Transformational Travel Council Ambassadors

Shoba Mohan
India Ambassador

In 2004, Show founded RARE India – a representation, communication, sales and marketing company that promoted experiential travel that included a range of hospitality and tourism products – boutique palace hotels, experiential walks, riding programs, off-roading destinations, art for tourism, etc. The products encompass a variety of interests viz. nature, health and wellness, wildlife, adventure, cuisine, art and history, culture and conservation and above all involve people – passionate, lateral thinkers and doers from various walks of life promoting an ideology and fostering learning. Shoba Mohan’s myriad interests and evolution in travel run parallel to that of RARE, yet writing about issues, nature and conservation continue to be areas of personal interest.

Deeply spiritual and a fervent lover of India and the subcontinent, Shoba works tirelessly for upholding the image and beauty of the country through the strengths she sees as a powerful narrative to promote every aspect of the country. Having spent some years escorting special interest groups for cuisine personally cooking for them, to Buddhist university groups to cultural explorers to women in power, she believes that India’s potential through traditions, its people and mythology is yet to be fully explored and the country’s tourism offices can set a precedent for the rest of the world to follow.

Judith Volker

Transformative Hospitality Ambassador

Judith Volker is a professional in many different fields, and has held creative leadership positions in luxury and authentic hospitality, entertainment, media and event industries across Europe.

All these experiences have contributed to her vision of hospitality that encourages the idea of hotels being a hub for positive impact and growth for all stakeholders. Her passion and love for this holistic perspective is the direction of her company Magical Places that she founded to create hospitality concepts with deep roots in history, culture and authentic stories for all stakeholders.

With Magical Places she guides hotels into a journey of creating new concepts to achieve regenerative and transformative success in the hotel business.

As co-creator and deputy managing director of 5 star superior Hotel Tannenhof in St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria; as owner of Villa Cartoceto in Cartoceto, Italy; as member of the International Advisory Board of Hoteliers for Small Luxury Hotels of the World; and now as founder of Magical Places; Judith Volker has been involved in many different areas of hospitality throughout Europe over the course of her career.

Jennine Cohen
USA Ambassador

I am a respected luxury and adventure travel expert and have shared insights and industry tips with media outlets including Vogue, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveller, Afar, and beyond.

After 15 years + of travel industry experience, I have come to realize that immersive travel has the power to transform by creating meaningful connections and cultivating compassion. Though my job requires great attention to detail, I am equally drawn to questions of strategy, vision, and how to cultivate collaborative teams.

I co-founded Women Travel Leaders, an industry association that serves to elevate female leaders by developing leadership skills and building community. My current project is Everyday Magic, a collection of inspiring stories and best practices from incredible people who have harnessed the magic of travel and use it every day.

Work/ life integration is easy for me because I love what I do and the people in this industry! When I’m not at my desk, you can find me sailing, kiting, stand up paddleboarding, or salsa dancing.

Raj Joshi, M.D.
Europe Ambassador & Research Guru

Raj is an Expedition Leader that has led numerous expeditions worldwide, including high profile media projects. He embraces the power of travel in developing human interaction with people and cultures. Raj has climbed the highest mountain on every continent and believes that everyone needs their own ‘Everest’ to create change both within the inner self and in greater society. With his expertise in expeditionary environments and through his company The Adventure Boutique, Raj inspires and challenges people to transform through adventure.

Rafa Mayer
Argentina Ambassador

Rafa’s passion for travel revealed itself when he was a child. Born in a home of travelers, he became a young backpacker during high school when he would go camping in Patagonia with his friends, always dreaming about his next adventures. 

After receiving his degree in Marketing and Advertising, he traveled around the world until the age of 24, when he decided to settle down and dedicate himself to what he loved the most: hosting people from around the world to experience the south of South America. 

Rafa founded Say Hueque Journeys in 1999 and was able to combine his two greatest passions:  Argentina, and the exploratory spirit of travel.   Twenty years later, his company is a team-orientated group of passionate travelers and profesionals who share his love for local culture, his appreciation for amazing landscapes and his dedication for helping people worldwide experience Argentina and Chile in a memorable way.

