Episode 84- Habiba El Kasri, Asgunfa Impact Traveling
You always hear that you can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink. That phrase is certainly true when talking about travel. If you are like a lot of people, you travel once or twice a year to go on vacations. It is one of the most popular activities in the world but they often don't make the most of their travel experiences.
Most of these vacations are filled with the same activities that you do every other day of the year: work, commute, run errands, watch tv shows and movies, etc. Your travel experiences are no different than your normal everyday routine. When was the last time you enjoyed an exciting new activity during your vacation?
Christine can definitely see how having the opportunity to live in so many places creates that desire to really create deeper, authentic connections. It’s always been one of those things that Christine has loved about the opportunity to go and be somewhere for three months, six months, a year, even two years but much beyond that just quick travel experience.
But where you can take time to find like a favorite walk or coffee shop and you start to like connecting with people on a regular basis and you start to experience things as if you live there and when you do live there it just gives you such a deeper appreciation. Christine understands that when you've had those experiences, you really crave for others to have those experiences even when they do travel.
Her mission is to open borders and show Morocco in an authentic way. She's a professional travel designer bringing these authentic connections to life with her company Asgunfa Impact Traveling.
Habiba El Kasri was born in Casablanca, and has been traveling to all parts of Morocco since a very young age. Moving far away from touristic traps. She is a professional travel designer bringing these authentic connections to life with her company Asgunfa. She works with experienced local drivers and guides in all parts of the country. Throughout her trips, she handpicks the most traditional accommodations including riads and experiences that will have a positive impact on the people and the planet.
In this conversation, Christine and Habiba talk about the ways she puts these ideas into practice and talks about visiting female cooperatives, eco- friendly lodging and tree planting projects she's involved in. Habiba also shares why she's so passionate about getting visitors to Morocco off the beaten path and what this offers both travelers and communities.
Join Christine for her soulful conversation with Habiba El Kasri.
In this episode, Christine and Habiba discuss:
When Habiba’s travel bug started and how her parents played an important role in her first travel experience
The significance behind naming her company, Asgunfa
Female cooperatives, eco- friendly lodging and tree planting projects Habiba is involved in
Habiba shares why she's so passionate about getting visitors to Morocco off the beaten path
Why Habiba is passionate about getting travelers to local communities within Morocco instead of the touristic traps
What travelers have said about their experiences traveling to Morocco and Habiba’s favorite destination within the country
Habiba’s process of bringing her company to life and how she encourages others to pursue their passion
Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode
For more information about Habiba and Asgunfa Impact Traveling visit: www.asgunfa.com
Follow Habiba and Asgunfa on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
Join me for my Women’s Wilderness and Yoga Retreat in Alaska in March 2023!
We’ll be traveling 63 miles north of the Arctic Circle to stay at Arctic Hive, owned by my friend Mollie Busby and her husband Sean. This boutique property nestled in the Brooks Range is way off the beaten path and also off grid. We’ll stay in beautiful cabins built by hand by our hosts, practice yoga in their yoga dome lovingly referred to as The Hive, with gorgeous views of the surrounding nature.
We’ll explore the wilderness by snowshoe and dog sled, connect with members of the local community to learn about living in this remote environment, enjoy daily yoga practice and vegan meals all while keeping our eye out for the beautiful northern lights that like to show off their magic this time of year.
I only have 6 spaces for this unique adventure and a few are already taken. Hop over to the Lotus Sojourns website to book yours today.
Please share this experience with anyone you know would love this restorative adventure.
Want to learn more, you can listen to my Soul of Travel conversation, episode 67 with Mollie Busby
Visit www.lotussojourns.com/journeys to join this unique travel experience today.
To watch this interview on YouTube HERE.
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WE WON A BESSIE AWARD! The Bessie Awards recognize the achievements of women and gender-diverse people making an impact in the travel industry. To view the complete list of this year’s winners, visit bessieawards.org.
About the Soul Of Travel Podcast
Soul of Travel honors the passion and dedication of the people making a positive impact in tourism. In each episode, you’ll hear the story of women who are industry professionals and seasoned travelers and community leaders who know travel is more than a vacation. It is an opportunity for personal awareness and it is a vehicle for change. We are thought leaders, action takers, and heart-centered change makers.
