It was an absolute pleasure to be back on the podcast for a special episode with my dear friend and fellow travel creator, Bea Meitiner. I wanted to catch up with Bea and talk about some of the big shifts happening for her this year.
Bea and I met in 2022 when we both participated in Street Child’s Impact Marathon in Sierra Leone. We’d travelled to the region as bold, determined solo female travel bloggers to explore a lesser-travelled destination and to make a meaningful contribution to the local community. It didn’t take long before we realised our kindred-spirit connection, as our conversations unveiled shared values and lifelong dreams. By a stroke of fate, we found ourselves running the first 10 kilometres of the marathon side by side, cheering one another along as we ran what would be one of the most significant events of our lives to that date.
Since then, Bea and I have supported one another through our shared endeavours. She has been a respected advocate for my book, Soul Truth, openly sharing how the words in the pages inspired her to make the heartfelt decision to leave her corporate job and pursue one of her greatest passions, which is community-based tourism and connecting with local cultures.
In the podcast episode, we speak about Bea’s transformation, what inspired her and the events that unfolded once she made that pivotal decision. Bea shares her latest ventures, where she not only works as a tour provider but also creates opportunities for travellers to connect with local tour operators in Africa. Her tours focus on promoting sustainable tourism and connecting with local cultures through individual guides, family-run businesses, and independent hotels as opposed to large tour companies or international hotel chains.
One of the key points we discussed was the balance between tourism and ecological impact. Bea raised a crucial concern about the potential consequences of mass tourism on wildlife and local communities. “My biggest worry is how everybody is filtering into the Serengeti to see the migration. How is that going to impact wildlife?” Bea questioned. She noted the difference between well-trodden paths and less visited places, saying, “I was the only international tourist in Mokomansi National Park that day. There’s so much more to explore beyond the main highlights.”
As we talked about sustainable travel practices, I reflected on the importance of understanding our ecological footprint. “One of the key pillars of sustainable tourism is asking ourselves the question: What is our ecological imprint here?” I shared, highlighting the importance of responsible travel that benefits both the environment and local communities.
As we delved deeper into these topics, I shared how Bea recently won the TravMedia Influencer Rising Star Award for her commitment to community-based tourism and sharing enjoyable stories about her travels to lesser-travelled destinations. I think what people love the most about her content is the authenticity that shines through. Bea is never afraid to show the true essence of travel, even if it means revealing some embarrassing stories about a life less ordinary.
You can listen to the full episode on the link below or on your favourite podcast platform:
Interested in joining an upcoming journey with Bea?
Bea’s commitment to exploring and sharing travel destinations continues with her upcoming tours. If you’re inspired by her journey and eager to experience these destinations, check out her upcoming tours below:
- Sierra Leone: 4 Night of Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventures |26th to 30th April 2025
- South Africa – 8 Nights of Unforgettable Adventure | 22-30th June 2025