He is a strong beleiver that when we travel, we have a uniquely permeable mindset that allows us to be deeply moved and transformed. That´s why he is so  proud of being the Ambassador of TTC in Argentina, as he deeply share its values, principles and vision.

Married and with two kids, he now spends a lot of time traveling together as a family. It is such an enriching experience, where he is able to have front row seats to see how traveling transforms, teaches and moves his kids. It is with the fuel from these experiences that he decided to develop a new travel division: Argentina Family Adventures, his latest passion. 
   

Douglas Simões
Brazil Ambassador

Pure Brasil and Ybytu Founder, Born in 1974, married, Anita and Miguel’s dad, degree in Computer Science and master degree in Business administration. Travelled to more than 40 countries at the 5 continents. Lived in Melbourne-Australia (3 months – 1992-93), London-UK (2008), and Canada (3 months - 2016/17). Guide trips at least once na year. Former president from ABETA. During free time travel with the family to wildlife, nature and ski destinations, dive with Luciana (wife) and hike or cycle alone to the mountains. At home like to cook, to play guitar, to play and to watch football and brew beer.

Travis Bays
Central America Ambassador

Travis is a former Peace Corps Costa Rica volunteer, social entrepreneur, and consultant with 15+ years of experience in micro credit community banking, project design and management, and best practices for sustainable tourism. He is a co-founder of B Corp certified and 1% for the Planet member, Bodhi Surf + Yoga — a community engaged, award winning responsible tourism company in Bahia Ballena-Uvita, Osa, Costa Rica. He is an avid surfer, ocean lover, and traveler, and enjoys bringing his passions for Blue Mind into his wide array of roles.He also consults for the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, co-founded the SOMOS Foundation and sit on the board of directors for Geoporter Costa Rica, a local non-profit that educates community members how to use geospatial tools to develop solutions to environmental challenges.

Raj Gwayali
Nepal Ambassador

Raj Gyawali has over two decades of experience working specifically on responsible tourism in practice – on the ground developing his company Socialtours as the first tour company in Asia to be sustainability certified. As a consultant he helps governments and communities develop more sustainable practices, and inserts sustainability strategies in government plans. Raj’s work ranges from training guides in more sustainable practices, to educating customers on the practice of responsibility in tourism as travellers, developing more sustainable tourism offerings, as well as guiding governments and stakeholders in putting sustainable procedures into action.

Maria Vinces
Peru Ambassador 

Maria was born and raised in Lima – Peru, she is a globetrotter who loves life, enjoys nature and simple things in life. During her trips, she is always willing to live and connect deeply with the places she visits trying to get an authentic connection with the locals and their culture. With more than 14 years of experience, a deep understanding of the high-end tourism market, and degrees in Hospitality management, marketing, sales growth, and commercial direction, Maria has managed large group negotiations for key accounts, and companies from all over the world during her career. However, through long periods of reflection and self-introspection, she figured out there is more to offer to the travelers since she considers that visiting places, can be a powerful way of reconnecting with ourselves holistically, which will allow us to gain a different and transformational perspective in many aspects of our lives. That lead her to work on different projects and become a proud TTC ambassador.

Juan Caraza
Mexico Ambassador

Juan is the founder of Yourney Travel which is a boutique travel and consulting agency dedicated to design transformational and impactful experiences in Mexico and the world. Juan is an experienced traveler, facilitator, entrepreneur and organizational consultant who has dedicated his life to helping companies, communities, and individuals to find their purpose, improve their results by empowering people, and generating a culture of collaboration and sustainability. Juan considers himself a nomad and explorer, he has lived and worked in Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Juan earned his bachelor's degree from Anahuac University in Mexico and his MBA from Swinburne University in Australia. At the moment Juan lives in San Jose del Cabo, is happily married and has two children.