The guests work in all sectors of the tourism industry. You'll hear from adventure-based community organizations, social impact businesses, travel photographers and videographers, tourism boards and destination marketing organizations, and transformational travel experts. They all honor the idea that travel is more than a vacation and focus on sustainable travel, eco-travel, community-based tourism, and intentional travel.
These conversations are meant to educate, inspire and create community. They are directed to new travelers and seasoned travelers, as well as industry professionals and those who are curious about a career in travel.
If you want to learn about new destinations, types of travel, or how to be more intentional or live life on purpose, join Christine Winebrenner Irick for soulful conversations with her community of fellow travelers exploring the heart, the mind, and the globe. These conversations highlight what tourism really means for the world.
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Credits. Christine Winebrenner Irick (Host, creator, editor.) Habiba El Kasri (Guest). Original music by Clark Adams. Editing and production by Rayna Booth.
Transcript
KEYWORDS
travel, people, experiences, morocco, travelers, destination, share, create, country, tourism, places, connections, conversation, offer, lotus, trip, find, fascinating, inspired, local
Christine Winebrenner Irick 00:08
Thank you for joining me for soulful conversations with my community of fellow travelers, exploring the heart, the mind and the globe. These conversations highlight what travel really means for the world. Soul of Travel honors the passion and dedication of the people making a positive impact in tourism. Each week, I'll be speaking to women who are tourism professionals, world travelers and leaders in their communities will explore how travel has changed them and how that has rippled out and inspired them to change the world. These conversations are as much about travel as they are about passion, and living life with purpose, chasing dreams, building businesses, and having the desire to make the world a better place. This is a community of people who no travel is more than a vacation. It is an opportunity for personal awareness, and it is a vehicle for change. We are thought leaders, action takers, and heart centered change makers I'm Christine Winebrenner Irick. And this is the Soul of Travel.
Habiba El Kasri was born in Casa Blanca and has been traveling to all parts of Morocco from a very young age, she brings travelers far away from over tourist locations. Her mission is to open borders and show Morocco in an authentic way. She's a professional travel designer bringing these authentic connections to life with her company as gunfire. She works with experienced local drivers and guides in all parts of the country. All of the experiences designed by us gunfight directly or indirectly empower the people and protect the environment by reducing negative impact and maximizing positive ones. In our conversation. We talk about the ways she puts these ideas into practice, and talk about visiting female cooperatives, eco-friendly lodging and tree planting projects she's involved in. She shares why she's so passionate about getting visitors to Morocco off the beaten path, and what this offers both travelers and communities.
Join me now for my soulful conversation with Habiba El Kasri.
02:46
Welcome to soul of travel.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 02:47
I'm very excited today to be sitting down with Habiba El Kasri. And she is the founder and CEO of Asgunfa Impact Traveling and she works in Morocco, and is a really great advocate for sustainability and community based tourism. So I'm really excited to dive into those subjects with you today.
03:15
Welcome to the podcast. Thank you, Christine. I'm happy to be here and share with you all my experience. My travels in Morocco. Thank you all for listening . My name is Habiba. I'm born and raised in Morocco. And I have been traveling for a long time, in Morocco and beyond, I have lived in different countries. And during my studies and my corporate life, I have been living and settling in six different countries where I was really deep diving into the cultures and traditions. And I love everything about traveling, either sharing our culture, our traditions, our food and our experiences that is so empowering, either for a traveler or for people into destinations. So yeah, that's about
Christine Winebrenner Irick 04:16
Thank you for sharing a little bit about your travel experiences. And I can definitely see how having the opportunity to live in so many places creates that desire to really create deeper, authentic connections. I think that's always been one of those things that I have loved the opportunity to go and be somewhere for, you know, three months, six months, a year, two years, but you know, much beyond that just quick travel experience, but where you can take time to find like a favorite walk or coffee shop and you start to like connect with people on a regular basis and you start to experience things as it If you live there, and when you do live there, and it just gives you such a deeper appreciation and and then I think when you've had those experiences, you really crave for others to have those experiences even when they do travel. So we try to replicate that connection and that authentic way of being in a shorter travel experience. So I know we'll talk a little bit more about that later. But how, how do you think the travel bug was sparked in you? When did you really first start traveling? And when did you know that? That's something like, studying abroad and traveling and living abroad is something that you want it to be a part of your life?
