JRNY Podcast

Marcelline Kuonen worked at Switzerland Tourism for 15 years and was the UK & Ireland Director from 2010 to 2015. She has worked all over Europe to share the stories of Switzerland, originally hailing from the Valais region in the south of the country, before moving to Zürich, then Berlin, then London.She returned to her homeland in order to join Valais/Wallis Promotion as Head of Tourism, and since 2020 she has been the Director of Canal9, the local TV channel in Valais. Marcelline paints a picture for us of her career with Switzerland Tourism and beyond, and then shares a little about her own journey, moving from Valais to Zürich to Berlin and then to London, and now back to Valais. She tells host Si Willmore about the cuisine and the culture of the area, and how they are heavily influenced by the confluence of two elements: either French and German traditions, or the modern lifestyle in the towns of the Rhone valley and more traditional ways of life up in the mountains.Marcelline highlights some local experiences that tourists should seek out when they visit Valais and closes by offering some top tips for visitors to the region.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Frankiny is a local guide and destination expert on Zermatt, in the Valais region of southern Switzerland. Working for the NostalChic guide company on the Gornergrat railway, his tours include insider information on local produce and travel experiences around the Gornergrat, including the famous - and miraculous - railway itself. He has extensive hiking experience in the region and has even climbed the Matterhorn, and he regularly shares climbing tips, local history, fun facts and hidden gems.Martin tells host Si WIllmore how he became a NostalChic guide and his former career working on the railway. He also shares information on the NostalChic class and recalls the history of the construction of the Gornergrat railway.Martin shares travel experiences available to visitors to Zermatt and discusses what makes it special - in both winter and summer. He also recounts climbing the magical yet imperious Matterhorn. To close, he offers recommendations to someone who's never visited the Gornergrat.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Johanna Dayer is a Master of Wine candidate and the managing partner at Hedonistica, a company creating food and wine experiences that focuses on the education of production and tasting. Having graduated from the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, she became managing partner at Clos de Tsampéhro, a premium organic boutique winery in Switzerland focusing on fine wines from the Valais terroir in southern Switzerland. She then sold her shares to focus on her family estate, build her company Hedonistica and spend more quality time with her family.Johanna shares what attracted her to viticulture as a career and what it's like to study for the Master of Wine certification. She and host Si Willmore discuss wine in Switzerland and the Valais region in particular, including flagship grapes and tastes local to the region and how they are influenced by the geography of the area. Biodiversity is becoming more important in wine in particular but for food production in general so Johanna tells Si how producers in Valais are maximising biodiversity. And she outlines some culinary experiences visitors can enjoy at Hedonistica as well as sharing tips for people visiting the Valais region. To finish, she outlines the next steps for her all-important Master of Wine candidacy.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bastian Gaerner is a hotelier from Germany with worldwide experience in luxury-brand hotels like Jumeirah, Intercontinental and Kempinski. Working mainly in city and beach destinations during his career, he decided to settle down in the car-free mountain village of Aletsch Arena, at 2000 metres above sea level, in the Valais region of southern Switzerland. He tells host Si Willmore about life on the Aletsch Glacier, longest glacier in the Alps and a UNESCO site, and shares what attracted him to life in the mountains after a career spent solely in huge cities such as Bangkok, Dubai, Baku and Tallinn. He discusses the differences between his life then and his life now, comparing the role of managing a hotel in the car-free Aletsch Arena to doing so in the busy global cities he knows so well.Bastian shares his experiences of life working next to the Matterhorn and the town's involvement in the Grand Tour of Switzerland. And he shares some local secrets and insider tips for things to do in Aletsch Arena, including visiting the only place in Switzerland where you can see the Aletsch Glacier in its entirety - for just 20% of the ticket price of similar destinations. Bastian  also mentions Villa Cassel, initiated in 1902 by British financier Ernest Cassel, and the home of Winston Churchill while he wrote his memoir.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emilie Mariéthoz is a hiking guide based in Nendaz in the Valais region of southern Switzerland. Her guiding focuses on local heritage such as Hérens cows and the world-famous raclette, the iconic dish of cheese melted under a lamp and served with potatoes and bread.Raised as a cow-herder's daughter, Emilie has an authentic connection to alpine farming life and knows the Nendaz region by heart. She offers unique insights into the traditions of the region combined with a deep understanding of the area’s hiking trails and natural landscapes.Emilie paints a picture of life in Nendaz and shares what makes the region so special in terms of hiking and skiing. She shares some favourite itineraries and hiking routes, and outlines what we might see along the way, including those Hérens cows and the heart-of-the-family meal raclette. She also discusses experiences for visitors beyond outdoor pursuits, for example cultural activities like 'Life at the cowshed' as well as musing on makes Nendaz such a special year-round destination – both in summer and winter.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