Debbie Misajon
Hawaii Ambassador

Debbie Misajon is the founder of The Coconut Traveler, a leading travel company in Hawaii specializing in bespoke, private journeys that combine beautiful residences with unique experiences to create transformational visits to the islands. The company develops itineraries that endow benefits to both the traveler and destination, engage the most dynamic experts in the Hawaiian Islands, and deliver uncompromised luxury.  As a socially and environmentally conscious Hawaii on-site, The Coconut Traveler works only with those who do good on the island, such as airline partner Private Jet Services, America’s first Carbon Neutral Private Aviation Company.

 Prior to founding The Coconut Traveler, Debbie worked for over thirty years in global sales and marketing at some of the most travel industry’s most renowned hotel brands, including AMAN, Four Seasons, Leading Hotels of the World, Hilton International, and Hilton Hotels Corporation. Her island roots in Hawaii and European family connection combined with an international career have made Misajon a global citizen, equally comfortable in Beverly Hills, Bhutan, Munich, and Baltimore. She currently lives in Oahu, Hawaii with her son.

Silvia Pisci

Europe Ambassador of Public Relations

Silvia Pisci is a sustainable luxury travel specialist with over ten years of experience in the industry. Formerly Associate Director at boutique travel agency RASK Travel, Silvia started her adventure in the travel business at the age of 23, travelling extensively around the world dedicated to designing personalized experiences to high-end clients. On a three-month journey through Peru in 2016, she had an epiphany into the need to raise consciousness within the luxury travel trade about sustainability and conservation. Soon after she started Silvia Pisci Representation, a Sales & Marketing consultancy agency for eco-lodges and adventure operators aimed at promoting a shift in the perception of “luxury travel” towards unique human interactions, proximity to nature and philanthropy. Currently based in Utrecht, The Netherlands, Silvia is also Director of Travel at WideOyster Creative, an award-winning international agency dedicated to high-end travel storytelling, media amplification strategies and publisher of WideOyster Magazine.

Roy Ortiz

Chile Ambassador & Research Guru

Roy is passionate about responsible travel and has been fortunate enough to live abroad from an early age. This experience has broadened his scope on life and helped him realize that there are many paths to get to the same destination.

Co-Owner of TouristEd Chile a tour operator whose purpose is to Educate through Tourism so that it can be a force for good. The company believes that travelers are attracted to a place by the scenery and natural beauty, but they return due to the human connections that are generated with local people.

Currently he is the director of the Research Committee of the TTC, so if you would like to know more or support our efforts to better understand what a Transformational Experience is, or what are the components that can help facilitate the journey, do not hesitate to contact him!

Rob Holmes

Ambassador of Video Storytelling

With over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, Rob Holmes has a diverse background in multimedia content, sustainable tourism, strategic marketing, and global business. Since founding GLP Films, Rob has harnessed the power of the travel industry to create positive impacts across destinations, communities, and stakeholders. Rob has traveled to over 100 countries, directed 200+ films, and spearheaded a myriad of global strategic marketing campaigns for top-tier destinations, media, brands, operators, hotels, and nonprofit organizations

Rob is the Founder & Chief Strategist of GLP Films, the industry leader in content marketing for sustainability. Since 2008, GLP’s has produced and distributed 200+ custom videos across 50+ countries, to help mission-driven brands reach their sustainability goals in protecting nature, culture, and livelihoods through the lens of storytelling and content marketing. GLP specializes in digital content strategy, award-winning authentic storytelling, brand positioning, stakeholder development, and media distribution campaigns. 

