The CHORUS Podcast - Change Leaders: Recent Episodes
Benoit & Zhi Heng
"The Chorus Podcast - Change Leaders" is a series of in-depth interviews which aim to promote new ideas, values, and best practices, in the fields of leadership and sustainability in Travel and Tourism, an economic sector with a 360 degrees impact, and the largest reservoir of jobs on planet Earth. Through its inspiring guests, the Chorus Podcast also highlights other relevant topics including environmental protection, culture, heritage, human encounters, adventure, performing arts, craft, animal welfare etc... which are at the core of what travelling ought to be, and must become again.
Coming from a legacy hotelier’s family in Taipei, Benjamin Liao trained as an architect at Columbia University NYC before joining the family business in the early 2000s learning the ropes as a hotelier.
The current Chairman at Forte Hotels, and a board member at Taipei’s household 5-star chain Howard Plaza Hotels, Benjamin Liao is as humble as he is resolute, aiming to fully uphold his grandfather and Howard Plaza Hotels founder's original intention for "The Finest", to create the most meticulous Taiwanese hospitality with a generous and enthusiastic attitude, thoughtful and considerate manners, and with ultimate focus and heart.
"The road to heirloom can be only prosperous by accumulating virtues" once said Benjamin’s illustrious forefather. That might have been a manifesto for Benjamin who has been leading - by example – the sustainable growth of his family's successful and awarded hospitality group.
Using his training as an architect, his dual Taiwanese/Chinese American culture, and his amenable and curious personality, Benjamin has been a pioneer in Taiwan in implementing many of the principles of cradle-to-cradle design for more sustainable operations, bringing along both collaborators and staying guests on the journey to a more sustainable and enjoyable hospitality experience.
His personal involvement at a national, governmental level in Taiwan, and in international associations such as PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) or YPO (Young President Organisation) have made, and continue to make, a difference to push the agenda of sustainability planning, economic benefits to the local community, and the defense and promotion of Taiwan’s unique cultural and ethnic heritage.
Although a busy high-level executive in Taiwan’s hospitality industry, Benjamin Liao finds a personal mission to remind us of the circle of life, of the legacy one comes from, and how a travel experience is and must be a human experience before anything else: “We are all connected. When we travel, even to our backyard, it is something that we should always remember”.
Watch the podcast episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R6vfuXhwbE0
Coming from a legacy hotelier’s family in Taipei, Benjamin Liao trained as an architect at Columbia University NYC before joining the family business in the early 2000s learning the ropes as a hotelier.
The current Chairman at Forte Hotels, and a board member at Taipei’s household 5-star chain Howard Plaza Hotels, Benjamin Liao is as humble as he is resolute, aiming to fully uphold his grandfather and Howard Plaza Hotels founder's original intention for "The Finest", to create the most meticulous Taiwanese hospitality with a generous and enthusiastic attitude, thoughtful and considerate manners, and with ultimate focus and heart.
"The road to heirloom can be only prosperous by accumulating virtues" once said Benjamin’s illustrious forefather. That might have been a manifesto for Benjamin who has been leading - by example – the sustainable growth of his family's successful and awarded hospitality group.
Using his training as an architect, his dual Taiwanese/Chinese American culture, and his amenable and curious personality, Benjamin has been a pioneer in Taiwan in implementing many of the principles of cradle-to-cradle design for more sustainable operations, bringing along both collaborators and staying guests on the journey to a more sustainable and enjoyable hospitality experience.
His personal involvement at a national, governmental level in Taiwan, and in international associations such as PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) or YPO (Young President Organisation) have made, and continue to make, a difference to push the agenda of sustainability planning, economic benefits to the local community, and the defense and promotion of Taiwan’s unique cultural and ethnic heritage.
Although a busy high-level executive in Taiwan’s hospitality industry, Benjamin Liao finds a personal mission to remind us of the circle of life, of the legacy one comes from, and how a travel experience is and must be a human experience before anything else: “We are all connected. When we travel, even to our backyard, it is something that we should always remember”.
