Staff Interview with Kimberley Kankuni

What inspired you to work for Tiritose Sustainable Travel?

I love working with different people and learning more about cultural differences and how they affect the world as a whole. Therefore working for my organisation was the best way to learn more about the travel industry and work with people from different cultures.

I have always been an adventurous person who loves to travel, and that mixed with my love for networking inspired me to work for the organisation. Working for my organisation gives me an opportunity to show others the beautiful places we have in my country with confidence and help them create happy memories in our lovely and peaceful country. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

I enjoy creating itineraries—choosing the accommodation, places, and activities for our participants—as it helps me know my country better and know the places I would like to visit in the future. I also enjoy learning new ways of doing things and this is very important as it will help me succeed in my next career in the travel industry.

I enjoy showing people the beauty of my country with confidence and help them get the best experience allowing them to tell a good story about my country. I also enjoy speaking to people from different hotels and creating connections.

The travel industry is very intriguing as it allows me to work from multiple angles, from booking tours to production of entertainment.

How do you use your education and international background in your current role?

My education has prepared me to deal with people from different backgrounds by teaching me how to effectively communicate with different people. My education has also taught me how to effectively manage cultural diversity and ways to approach people from different cultures and this is very important in my current role.

My education has instilled in me good researching skills that are much needed in the travel industry for survival. In addition, it has also taught me to be analytical and critical when dealing with problems and this helps me find sound solutions to problems. 

Further, my background has also taught me to always plan everything, set goals, and to be able to measure my performance against my set goals; this is something which is still of great importance in my current role.

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

I would advise myself to research diseases that affect certain areas that I would want to visit, as I value my health. I would also tell myself to check the type of food they eat in the areas to avoid getting ill during the visit.

I would also research about the language used and try to learn a few important words, making it easier for me to connect with the local people. I would also research on the local culture, local customs, and type of dressing that is acceptable in the region, so that I know how to act and dress during the visit.

Finally, I would tell myself to keep an open mind and be ready to learn and discover new ways of doing things, and to be prepared to take up new challenges and embrace the different people I will meet.

Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?

One can comfortably choose our organisation because we make sure that we provide the best experience to our customers at an affordable price. One can choose our organisation because we are a sustainable organisation meaning we achieve success today without compromising future needs. We have been awarded a certificate for being a sustainable organisation.

One can also choose our organisation as we have a good safety record, meaning the safety of our customers is guaranteed. One can choose our organisation with pride because we have knowledgeable and friendly staff that will help create the best memories ever.

Participants should also choose us because of the good reputation and the good image we have created. We are quick to respond as we value our customers’ time.

What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?

I hope that in the future our organisation is able to grow and expand. I hope that the business is able to design more programmes allowing it to increase its customer base, thereby increasing its market share; this is essential for survival in the industry.

I hope that Tiritose is able to increase its online presence and find new marketing strategies that will help it attract a wide range of customers from all parts of the world. I also sincerely hope that the organisation is able to expand into other countries.

Finally, I hope we are able to create partnerships and foster relationships with local and foreign partners.

If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?

I would take part in the Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Development Tour. I would visit Chipinge, Chimanimani, Nyanga, and Honde Valley because these places have great potential for being the best tourist destinations.

I would like to meet local innovators and entrepreneurs and share new ideas with them. I would love to help transform their businesses and help them survive in their different industries. I would also want to volunteer and help them plan for the future and find ways to get funds and improve their businesses.

I would also help them find their strengths and help them specialise in the areas where they have a competitive advantage and gain profits.

Why do you think learning a new language is important?

Learning a new language allows a person to learn how to communicate with people from other regions, breaking the language barrier. Learning a new language deepens one’s connection to other cultures as it fosters an appreciation for the traditions, religions, and the history of the people who speak the language.

Travelling as a speaker of the local language can make your trip abroad more exciting. Plus, it widens one’s employment opportunities. The ability to communicate in multiple languages is becoming more and more important in the increasingly integrated business community. Learning a new language also demonstrates that you have a host of other skills.

What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?

I would advise one to fully research about the language used in the country and try to learn some common words; it makes it easier to connect with the people in the country. I would also advise one to research about the culture and the way they dress, so that they bring the appropriate clothing and avoid feeling out of place.

In addition, I would tell them to research about the type of food they eat in the area and go for an allergy test to avoid getting ill during the visit and have a good time. One should also research on the diseases that affect the area and know the different vaccinations they should get.

Be ready to discover new things, new cultures, new people, and embrace the differences!

What issues do you see in the world of international education that don’t line up with your values?

An issue in the world of international education that does not line up with my values is the failure to achieve gender equity. Education providers should strive for gender equity, particularly looking at the under-representation of women going abroad to study and the under-representation of males studying abroad.

Secondly, an issue that does not line up with my values is failure to ensure that students have equal access to international education experiences regardless of their socioeconomic class. 

Another issue in the world of international education is failure to own up to environmental responsibility, as the institutions enable faculty and students to travel widely, causing environmental stress. Responsible international education should bring the essentials of the environment into focus and try to achieve sustainability development goals.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel allows one to grow and transform their life. It should allow one to experience things first hand and disconnect from stresses at home. Meaningful travel should also allow one to be immersed in the local culture through local home stays. It should allow one to support local businesses by shopping at local markets, hiring local guides, and eating from locally run restaurants.

Meaningful travel helps also with sustainability. When one volunteers or helps with conservation projects, it keeps the communities and wildlife reserves from being exploited. It is about being aware of the environment and respecting local cultures and customs. The deepest travel happens when one integrates into a community by actively participating and interacting with the locals.