CategoriesAdventure Travel Cultural Insights By Simona Listvanaite

Celebrate Black History Month with WIT – Phoebe Maina

At Women in Travel CIC, our dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are the key pillars of our work which extends beyond Black History Month. To specifically honour Black History Month in October and celebrate talented, bright and forward-looking women and non-binary individuals, we highlight the achievements of black women and promote racial equality.

Phoebe (Muthoni) Maina is our community member who took part in the Male Allyship Network Programme in Cohort 2 of 2022/23. In the Blog below she shares her personal journey, commitment to the Travel industry, inspiring other Black women in her community and overcoming challenges that led her to thrive and aspire to open doors for others.

Can you share a bit about your personal journey and what inspired you as a leader in your industry?

My journey into tourism weaves a tapestry of passion, purpose, and a profound yearning for change. A decade of navigating the development sector unveiled the potential for positive impact. But it was a vision of vibrant, empowered communities through tourism that kindled my fervour. I aimed not only to create income but also jobs for youth—envisioning places where dignity, culture, and the environment harmoniously coexist. This vision guided me to create Steri Tours and Travel.

My leadership inspiration stems from the belief in transformative travel experiences. We showcase local culture, and heritage, and promote responsible tourism, offering unforgettable memories while uplifting livelihoods. My journey is a blend of ambition, compassion, and heritage preservation—a promise to create a better world through tourism. What inspires me is the belief in travel’s transformative power, community resilience, and the beauty of preserving culture and the environment—one Steri tour at a time.

What do you consider to be your most significant achievement, and how do you feel this achievement has impacted or influenced the broader black community?

My most remarkable achievement is the inception of my travel business during the tumultuous height of the COVID-19 pandemic—an endeavour that demanded an unwavering leap of faith. While the world grappled with uncertainty, I saw an opportunity to not only survive but thrive by inviting international travellers to explore the beauty of my homeland.

But the impact of this achievement extends far beyond my own entrepreneurial journey. It has become a beacon of hope and inspiration within the broader black community. My decision to forgo seeking traditional employment in favour of pursuing my travel business was a testament to the power of self-belief and the courage to manifest one’s vision and a reminder that our visions have the power to shape a brighter future.

Moreover, as my travel business flourished, I made it a point to extend my success to other young women from similar backgrounds. By creating job opportunities for them, I’ve shown that with determination and a belief in their own visions, they too can break through barriers and contribute to the broader black community’s prosperity.

What advice do you have for black individuals aspiring to become leaders, especially in the face of adversity?

Rise up, show up and make it count. This is the mantra that keeps me going in the face of adversity.

Can you talk about some of the challenges you faced on your path to leadership, and how you overcame them?

My journey to leadership was not without its fair share of challenges, but I firmly believe that challenges are simply stepping stones to success. One of the most pressing hurdles I encountered was the struggle to secure capital to sustain my business during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, amidst this adversity, I identified a glimmer of opportunity in the form of a tourism recovery fund. I decided to take a chance and apply for the grant, and I’m delighted to say that my determination paid off as I emerged as a grant recipient. This crucial injection of funds not only kept my business afloat but also propelled it forward.

Another significant challenge was marketing my business effectively. In response, I embarked on a creative journey to entice people out of the city. I conceptualized and introduced a novel offering called ‘Entrepreneur Workcation’ trips. These specialized trips not only provided a break from the urban hustle but also brought together like-minded entrepreneurs in our beautiful country’s scenic destinations. It allowed them to bond and share their challenges, creating a unique and valuable experience.

I also organized ‘Mumcations’ and ‘Girls Picnics,’ events designed to unite women, foster connections, and build a sense of community. These initiatives not only increased the visibility of my business but also championed the empowerment and enrichment of the women who participated.

In summary, my journey to leadership was marked by challenges, but I saw them as opportunities in disguise. I leveraged my resourcefulness and determination to secure funding through a tourism recovery grant, and I creatively redefined my marketing strategy through unique travel experiences, ultimately contributing to the success and visibility of my business.

