In this first episode of I Am Tourism Stories, host Paul de Waal speaks with campaign founder Natalia Rosa about why now is the time to reignite conversations that matter in African tourism.

Originally launched during COVID to spotlight women and youth most affected by lockdowns, #IAmTourism is back – not as a crisis response but as a platform for everyday people across the industry to share insights often overlooked in boardrooms or brochures.

Natalia shares her vision: short-form interviews capturing real stories from across Africa’s tourism ecosystem – not just CEOs or polished soundbites. From frontline staff to small operators, emerging voices to seasoned mentors – if you’ve got something meaningful (not marketable) to say about how we move forward better together… you’re invited.

This isn’t about product pitches. It’s about perspective. And it’s designed for learning from each other while breaking out of our echo chambers.

Whether you’re on the ground or behind strategy decks, this opening conversation sets up what I Am Tourism Stories stands for: connection through shared insight – no matter who you are or where you work.

Key Takeaways:

• Natalia Rosa: “It’s about the insight in you as a human being, not your product. Everyone can market their product.”
• Natalia Rosa: “As an industry, we talk to the same people over and over again. If you do that, you don’t learn.”
• Paul de Waal: “We get stuck in our little petri dishes with our blinkers on. It’s valuable to see what other people are doing.”
• Natalia Rosa: “When perspectives come together, it almost always translates into action. That’s what moves things forward.”