Deborah Calmeyer
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Deborah Calmeyer | |
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| Born | 1973 (age 50–51) |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
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Deborah Calmeyer (born 1973)[1] is a Zimbabwean businesswoman. She is the founder and CEO of ROAR AFRICA, a luxury safari company she established in 2005. The Zimbabwe-born entrepreneur and women's empowerment activist[2][3] is a recognized expert in the African travel industry and avid supporter of conservation[4] and wildlife preservation initiatives.[5]
Philanthropic Work
Known for the credo, 'If African women rise, wildlife will thrive[6], Deborah hosts an annual Women's Empowerment Retreat[7][8], spotlighting the key role African women play in tourism. She provides an annual scholarship for a female Zimbabwean student to attend The South African College of Tourism[9] and supports menstrual health initiatives for rural young women in collaboration with RESCUWS and the Girl Child Empowerment Trust. Deborah also empowers young African women through her work with The Tracking Academy, Uthando, the Zeitz Foundation and The Imibala School.
Career
Calmeyer founded ROAR AFRICA, an ultra-luxe safari company in 2005.[10][11] Her activism has transformed traditional perceptions of women's roles in the safari industry. A firm belief in the transformative power of nature has led to Deborah co-hosting retreats like Into the Wild with world-renowned poet and philosopher David Whyte. She continues to design and deliver novel experiences in Africa like The Greatest Safari on Earth[12] in collaboration with Emirates.[13][14][15]
Books
In 2023, French publishing house Assouline released their first book ever on the topic of safari, African Adventures: The Greatest Safari on Earth[16], based on the trip of the same name, the first safari of its kind in the world, designed and delivered by Deborah Calmeyer.[17]
Personal life
The daughter of a zoologist father, Geoff Calmeyer, Deborah Calmeyer grew up on her family farm surrounded by wildlife. In 1988, as the political situation deteriorated, her family returned to South Africa, where generations of her family had lived since 1688.[18] After meeting her husband, South African tech entrepreneur Robert Breen, Deborah moved to New York in 1999 and now splits her time between New York City and Cape Town.[19]
Awards
Deborah Calmeyer has been recognized as one of the '30 Most Powerful Women in Travel' by Conde Nast 2019 and has been listed as a Condé Nast Traveler 'Top Travel Specialist' (2017–2023). She has won Robb Report's 'Best of the Best' award in 2022 and 'Travel Master' award in 2023. Deborah has been recognized as a top travel advisor on Travel + Leisure Magazine's 'A-List' (2019–2023).[20] In 2015, she was named one of South Africa's top 25 entrepreneurs. Also in 2015, she was the first woman in tourism to be invited to speak in Beijing on the illegal trade of wildlife, a speech viewed by 191 million viewers online.[21] In 2014, Deborah was invited to represent South Africa as a speaker at the BRICS International Forum.[22]
References
- ↑ Stewart, David (September 28, 2022). "Deborah Calmeyer, 49: Sharing the Transformative Power of Africa Through Female-Led Safaris".
- ↑ Ellin, Abby (May 4, 2019). "'Wild Animals Belong to All of Us'" – via NYTimes.com.
- ↑ "The luxury travel trends you need to know about for 2022".
- ↑ Sovich, Nina (September 20, 2018). "The New Outdoor Getaway: Landscapes That Have Been 'Rewilded'" – via www.wsj.com.
- ↑ "The future of travel is female. Here's why". Travel. March 5, 2020.
- ↑ Ramackers, Helene (May 31, 2022). "Q+A with CEO and Founder of ROAR AFRICA, Deborah Calmeyer".
- ↑ Vora, Shivani (March 4, 2019). "Trips Led by and for Women, to Celebrate Women's History Month" – via NYTimes.com.
- ↑ Shollenbarger, Maria (December 11, 2020). "World of good: how to have a guilt-free holiday".
- ↑ Reynolds, Emma. "Good Company: ROAR AFRICA's Mission of Conservation, Empowerment, and Sustainability". www.barrons.com.
- ↑ "Deborah Calmeyer, CEO Roar Africa". February 13, 2013.
- ↑ Bahizi, Heritier (September 4, 2023). "Kagame, ROAR Africa boss discuss tourism promotion". The New Times.
- ↑ "What One T+L A-List Advisor Experienced During 'The Greatest Safari on Earth'". Travel + Leisure.
- ↑ https://www.ceo-middleeast.com/ceo-lifestyle/luxury/travel/465049-africa-beckons-ultra-luxe-travel-with-conscience
- ↑ Arlidge, John (October 9, 2023). "How do the super-rich spend their money now? It's a secret" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
- ↑ Werner, Laurie. "You Can Now Book The Most Exclusive, Highly Curated, Private Jet Africa Trip". Forbes.
- ↑ Werner, Laurie. "Back To Africa: A New Completely Private, Exclusive Tour". Forbes.
- ↑ Vora, Shivani. "Assouline Introduces Its First-Ever Safari Book African Adventures: The Greatest Safari On Earth". Forbes.
- ↑ "Departures | Insider Tips for Traveling in Africa". Departures.
- ↑ Reporter, Staff (August 19, 2021). "US-Based Zimbabwean Born Travel Agent Marketing Local Tourism To World Executives".
- ↑ "Deborah Calmeyer". Travel + Leisure.
- ↑ Tattler, Tourism (May 7, 2015). "Call for China to Support Africa Conservation". Tourism Tattler.
- ↑ "Boundary-pushing travel experience lures tourists back to Africa". TimesLIVE.
External links
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