Most recently, Rob has spearheaded GLP’s impactful #TourismStrong Video Series, to celebrate the resilience and adaptability of the travel industry amidst COVID-19. Rob regularly leads popular keynotes, workshops and webinars on sustainable tourism, the ROI of storytelling, and content marketing at leading industry events. Connect with Rob Holmes: www.glpfilms.com | Linkedin | Instagram

Tom Fels

South Africa Ambassador

A speaker, writer and evangelist for conscious business and sustainable travel, Tom Fels is the Founder of Animarem, a consultancy focused on purpose-driven growth, and the regional representative of the global B Corp movement in Southern Africa. Previously CEO at African conservation-tourism icon Singita, and Group Managing Director at communications group Publicis, Tom‘s own transformative journey has seen him guide many of the world's top brands and destinations to growth. He is passionate about connecting people to powerful ideas that accelerate business and lead sustainable change. At home in Cape Town, he spends his weekends on the mountain trails with his dog Duke, and in the surf with his young family.

Carlos Picanço

Portugal Ambassador

Carlos Picanço is a father and husband. He is an Azorean islander. Born on the second smallest island of the archipelago, Graciosa (the graceful island). A cradle with a mere 60.65 square km and less than 5000 persons where he lived until he was 17. It is still Home. The place he returns frequently to his family and their business of homemade artisan bread in ancient stone ovens following ancient recipes.

He is the Commercial and Marketing Director of Futurismo Azores Adventures and a Guest Assistant Professor at the University of the Azores, where he teaches about the decisive impact that tourism can have in communities, culture, patrimony, and travelers.

For 10 years he led the Continuous Learning Department at the local School of Tourism for the Azorean tourism trade (leading projects in Portugal and São Tomé e Principe), before joining Futurismo in, as he says, “a 30-second decision” due to the purpose-driven ethos the company has.

A never-ending eager student, he has the mission to lead Futurismo Azores Adventures, a 30 years old, family-owned company, that has helped transform tourism in the Azores, alongside the founder and owner. From the Atlantic Ocean to land trails to local artisans, his days are, alongside a team of 50 passionate persons, an immersion in what the Azores mean.

Matteo Bierschneider

Indonesia Ambassador

Matteo Bierschneider is a Co-Founder of Wise Steps Indonesia. He is very passionate about responsible travel initiatives.. After studying Sustainable Tourism Management in Germany he moved to Indonesia, worked for a local NGO and for a large corporate DMC a few years before he decided to start his own venture with Wise Steps Travel. The social travel enterprise is aiming to contribute locally by increasing the positive impacts of tourism while managing the negative impacts responsibly. Wise Steps wants to transform the traveler's mind and the local livelihood in a positive way.

Over the years he expanded together with his wife to Wise Steps Indonesia which is now consisting of Wise Steps Foundation, Wise Steps Consulting, and Wise Steps Travel to positively impact the tourism industry in Indonesia beyond journeys.

He is currently living with his wife and daughter right at the biggest volcanic lake in the world called Lake Toba in Sumatra, West Indonesia.

Cameron Crispin

Australian Ambassador

 Learner, speaker and weekend adventurer, Cam loves the outdoors. He feels alive in the wilderness, at home in the garden, and fulfilled walking alongside people on life’s journey. He lives in Melbourne with his wife and three beautiful daughters.

A designer by trade, Cam has spent the last 10 years working with key hospitality stakeholders in the quest to create meaningful spaces and experiences in Australia. He has designed and delivered hotel and hospitality fitouts that optimise interactions between guests, owners and supplier ecosystems. As a passionate social entrepreneur, Cam has also developed a leading-edge Men’s Retreat, runs weekly youth programs and is a certified permaculture designer. He is co-founder of Wander, a transformation business creating travel opportunities that empower people to come alive and be a force for good in their world.

Elisa Spampinato

Community-Based Tourism Ambassador

As a Travel writer and Community Storyteller, Elisa Spampinato’s core mission is to support and promote Community-Based Tourism and a respectful and sustainable approach to tourism.

The belief that tourism can be a crucial tool for positive change in the world has always guided her professional choices, taking her from the academic ground to the grassroots level, passing through the international cooperation and international lobbying to build awareness and contribute towards a more responsible and ethical tourism sector.
She collaborates and supports local CBT initiatives and tour operators with copywriting services, consultancy and capacity building in Storytelling and digital marketing.

