Episode #318: Navigating the Neo-Colonial Dynamics of the Travel Industry and Co-Founding the Hybrid Tours with Hira Aftab

*to read the original article, please visit the The Maverick Show‘s website*

EPISODE SUMMARY

Learn about the neo-colonial dynamics in the travel industry and how tourism can include both recreation & human rights. In part 2 of this interview, Hira Aftab starts off talking about the neo-colonial dynamics of the travel industry. She explains what prompted her to co-found The Hybrid Tours and how she integrates human rights and refugee experiences into her travel itineraries. Hira also explains the importance of studying genocides and understanding what leads to them. She then talks about her evolving connection with her Pakistani identity, learning about the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, her upcoming Hybrid Tour to Pakistan, and how you can join. Finally, Hira reflects on how travel has impacted her, gives tips on how we can be more ethical travellers, and shares specific action items for how we can help stop the genocide in Palestine.

About the guest

Hira Aftab

Hira Aftab is the Founder of Our World Too, a global storytelling platform dedicated to re-humanizing the narrative surrounding refugees and displaced communities around the world. She is also a communications expert in the humanitarian and international development sector and has experience working in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UK on projects relating to refugee support and access to justice. Hira holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and a second Master’s Degree in Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development. She is also the host of the More Than a Statistic Podcast, and she is the co-founder of The Hybrid Tours – a travel company dedicated to combining recreation and human rights for those interested in leaving a positive mark as a tourist.

What you’ll learn

How to the Hybrid Tours empowers you to travel with a human rights lens
The importance of studying genocides as we travel
The neo-colonial dynamics to be aware of in the travel industry

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