English ski instructor Pat Gracey has lived in Saas-Fee, in the Valais region of southern Switzerland, for six years. A keen mountaineer, he fell in love with the destination and even bought a flat here. He spends his days in the high alpine terrain participating in activities such as hiking, ice climbing, skiing and snowshoeing.He tells host Si Willmore what life is like in the Saas Valley with its breathtaking glacier landscape and 18 peaks over 4000m high, and shares the numerous activities on offer in summer and winter, such as hiking, biking, climbing, skiing and snowshoeing. They also discuss what's available to visitors beyond outdoorsy activities, including foodie experiences and family-friendly days out such as the Mittelallalin with revolving restaurant and underground railway.Pat compares life in Saas-Fee to life elsewhere in the world: Saas-Fee is completely car-free which adds to the intuitive concept of a remote, clean, alpine environment. And he recommends destinations and restaurants for tourists, particularly people visiting for the first time.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kathryn and Peter Straughan are the General Managers at Leshiba Wilderness, a private wildlife and ecotourism destination located on top of the Soutpansberg Mountains in the Limpopo region of South Africa. On a day to day basis Peter is in charge of reserve management and Kathryn is in charge of hospitality.Featuring rock paintings that were made by local bushmen up to 2000 years ago, Leshiba affords the opportunity to wander among 380 species of indigenous trees and spot 93 documented mammal species, spread across 2500ha of ancient African Wilderness. There’s the chance to learn about local Venda culture and enjoy stargazing, self improvement workshops and hiking, swimming and cycling.They tell host Si Willmore about the arrival to Leshiba that is a crucial part of the experience as well activities on offer: besides the classic hiking and biking, a huge part of the experience centres around the rock art trail that features Bushman (San) paintings. And, naturally, safari game drives are a big draw so Peter tells us what animals we can we expect to see. Kathryn talks about the accommodation which is set in an old Venda village, as well as her work in transformational tourism and tourism that is not focused solely on a safari experience. Kathryn and Peter share tips and advice for people thinking about visiting Limpopo including the Ribolo Art Route, culture and archaeology, birding, and visiting Mapungubwe and Kruger national parks.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over a decade ago, Tom Wortley traded the comforts of his UK home for island life in the South Atlantic Ocean. He relocated to one of the world’s remotest islands – St Helena, to start a family with his St Helenian wife.In 2019, Tom opened Rock Mount, a beautifully restored stone cottage offering guest accommodation for tourist and locals. Recently, expanding his venture, Tom launched Rock Mount Walking Tours, where he offers guided hikes of varying difficulty, enabling visitors to explore the island’s natural beauty.Tom tells host Si Willmore about relocating to such a remote island and his first impressions of St Helena. He shares a little about what life is like on St Helena, especially the differences between his experiences growing up in the UK and what he sees nowadays for his own kids -- especially the higher levels of freedom and safety.He discusses his gorgeous off-grid accommodation with 'postbox walks' and recalls how Rock Mount Walking Tours started and shares his favourite hikes to take clients on including Blue Point beginner-level walks in a "geologist's dream land", plus visiting Lot's Wife's Ponds with endemic fish, and the highest point on the walk at 210m above sea level with wonderful views of the Gorilla's Head and Asses Ears rock formations. He shares examples of typical weekends on the island for his family, such as visiting Lemon Valley and diving with whale sharks around ship wrecks made into artificial reefs, and suggests some essential experiences for visitors including 4x4 tours and meeting the famous tortoise Jonathan.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dickie Ashcroft is the Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Uganda & Rwanda Senior Specialist at Audley Travel. Inspired from a young age by the classic stories of the African exploration, after schooling in Shropshire and graduating from university, he packed his bags and headed to the Caprivi Region of northern Namibia to train as a guide.Apprenticing with a safari company operating throughout Namibia and latterly Botswana, he then moved to Tanzania in order to manage a lodge in one of the country's remotest national parks, Katavi. He's one of the first people to successfully kayak the length of Lake Tanganyika, the world's longest lake, completely unsupported -- all in aid of Dolam Children's Home Namibia.Dickie shares some of those early memories of inspirational adventurers and his family's influence, and what it was specifically about Africa that captured his attention. He relives those early days of arriving in Africa for the first time and enormous culture shift between Shropshire and Namibia. He tells host Si Willmore about Caprivi and Katavi national park, including the staggering landscapes and the wildlife we can expect to see if we visited - including "a pile of sleeping crocs" which hibernate in caves. Dickie also recalls kayaking the length of Lake Tanganyika, the world's longest lake, unsupported – including a day where he and his partner were in the boat for the entire day, travelling from sunrise to sunset and not leaving the boat once -- even for a bathroom break! To conclude, Dickie shares some recommended destinations and itineraries in Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Uganda and Rwanda including the inimitable gorillas and chimpanzees in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derek Shenton is the Head of Operations at Shenton Safaris in Zambia. He’s a third-generation conservationist and safari guide who helped to establish Kaingo Camp in 1992 and Mwamba Bush Camp in 2000 and nowadays is involved in everything from camp building, to guide training, to road maintenance. He’s also on the board of Conservation South Luangwa (CSL), an organisation established to protect the ecosystem of South Luangwa, also known as