05:43
Oh, well, thanks. Thanks to my parents, I had the opportunity to travel from a very young age to other destinations than Morocco. And that really opened my eyes to words, we were in Thailand, Malaysia, and it shipped and a very young age, and I realized how our mind is more open and how we learn so much while traveling, then then by by staying in your country, and, and you bring so much also to your country by traveling, that was the beginning of my love of traveling. And then when I had my high school degree, I decided to do my studies in France, Business Studies. And that's where I took each and every opportunity to do my exchanges in the United States, Germany, Spain, and also do my internships abroad. So to get the most of each of the countries that I visit, of course, traveling for two weeks or so is also a kind of traveling, but you get most of the country when you settle there. And that's exactly the balance that I wanted to find when traveling. When traveling for a short amount of time you get the most of the country, then someone who is settled there. And the best way to do so is to follow the steps of the local dealer who will take you to the best places to make you taste some delicious food and to share with you his culture. And that's how I started myself organizing trips to my family and friends. Yeah, I love that. I
Christine Winebrenner Irick 07:38
I think when you start to see the opportunity to travel in that way, I think there's something else that opens up in you. And I think a lot of times we think about travel as being a very fast paced activity. And we want to make sure we're seeing a lot of things and and then when we have a moment to sit still and connect with someone and have a conversation and learn about maybe the food they're sharing with us. And then maybe that leads to conversation about their childhood or their family or their education or artists and craft or farming or you know, all these different lifestyle pieces that you wouldn't normally interact with. And then I think once we have those experiences, we really see the value in slowing down when we travel. I would love to start to talk about your company and the trips you design. And the first thing I wanted to ask you is about the name of your company. I know that when I created Lotus sojourns, I spent a lot of time trying to think of words that kind of evoked what I want travelers to experience just through the name. Can you tell me a little bit about why you chose what you chose.
08:53
I wanted to start this company first, to open the borders of my country and to show people Morocco in an authentic way far away from the tourist trap. And it was just before Corona hit. And during this time, it was a really fascinating time to think through what we wanted to bring to the travelers by setting up a travel company to Morocco, not to be like any other travel agency but to bring value to each and every traveler. And so as you said it was a lot of brands for me to really match what we want to create with the meaning of this travel agency that is targeting Morocco for now but can be far beyond other borders, in all developing countries. And it's cool. It comes from the Berber language you know in the south of Morocco by nomads. And this language is still in use. I chose today when you travel, for example, to the Sahara Desert, and it is to me to relax, to enjoy your trip in this language. And that's exactly what I wanted to deliver with my company that I was setting up in this moment of a global pandemic. And also it was a time to go beyond this relaxation and beyond this the safety of the trip to have an impact on the people and only TV destinations that we visit. And so that's that's how that's how I came with, with as good as going for that. Come on.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 10:49
Thank you. I love that. I think it's just that I love the stories behind things. And I know that people are often very intentional. And so thank you for sharing that journey for why you chose that. I know that you and you have mentioned that you're really passionate about getting people into communities and really getting people off the beaten path and Morocco. Can you share why you think that's so important and what that offers travelers in the communities that you engage in as you travel?
