With just about 2 months after the outbreak of the pandemic, in May of 2020, I was invited by one of our international partners, ExplorEquity, to discuss the reactions we were facing in Brazil, alongside one of their other partners, in Honduras. It was an incredible chat, and I learned so much with Gustavo and Isis.
The video is now available to watch on YouTube, and although much has changed, much hasn’t either, and several of the talking points are still relevant today (August 2020). I talked about the initial impact the pandemic had on our business in a very transparent way (may have gotten a little emotional), and Gustavo from ChooseHonduras had me thinking about all sorts of ways we’d be able to start opening back up to tourism, and what Honduras’ lockdown looked like.
If you’d like to watch, you can do so below! If you do watch, let us know in the comments what your opinions and reactions are and have been since the beginning of the pandemic.
Below the video embed, you’ll also find the full description of the event.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge effect on global economies. Around the world, the travel industry has been one of the hardest hit. At ExplorEquity, we focus on sustainable travel and create authentic experiences to connect directly with locals. We’ve invited two of our in-country partners, who operate sustainable travel businesses in Honduras and Brazil, to share with us about the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses, their countries, and the communities they work with.
Get to know the businesses:
ExplorEquity is a social impact travel company that brings awareness to global equity issues by curating immersive experiences. Our experiences highlight significant issues such as food systems, sustainability, social justice, and responsible travel. We currently operate trips to Puerto Rico, Honduras, and Brazil.
Choose Honduras is a marketing platform that integrates the services of different tourism service providers, that share our commitment to sustainable tourism practices, across the country into trip itineraries based on traveler’s preferences and highlighting the rich cultural and natural diversity of Honduras.
Viare Travel aims to be the leading resource for bespoke travel services in Brazil, for the conscious traveler. They are a local agency, known for working with excellent local providers, using sustainable travel practices, and helping clients travel to Brazil with confidence.
Our Speakers:
Isis Castro is a passionate tourism professional with over 17 years of experience in tourism planning and development, especially promoting community-run tourism initiatives. She was born in San Pedro Sula, lives in La Ceiba on the north coast surrounded by national parks where she enjoys birding walks in her spare time, and has travelled to every corner of the country. She is a board member of Un Mundo, a non profit organization that works in education and community development, and is also a board member of the Honduran Ornithological Society. She is Choose Honduras’ general manager and responsible for trip logistics.
Gustavo Ustariz has worked in the tourism industry for almost 25 years in many different roles including project director for regional tourism planning initiatives and in the private sector in hotels and restaurants. He has a passion for teaching and has worked as program coordinator and lead instructor for colleges in Honduras and Canada. He leads Choose Honduras’ marketing efforts in North America. In his spare time, a pair of binoculars and bird guide book are always by his side.
Polyana de Oliveira, Owner and Director of Viare Travel, is passionate about cultural exchange and empowering communities through travel. She is also the President of Projeto Bagagem, a nonprofit organization supporting community-based tourism in Brazil. Born in Brazil, raised in the US, and back in Brazil since 2008, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Business & Relations, and began her career working in digital marketing for over 10 years. She has been working in the travel industry since 2011, and holds the GSTC Certificate in Sustainable Tourism. At Viare, she is responsible for overall team management, strategy, partnerships and marketing. Her favorite place to visit in Brazil, is Minas Gerais. The state, where she was born, has beautiful mountains perfect for hiking, and is a place for her to eat all the cheese her heart desires!
Moderators:
Catarina Rivera and Remi Oguntoye, Co-Founders of ExplorEquity will moderate this conversation. They are based in New York City.
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Thank you again to Catarina and Remi. I hope to see you both in Brazil, sooner than later!
