TDIWTA
IWTA speaks with Emily Chang, CEO McCann worldgroup China, Shanghai
Meet Emily Chang CEO McCann worldgroup China, Shanghai BACKGROUND: She first studied a degree in biology at the
IWTA speaks with Michaela Connor, DISCOVA
Michaela grew up in Sweden and always dreamt of traveling the world. After graduating she left Sweden and hasn’t looked back since. In 2018 her and her husband made the decision to move to Laos with their two young daughters. Today, she is one of the Regional People & Culture Leaders for Discova, a global DMC, and lives in Phuket. Listen to the interview to find out what got them to this decision and challenges along the way!
IWTA speaks Natalie Glebova, Russian-Canadian television host, author, dancer, model and beauty queen.
IWTA speaks with Natalie Glebova. Russian-Canadian television host, author, dancer, model and beauty queen. She was crowned Miss Universe in 2005 and has since written 2 best-selling books.
IWTA speak with Ewa Narkiewicz and Michelle Reedy – Elephantstay
IWTA gets to speak to Ewa Narkiewicz and Michelle Reedy, the two phenomenonal women doing an ‘elephant’atstic job in Thailand for the last 16 years. What started as a soul seeking journey over one trip to Thailand from Melbourne 20 years back has now become the way of life for these two incredible women.
IWTA speak with Shoba Mohan – Rare India
Shoba fell into the world of tourism almost by accident. She was a science major, who didn’t want to be a doctor or a teacher, and who then studied journalism as a post-graduate. Uninspired by the work she was able to find, Shoba was invited by a travel company to write itineraries for them, and so her travel career began!
IWTA speaks with Caroline Shen – Director of Sales & Marketing Renaissance Pattaya
Meet Caroline Shen – Director of Sales & Marketing Renaissance Pattaya, Caroline began her hospitality career in London and the USA, having graduated from hotel school in Switzerland. Focused on learning everything she could, and taking every opportunity to progress, she was blessed with some amazing mentors and managers, helping her to build her confidence alongside her career.
IWTA speaks with Captain Zephina Khanam Mohd Jasbir Khan
Meet Captain Zephina Khanam Mohd Jasbir Khan, Captain Zephina is a commercial pilot in Malaysia who only found her passion and drive after a teacher told her to ‘be realistic’ when she expressed her desire to become a doctor.
IWTA speaks Monika Anggreni – Captain for AirAsia Indonesia
Monika Anggreni is a Captain with AirAsia Indonesia, with 13,000 flying hours under her belt since 2005. She joined AirAsia Indonesia in 2005 as a pilot after several false starts, and is now one of only 30 female pilots in the company. She is also a published author, Ironbird Monika – the story of how she became an airline pilot.
IWTA speaks with Cynthia Usui – Country Manager for LOF Hotels, Tokyo & published author
Cynthia came into hospitality later in life, finding her first job in hospitality after 17 years of raising her daughter, moving up from working in a school cafeteria in Bangkok to managing a new hotel chain in Tokyo in the space of ten years.
IWTA speaks with Chooleng Goh – General Manager Athenee Hotel Bangkok
Chooleng is a Singaporean living in Thailand, working with Marriot for over 20 years and as general manager for more than 10 years. She is also mother of 2 daughters.
IWTA speaks with Rachel O’Shea and Susie Martin – founders of Laos Buffalo Dairy
Tourism and hospitality is not only about hotels, airlines and travel agents – it is about the myriad of small businesses that support the industry, adding to the variety and local colour in each destination. Rachel O’Shea and Susie Martin, founders of the Laos Buffalo Dairy, are examples of just that.
IWTA speaks with Minu Chawla – Founder of RoadsWellTravelled, a boutique tourism development consultancy
Minu has only been in the tourism industry since 2016, entering with a background as a business analyst and strategist, and a passion for travel. Her first role in tourism was with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, where her manager took a chance on her, with no background in tourism, but with enthusiasm and a strategic approach. She worked on several different projects for RAK Tourism, including as Project Manager for the World’s longest zipline.
IWTA speaks with Gloria Bui – Director Exotica Asia
Gloria is the director and co-founder of Asia Exotica Travel, one of the fastest growing travel agencies in South East Asia. A luxury boutique tour operator, specializing in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian speaking markets. She manages the company’s offices in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
IWTA speaks with Phuong Doan, Education Manager at DISCOVA Asia
Phuong leads Educational Travel for Discova in 12 countries so far (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Costa Rica)
IWTA speaks with Komal Darira – Courageous Change Maker, & Founder Women for World
In 2014, at the age of 19, Komal became the first female tour leader for Urban Adventures, Delhi, challenging stereotypes and expectations placed on young women in India, winning awards and changing lives. Now, in 2022, she is a successful virtual tour creator, an enthusiastic proponent of solo travel for women in India, promoter of travel as a career to young people in her native country, and running her own business.
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