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 e...
Mar 29, 2025•48 min•Season 4Ep. 1
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 Counsello...
Dec 04, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 7
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 ...
Nov 13, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode of Kusa Cast, host Graeme Watson sits down with Dan Pearce, CEO of TTG Media, for an insightful journey through the world of travel journalism and industry resilience. Dan shares his fascinating career path, from aspiring actor to English teacher in Italy, before finding his true calling in journalism. His story of acquiring TTG and steering it through the tumultuous waters of the COVID-19 pandemic is both inspiring and enlightening. Listeners will be intrigued by Dan's perspecti...
Oct 17, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode of Kusa Cast, host Graeme Watson interviews Jillian Blackbeard, the CEO and founder of Africa's Eden. Jillian is based in Gaborone and has an extensive background in tourism, having worked for Peermont Hotels, Botswana Tourism, and as the Africa director for the World Travel and Tourism Council. She founded Africa's Eden with the vision of improving destination marketing by focusing on the needs of travellers and promoting regional collaboration. Africa's Eden was established in ...
Jun 18, 2024•57 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode of Kusa Cast, host Graeme Watson sits down with Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, the CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA). Tshifhiwa shares his extensive journey in the tourism industry, from his studies at the University of Johannesburg to his diverse roles in travel marketing and tourism management across the globe, including stints in Los Angeles and New York. The discussion delves into the significant changes in the tourism industry over the past 25 years, highli...
Jun 10, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode of Kusa Cast, we have a conversation with Brad Glenn, Managing Director of The Inside Edge, a DMC specialising in incentives in South Africa. Hosted by Graeme Watson, the episode delves into the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) industry in Southern Africa. Brad shared his journey from working in the hotel industry, including stints at Sun International and Southern Sun, to leading The Inside Edge. He highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, describing ...
Jun 04, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this episode of Kusa Cast, host Graeme Watson interviews David Frost, the CEO of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA). The discussion revolves around the current state of tourism in South Africa, the challenges faced by the industry, and the efforts made to overcome these obstacles. About The Guest: David Frost is the Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA). He has a rich background in economics and extensive experience in the to...
May 28, 2024•56 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Holly Budge is an adventurer and the founder of How Many Elephants, a nonprofit organisation that raises awareness about the African elephant crisis. Through her travels and expeditions, Holly realised the power of adventure to raise funds and bring attention to environmental and social issues. She created How Many Elephants as a travelling exhibition that visualises the poaching data, showcasing elephants on a wall to represent the annual poaching rate in Africa. Holly also created a necklace m...
Dec 05, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Claire Minchin, co-founder of Vumbua Africa, joins Graeme Watson on Kusa Cast to discuss accessible travel in Africa. The podcast also feature input from Keith Johnston, co-founder of Vumbua Africa. Claire shares her personal experiences as a social worker and as a traveler with a daughter who required a wheelchair. She highlights the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities or limited mobility when it comes to planning and enjoying a holiday. Claire and Keith have developed Vumbua Afri...
Oct 30, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode of Kusa Cast, host Graeme Watson had the privilege of interviewing Alexis Cronin, the co-founder of Dunia Designs. Dunia Designs is a remarkable company driven by a powerful mission inspired by the global plastic crisis. The company was born out of a shared concern between Alexis and Evanna Cronin, who were deeply troubled by the sight of their community's streets and rivers being increasingly polluted by plastic waste. Dunia Designs uses recycled plastic and creates furniture an...
Sep 29, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Heather Markel, a full-time travel coach, joins the Kusa Cast to discuss her journey to becoming a digital nomad. She shares her experiences of leaving her corporate job and embracing a life of travel. Heather provides insights into the mindset, money, and mastery needed for a successful nomadic lifestyle. She also emphasizes the importance of community and finding support among fellow travellers. Heather offers advice on generating income while travelling and highlights the personal growth and ...
Sep 02, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Jordan Carlyle and Christen Puckett, travellers from the USA, share their journey of quitting their stable jobs and buying a one-way ticket to travel the world. They discuss how they started their trip by creating a shared Notes app to list the places they wanted to visit. They also talk about their unexpected success on TikTok, where they now have over 25,000 followers. The travellers emphasise the importance of storytelling and engaging with their followers. They also discuss the challenges of...
Aug 22, 2023•26 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Mark Young, co-founder of the Perfections Group, discusses his journey in the travel industry, from backpacking to starting a representation company. He shares his experience of being made redundant before COVID and how he adapted by taking on different jobs. Mark also talks about the resilience and camaraderie in the tourism industry, the changing habits of UK travellers, and the future of the Perfections Group. He emphasises the importance of collaboration and open-mindedness in the industry. ...
Jul 27, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In this episode of Kusa Cast, Graeme Watson interviews Priscilla Plummer, the founder of Global Sojourns, a responsible travel company that focuses on uplifting communities around wildlife areas. Priscilla shares her journey from working in small and startup businesses in the US to traveling to Africa to better understand the situation that girls and women face in the region. She talks about her passion for travel and culture and how it led her to start Global Sojourns and the Global Sojourns Gi...
Jun 14, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In the latest episode of Kusa Cast, Graeme Watson sits down with Melissa Foley, the passionate founder of All About Africa Consulting. Melissa's mission is to promote social and environmental sustainability in the tourism industry throughout Africa, with a particular focus on ethical climbing on Kilimanjaro. As a board member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), based in Moshi and Arusha, she works tirelessly to raise public awareness about the challenges faced by mountain crew ...
