am Tourism Stories, a new weekly podcast, aims to bring together personal and professional reflections from the people powering Africa’s tourism sector — from community leaders and policy advisors to creatives, conservationists and entrepreneurs, says the Podcast.

The podcast is the latest evolution of the 'I Am Tourism' campaign launched during the COVID-19 crisis, which spotlighted the often invisible contributions of women and youth in the industry. This next chapter aims to extend that mission — moving beyond visibility to engagement, learning and systems change, adds the Podcast.

"We've always known that the people behind Africa's travel sector hold the deepest insight into its challenges and possibilities," says Natalia Rosa, Tourism Strategist and Co-Creator of the original campaign. "This platform is a way to listen, learn, and lead differently — together."

Episodes are aimed to prioritise candid conversation over commercial promotion, with guests invited to share what works and what doesn't, adds the Podcast.

"These stories offer reflection, challenge, clarity — and sometimes a call to operate deeper. It's a reminder of the importance of being transparent and measurable so that our authenticity is real," adds Melissa Foley, Co-Host and Community & Conservation Impact Lead for Africa's Eden Tourism Association.

Guests Include:

• Adrian Lange — Designing inclusive travel for neurodiverse guests and the value of predictability, care and sensory awareness.
• Mapholo Ratau — How culturally rooted fashion and procurement power sustainability, pride and job creation.
• Gillian Saunders — Moving from hotel cleaner to policy adviser — and why community integration is not just a programme, but a principle.
• Orlando Pinto — The untapped authenticity of Angola, and why tourism should be shaped by what's true, not what's marketable.
• Season Opener — A conversation on how the 'I Am Tourism' campaign evolved into a podcast, and how storytelling can become a tool for sector growth.

New episodes are available weekly. I Am Tourism Stories is streaming on all major platforms including Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Overcast and GoodPods. Tourism professionals — from emerging voices to seasoned leaders — are encouraged to pitch stories or nominate others with powerful insights to share, concludes the Podcast.

For more information, visit www.iamtourismstories.com. You can also follow I Am Tourism Stories on LinkedIn.

*Image courtesy of contributor