11:20
Again, I want to go back a little bit in time when I was setting up the company. And at that time, I realized that we are in a fascinating time of global cleanliness where everything was stopped. And I realized that the impact of tourism in my country on the people, businesses and environments was huge. Everything was tough at the time and Hoover's was impacted. So even each and every business was there and was feeling this impact, like any and time else. So I wanted to create these videos so that when borders will be open, we will take this moment to positively impact the destination by giving them back all the benefits that they can offer. Meaning that I wanted to make sure that each and every travel money that just comes in a destination stays in the destination by offering experiences. This is made by locals and offered by locals to empower women youth that are traveling for 60% in the tourism industry, and felt like everything was lost during these two years of a global pandemic. And that's exactly what I wanted to make sure that at the end of this time, tourism will come back. At some point I was short about that. We didn't know the timeline, that's for sure anyone does. But the idea is to make sure that when it comes back, it comes back to learn about the effects of the tourism industry in the destination, either for the people but also on our planet.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 13:27
Hey, it's Christine, interrupting this episode for just a minute to invite you to join me for my Lotus sojourns women's wilderness and yoga retreat in Alaska in March of 2023. We'll be traveling 63 miles north of the Arctic Circle to stay at the Arctic hive owned by my friend Mollie Busby and her husband Sean. This boutique property nestled in the Brooks Range is way off the beaten path and also off grid will stay in beautiful and cozy cabins built by hand by our hosts practice yoga in their yoga dome, lovingly referred to as the hive with gorgeous views of surrounding nature will explore the wilderness by snowshoe and dog sled. Connect with members of the local community to learn about living in this remote environment. Enjoy daily yoga practice and vegan meals, all while keeping our eye out for the beautiful northern lights that like to show off their magic this time of year. I only have six spaces for this unique adventure and a few are already taken.
I'd suggest pausing this episode and hopping over to the lotus sojourns website to book yours today. Please share this experience with anyone you know who would love this restorative adventure. Want to learn more? You can listen to my soul of travel conversation with Mollie Busby, check out episode 67. Now let's hop back to our soulful conversation and thank you for sharing that because I think, you know, as we're looking at the impact of the pandemic, globally, because of the loss of tourism, it definitely impacted many destinations, different levels. And I think there was great loss across the board. But I know particularly with some of my connections in Morocco, that has definitely been greatly impacted, and there has been, you know, kind of a false restarts and shutdowns and you know, that also in itself has created quite a lot of financial impact. And so I really appreciate you sharing what the importance of tourism really is, especially in rural communities, and, you know, all across the country, but it really does make a huge impact.
And I think it's something that many of us can't even really relate to, or understand what it means to have a year or two years of travelers not in your country. So when you are creating your trips, and you're really wanting to create that impact and empower people and protect the environment, I would love for you to share a little bit about the ways that you do in fact, work to empower people and communities. I know, on your website, you mentioned that you work with local guides and female cooperatives, which are two things that I really work with as well, in designing my trips, and then also really working to ensure that all the people you work with have fair wages for living wages. Can you talk about how you make those choices? And why do you think that has such a good positive impact?
16:40
Sure, that's a really important question. And that's why we exist, actually, and before creating any chips, and that was before creating the business, the partners are the most valuable assets in the company. And throughout my travels and my experiences, I had the chance to meet really meaningful people that most of them are some of their own companies, or lodges or Rios, or restaurants that will really give their heart to each other by welcoming hunger. And that's exactly the type of people that I'm targeting. And I want to have E in my tips. And once I have the different partners that I want to work with, and fit the charts, I would say of high school, I designed the tree, the tree based on the experiences that I used to work for now.
So let's say for example, for a trip or five days, that will engage adventurer, for example, I will make sure to meet the expectation of the traveler with the experiences that they have available and take them to the accommodation that is tours and the they will also go to the restaurants that are really owned by locals. And that's mainly how I make sure that the travel dollars, say in the country basically. And also the other parts. And the really important part is to work with nonprofit organizations. I work with three main nonprofit organizations so far. The first one is a High Atlas foundation to make sure to offset the carbon footprint by planting trees with the farmers. For the farmers. It's not only offsetting the carbon footprint, but it's for sure helping the farmers to get more trees and more fruits in the long run. So traveling will always have a carbon carbon impact on that, that's something that is for sure. And I would always share with the travelers to stay longer in this destination as to offset their carbon footprint and the other side to plant the trees. So that's the first action that the traveler can make a while traveling.