With the campaign Destination Community, she aims to enrich the narrative of the traditional travel marketing by widening the image of a place with the local voices.

She gathers and tells the invisible stories of destinations to create bridges between cultures and people, to help making the tourism the place of encounter and personal growth for whoever is involved in it. 

Connect with Elisa on the page of her Blog, or on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Martina Lucić Čanak

Croatia Ambassador

Martina is passionate about developing long-lasting tourism & travel brands that are high-quality, technology-smart, and strategically poised. Sensitivity, conscientiousness and compassion are her and her company main guidelines when approaching any task.

Martina is particularly adept at handling projects that involve a complex variety of different pieces. Most of the time those jobs include creating strategies and action plans for developing new tourism products. Martina gets immense satisfaction from providing support to clients on their path to success and helping to nurture their brands.

She knows how to identify what is unique about travel and tourism brand and she can get right into the soul of the brand’s potential clients and create a highly intuitive experience that they feel emotionally.

Since 2020 Martina is also a part of an AR (augmented reality) startup that developed the Equinox Vision platform. Here she uses her knowledge to create solutions for innovative digital tourism products.  

Martina speaks at conferences and holds guest lectures at international universities. Destinations, travel agencies, hotels and vacation rentals are attending educations and workshops she organizes. She gets excited when sharing her knowledge, passion and vision about the future of travel and tourism.

Besides being a proud Ambassador of TTC, Martina’s brand Magic4Club is a member of Pametni turizam (Smart tourism) initiative that helps tourism brands to create bespoke technology experiences that are bringing value to the whole community.

On her blog, you can read more about her work and personal travel experiences. You can also easily connect with Martina at LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

Tanja Morariu

Hospitality Ambassador

A traveler since early childhood, when emigrating from Europe to Latin America with her family, Tanja is a firm believer that travel can transform – you, your life, the places you visit, the individuals you encounter and the communities you touch. A belief that was cemented during an 18 month backpacking trip around the world in the early 2000’s, not only resulting in a new found love and appreciation for nature and culture as well as a preference for genuine and off the beaten path experiences, but also a major career shift. After 12 years in advertising, taking her from Frankfurt and Düsseldorf, via London to Rome, Tanja embarked on a mission to develop country brand strategies for destinations as diverse as the Dominican Republic and Bahrain and then transitioning to hospitality marketing and sustainable development of independent luxury and lifestyle hotel brands at The Palms Hotel & Spa and Circa 39 Hotel in Miami Beach. As the Vice Chair of Surfrider Foundation Miami Chapter, Tanja is further involved in education and policy for a sustainable way of life and protecting the world that we live in, while centering and grounding herself through regular yoga and meditation practice (as a 200-HR RYT certified yoga teacher) and being a “Big Sister” to a teenage girl from the Haitian community in Miami.

Kencho Wangdi

Bhutan Ambassador

Kencho Wangdi (also called Bonz) loves meeting travelers from other countries and showing them his beloved country because he believes his country has a remarkable perspective to share with the rest of the world, among other things a way of life that is inherently balanced, sane and compassionate.

Through his company Bhutan Spicy Shangri-La , Bonz helps visitors find out, for instance, what lights up the faces of the people of Bhutan, the only country in the world that measures its wellbeing in GNH or Gross National Happiness and amid the soaring peaks and cultural delights to discover their own capacity for happiness.

A former filmmaker and newspaper editor (New York Columbia J-School alum), Bonz works with the rural community to help create opportunities for them to participate in the nation’s growing tourism industry, particularly in the homestay area. He is also an Eco-nut and gets along wonderfully well with like minded visitors, helping them plant saplings (Blue Pine, Oak, Cypress, Juniper, etc.) on designated hills in Bhutan. Some proceeds from his tours go to building and maintaining children’s parks in Bhutan. He is also a highly competent coach on mindfulness meditation.