Watch the podcast episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R6vfuXhwbE0
Born in Malaysia, raised and educated in Australia, with Brisbane her home city, Suyin Lee is currently the Managing Director of Discova, a global Destination Management Company with operations across 14 markets in Asia and the Americas. With Suyin at its helm, Discova focuses on sustainable and community development, and aims no less than to “lead the travel, tourism and hospitality industry in driving positive change on a global scale”.
A recognized leader and travel industry veteran with a solid financial background, Suyin occupied several senior management roles in the Flight Center Travel Group, including the FCM Travel Solutions subsidiary, which entry she spearheaded in China, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Suyin describes herself as a “growth junkie” passionate about the creation of sustainable livelihoods and the empowerment of local communities in emerging markets. Rethinking ‘growth’ in the travel industry, she loves building or transforming businesses and developing strong leaders across different geographies and cultures. Walking the talk, 95% of Discova’s employees are locals based in their respective townships, allowing for unrivalled grassroot destination expertise.
A warm, empathic and engaging person with values-lead leadership style, we loved her truly entrepreneurial spirit fueled by an inspiring and thought-provoking attitude, as well as her people driven and regenerative approach to travel, tourism and hospitality.
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rrdakzvfyN4
[This episode is in French]
Journaliste depuis plus de 30 ans et maman de trois garçons, Christine Oberdorff a fait ses armes dans plusieurs spots de l’outre-mer français, (Tahiti, la Réunion, la Guyane) et en Afrique de l'Ouest (Côte d’Ivoire, Sénégal , Bénin, Burkina Faso…). En 2000, Elle participe à Lorient en Bretagne, a la création de TV Breizh, 1ère Chaine généraliste bilingue en France: cette région du grand ouest, refuge des voyageurs du bout du monde, devient sa terre d’adoption . Elle collabore ensuite à la chaîne Histoire, puis entre à Ushuaia TV, chaîne thématique qui se consacre a la préservation de l’homme et de la nature, lancée en 2005 par le groupe TF1. Elle prend en charge les « Enquêtes Ushuaïa TV », programme documentaire dédié aux grands enjeux environnementaux, un programme qu'elle incarne depuis 2009.
Engagée et «idéaliste», Christine a sillonné à cœur ouvert les cinq continents, pour filmer les femmes et les hommes qui se battent pour préserver l’environnement. Les thèmes diversifiés (écologie, bien-être animal, enjeux géopolitiques, droits des peuples, insécurité alimentaire, changement climatique, préservation des océans etc.) des quelques 25 enquêtes écrites et réalisées pour Ushuaia TV, ont permis à beaucoup de téléspectateurs français d’ouvrir leur sensibilité aux enjeux planétaires actuels.
Cette philosophie, et la volonté de mettre en lumière « une écologie à hauteur d’hommes » l’accompagnent pour une nouvelle série, L’autre voyage. « J’avais envie de me rendre dans ces destinations touristiques « à voir à tout prix », pour traverser le miroir et découvrir ce qu’il y a derrière les clichés et les préjugés, décrit la journaliste. Je reviens à mes premières amours du reportage, pour dépasser les images véhiculées par les réseaux sociaux et raconter une histoire. »
Voir l'episode sur YouTube: https://youtu.be/LqF-W_0suK8
Born in Malaysia, raised and educated in Australia, with Brisbane her home city, Suyin Lee is currently the Managing Director of Discova, a global Destination Management Company with operations across 14 markets in Asia and the Americas. With Suyin at its helm, Discova focuses on sustainable and community development, and aims no less than to “lead the travel, tourism and hospitality industry in driving positive change on a global scale”.
A recognized leader and travel industry veteran with a solid financial background, Suyin occupied several senior management roles in the Flight Center Travel Group, including the FCM Travel Solutions subsidiary, which entry she spearheaded in China, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Suyin describes herself as a “growth junkie” passionate about the creation of sustainable livelihoods and the empowerment of local communities in emerging markets. Rethinking ‘growth’ in the travel industry, she loves building or transforming businesses and developing strong leaders across different geographies and cultures. Walking the talk, 95% of Discova’s employees are locals based in their respective townships, allowing for unrivalled grassroot destination expertise.
A warm, empathic and engaging person with values-lead leadership style, we loved her truly entrepreneurial spirit fueled by an inspiring and thought-provoking attitude, as well as her people driven and regenerative approach to travel, tourism and hospitality.
