In this episode of Kusa Cast, host Graeme Watson welcomes Gabrielle Claiborne, founder and CEO of Transformation Journeys Worldwide, to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the global travel industry. Gabrielle shares her powerful personal journey of authenticity and how it inspired her mission to foster inclusive cultures across various sectors, including tourism.

Throughout the conversation, Gabrielle emphasises the importance of acceptance, understanding, and creating equitable environments before diversity can truly thrive. She addresses common misconceptions around DEI.

Gabrielle also confronts challenging topics such as restroom accessibility, transgender athletes in sports, and the political rhetoric surrounding DEI. She encourages listeners to lean into discomfort, engage in open dialogue, and recognise the strength in our differences. Ultimately, this episode underscores the significance of empathy, respect, and acceptance in building a more inclusive and welcoming travel industry for everyone.

Are you interested in getting in touch with Gabrielle to see how she can help you? Contact her at gabrielle@transformationjourneysww.com.

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In this episode of Kusa Cast, host Graeme Watson sits down with Steve Byrne, CEO of Travel Counsellors, to discuss the company's remarkable achievement of reaching £1 billion in revenue and their vision for the future. With over 20 years at the company, Steve shares the journey of how Travel Counsellors has grown into a community of 2,000+ travel entrepreneurs while maintaining its core values of personalised service and human connection.

Key highlights include:

• The evolution of Travel Counsellors over its 30-year history
• Insights from their recent record-breaking conference
• Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the travel industry
• The power of community and resilience in challenging times
• The balance between high-tech solutions and human touch in modern travel consulting
• Their ambitious plans to double the company's size in the next 5-10 years

Whether you're a travel industry professional or simply interested in entrepreneurship and business leadership, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on building a successful, values-driven organisation in the travel sector.

Join us for an engaging discussion about the past, present, and future of one of travel's most respected brands.

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In this episode of Kusa Cast, host Graeme Watson sits down with Kgomotso Ramothea, CEO of Memberships at ATTA (African Travel and Tourism Association). After an impressive tenure at South African Tourism where she served as Acting Head and Marketing Communications Manager for the UK and Ireland markets, Kgomotso brings fresh perspectives to her new role at ATTA.

Kgomotso shares her vision for ATTA memberships, comparing it to a gym membership - it's all about active participation and making the most of available resources. Just two months into her role, she's already implementing a "listening roadshow," engaging with members to understand their needs and expectations.

The conversation delves into her extensive experience at South African Tourism, where she was instrumental in analysing market trends, driving tourist arrivals, and developing strategic marketing campaigns. She discusses her approach to understanding travel trends, particularly highlighting the growing importance of multi-generational travel and how past data can inform future strategies.

Drawing from her experience working across European markets, Kgomotso offers valuable insights into market analysis, tourism growth strategies, and the importance of delivering the right message to the right audience at the right time.

Key Topics:

• ATTA's membership value proposition
• Tourism market trends and analysis
• Strategic marketing in tourism
• Multi-generational travel insights
• UK and Irish tourism markets
• African tourism development

Whether you're a tourism professional, marketing specialist, or interested in African travel market dynamics, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of African tourism.

For more information and to get in touch with Kgomotso directly, you can reach out at kgomotso@atta.travel.

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