The second one is during the trip, we would visit female corporations to empower the women not only to see what they are doing but to engage with them. In a longer discussion. We will not stay for half an hour but who will stay for three hours. We will share with them a cup of tea and share with them discussions. We were your guide. And that's something that is so much available for the people there. And the third thing is to make sure to have local guides there that will not teach you 236 traps. And that's something that unfortunately, you would find in every destination like Morocco. And that's something that I'm fighting about. And I work with a nonprofit organization called Tickler. That takes you by bike to hidden gems of Marquez, for example, either by bike or by foot, depending on the traveler. And that will also improve employment in the country because most of them are students in the university of tourism, they are there. And they know very much they're there, their city. So that's the best way of traveling. And that's how I want to make sure that the experience for the traveler, but also for the destination is positively impactful. Yeah,
Christine Winebrenner Irick 21:13
Thank you for walking us through that. I really love the idea, as you mentioned, of visiting the female cooperatives, and not just going and maybe seeing handcrafted goods for like a half an hour and thinking you're supporting and walking away, but really taking the time to create connection and have meaningful conversations. I know that that has been probably my favorite moment across the board is the time that I have spent connecting with female artisans all around the world. One learning about the craft that they do teaches us so much about the destination, the materials and how they're harvested and how traditions have been passed down. But then I also love those moments that ended up as we liked to earn each other's trust. And we start sharing again, kind of I mentioned this before, but like about caring for our children, or maybe what our concerns are for our families and, and then all of a sudden, some of these threads that are common between us start to show up. And the connection that that creates, I think, is really powerful. What have some of your travelers shared about those experiences? Have they had unexpected connections or stories that they didn't expect after some of those, those time spent together?
22:37
That's the most rewarding part of creating as good as that is. Feedback from travelers, once they really experienced this kind of, of trips, in the beginning, they are the they are really interested into the destination is to her or into traveling at Morocco. And that by learning that there is more about the country, and by seeking them step by step, deep dive into the country, they are fascinated about this, the experience that they have, and the joy and the learning that they share at the end of their trip is so much valuable. And take me and give me a lot of confidence and a lot of encouragement to go even beyond we you know, we had some really hard times where we had closure of borders reopening. And even during this time of COVID a lot of travelers went to Morocco and experienced that. And you can feel all the feedback that I had from travelers, learning about their culture, their tradition, the dance with them there. They put their hand into rug making for example, or, you know, just sharing stories also, even if you are not sharing the same language, but it's such a meaningful experience that it goes beyond the language barrier.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 24:19
Yeah, I have so many memories of those moments in my mind. And in my mind. We're always speaking the same language, but I realized that we're not but like you said, it just transcends any language and then I go back and I'm thinking, like, how are we actually communicating with one another, but it's just it just unfolds and you know, often there's a the guide is able to be a translator or you know things but sometimes there's not sometimes it's even a local language or dialect that maybe the guy doesn't speak but still somehow that that connection happens and I agree much like you like after you see that happen and you just, you're so I'm so filled with joy, I can see that you're so filled with joy from it. And you want so many more people to have that experience. And that really ignites your passion to just keep pushing forward, especially in times like right now because we know how deeply powerful those experiences are. So thank you so much for sharing that, I just think that that's so valuable. And I always love hearing about those experiences from others. You talked a little bit about climate impact, and some of the eco friendly lodging and things like that, that you build into your experiences, but are there other things that you consider that are more from, from that environmental and climate angle that you bring into your
25:53
trips, I'm implementing that and included more and more during my trip, depending again on the traveler, and he's willing to make more or less impact during his trip. So the basics are worth just sharing with the High Atlas Foundation, to, to, you know, plant trees, with the, with the farmers. And that's also something that a traveler can be engaged in, it's only a few times a year, but it's something that also the travel can be engaged in. And now also I have a new partner called rural tourism in and they are building itineraries that are that engage in the environment to protect the environment, by doing some trails going for, for my crude, and also some protected areas, by by really going on a few few people only going to these places and experiences that so for now, it's only a trial, Trial mode, even for my partner that is there. And there is really more to see than Marrakech and all the cities that we can, we know, in Morocco, but even for me, it's a new destination that I'm learning to work with and learning also to experience. And it has so much to offer. Bye bye, there National Park by the different activities that they propose to do. Yes, depending on your question. Yes, depending on the traveler, we can propose other activities that engage with the environment.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 28:01
Yeah, and I think one thing I've found that's been really interesting when you look at trying to find properties, or restaurants or things that have ways that they support, support environment and create an impact, that a lot of these destinations have been really doing this in an innovative way for a long time. And it's maybe not measurable as sustainability, but it's just a part of their way of living like water saving techniques, or like using reusable or renewable building materials, because a lot of times people are sourcing found objects or they're already using natural materials for construction. Are there any properties or places that you go that are good examples of that or that you have been surprised by some of the innovations that they may already have in place?