How do you think the conversation around diversity and inclusion has evolved during your time as a leader?

Over my tenure as a leader, I’ve witnessed significant progress in the dialogue surrounding diversity and inclusion, though there’s still much ground to cover. We’ve transitioned from surface-level discussions to more candid conversations on these vital topics. Importantly, we’re now actively taking intentional steps to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to take leadership roles within the industry.

What steps do you believe are crucial in promoting diversity and inclusion in your industry?

To foster diversity and inclusion in my industry, we must expand the canvas for discussions, amplifying the voices of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Crucially, we should provide them with opportunities to take the lead in these conversations and spaces.

CategoriesAdventure Travel Customer Experiences By Jackie Wanderi

A Hopeless Romantic at Heart

I am a hopeless romantic at heart, no, not the kind you read of in poems that stop to smell the roses and fall in love with the sunset, mine is more of road trips with a strong black king at the wheel, my legs on the dashboard without a care in the world if we have enough fuel, or if the tyres are at their optimal air pressure of 35. That’s my kind of romance, the kind of being taken care of. Because at the end of the day, even as I chase my professional dreams and rehearse my presentation for the next board meeting, I am still a little girl who craves protection, the strong, consistent, broad shouldered manly kind.

You see how some plants refuse to give up and actually grow through concrete pavements, that’s the same analogy I apply to my life these past few months. Through utterly heartbreaking and emotionally draining circumstances, I now find myself with more free weekends on my hands. I could have chosen to sit through these weekends adding another 10kgs over and above what Covid downtime already gifted me, but I choose to follow my heart and live life each day to the fullest, because we only live once but once is enough if you do it right. I am so lucky to do this with my soulmate, a gem of a man who makes all the love clichés come to life for me. But I digress, I would love to share a neat romantic spot I discovered on my journey to grow through the concrete;

Ol donyo Orok camp in Namanga is a hidden camping ground off the Namanga highway. It’s actually situated 23kms just before you get to Namanga. A secluded site that comes with tented accommodation, hot water and a pool that is open 24hours. The staff are few and very friendly, by the time we left, I knew all by name and actually looking forward to seeing them again. Everything about this place speaks of a personal touch. You can tell the owner has put his heart into this and he says so because he takes the time to catch up with each individual guest. He is also one of the chefs and will talk you into trying his amazing deserts each and every time. One of my favoutire features in our room, herein referred to as the love boat, was that our 4 poster bed had been fitted with fairy lights which I found exceptionally sweet. I have been to hotels with amazing lighting and deco, and these fairy lights remain my favorite. Not to downplay the charm in these rooms, with a bathroom that literally brings the outdoors in and makes taking a bath feel like an outdoor experience and floors that make you forget you are actually in a tent. The real show stopper is this old ‘combi’ van that the charming owner has converted into a fully functional bar by the poolside, very quaint and definitely unforgettable.

When we stayed there we were one of the 3 couples on the grounds and we had so much time to ourselves to walk through the camping site, even hire a bike and have the ever patient Mr. K teach clumsy me how to ride to the amusement of the little boys in the neighboring community. The area around the campsite is surrounded by winding roads that hiking and cycling enthusiasts can take advantage of and the camp also organizes for day trips to the mountain ‘ol donyo orok’ which if I remember correctly is loosely translated to mean ‘the black mountain’. If you want a place where you can be still, listen to your soul, get lost in the eyes of the one who makes your heart skip a beat, binge on each other until you can literally hear each other’s thoughts, then jump in the car, put your legs on the dashboard or drive if it’s your turn to do so, and head straight to Namanga. 23kms to the town, take a right turn and follow the rugged little dirt road and you will be well on your way to one of the most romantic escapades ever.

On the way back, I was calm, loved, hopeful, a little stronger and ready for another few months of pushing through the concrete. But don’t listen to me, I am just a hopeless romantic who has refused to give up on her daydreams, go see for yourself! Oh’ the places you will go.

“I will see you when the sky is a little bluer, the day a bit brighter and your soul a little lighter” – N.K.