The first female general manager of a five-star property in Rwanda, Lydia Nzayo, has recently been appointed new Managing Director of Guest Experiences at luxury safari specialist, ROAR AFRICA.
Tourism Update spoke with Nzayo to discover her life’s journey and passions, and to establish her views on the current state of the African travel industry.
Life journey
Nzayo spent her childhood crisscrossing the globe, living between Russia, France, and Italy with her diplomat parents. That was until her lifestyle ended abruptly with the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994.
Her father lost his job and her family fled to Kenya before seeking political refugee status in France.
“While these were admittedly hard times, we did not see this as a fatality or the end. We started a challenging journey in a good state of mind as we were grateful to be alive and together. Resilience comes with choices. We all chose love.”
Her love for foreign languages, travel and new cultures took her to Spain, where she spent 10 years working for a luxury international hotel brand. But, in 2017, she decided to explore her native country, Rwanda.
“Ultimately, I decided to move back to Rwanda in 2019 and contribute to my country’s re-birth and development. I spent the past four years opening and running a world-class lodge [Singita Kwitonda] which established itself as a flagship across the group and Africa.”
But, as time passed, she felt she needed more – more travel, more exposure, and to leave her personal footprint in this world.
“I wanted to discover more of Africa and have the ability to create the ultimate world-class experiences for travellers. With this dream in my mind, I started to explore professional opportunities and, being familiar with Deborah Calmeyer’s vision, I chose to work with ROAR AFRICA.”
Calmeyer is the CEO and founder of ROAR AFRICA.
Africa, wilderness and women empowerment
Nzayo is clearly passionate about Africa, wilderness and women’s empowerment, as she strives for the future betterment of it all.
“I share Deborah’s vision and breathless urgency to preserve the wilderness spaces we have left. We’re both fully committed to transforming the trajectory for women in the safari industry and believe that ‘If African Women Rise, Wildlife Will Thrive’. Our annual ‘Women’s Empowerment Retreat’, which celebrates African female change agents shattering Western and tribal glass ceilings, is one pioneering example of this commitment that I feel so proud to be a part of.”
Nzayo also relishes the opportunity to make a difference in her new role.
“I will support the tenets of our company, and ensure that the clients who trust us to share our Africa with them leave with an understanding of the tremendous healing power, inherent wonder, and sheer awe of the wild. I want people to understand what travelling with a purpose means. I want people to experience a connection to the pristine landscapes this magnificent continent holds.”
‘Magic happens when we leave our comfort zone’
Travelling has always been a core part of Nzayo’s journey as she grew up moving around the world.
“Travelling has undoubtedly made me stronger, more adaptable, and more tolerant. Magic happens when we leave our comfort zone and all we know, to go and discover the world – new languages, new dishes, new landscapes, different ways of doing things.”
Exploring the globe made Nzayo realise that travel and hospitality was the ideal industry for her.
“I wanted to be part of this on a larger scale. Working in the travel industry in hospitality is an extension of what makes me happy and fulfilled. Hospitality is opening your world to others.”
‘Business is stronger and longer than ever’
Speaking of the current state of the travel industry in Africa, Nzayo believes “business is stronger and longer than ever, with increased demand continuing into this year and beyond”.
“Trips are also longer in duration, with our clients looking to profoundly immerse in the safari experience and appreciate the stillness and seclusion that comes with spending time in the wild. The multi-generational market is also seeing tremendous growth.”
The most notable development, according to Nzayo, is the well-being and spiritual connection beyond the traditional safari that clients are seeking.
“In the words of Deborah Calmeyer: People are traveling to not just move around but to be moved. We’re seeing a renewed appreciation for the level of thought and sensitivity we work so hard to bring to our trips and learning journeys. I sincerely hope this new traveller mindset is here to stay.”
