We were lucky to catch up with Sham Shah recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sham, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Travel4Purpose was born out of a deep desire to transform the way we travel. I noticed the negative impacts of travel during my first backpacking trip and felt a need to address this, from environmental harm to the exploitation of local communities and cultures. We’re not just another travel company; we’re a platform where purpose meets adventure. We prioritise creating a positive impact in everything we do, and that’s what sets us apart from traditional travel agencies. Our mission is to create more smiles and introduce the world to Kenya, authentically.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Travel4Purpose organise personalised trips in Kenya that have a positive impact – both socially and environmentally. We work with locals, to provide off the beaten path, authentic experiences and ensure tourism money stays within the country. We offer over 40 day experiences around the country, end to end personalised itineraries and ethical safaris.
The Travel4Purpose vision is to create connection, growth and smiles – through travel.
I, Sham, the founder was born in Mombasa. It’s my aim to spread awareness that travellers can live their best lives while creating a positive impact within the country they’re travelling, whether it’s Kenya or anywhere else!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I had the idea of the business and started brainstorming in 2019. Soon after we were hit with the pandemic, we all know how that went… Travel effectively ‘died’.
Starting a travel company during the midst of the peak of a pandemic, many would say is silly, but for me it was now or never. So I went for it, the journey was indeed difficult, from many aspects of not knowing when international travel would pick up again, to many businesses in the industry around me crumbling. But, on the flip side in many ways it was a blessing in disguise, it gave me time to start curating these off-the-beaten path experiences and when travel started to pick up it was gradual and not overwhelming.
I truly believe, when there is a will there is a way. So lesson for the readers; if you have a passion, go for it, a path will pave out!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I was so passionate about the mission, my initial goal was ‘even if 8 people travel Kenya creating a positive impact every step of the way, every year – I’m happy!’ Little did I know that from a business and financial perspective, that would mean the business would not survive. I’m glad to say that we now have 100’s of travellers every year, creating a positive impact and appreciating our mission!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.travel4purpose.com
- Instagram: @travel4purpose
- Facebook: Travel4Purpose
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/travel4purpose/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travel4purpose
- Other: Tik Tok: @travel4purpose_