28:53
Definitely. And I'm surprised and even impressed, sometimes by these accommodations, that are using the principle of sustainable goals without knowing it because it's there. It's just in their, the way they are doing because it's cost saving too and they are doing waste management but by themselves without any looking in any regulation or any certification. They are proposing only local foods from their garden for example, they are using solar energy because they have nothing. It's more efficient to use solar energy than the usual energy. You know, they are actually using clean water to do their business. So there are sometimes just things and sustainable, sustainable goals that They are achieving without even noticing it. And that's what I found very fascinating in this kind of accommodation that is really small. And you can find them somewhere in, in the rural areas.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 30:16
Yeah, I think that's been really, there have been a lot of conversations around that, especially as, like larger operators are looking at getting certified in for B to B, B tourism and be certified and like, all these different ways, as operators look to have that in their own businesses, and we're looking out at these suppliers that we use and properties and like you said, they don't know that they're checking anything off the list. They're just living the way that they live. But by nature of that way of living, it is already more sustainable. And so I think that just creates some really interesting conversations and some ways to begin to explore answers across the board is to really look to communities that are meeting their needs, like you said, like they can only have solar power, because there's no other option. And they have to think creatively about building materials, because that's the way they have to do it to live. And so I think that's such a unique experience that you start to notice as you are traveling, especially getting off the beaten path. Well, I would love for you to share a little bit maybe since we are talking about getting off the beaten path and Morocco, like one of your favorite destinations that you think travelers don't go to very often that you'd like to highlight. I know for me, I'm lucky I get to see professionals that are exploring different parts of the country. And sometimes they'll show a picture and I'm like, how was that Morocco? I didn't expect you know, those mountains or this landscape. But what places would you love for people to know about that they might not already be familiar with?
32:04
Well, there is a region in Morocco that I started exploring only six months ago. And I found it very fascinating and very diverse. It's the region of truth myself, it's actually so people know Agha deer and their resolvers and they're beautiful beaches with white sand, sand dunes, and it's a nice city, but when you go far, a little bit further than the city in the region, you will find some fascinating National Park with with with a reserve of our gallery, this this this tree that is very known in the whole Mediterranean Sea or Mediterranean region that gives you you know, the all of organs for the beauty of of your skin, it's really rich and you find this gold earring this this trees and then it's an ecosystem that is so diverse and only locals know that even me that I'm from Morocco I just discovered this region by traveling more and looking for more of the beaten path experiences and that's also a reason that is investing a lot into the ecologist and you know, the infrastructure to make it more attractive attracting to locals to local tourists and bring tourists to you will find also the National Park of color which is in North northern part of Morocco where you will find the most beautiful beautiful trails of the country with with natural springs and you can basically swim while drinking the water it's really clear water and you can drink it and it feels so good.
During the summer I always like to take people there and basically you need to be with a local to experience this national park and that's something that is just fascinating. So this these two reasons for me are more than then only experiencing Morocco but it goes far beyond that we they're also hidden beaches or he then a fisherman's village is where you can eat fish from from directly from from the sea. Do that some comics sample that I have right now in mind. But there's more, more of a
Christine Winebrenner Irick 35:05
Thank you for sharing all of that, I think it's so helpful because I think a lot of times as travelers we look for, you know, the things that everybody talks about. And so maybe they will end up only going to one or two places in Morocco or just coming for a few days and traveling on to somewhere else. But when you are talking about sustainability, and staying longer than people are asking the questions or what else is here for me. And I think that's when you really start to find these experiences that you're mentioning, where people start to realize how much each destination has to offer, if we really slow down and look for those opportunities. As we kind of get to the end of our conversation, I would love to talk to you a little bit about the process for you of actually bringing your company to life. I know there's so many people who are passionate about travel, and maybe who started to see, to have a vision for what they would like to create. And it's such a daunting process. Are you willing to share a little bit about, you know, what this journey has been like for you and the reward that you've seen, because I think a lot of times people have this idea, especially for a very Passion Driven business. And it's overwhelming to think about it, or we think it's just like a passion project, but it can never be a reality. Do you have any words of encouragement for people that maybe have had a similar dream or vision?