The Valley of the Leopard. Derek shares the story of how his grandfather, who was actually born in Leicester in the UK, moved to Johannesburg to 'chase the dream' before moving to Zululand before his father Barry was born in 1929. He tells host Si Willmore about them working in the game department in Northern Rhodesia, operating side-by-side with local Chief Nsefu -- perhaps the first community-based project of its kind.Derek also reminisces about building Kaingo Camp in South Luangwa National Park, known by some as the birthplace of Walking Safaris, with his father. This included felling a massive leadwood tree to build a bar, long before the days of power tools -- with the appropriate approval from the local authorities, of course.He shares some of the experiences available at Mwamba Bush Camp, including the abundant wildlife -- 400 bird species such as Pel's fishing owl and 60 different mammals including elephants, lions and impalas. At Mwamba, the wildlife hides are Derek's own creation; he has chosen each location after years of observation working with his wildlife photographer wife Jules.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tour operator Cazenove and Loyd -- more commonly, cazenove+loyd or simply cazloyd -- has been designing personalised itineraries, group trips, and celebrations for over 30 years, providing exclusive access to inspiring people and places. The company specialises in immersive travel that showcases authentic local culture and communities, from popular destinations like India, Kenya and Peru, to hidden gems like Oman's Dhofar Province, Turks and Caicos, and the Pacific Islands. Host Si Willmore speaks to Henrietta Loyd, co-owner and founder, and Terry Moohan, head of division for Africa & The Indian Ocean. Henrietta shares the story of how cazloyd was set up and what it was like for two women in a traditionally a male-dominated industry, while Terry discusses the African countries cazenove+loyd specialises in and the destinations that are the most popular for their clients.Henrietta and Terry both share some of their our standout travel experiences, including recent trips they most enjoyed planning -- including a round-the-world trip and a wild party in the Moroccan desert! -- as well as insights into a typical client and how their needs and expectations are changing.They discuss the art of listening and how to understand the real motivation behind a client's travel ideas, and they muse on what the next five years look might like for cazenove+loyd. Henrietta and Terry close by sharing plans for their next trips, to Botswana, 'the Jurassic Park experience' in Sao and Principe and Bhutan, which is quickly becoming Henrietta's second home.This is series 7 of the JRNY Podcast, where host Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Bowers is the General Manager of Bikes and Hikes LA Tours, which takes guests on cycling tours of Los Angeles to get up close and personal with the city in an eco-friendly, health-conscious way. Before working for Bikes and Hikes, Jason worked in radio and TV with shows for Westwood One, Sirius XM and KIIS-FM Los Angeles. Jason also has a background in improv comedy having played to sold-out crowds at festivals in Austin, San Francisco, and LA and he uses these communication skills to entertain and inform his customers with Bikes and Hikes.He tells host Si Willmore about his background in broadcasting and how he got into improv comedy, and observes that there are some surprising parallels between broadcasting, comedy and guiding. Jason also recounts how he became involved with Bikes and Hikes and how the counterintuitive idea for a bike company in car-centric LA came about. He lists some of the company's biking tours, including around Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, plus their Griffith Observatory hike which includes visiting the Hollywood sign, as well as going further afield to destinations like Palm Springs and Joshua Tree.Jason has lived in Los Angeles since 1995 and so knows the city inside out. He shares some of his favourite places to go for a relaxed weekend, grab and bite to eat and shares some favourite ‘hidden gems’. He also shares Bikes and Hikes' plans for the future, including for visitors to LA for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and Summer Olympics.In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sherry Rupert is the CEO of AIANTA, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. This organisation serves as a voice for the US$14 billion native hospitality sector and showcases the importance of visiting authentic native destinations. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian tourism that honours traditional values.Sherry tells host Si Willmore how the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association began, as well as her own background, particularly her work in preserving the site of the Stewart Indian School as a museum and cultural centre. Sherry led the creation of a study called the Economic Impact of U.S. Indigenous Tourism Businesses, the first of its kind, and shares some key findings.She discusses the importance of visiting authentic native destinations, including historic and artistic sites, and what makes a destination authentic, and she highlights some of her favourite destinations and tourism projects in the AIANTA portfolio.In the JRNY podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Season Six is sponsored by Brand USA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Shen is the founder of Savor the Wild where she takes visitors on tours of Washington state, showing them the best places for mushroom foraging, shellfish harvesting and for visiting pop-up culinary events. After working in Brand Management at Quaker Oats, Angela quit corporate life and headed to Seattle where she originally founded Savor Seattle Food Tours, one of the very first food tours in the United States. Nowadays she also works in consultancy and public speaking and talks on topics relating to entrepreneurship, female leadership and tourism and hospitality trends.She tells host Si Willmore about her 'typical' upbringing, working in family restaurants with her chef father and how that ultimately led her into culinary tourism and