+ What is your name?

Phoebe Maina

+ Are you submitting as a team or as an individual?

Individual submission

+ Where are you located?

Kenya

+ In one sentence, tell us about your idea.

My idea is to unveil the diverse tapestry of East Africa beyond traditional safaris, fostering connections between travelers and the region's abundant cultural heritage and communities

+ Describe your ideal collaborative partner or partners.

My ideal collaborative partner or partners would be individuals who have successfully launched travel businesses with a strong focus on social impact and community engagement.

+ What is the most immediate or most pressing challenge you're facing right now?

At the moment, my primary hurdle revolves around effectively marketing my distinctive Cultural Tourism packages. Securing the right collaborator to enhance our marketing strategies and reach a wider audience is currently my most immediate challenge.

+ What is it about your idea that makes you feel good?

What makes me feel good about this idea is the chance it provides for locals to preserve their culture, share it with the world, and simultaneously earn a decent income from it.

+ What makes your idea innovative? Why has no one ever done it before?

The innovation lies in the immersive experience my idea offers—unlike traditional safaris that focus on wildlife, my approach allows travelers to stay with locals, providing an authentic and enriching cultural immersion in diverse East African cultures. This unique perspective fosters a deeper connection with the destination, creating a memorable and transformative travel experience. The conventional focus on wildlife safaris has overshadowed the potential for meaningful cultural exchanges, making my approach distinctive and unprecedented in the travel industry.

+ Who will benefit the most from your idea?

The primary beneficiaries of my idea are the local host communities in touristic destinations, as they stand to gain economic opportunities and cultural preservation through increased traveler engagement. Additionally, the wildlife will benefit, particularly in crowded parks, as our approach aims to decongest these areas, promoting a more sustainable and harmonious coexistence between tourists and wildlife.

+ At Sigmund, we are interested in ideas at the intersection of People, Planet, and Profit. How does your idea support these three categories?

PEOPLE The local host communities in touristic destinations are the primary focus, benefiting economically and culturally. By facilitating immersive experiences with travelers, my idea empowers these communities, providing them with sustainable livelihoods and the opportunity to share and preserve their rich cultural heritage.

PLANET Through our approach of decongesting crowded wildlife parks, we contribute to environmental conservation. Reducing the impact on these ecosystems ensures a more sustainable balance between tourism and wildlife, promoting biodiversity preservation and minimizing the ecological footprint associated with traditional safari practices

PROFIT The model is designed to be economically viable, not only for travelers seeking unique and meaningful experiences but also for local communities that stand to gain financially. By fostering responsible tourism, we create a profitable venture that benefits both the local economy and the broader travel industry.

+ Ideally, when would you launch this idea?

I've already launched my idea

+ Indicate which UN goals your idea relates to?

• Climate Action
• Life on Land
• Affordable and Clean Energy
• No Poverty
• Sustainable Cities and Communities

+ Your website URL

www.steritourske.com