In this episode of the Necessary Disruptor Podcast, host Stephanie M. Jones is joined by Rika Jean Francois, the former Commissioner of ITB Corporate Social Responsibility at Messe Berlin. They discuss Rika's extensive background in travel and tourism, her leadership in incorporating sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusivity into the world's largest travel trade show, ITB.

The conversation delves into the principles of CSR, ESG, and DEI, and how they are applied at ITB, challenges faced, and the importance of addressing controversial issues like human rights and inclusivity in tourism. Rika also shares advice for organizing responsible trade shows and her future plans with her new ventures, Mission Respo and Queer Destinations.

00:00 Introduction to the Necessary Disruptor Podcast

00:53 Global Standards in CSR, ESG, and DEI

01:33 Meet Rika Jean Francois: Visionary Leader in Travel Trade Shows

02:32 Rika's Journey and Insights on Responsible Tourism

06:01 Challenges and Strategies in Sustainable Tourism

11:30 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ITB

20:39 Supporting Small and Diverse Suppliers

32:18 Future Directions and New Ventures

35:44 Conclusion and Call to Action

Connect with Rika:

Website: www.queerdestinations.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rika-jean-francois-4a335029

Building Prosperity and Community in Black Travel: Patricia Nicholson Yarbrough's Journey In this episode of the Necessary Disruptors show, host Stephanie features Patricia Nicholson Yarbrough, the founder of Blue World Travel Corps and Festival at Sea. They discuss creating prosperity pathways and building wealth through travel and tourism. Patricia shares her journey from a simple idea to a thriving business that fosters a sense of community among African American travelers.

They delve into the challenges faced during the pandemic, the importance of trustworthy business practices, and leveraging relationships to sustain business success. Patricia also discusses legacy building, the role of her sons in the company, and the growth of Festival at Sea over 46 years. Key advice is offered to aspiring Black entrepreneurs on maintaining passion, planning meticulously, and the significance of good employees.

00:00 Introduction to the Necessary Disruptors Show

00:03 Meet Patricia Nicholson Yarbrough

01:38 The Journey to Festival at Sea

05:28 Building a Successful Business

14:01 Overcoming Challenges During the Pandemic

26:00 Future of Festival at Sea and Advice for Entrepreneurs

32:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Learn more about Patricia and Blue World Travel Corp.:

Website: www.festivalatsea.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/festivalatsea

In this episode of the Necessary Disruptor Podcast, host Stephanie M. Jones engages in a thought-provoking conversation with award-winning travel journalist Lebawit Lily Germa from Bloomberg News. Together, they tackle the complex landscape of sustainable tourism, challenging the narrative of tourism as a savior for communities in the Global South.

Drawing on her extensive experiences living in various regions, Lily explores the importance of equitable and inclusive solutions that empower local communities, debunking misconceptions and urging a shift away from the saviorism mentality.

00:00 Introduction to the Necessary Disruptor Podcast

00:58 Meet Our Guest: Award-Winning Travel Journalist Lebawit Lily Girma

02:43 Lily's Journey from Law to Travel Journalism

05:45 The Realities of Sustainable Tourism

10:47 Challenging the Savior Narrative in Tourism

16:28 Understanding Global South Communities

18:15 Lily's Mission and Personal Connection

29:40 The Future of Sustainable Tourism

Here's how to connect with Lebawit Lily Girma:

Instagram: @sunandstilettos and @tourismlens_

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lebawit/

Website: https://tourismlens.com/