You may have realized that I've been a bit absent from industry events and social media for a few months, so wanted to send an update on my next adventure. And I promise this is a one time email (you won't be added to any distribution lists)!
Over the past 4.5 years while working for Travcoa as Associate Director of Private Travel, I created over 130 privately-guided journeys in 90+ countries and modified hundreds of additional programs to ensure guests have unforgettable and amazing experiences across the globe. I've also been fortunate enough to have also visited 37 countries and 200+ cities, gaining first-hand knowledge of experiential travel during this time.
At the end of September, I left Travcoa to depart on a two-month journey throughout India, the Himalayas and Southeast Asia to explore this new region for me. This 'self-discovery' allowed me to reignite my passion in global tourism and offered me the opportunity to see first-hand the importance of our industry. This invaluable experience introduced me to so many people, helping me to better understand why we do what we do. I had the pleasure of meeting Bros, a 23 y/o Cambodian who works two jobs (making $150/month) and had never tried pizza, so I was excited to share a meal with him, so he could try this for the first time; clearly an overwhelming meal for my new friend.
My journey also introduced me to Kiptu, a Bhutanese driver, who is scared of heights, but with encouragement and support, was able to walk across the longest hanging bridge in Bhutan. Being able to not only have these experiences, but sharing them with others is why I am in our industry. Immediately after this picture, we all went white-water rafting, also a first for Kiptu, whose sheer excitement makes me smile every time I think of my time in Bhutan.
And the most inspiring human I've ever met, Anand, an artist in Kathmandu who was born without both hands and a leg. At the age of 21, he's learned 4 languages, and comes to Durbar Square daily to draw. His passion and perseverance was the catalyst in helping me redefine my focus and future. After spending time with him, my guide was also inspired and immediately contacted his friend at an art school to see if they would accept Anand as a scholarship student. It is these moments and subsequent changes that reinforce we can all make a difference and sometimes it's just a result of saying hello or showing a smile with locals.
During this time, I began working on my next venture and excited to announce my new travel brand, Global Citizen Journeys, a boutique travel agency focused on immersive travel experiences. It's not just about sight-seeing, rather experience-doing! I will be utilizing today's most powerful marketing tool, social media, and working closely with my influencer friends and content creator communities to share experiences and hopefully make positive and beneficial change in our world through traveling.
Every Monday I will announce a Global Citizen Gem, a property that I've personally visited and had a 'wow' moment. On Tuesday, I'll be sharing travel tips, which include products that I travel with, apps that really help and tricks I've learned over the past 15 years. And every other Thursday beginning next month, I will be announcing a Global Citizen Journey, a pre-designed itinerary in a destination, designed for affluent millennials, but modifiable in its entirety for anyone. All of these are shared on my website's blog.
Additionally, because of a television project I worked on last year, I've found myself immersed in the honeymoon travel market, already having built a client base and will be supporting this demographic through similar journeys. Also, I've also recently become a certified yoga instructor with CorePower Yoga, so will be arranging yoga retreats for colleagues and others alike.
As an affiliate of Coastline Travel Advisors my career has come full-circle in just 10 years after beginning at Virtuoso managing Preferred Suppliers and further developing the Preferred Destination portfolio, continuing with Travcoa as a Preferred Supplier and now in a Virtuoso Travel Advisor role.
My time now also allows me the opportunity to place additional focus on a passion I co-founded a few years ago, Millennials in Travel, a career development and networking organization for young professionals in the travel industry. We continue to grow and further develop programs such as exclusive FAMs, events and training.
I've always stayed quite busy and finally have the time to again work on consultancy, whether that be product development, process efficiency or any projects that require an understanding of US luxury market strategy or millennial travel trends through Joshua Smith Consulting.
I hope that you share in my excitement of this next chapter and have provided my contact details below:
As I continue to grow within these brands, I welcome any feedback you wish to provide either directly or through a LinkedIn recommendation.
On a personal note, I remain quite active on Instagram while I travel, under the name mufirenze, usually with a unique hashtag for the trip with the most recent one being #journeyofjoshua.
Please feel free to add my email of travel@globalcitizenjourneys.com to your distribution list. (And as a reminder, this email is a one-time email and you will not be added to any distribution lists - unless you sign-up on my website at www.globalcitizenjourneys.com).
Thank you for reading about the next chapter and I'm excited to continue working with you.
on a two-month journey throughout India, the Himalayas and Southeast Asia to explore this new region for me. This 'self-discovery' allowed me to reignite my passion in global tourism and offered me the opportunity to see first-hand the importance of our industry. This invaluable experience introduced me to so many people, helping me to better understand why we do what we do. I had the pleasure of meeting Bros, a 23 y/o Cambodian who works two jobs (making $150/month) and had never tried pizza, so I was excited to share a meal with him, so he could try this for the first time; clearly an overwhelming meal for my new friend.
My journey also introduced me to Kiptu, a Bhutanese driver, who is scared of heights, but with encouragement and support, was able to walk across the longest hanging bridge in Bhutan. Being able to not only have these experiences, but sharing them with others is why I am in our industry. Immediately after this picture, we all went white-water rafting, also a first for Kiptu, whose sheer excitement makes me smile every time I think of my time in Bhutan.
Anand, an artist in Kathmandu who was born without both hands and a leg. At the age of 21, he's learned 4 languages, and comes to Durbar Square daily to draw. His passion and perseverance was the catalyst in helping me redefine my focus and future. After spending time with him, my guide was also inspired and immediately contacted his friend at an art school to see if they would accept Anand as a scholarship student. It is these moments and subsequent changes that reinforce we can all make a difference and sometimes it's just a result of saying hello or showing a smile with locals.
