In this episode, Krista sits down with Gabriella or Gabby Yan, a hospitality industry insider turned startup founder to discuss her journey from luxury hotel marketing to founding TRAppe - a platform dedicated to making sustainable travel accessible, aspirational and impactful.
Gabby shares the challenges she faced as a solo female founder, the problem of economic leakage in tourism and her vision for travel that benefits people and local economies.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Gabby’s background in hospitality and how that insider knowledge inspired her to start TRAppe
- The problem of economic leakage and woefully underpaid local staff in tourism
- The three pillars of sustainability: People, Planet, Economy
- Challenges of fundraising as a solo female founder with no tech background and no tech co-founder
- How TRAppe works in creating authentic, community-focused travel experiences
- Why sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all and the importance of local context and nuances
- The business model: e-guides and a membership platform
- Tips for travelers to make more conscious, impactful choices without the guilt
- The importance of amplifying Asian thought leadership and Asian perspectives in the Asian travel industry
Practical Takeaways:
- Stay, eat, and buy local to ensure your travel spending benefits the community
- Book accommodations and experiences directly, not just through online travel agents or commercial platforms
- Look for farm-to-table restaurants and artisan souvenirs that benefits the locals
- Ask locals for recommendations to discover hidden gems like restaurants, hotels and experiences that contribute to more local prosperity
- Take time to learn about the culture and needs of your destination
- Traveling better is about thoughtful choices, not perfection
Resources & Links:
- Trappe: trappetravel.com
Shoutouts:
- Special thanks to Michelle Coulson of Remote Rebellion for connecting Gabby and Krista
Connect with the host and the show:
- Host: Krista Goon on LinkedIn
- Full article about this episode on: Womenpreneur Asia
This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.
Womenpreneur Asia
Womenpreneur Asia is a podcast featuring Asian women entrepreneurs across Asia. If you want to know how our Asian women entrepreneurs start, run and manage their businesses, this is the podcast for you!
What you can expect: honest, down-to-earth stories from women who open up about the gritty struggles, fears and challenges of running a business in Asia. We delve into their personal stories too and uncover the lessons they've learnt along the way.
These are delightful, inspiring and surprising conversations with women across Asia whose stories may inspire and encourage you on your own personal entrepreneurship path.
Womenpreneur Asia is a seasonal podcast created and hosted by Krista Goon, a Malaysian entrepreneur, author, communicator and marketer. All episodes are sponsored by Redbox Studio.
