Gabriella Yan, Founder of TRAppe , Singapore

In this episode, Krista sits down with Gabriella or Gabby Yan, a hospitality industry insider turned startup founder to discuss her journey from luxury hotel marketing to founding TRAppe - a platform dedicated to making sustainable travel accessible, aspirational and impactful. Gabby shares the challenges she faced as a solo female founder, the problem of economic leakage in tourism and her vision for travel that benefits people and local economies. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Gabby’s background in hospitality and how that insider knowledge inspired her to start TRAppeThe problem of economic leakage and woefully underpaid local staff in tourismThe three pillars of sustainability: People, Planet, EconomyChallenges of fundraising as a solo female founder with no tech background and no tech co-founderHow TRAppe works in creating authentic, community-focused travel experiencesWhy sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all and the importance of local context and nuances The business model: e-guides and a membership platformTips for travelers to make more conscious, impactful choices without the guilt The importance of amplifying Asian thought leadership and Asian perspectives in the Asian travel industry Practical Takeaways: Stay, eat, and buy local to ensure your travel spending benefits the communityBook accommodations and experiences directly, not just through online travel agents or commercial platforms Look for farm-to-table restaurants and artisan souvenirs that benefits the locals Ask locals for recommendations to discover hidden gems like restaurants, hotels and experiences that contribute to more local prosperity Take time to learn about the culture and needs of your destinationTraveling better is about thoughtful choices, not perfection Resources & Links: Trappe: trappetravel.com Shoutouts: Special thanks to Michelle Coulson of Remote Rebellion for connecting Gabby and Krista Connect with the host and the show: Host: Krista Goon on LinkedInFull article about this episode on: Womenpreneur Asia This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.