Samantha Smits

Founder & Sustainable Tourism Consultant

Smits SusTour Consultancy

https://adventuretravelmarketing.com/guest/samantha-smits/

Hoi! I’m Samantha Smits, a Sustainable Tourism Consultant based in the Netherlands and Tanzania. My goal? To empower you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to create real change.

Originally from the Netherlands, I studied International Tourism Management at Breda University of Applied Sciences and earned a master’s degree in Tourism, Society, and Environment from Wageningen University & Research.

I’m deeply involved in supporting community-based tourism initiatives, championing local businesses, and preserving cultural heritage. Oh, and I absolutely love dogs!

summary

In this episode of the Big World Made Small podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with Samantha Smits, founder of Smits Sustour Consultancy, about her journey into sustainable tourism consulting. Samantha shares her early influences, including her experiences in Cub Scouts and her passion for travel and cultural exchange. She discusses her internship in Tanzania, the challenges of adapting to a new culture, and the importance of myth-busting in sustainability consulting. Samantha emphasizes the need for practical, accessible solutions for tour operators and accommodation providers to embrace sustainability without feeling overwhelmed. The conversation highlights the significance of storytelling in promoting sustainable practices and the importance of reducing carbon emissions over merely purchasing carbon credits.

takeaways

• Samantha's consultancy focuses on making sustainability accessible for tourism providers.
• Her journey into sustainability began with her experiences in Cub Scouts.
• Education and cultural curiosity played a significant role in her career path.
• Traveling to Tanzania for her internship was a transformative experience.
• Living in Tanzania presented both challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
• Sustainability consulting involves a lot of myth-busting and education.
• It's essential to empower local businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
• Reducing carbon emissions is more impactful than just buying carbon credits.
• Samantha aims to create a relaxed and approachable atmosphere in her consulting work.
• Storytelling is crucial for differentiating sustainable tourism operators.

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