Gabriella Yan, Founder of TRAppe , Singapore

In this episode, Krista sits down with Gabriella or Gabby Yan, a hospitality industry insider turned startup founder to discuss her journey from luxury hotel marketing to founding TRAppe - a platform dedicated to making sustainable travel accessible, aspirational and impactful.

Gabby shares the challenges she faced as a solo female founder, the problem of economic leakage in tourism and her vision for travel that benefits people and local economies.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Gabby’s background in hospitality and how that insider knowledge inspired her to start TRAppe
• The problem of economic leakage and woefully underpaid local staff in tourism
• The three pillars of sustainability: People, Planet, Economy
• Challenges of fundraising as a solo female founder with no tech background and no tech co-founder
• How TRAppe works in creating authentic, community-focused travel experiences
• Why sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all and the importance of local context and nuances
• The business model: e-guides and a membership platform
• Tips for travelers to make more conscious, impactful choices without the guilt
• The importance of amplifying Asian thought leadership and Asian perspectives in the Asian travel industry

Practical Takeaways:

• Stay, eat, and buy local to ensure your travel spending benefits the community
• Book accommodations and experiences directly, not just through online travel agents or commercial platforms
• Look for farm-to-table restaurants and artisan souvenirs that benefits the locals
• Ask locals for recommendations to discover hidden gems like restaurants, hotels and experiences that contribute to more local prosperity
• Take time to learn about the culture and needs of your destination
• Traveling better is about thoughtful choices, not perfection

Resources & Links:

• Trappe: trappetravel.com

Shoutouts:

• Special thanks to Michelle Coulson of Remote Rebellion for connecting Gabby and Krista

Connect with the host and the show:

• Host: Krista Goon on LinkedIn
• Full article about this episode on: Womenpreneur Asia

This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.