The Sustainable Voice® Podcast Presented by Big Five Tours and Expeditions

Ashish and Leigh investigate the challenging choices faced by the world's poorest countries during the pandemic—choosing between public health and economic stability. This episode delves deep into how these nations, after losing crucial tourism revenue, are now grappling with severe inflation and increasing economic hardships. Despite facing criticism at the time, their decision to open border...

Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3JF2K27 As we approach 2025, the Pew Charitable Trust's prediction looms large: over half of the world's population could soon live in water-stressed areas. In this episode, we explore the silent crisis of global water scarcity. Through the compelling stories from the deserts of Africa to the bustling cities of Asia, we strip away politics and ego to focus...

Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4bg1P3T Dive deep into the transformation of Medellín, Colombia, from a city with a tumultuous past to a beacon of sustainable tourism and urban renewal. Hear stories from local leaders, community members, and experts on how Medellín's evolution serves as a blueprint for sustainable development worldwide. Tune in to explore how Medellín's journey can inspir...

In this deeply personal episode, we honor the incredible life and legacy of Mahen Sanghrajka, the beloved father of our host Ashish Sanghrajka and the guiding spirit behind the Spirit of Big Five Tours & Expeditions. Today, we celebrate his vision of making significant impacts in remote areas and reflect on how his ideals have shaped our endeavors. Join us as we pay tribute to Mahen, revisit m...

This episode unpacks Colombia's profound journey from its turbulent past to becoming a beacon of sustainable tourism and cultural richness. From Ashish's firsthand experiences (41 trips to Colombia to be exact) to discussions on Colombia's economic evolution to the pivotal role of local heroes, like Dona Sikora, this episode is a celebration of resilience, beauty, and hope. This episod...

Ashish and Leigh continue to unpack the power of tourism in reshaping Peru's future after recent protests and political upheavals. This episode, set against the backdrop of Uganda's success story, explores how sustainable tourism is the path moving forward for economic growth, community empowerment, and national healing. This episode is a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the intersectio...

Ashish and Leigh embark on a journey to the heart of Peru, a country with rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, now standing at the crossroads of economic rejuvenation through sustainable tourism. The enchanting diversity and rich cultural insights of Peru, from its ancient ruins to its lush ecosystems. How Peru's sustainable tourism preserves and supports both the environment an...

Dive into the heart of Egypt with Ashish and Leigh where they explore the fascinating dynamics between Egyptologists and Guides. This episode is a must-listen for history enthusiasts, travel lovers, and anyone keen on understanding the vital efforts in preserving Egypt's heritage. Join us to gain a deeper appreciation for the guardians of history and the challenges they face in the tourism ind...

Welcome to Episode 16 of The Sustainable Voice Podcast with your host Ashish and trailblazing cohost Leigh! In this episode, we delve into the heart of Egypt, a land rich with history and mystery. But, behind the monumental discoveries and the famous names that dominate headlines, lies the true spirit of Egyptian archaeology - the local crews and dedicated researchers who tirelessly work to uncove...

Join Ashish, our host, as we delve deep into the tourism industry's core and unveil its profound economic influence on global travel destinations. In this immersive podcast, we don't just scratch the surface; we peel back the intricate layers of this dynamic field, revealing the captivating mysteries that shape our global travel experiences. Today, we extend a heartfelt invitation for you...

Human beings, for the most part, love attention and this applies to giving back. Join our host, Ashish, for an honest conversation about the difference between two phrases—giving back and being seen giving back—and why it’s essential to distinguish the two. This is a topic few want to talk about, however, it is the topic we need to talk about. Subscribe to the Sustainable Voice Podcast today, wher...

Ecuador has a very unique problem. Each location competes with the other for the same tourist visiting mainland Ecuador around the traveler’s visit to the Galapagos Islands. This episode talks about a new initative, ME Ecuador or Micro Entrepreneur Ecuador and the brainchild behind it, local hotelier Sebastian Vergara.

This episode we talked about the back of the house at luxury hotels and how General Managers shouldn’t freak out about letting clients see them sweat. We also talked about traveling with families. Parents shouldn’t freak out about crying kids and fellow travelers shouldn’t treat families with young children traveling with as much scorn as they do.

A 12 year dream was fulfilled when Ashish returned to Caño Cristales in Colombia over a decade after his initial visit. He shares his observations and more importantly,, explains how tourism transformed this area of Colombia for the better and created jobs. In fact this group Ashish led was one of the first from North America to reach this part of the river and this one visit supported 26 jobs to...

Introducing the latest episode of The Sustainable Voice Podcast, where Ashish and his intrepid companion, Robin Cline from the renowned Intrepid Traveler, delve into intriguing tales from their globetrotting adventures. Join them as they share captivating stories and shed light on topics that we need not fret about. In this month's episode, Ashish and Robin bring you a delightful blend of trav...

Ashish sits down with one of his dear industry friends and past guest, and fellow traveler, Robin Cline (her podcast, The Intrepid Traveler with Robin Cline). This episode talks about where it all started and how Robin and Ashish and others like them got into travel and by simply paying attention, stumbled into sustainability. This is an origin story like no other!

In previous episodes, we talked about civil unrest and the stability of sustainable tourism. This episode talks about Sudan, a personal story for Ashish as his mother and her family are from there. Listen in to see what the hope is for Sudan after the current unrest. Ashish Sanghrajka, the President of Big Five Tours & Expeditions, has a personal connection to Sudan. His mother and her family...

Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of travel with The Sustainable Voice podcast! In our latest episode, Ashish and his guest, the adventurous Ines Orihuela, take you on a wild ride through the breathtaking landscapes of Peru. As they share their exhilarating experiences and insights, you'll discover why traveling with kids can be a life-changing adventure. Don't miss out...

You never know who you will meet in your life. 2 chance meetings in Kenya in one day, one of which led to a Maasai community school suffering from extreme drought and starvation, serving over 450 students getting help to bridge their needs until the rainy season arrived. Cherish those relationships. You could be talking to a future hero.

We search the world for examples of women's entrepreneurship and empowerment, including in our own politics. It turns out, the best success story has been happening right in front of us in Peru. The media coverage of the unrest in Peru doesn’t tell this side of the story. You need to hear it.

In this episode, host Ashish focuses on the different times in his life he personally witnessed how tourism can transform neighborhoods, communities, countries, and regions when done properly. Don't forget to subscribe to the channel for all updates and follow us on social media to see where Ashish is around the world!

Locally owned hotels yield more power than any other chain brand or foreign-owned hotel because they are purpose-built and driven by passion. The owner has skin in the game and had risked, in some cases everything, with the sole purpose of lifting up an entire community. These are their stories. For more information about Big Five Tours, visit our website or social media channels to see some of th...

Special guest Robin Cline from the Intrepid Traveler Podcast joins us to discuss women's prominent role in the smallest of societies. This episode picks up talking about the communities around Medellin, Colombia, and the great progress being made there.

Red Mangroves represent more than planting trees. This is the beginning of a movement by local communities in the islands near Cartagena to protect their land and understand the benefits of preserving red mangroves in their natural environment. Before the pandemic, the mangroves and surrounding shorelines were largely ignored and covered in waste and plastic. Today, the local people, mostly fisher...

The Periyar Wildlife Reserve, also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve, is in the mountainous Western Ghats of Kerala, southern India. It is a wildlife sanctuary and is home to not only tigers but a significant elephant population in addition to rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards, and Indian bison. In this episode, Ashish talks about the challenges surrounding dealing with the ramificatio...