What's It Really Like Leading Sustainability in a Large Travel Company?

In this episode, I sit down with three incredible women—all chiefs of impact and heads of sustainability from major travel companies: Sarah King from Intrepid Travel, Shannon Guihan from The Travel Corporation, and Kasia Morgan from Exodus Adventure Travels, part of the Travelopia group.

We discuss the misconceptions surrounding their roles, why communication is critical to driving change and touch on climate anxiety and pet peeves that come with the territory.

If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to check out our free learning resources, and hub of video masterclasses designed for travel professionals and teams that lead with impact.

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Behind every great travel or tourism business — no matter the size — is someone who asks better questions, takes consistent action, and refuses to choose between profit and purpose.

SMEs — small medium enterprises — are said to make up between 80-90% of global tourism. These are the stories of change that often go unheard, whispers of transformation that can go unnoticed in one of the world's largest industries.

These Mini Stories are different from our usual interviews. They're a chance to hear from members of our community of learners who continue to show up and lean into curiosity.

In this episode, I sat down with Helen Bateman, founder of Firecrest Travel, a UK-based boutique agency with transformative travel and adventure at its heart.

*Nature sounds from the country where the interview takes place are interwoven throughout, creating space for reflection.*

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Welcome back to The Tourism RESET with me, Rebecca Woolford. Today, I’m joined by the incredible Thomas Newmark for a deep dive into the C-word. Yes, you guessed it — CARBON.

Thomas brings decades of wisdom — and he’s not afraid to challenge the status quo.

A seasoned expert and public speaker he is also a wonderful, kind man. Previously the chair of the Greenpeace Fund of the United States. Board chair of the American Botanical Council. And Co‑founder and Board Chair of the Soil Carbon Initiative.

Tom is also the Co-owner of Finca Luna Nueva Lodge, who is leading the way in regenerative tourism in Costa Rica. I've had the pleasure of knowing Tom and his ecolodge in Costa Rica for many years and every time we speak I learn something new - you will too.

If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to check out my best learning resources for travel professionals and purpose-led tourism-based teams. Created for those ready to reimagine tourism for people, places, and nature.

• Stay in the know with my weekly eNewsletter @kiwanotourism.com
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Welcome back to the Tourism RESET with your host Rebecca Woolford. Today I’m chatting with Jonathan Coleman, CEO of Untours – the world’s FIRST certified B Corp company! And earned the title- awarded by Paul Newman and John F. Kennedy Jr. - “Most Generous Company in America!”.

We dive into the fascinating founding story of Untours, the Untours Foundation, the radical vision of its founder Hal Taussig, and what most people don’t realise about how private foundations often work.

This episode pulls back the curtain on the traditional model of philanthropy – and how Untours Foundation flips the script.

Discover in this fascinating conversation:

• What Untours and Their Foundation Is Doing Differently In Tourism
• Why We Need To Rethink Philanthropy, Profit, and Power & Ask Better Questions
• How Their Funds Avoid The Saviour Narrative - actually putting money to work

If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to check out some of my best learning resources for travel professionals and purpose-led tourism-based teams. Created for those ready to reimagine tourism for people, places, and nature.

• Stay in the know with my weekly eNewsletter @kiwanotourism.com
• Check out my YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@rebeccawoolford
• Connect on Instagram: rebecca_kiwano
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Welcome back to the Tourism RESET with your host Rebecca Woolford.

This week’s episode is a special one, as we join the global celebration of World Female Ranger Week—a powerful movement founded by my friend and long-time inspiration, Holly Budge.

Joining me is Dr. Sonali Ghosh, the first-ever female Field Director of Kaziranga National Park in India. Dr. Ghosh is the 2024 recipient of the World Female Ranger Trailblazer Award for her groundbreaking work, including the creation of an all-female rhino protection unit and leading the park to its first-ever zero-poaching year—a truly historic achievement.

Discover more @ www.worldfemalerangerweek.org

If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to check out some of my best learning resources for travel professionals and purpose-driven tourism teams—created for those ready to reimagine tourism in service of people, place, and the planet.

• Stay in the know with my weekly eNewsletter @kiwanotourism.com
• Check out my YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@rebeccawoolford
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Welcome back to The Tourism RESET, powered by Kiwano Tourism.

My next guest is a professor of Sustainability Marketing at the University of Surrey with a lifetime of work to share.

Dr. Xavier Font has served as an advisor to a coalition of global travel brands including, Booking.com, Google, Expedia, Skyscanner, and TripAdvisor where he uses his research experience to inform efforts that can ultimately influence travellers and therefore contribute more positively to the places they visit.

• The unfiltered truth about what matters to your customers (5:07 mins)
• Why the language we use matters, & what green hushing is (11:37 mins)
• Why 50% of British & German travellers felt information overload (16.34 mins)
• Beyond blame: A smarter way to engage travellers, with a hotel example (29:31)

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, why not check out some of my BEST learning resources designed for travel agents, professionals and tourism-based teams who are ready to REIMAGINE and RESET tourism for people, places and nature.

• Stay in the know with my weekly eNewsletter @kiwanotourism.com
• Check out my YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@rebeccawoolford
• Connect on Instagram: rebecca_kiwano
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Welcome back to The Tourism RESET, powered by Kiwano Tourism.

My next guest, Joe Stevens, is an award-winning producer and director of wildlife documentaries for BBC, Apple TV+, National Geographic, and Discovery.

In an incredibly rare interview, Joe shares his journey of being inspired by Sir David Attenborough - to later working with him in the Galapagos - as well as why filming the world’s largest savannah has become one of his most important missions to date.

Tune in to uncover:

• Why The Cerrado is often overlooked - the world's most biodiverse savannah
• How ecotourism can be a catalyst for conservation with a powerful example
• Joe's journey to becoming a wildlife filmmaker & working with David Attenborough
• The transformative potential of tourism in safeguarding biodiversity in Brazil

Thank you to Senderos for making this conversation possible.

Joe recently joined me and for another online event designed for travel professionals and teams called: How Can Tourism Save The World's Largest Savannah?

The REPLAY is available inside our educational ecosystem (aka our members library).

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, why not check out some of my BEST learning resources designed for travel agents, professionals and tourism-based teams who are ready to REIMAGINE and RESET tourism for people, places and nature.

• Stay in the know with my weekly eNewsletter @kiwanotourism.com
• Check out my YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@rebeccawoolford
• Connect on Instagram: rebecca_kiwano
• Connect on LinkedIn: rebecca-woolford

Welcome back to The Tourism RESET powered by Kiwano Tourism, with my next guest Nina Karnikowski.

What a wonderfully rich and nourishing conversation this was...

Nina is the Author of the memoir The Mindful Traveller and the sustainable travel handbook Go Lightly. Having worked as a travel writer for over a decade, Nina writes about travel that can help solve social and environmental problems.

Tune in to discover...

• Why it's time to redefine luxury - not as excess, but as impact and connection
• How mindful travel can lead to more meaningful, memorable experiences
• How facing our biggest fears leads to incredible opportunities and growth
• Slower travel, Nina's best experiences to help inspire your own trip designs

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, why not check out some of my best learning resources designed for responsible travel professionals and businesses who are ready to REIMAGINE and RESET travel for people, places and nature.

• Stay in the know with my weekly newsletter @kiwanotourism.com
• Check out my YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@rebeccawoolford
• Connect on Instagram: rebecca_kiwano
• Connect on Linkedin: rebecca-woolford