On this season of The RISE Traveler podcast, our guest host, Dr. Vincie Ho, Founder and Executive Director of The RISE Travel Institute, will be interviewing critical theory scholars, activists and leaders in sustainability, social and environmental justices in the travel and tourism space. Together, they will delve into the ethics of travel and discuss some of the pressing issues that are impacting communities around the world.

In this episode, Vincie sits down with Mawutor Agbo, a PhD candidate at the University of Waterloo, to delve into the nuances of sustainable tourism. From his roots in Ghana to his current research on tourism education and colonization relationships, Mawutor sheds light on the often overlooked impacts of tourism and advocates for decolonizing tourism education and practices. Tune in as he shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of community-based tourism and calls for greater inclusion of local voices and knowledge in shaping sustainable travel practices.

Host: Dr. Vincie Ho - Founder and Executive Director of The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: "On My Way" Kevin MacLeod (License)

In this season of The RISE Traveler, Dr. Vincie Ho, Founder and Executive Director of The RISE Travel Institute, will be interviewing influential justice activists and thought leaders in conscious travel. She will be going beyond the idea of “sustainable travel” to dive deeper into what that really means for those who are looking to travel responsibly.

To kick off the season, Vincie engages in a conversation with Chris Christou, a writer, storyteller, educational curator, and culture activist. Chris is the host of the End of Tourism podcast, which explores wanderlust, exile, and radical hospitality.

During their discussion, Chris delves into topics covered on his podcast, drawing from his experiences in both his native Canada and his home for nearly a decade, Oaxaca, Mexico. With extensive involvement in the service industry from both provider and tourist perspectives, Chris offers a unique viewpoint on the community impact of tourism. He also discusses concepts such as radical hospitality and decolonizing travel, providing fresh insights into the tourism industry and redefining travel and mobility paradigms.

Host: Dr. Vincie Ho - Founder and Executive Director of The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: "On My Way" Kevin MacLeod (License)

Mira Shah is on a personal journey, exploring sustainable travel across India, Australia, Kenya, and Colombia. This is one of the reasons why she opted to participate in The RISE Travel Institute's Flagship Program- to gain a deeper understanding of conscious travel. Over time, Mira has embraced intentional and sustainable travel, placing a strong emphasis on forming genuine connections with local communities.

In conversation with host Amy Hager, Mira shares insights from her travels– from meaningful encounters with sustainability advocate Michael Mobbs in Australia to acknowledging less-than-ideal decisions, like visiting an ethically questionable elephant sanctuary in Thailand. She recognizes the ongoing learning process and the space for improvement.

Contemplating a potential venture into the sustainable travel industry, Mira hopes for a shift in how people approach travel. Her focus is on making travel experiences more meaningful and authentic, with the goal of bringing a positive transformation to the travel industry.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: "On My Way" Kevin MacLeod (License)