We're excited to share a three-month impact report from Njeri Gachuhi (she/her), the recipient of the IGLTA Foundation’s 2024 EQUAL Africa Fellowship, on our business blog. This fellowship aims to empower LGBTQ+ leaders in the travel industry by providing resources to promote queer-inclusive travel experiences across Africa. Through this fellowship, Gachuhi was invited to attend and participate in WTM Africa’s EQUAL Africa program in Cape Town earlier this year. Held as part of Africa Travel Week, EQUAL Africa is a two-day program featuring educational sessions focused on insights and best practices to create a more inclusive tourism industry. The IGLTA Foundation is a proud supporter of this event. 

Below is Njeri's detailed report, capturing the significant strides she has made through this fellowship:

 

It has been three months since I was honored with the EQUAL Africa Fellowship and the journey has been transformative both personally and professionally. This report highlights the significant impacts the fellowship has had on my confidence, the growth of my networks, the opportunities it has opened and the critical importance of intersectionality and visibility in Africa.

Increased Confidence

Receiving the EQUAL Africa Fellowship has significantly boosted my confidence. The recognition from a prestigious organization like IGLTA has validated my efforts and dedication to creating queer-inclusive travel experiences through The Travelling Wakili. This confidence has empowered me to take bold steps in my business, such as applying to be an associate at Equality in Tourism International where my application was accepted, applying to be a hosted buyer at the upcoming Magical Kenya Travel Expo in October and finally applying to be a speaker at a queer summit scheduled for 2025.

Attending my first travel show and being a panelist has shown me that I am able and capable of attending other summits and expos and this would not have been possible without my experience at the WTM Africa 2023.

Growth of Networks

One of the most profound impacts of the fellowship has been the expansion of my professional network. Through the various fellowship activities, workshops, and networking events, I have connected with fellow LGBTQ+ advocates, industry leaders, and potential partners. These connections have not only provided valuable insights and support but have also opened doors to collaborations that were previously out of reach.

I was finally able to meet the lovely IGLTA team of Amine Gabbouji, LoAnn Halden and Martina Barth. I also got to finally meet, interact and build a friendship with Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir, whose work I have admired for a long time.

I was featured on the Out2Africa page last month for pride, I have had 2 travel inquiries that have come directly from the IGLTA network that I am currently planning - a trip to the Okavango Delta in Botswana and a Cape Town, Johannesburg and Victoria Falls Circuit.

I have also received 2 travel inquiries from South Africans looking to travel to Kenya and a Kenyan group looking to travel to Cape Town as a result of sharing my time there.

 

New Opportunities

The fellowship has also attracted attention from an investor interested in supporting The Travelling Wakili, facilitating our growth and impact, and while we are still in the due diligence stage, I feel very hopeful.

The Importance of Intersectionality and Visibility in the WTM Africa

Visibility and representation are vital for fostering acceptance and inclusion. The fellowship has highlighted the need for more opportunities and platforms for Black LGBTQ+ individuals in Africa to share their stories and experiences.

This Fellowship and Africa Travel Week have played a vital role in creating opportunities for more women, Black, and African folk to have their business highlighted, opportunities to host workshops and speak at panels however, there is a need for more.

I am grateful to have been a part of this year’s WTM Africa and being a part of the IGLTA team and Fellowship recipients alumni.

I am excited at the growth and opportunities that lie ahead for myself, The Travelling Wakili and LGBT+ travel especially in Africa.

Thank you for this incredible opportunity and for supporting my journey and I look forward to meeting you all again soon.

Sincerely,

Njeri Gachuhi

The Travelling

From left to right, the header photo features Njeri Gachuhi, The Travelling Wakili & 2024 IGLTA Foundation Fellowship recipient; Lipian Mtandabari (he/him), 2019 IGLTA Foundation Fellowship recipient; and Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir (she/her), Moonlight Experiences & 2022 IGLTA Foundation Fellowship recipient at this year’s EQUAL Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.