Niamh Keohan

Middle East Ambassador

Niamh Keohan is originally from Ireland and has been living and working in the Middle East for almost 13 years. She is the Co-Founder of We Love Transformational Travel, the world's first transformational travel focused booking and content platform.

In 2019, Niamh & her husband, Trevor, saw the need for a platform showcasing the wide range of life transforming trips from around the world, and when they couldn’t find one, they created one. Through targeted marketing & PR activities, We Love Transformational Travel communicates with a global transformation-seeking audience. They also provide partners with relevant traveller insights, performance analytics and guidance on their marketing assets and content.

Niamh is an experienced marketing & PR professional with over 20 years’ experience driving growth for global brands. Prior to co founding We Love Transformational Travel, she was the Cluster Director of Marketing for Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, responsible for their eight Dubai hotels. Before this, she led Burj Al Arab’s marketing & PR department and was responsible for driving the iconic hotel's global presence as the world’s most luxurious hotel. Previous directorial appointments at global hospitality brands include Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa and InterContinental Hotel Group in Abu Dhabi.

You can connect with Niamh by email: Niamh@wltt.travel, Instagram or LinkedIn

Greg Bakunzi

Rwanda Ambassador

Over 20 years past, I have gained experience working as a Rwandan tour organizer and guide for various international tour operators. My professionalism and reliability, along with my exceptional understanding of the needs and desires of international visitors, have gained me renown among clients and respect among the members of local communities. I am a co-founder and president of the Ruhengeri Community Eco-Tourism Association, a local association of people collaborating to enhance tourism development in Rwanda. My philanthropic efforts have also not gone unnoticed, I am the founder of Amahoro Tour Company and Red Rocks Rwanda which I molded to be community-based organizations, where the local community gain from tourism activities, and in the process, attain sustainable income for their livelihoods. Red Rocks brings under-served communities into the tourism supply chain and supports community development projects that help people help themselves through our Non Profit initiatives. We focus mainly on empowering our communities.

Marina Laurent

France Ambassador

Earth lover, mindfulness & yoga practitioner, life-long learner, I have been on a personal journey of transformation over the last decade, exploring healing modalities, ancient wisdom, neuroscience, and contemplative practices as a way to heal myself and find a deeper meaning in life. 

I consider our human existence as an ongoing journey of awakening toward a state of expanded consciousness which purpose is to heal ourselves, reconnect with others, alleviate suffering for all beings, and fall back in love with Nature. Each day offers a renewed opportunity to learn, grow, love, and share our gifts with the world through this lens.

It is our privilege and responsibility as a species to evolve our consciousness, awaken to our heart and transcend our old worldviews and limitations to find a way to live in harmony with every life form and become true stewards of our places and communities. 

I strive to dedicate my life to give back and share this knowledge and wisdom with others, leveraging the transformative power of tourism to unleash human potential to commit to, care for, and affect change for a better life for all beings, ultimately TRANSFORMING THE WORLD FROM THE INSIDE OUT. 

I created REGEN Hospitality to craft transformational travel experiences and educational programs at the intersection of climate science, contemplative practices, and ancient wisdom. I am also a passionate transformational coach and speaker.

Laura Jones

European Equality Ambassador

Laura is the Global Staff Health Advisor at Save the Children International. 

Laura has a clinical background in pre-hospital, emergency, and critical care medicine and a demonstrated history of working in the NGO sector. Her roles include International Health Advisor for VSO in Bangladesh, Uganda, Malawi, and Tanzania; Medical Officer and Diver Medic for Raleigh International and Operation Wallacea in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and South Africa; Clinical Educator for The Leprosy Mission (TLM) in Nepal, and as a Nurse for Doctors of the World in the UK.​ Laura is experienced in humanitarian development, disease outbreak control, crisis and disaster response, and global mental health. Currently, Laura is leading the coordination of staff health and wellbeing, and safeguarding frontline staff for Save the Children International across 58 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 In her spare time, Laura is a keen adventurer, mountaineer, and an advocate for gender equality in sport and adventure.