The BA team is fresh back from the craziest week of our lives – WTM Africa’s Africa Travel Week 2024. If the energy of a packed conference hall could be bottled, ATW would have struck liquid gold. This annual gathering of tourism pros was buzzing with enough deals, partnerships, and new business opportunities to make even the most seasoned industry veteran’s head spin.
But the real magic of ATW happened when I stepped into the educational sessions, where I had the chance to hear from some of the industry’s most inspiring leaders. The programming covered all the hot-button issues affecting the travel trade, from cutting-edge discussions on the latest tourism marketing tactics to panels exploring how to better cater to LGBTQ+ travellers.
What I didn’t expect, though, was the wisdom these speakers shared that went beyond travel industry tips. They imparted advice that I found surprisingly applicable to my own career – and frankly, just life in general. Here are some nuggets that stuck with me:
- Kill ‘em with kindness: Bullies. There’s no avoiding them. I loved this advice. When dealing with difficult people, channel your inner Mary Poppins and respond with the patience of a saint. Treating bullies like cranky toddlers is often more effective than stooping to their level.
- Hire for heart, not just skills: When building your team, look beyond skills and experience. Seek out candidates who’ll be the right fit for your company culture – their attitude and values matter just as much as their credentials. The takeaway mantra? Hire a person for who they are and build the job around them.
- Ask, don’t assume: When interacting with people with disabilities or special needs, don’t try to guess what they need. Simply ask them directly what accommodations or assistance would be most helpful. It’s a small gesture that shows real respect.
- Automate one task, see what happens: Identify one repetitive, time-consuming process in your work and explore how AI could streamline it. Even a little experimentation can uncover major efficiency gains.
- Baby steps for becoming a social butterfly: If networking and mingling make you anxious, set an achievable goal, like collecting three new business cards at an event. It’s a low-pressure way to push yourself outside your comfort zone.
The common thread? These tips are all about bringing more empathy, experimentation, and self-compassion into your professional and personal life. Small tweaks can make a big difference!
Mindful Musings
What the world was musing over this past week
Houston, Loch Ness has a problem
The Loch Ness Centre is begging NASA to help hunt for Nessie on her 90th birthday. With over 1,150 sightings since 1934, the monster’s legend lives on – can rocket scientists crack the case?
Wanted: Good homes for 600 hungry goats
The tiny Italian island of Alicudi is overrun by goats – outnumbering the human residents 6 to 1. Faced with these caprine interlopers “destroying” their island, officials have decided to give the goats away for free.
SA blockbuster conquers Netflix worldwide
South Africans are positively beaming with pride over the global success of their Netflix film “Heart of The Hunter.” The movie has hit a huge milestone, ranking #1 worldwide in 75 countries and racking up over 11 million views.
Will the name of your town be changing in 2024?
The word on the street is out: the big name change is on its way! Looks like Aberdeen is getting ready to become the new Camdeboo. But that’s just the beginning – find out which other South African towns are about to get a new moniker.