Jun 04, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode of Kusa Cast, Graeme Watson interviews Robyn Whaley, the director of Off The Track Expeditions, a Zimbabwe-based tour operator specialising in tailor made and adventure travel to Zimbabwe. Robyn shares her experience and insights on how her business started and how it has grown over the years. Robyn begins by discussing her journey in the tourism industry, highlighting her previous roles at Wilderness Safaris. She emphasises the importance of her personal experiences in visiting ...
May 19, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this podcast episode, Graeme Watson speaks with Stanley Edwards, director of Platypus Digital, about how virtual reality (VR) can be used as a marketing tool for tourism businesses. They stress the importance of focusing on content objectives when using VR, rather than just admiring the technology. They discuss the different ways VR can be used, such as 360 images and videos, virtual guided tours, and interactive and immersive experiences. They highlight how VR has changed the way people view...
May 14, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Today's guest on Kusa Cast is Katy Lee , Senior Business Development at Feefo , a consumer insight business, who through their ratings and reviews technology help businesses collect, verified customer reviews and insights, allowing you to improve your products and customer experiences. Katy discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the tourism industry in the wake of the pandemic. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Katy shares her insights on the importance of personal respon...
May 03, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 26
The tourism industry in South Africa has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with limited help assistance to support struggling businesses. Despite the challenges, there is still a strong desire for travel to South Africa, particularly for wine tourism and safaris. In a recent episode of the Kusa Cast, "A Conversation with Cathy Entwistle and Nick Fox," the challenges facing the tourism industry in South Africa were discussed, along with potential solutions to revive the industry. C...
Apr 26, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 25
We hear from Grant Fowlds, a conservationist fighting to protect rhinos in Africa. He shares his experiences of both heart-wrenching losses and inspiring victories in the battle against poaching, and discusses the challenges faced by conservationists, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, Grant remains dedicated to preserving the ecosystem and saving endangered species, and his determination offers hope for the future of rhinos and Africa's tourism industry...
Apr 18, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Zile de Kock, executive marketing manager of Marine Dynamics, shares insights on how the tourism industry can adapt and survive during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the impact of the pandemic on Marine Dynamics and how they have cut costs, expanded to Saudi Arabia, and offered specials for locals to sustain their business. Zile also emphasises the importance of conservation efforts, particularly in protecting the declining great white shark population, and urges the industry to prioritise...
Apr 12, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Ross Kennedy, CEO of Africa Albida Tourism, discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Victoria Falls region's tourism industry. Kennedy shares the tough business decisions that were necessary for survival, but also highlights the community outreach programs and focus on sustainable and eco-friendly tourism practices that emerged during this difficult time. With a commitment to its long-standing employees and a vision for a more cooperative and efficient border system, this conversatio...
Apr 05, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 22
We hear from Andre du Toit, a consultant to tourism players across Africa, about his two exciting projects that aim to provide peace of mind to travellers and minimise liability risk. He discusses the SECURA traveller app , which aggregates emergency response services for security or medical incidents and the inbound travel insurance that includes access to Africa's leading critical incident management service. Andre also talks about the importance of resilience and collaboration in the tourism ...
Apr 02, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Duncan Greenfield-Turk, Chief Travel Designer at Global Travel Moments, shares his expertise on the importance of sustainable and inclusive travel. He addresses the need for the tourism industry to consider the impact of travel on the environment and local communities. Additionally, Duncan shares his insights on productivity, and communication with clients and suppliers. Duncan also emphasises the importance of sustainable travel, stating that the tourism industry must look at the impact of thei...
Mar 24, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Quintin Smith, managing partner of Cape Adventure Brands, shares insights into the surge of adventure tourism in South Africa post-pandemic. He discusses the company's commitment to inclusion and accessibility, highlighting the popularity of e-biking as an activity that accommodates guests of varying abilities. Quintin also emphasises the importance of the tour guide or leader in the adventure travel industry, even as automation and new technologies are adopted. With a focus on sustainability an...
Mar 22, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Cindy Muller, owner of South Africa's GOLD Restaurant, shares her experiences of running a restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cindy's determination to prioritise safety, care for her staff, and maintain the authenticity of her business offer valuable insights into the challenges faced by the restaurant industry. Cindy's story is inspiring and serves as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability required to survive and thrive during difficult times. GOLD Restaurant, which offers an inter...
Mar 15, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Julie Cheetham, managing director and founding member of sustainability software platform Weeva, discusses how businesses in the tourism industry can become more sustainable. From understanding the importance of resourcing to learning tips on how to manage time efficiently, this podcast delves into the practical application of sustainability in the tourism industry. Listeners will also gain insights on government regulations, consumer behaviour, and how to implement sustainable practices. Weeva ...
Mar 08, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Andrew Camp, Group Manager of International Sales and Marketing at Sun International, shares his insights and tips on navigating the tourism industry. From managing customer expectations, restructuring teams, and focussing on sustainable development initiatives, Andrew provides valuable advice for anyone looking to make a career in tourism. Listen to Andrew's unique perspective on connecting with colleagues and external stakeholders, and gaining knowledge on the world-class product South Africa ...
Mar 01, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Explore the world of tourism with leaders from all corners of the globe. Join Graeme Watson and his guest, German-born traveller Marion Renk-Rosenthal, as they discuss the current climate of the travel industry, Marion's plans for future trips and how the travel industry is shifting towards more in-depth local experiences. Learn about the staff shortage in the hospitality industry, how people are starting to consider their carbon footprint and local economy when travelling, and get insider tips ...
Feb 22, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 15