entrepreneurship. She shares some of her favourite activities in Washington and outlines options for tours provided by Savor the Wild, which promises a "wild ride through Washington’s tastiest treasures". Angela also also offers business advice, for everyone, calling on her success as an entrepreneur and a minority female business leader.This is the JRNY Podcast, where host Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry. Season Six is sponsored by Brand USA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Morgan is a disability rights advocate, presenter, producer, travel writer and artist. She fronted the travel series Living Wild; How to Change your Life on Channel 4, and she presents coverage of the Paralympics. Last year she completed a staggering 4000-mile solo trip across the USA. Her memoir 'Driving Forwards' is available now. She tells host Si Willmore about the car crash that paralysed her and changed her life forever at the age of just 18, but how the accident ultimately made her more determined to follow a career that basically nobody in her position had done before. She recalls the earlier days of life in broadcasting as a female with a physical disability and how she broke through the glass ceiling to launch the travel series Living Wild; How to Change your Life and the recent documentary Fight to Fly as well as her work presenting coverage of the Paralympics. Sophie shares insights into travelling in a wheelchair and the astonishing undertaking of a 4000-mile solo trip across the USA. Sophie also shares her work on the Rights On Flights campaign and offers advice for people in the travel industry looking to make their offering more suitable for travellers with a disability.This is the JRNY Podcast, where Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in their industry. Season Six is sponsored by Brand USA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Ezell is the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance, a non-profit organisation created to elevate over 140 historical sites that tell the stories of the Civil Rights Movement. These sites, such as national parks, museums and churches, focus on events that happened in the 1950s and 1960s and are spread over 14 states across America and the District of Columbia.Commissioner Mark tells host Si Willmore about his role at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development as well as the creation of the Tennesse Civil Rights Trail project and what makes it such an important story. Mark mentions some of the sites along the trail that are particularly significant and poignant, such as the Lorraine Motel and the Clinton 12 Statue at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center, and he offers some hidden gems for places to visit and eat at around The Volunteer State.He also shares what’s coming up for Tennessee in the next few months including the continuation of the launch of the Bike Tennessee initiative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff Crowe is the director of Kentucky Experiences at the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. He plays a key role in the Louisville Bourbon and Belonging initiative which celebrates Queer Kentucky and he was instrumental in launching Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week. He talks with host Si Willmore about Heaven Hills Kentucky Experiences, which forms part of Kentucky's famous bourbon trail, and Jeff explains how bourbon has evolved and become a more inclusive spirit, not only for the people who drink it but for the people who work in the industry, as seen through the Bourbon and Belonging initiative and Kentucky's Queer Bourbon Week.Jeff shares insights into Kentucky, including his favourite places to eat and visit as well as the World Chicken Festival, and releases Heaven Hill Distillery's plans for the future including a new distillery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Staci Mellman is the first female Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Brand USA in 12 years. She drives the organisation's international marketing efforts and leads the teams responsible for marketing, comms, marketing technology, research and analytics.Originally from Texas, Staci has been working in the travel and tourism industry for over 13 years, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Florida.She tells host Si Willmore talk about how she got into travel and tourism, recounts stories of her travels with her family around the USA and as a solo female traveller in Europe, and she shares how her these travels have shaped her professional career and marketing philosophy.Staci also share some favourite foods and attractions from her home state Texas, the Lone Star State, including Meow Wolf, Fredericksburg and Amarillo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Frohlich is the is the owner and brewer at Laughing Sun Brewing in Bismarck, North Dakota. He’s been a member of the local brewing scene since the mid 90s, using his former employment at the State Historical Society and State Museum to advance legislation on brewing. As such he’s helped to get new laws passed on the production and promotion of locally brewed beer.He and host Si Willmore talk about the dream job that is brewing beer, his experience for how things have changed, and his aim to make Laughing Sun not only a great brewery, but a place where the local community feels welcome. They also discuss Mike's favourite beers to brew and to drink, the brewery's range of barbecue food and tourist attractions in Bismark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Draven is multi-award-winning travel journalist covering adventure; wildlife and environment. He’s has words published in National Geographic Traveller,  Wanderlust, The Times, The Telegraph, Travel and Leisure and CNN. Featured in best-selling anthology The Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century, he has visited 114 countries and 32 American states and recently visited Idaho for JRNY Travel Magazine.He and host Si WIllmore talk about Idaho's gold-tier international dark sky reserve, the bubby nature of Soda Springs, the native Shosone belife about Snake River and Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.