36:40
Sure, sure does. Go for it, that follows your passion? Follow your heart. And when we work with, with passion, the rewards, you will for sure. See, we work maybe not financially in the beginning, but you will definitely see or feel a reward internally. And in terms of satisfaction. That's my broad answer. Personally, when I started this business, professionally, that was after five years of thinking about it, and only doing it for people because I love the country, I love my country and because I love anything related to organization. So I really thought about it. And at the end, I started as a professional travel designer, only after lack of thinking and I think we don't need that much thinking in the beginning, but just to try and maybe fail but at least you won't have a regret to do with because today that I'm working on this business. And each day that I'm interesting with travelers or partners, I see a reward and I see satisfaction and that's something that is not measurable.
Today my vision is that I want to give back to my country what it has brought to me and and also to share with the people this the rich, the richest list of what the what this country has to offer. And the beyond that, to this pandemic Irie, I made so many good connections with other partners that are doing the same thing in other destinations, lighting, like Zimbabwe, like Like so many other like Sri Lanka, so many other destinations that we don't hear about too much, but they are so rich, and so can offer so much. So by having this kind of connection and this kind of partnership, we can create an ecosystem where each one can bring value to the travel industry. And I think this is so valuable for anyone who wants to travel to go beyond what we can find on the web. Because when we plan traveling we spend so much time reading blogs and it's so it's sometimes very frustrating. We open 36 tabs and at the end we find ourselves in this touristic I would say traps because that's where we find the most confidence because there are really famous brands and only famous websites that will tell you that but take Ken having the guts to go beyond that, and to really give confidence to people who have small businesses and fight fight for for their, for their vision and their and their values. It's so much available, I would say. Yeah.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 40:19
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for that. I'm so glad I asked you that question. I think I love everything that you said. And I have all these quotes on sticky notes on my computers that feel like they are aligned so much with what you've said. I have one that says you never fail, you either succeed, or you learn, which is a Nelson Mandela quote. And I think that I love that you just kind of jumped in. And maybe don't think about it so much. If you really have something that lights you up just go for it and see what you can create, because you're going to be learning along the way, no matter what kind or no matter how much research you do. I also know this from experience. So you just have to get moving, and try things. So thank you for sharing that I think the more people that are, are creating travel from that space, the amazing experiences that people get to have as travelers connecting with destinations. So I really appreciate that. So if people would love to travel with you, after hearing all about the way you've described your country, how can they reach out to you?
41:26
My website is www.asgunfa.com or Instagram @asgunfa I always post beautiful reels of my country's beautiful pictures, and I'm very charitable. If you need any tips about Morocco, and how to travel sustainably, or other distribution, I can put you in contact with other destinations of people that have the same vision as me. So yeah, don't hesitate to contact me for any query. Yeah, and I,
Christine Winebrenner Irick 41:58
I know that to be true, because I know that's how we found each other by following each other on Instagram. And I just was continually inspired by the content that you were creating and the support that you showed me virtually for my business. And so I really appreciate that, that way of connecting. It's really, really valuable as well. The last thing I have is just a couple of rapid fire questions for our audience to get to know you a little bit more as a traveler and learn about some things that inspire you. So we'll step into that part of our conversation. What is your favorite book or movie that offers you a travel escape or inspires you to
42:44
adventure? This is very hard. My favorite book is nature. The more I travel, the more I want to travel and going for a hike or going for a walk inspires me to go more and, and open my eyes more. I love learning by doing and nature offers me so much that I want to give back to others.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 43:19
I love that so much. Yeah, that's beautiful. What is always in your suitcase or backpack when you're traveling.
43:29
I always think today our phone is something that we cannot take out either to share what we experienced to the world or to find our way or I cannot imagine myself without my smartphone sometimes. And that's something that is so fascinating in this time because for sure it can put a barrier which we did with the locals, but you need to go beyond that. And having your smartphone can make your life easier and can save you from anything so yeah, I would say my prayer is it's something that will always be with me. Yeah,
Christine Winebrenner Irick 44:24
I think about my travels before we had that technology and after and it's so different and sometimes I long for that ability to just be so lost and disconnected. But at the same time there's something in the security of it. And then like you said, being able to, I remember being in the Amazon and I was speaking with a little girl and she asked me about my daughter's and I could show her a picture. And it was so amazing. And then she took the picture and showed it to her mom and showed her that it was my daughter's and So yeah, I think technology sometimes gets a bad rap when we're traveling. But I think it can also create some interesting connections as well. Yeah. What has been your favorite or most memorable destination?
45:17
My most memorable trip so far was when I traveled for the first time in terra den in Morocco. And it was before the first time that I traveled by myself in my country, and in a place that I never have been before. And I had so many amazing connections with the locals that are so different from the people that I used to talk to, or to interact with, in Casablanca, which is the big city and everyone is, you know, very pushy, or, or so. But in these places, I was very interested in the South route, that they have so much to offer to open their door, they share with you their food.
And I found it really amazing how the heart of the people is filled with love and caring, and even doing it was in the middle of the pandemic. And people were just happy to leave. And they were confident about the future they were, they were optimistic, they were even expanding their, their house, to welcome more travelers. And really, they were even investing more even if they don't, they don't even have any, any revenue. And they want to show me how they do it and have feedback. And I was like, This is so fascinating. And I was so grateful to need that at this moment. So yeah, that's something that I will always remember.
That's such a good example of how healing travel can be in experiencing the world through other people's eyes brings us like, I think, where do you long to visit? Well, so much. Latin American culture is really, really fascinating to me, and I love Spanish. And I would love to live on this continent for two to three years. To learn more about them, and to you know, I know each and every country is different, even in this continent, but to really take time to, to live with them. And that's something that I'm very passionate about. So if I have the opportunity to do so I'll be more than happy. Excellent.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 48:16
I hope that that comes your way. I love spending time in Central and South America as well. So what do you eat that immediately connects you to a place that you've been to?
48:29
There's lots of connections there. So when I made couscous at home, I remember the Fridays that I spent with my family and everyone's sharing the same, the same place. And it reminds me of when we were young and Friday, noon is a religion, where we need to be all family together, and even people would come unexpectedly to share with you the couscous. And that's something that leaves a bruise. I really forget the voting, cheering place, even today, after this COVID Time is something that is expected. But it's something in our culture and I'm always, always when I have coached groups anywhere in the world. I remember the exact moment of Friday noon where we shared this quick good with family. Thank you.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 49:43
So many good stories coming out of this conversation. I appreciate it. Who was the person that inspired or encouraged you to set out and explore the world?
49:54
My father was the first year he gave us the opportunity to travel beyond Morocco and to faraway places that kids our age didn't have the chance to do so. And also because of his work, he also traveled a lot. And we were traveling with him. So I, I was, I was really inspired by how he had a very, even if he was not speaking English or Spanish, but I, I was just seeing how he can communicate with anyone just because he had a good way of communicating. And he and because of that I opened my eyes to the world and also to, to not be afraid to go beyond our comfort zone and just go go for it and meet people. Because people are people at the end and they are really happy to talk to you. Thank you.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 51:19
The last one is if you could take an adventure with one person fictional or real alive or past who would it be?
51:25
My husband Yeah, please my friends, my my I love going for adventures. And I do, even if I really like to travel by myself by being with someone where with whom you share so much for the best offer, the worst is something that you won't you will have only good experiences at the end. So yeah. Yeah, that's that, the person that I would love to have by my side. Well,
Christine Winebrenner Irick 52:19
Thank you so much for this conversation. It really spoke to my heart. And I hope that it inspires people to visit Morocco and also everywhere they visit to just kind of look for the hidden gems and dig a little deeper and try to get to know a culture
52:38
a little bit better. Cooper, very glad to be to share everything we do and for with the listeners. And thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to share all that. And I'm looking forward to your next adventure and our own experience in the travel industry. In general. Yeah, yeah.
Christine Winebrenner Irick 53:03
Thank you for listening to the Soul of Travel. I hope you enjoyed the journey. If you love this conversation, I encourage you to subscribe, rate the podcast and share the episodes that inspire you with others. I am so proud of the way these conversations are bringing together people from around the world. If this sounds like your community, welcome.
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