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rrdakzvfyN4
[This episode is in French]
Journaliste depuis plus de 30 ans et maman de trois garçons, Christine Oberdorff a fait ses armes dans plusieurs spots de l’outre-mer français, (Tahiti, la Réunion, la Guyane) et en Afrique de l'Ouest (Côte d’Ivoire, Sénégal , Bénin, Burkina Faso…). En 2000, Elle participe à Lorient en Bretagne, a la création de TV Breizh, 1ère Chaine généraliste bilingue en France: cette région du grand ouest, refuge des voyageurs du bout du monde, devient sa terre d’adoption . Elle collabore ensuite à la chaîne Histoire, puis entre à Ushuaia TV, chaîne thématique qui se consacre a la préservation de l’homme et de la nature, lancée en 2005 par le groupe TF1. Elle prend en charge les « Enquêtes Ushuaïa TV », programme documentaire dédié aux grands enjeux environnementaux, un programme qu'elle incarne depuis 2009.
Engagée et «idéaliste», Christine a sillonné à cœur ouvert les cinq continents, pour filmer les femmes et les hommes qui se battent pour préserver l’environnement. Les thèmes diversifiés (écologie, bien-être animal, enjeux géopolitiques, droits des peuples, insécurité alimentaire, changement climatique, préservation des océans etc.) des quelques 25 enquêtes écrites et réalisées pour Ushuaia TV, ont permis à beaucoup de téléspectateurs français d’ouvrir leur sensibilité aux enjeux planétaires actuels.
Cette philosophie, et la volonté de mettre en lumière « une écologie à hauteur d’hommes » l’accompagnent pour une nouvelle série, L’autre voyage. « J’avais envie de me rendre dans ces destinations touristiques « à voir à tout prix », pour traverser le miroir et découvrir ce qu’il y a derrière les clichés et les préjugés, décrit la journaliste. Je reviens à mes premières amours du reportage, pour dépasser les images véhiculées par les réseaux sociaux et raconter une histoire. »
Voir l'episode sur YouTube: https://youtu.be/LqF-W_0suK8
In a world that is entirely interconnected, ‘love thy neighbour’ sounds like a compelling commandment on the responsible and sustainable tourism agenda. This motto comes first on the website of Citizen Adventures, the social activism and urban tourism enterprise founded in 2014 by Cai Yinzhou, our guest in this episode #3.
No longer able to unsee some of the ills of our postmodern societies, Yinzhou and his team decided to respond with social initiatives, building bridges, introducing dialogue, and imagining cohesive and impactful activities between all generations and social strata represented in Singapore. His tours of Geylang, a colourful but notorious historic district of Singapore where Yinzhou was born and raised, exemplify what tourism must be at its core: an opportunity to meet fellow humans of walks of life, cultures and traditions that our daily lives and personal social and professional background make obscure or even transparent.
Awarded with the Singapore Youth Award in 2017, Yinzhou has been walking his talk from the get-go of Citizen Adventures. He went through personal quests, risk taking moments and comprehensive academic training, to fine-tune his innovative and generous approach of tourism, life and work. His stamina, no-bullshit attitude, and performative approach of entrepreneurship illustrate why more leading roles are needed for Gen Z, to unite forces, change modes of action, and mobilize to achieve a real tipping point and address the ills of our societies.
References:
Citizen Adventures: https://www.citizenadventures.com/our-organisation
Geylang Adventures: https://www.facebook.com/geylangadventures
Backalley Barbers: https://www.facebook.com/backalleybarbers
Covid-19 Migrant Support Coalition: https://www.facebook.com/SG.CMSC
Credits:
The awesome hosts of the podcasts are Benoit Badufle & Zhi Heng
The awesome music of our generic is composed by Mikael de Matos aka Mijh: https://soundcloud.com/mijh
The awesome graphics are by Jacob Kotsura (@jaykotsura) http://linktr.ee/JacobKotsura
Find out more about Horus Development & Consulting: http://www.horusdvcs.com
For partnership inquiries please email us: info@horusdvcs.com
In a world that is entirely interconnected, ‘love thy neighbour’ sounds like a compelling commandment on the responsible and sustainable tourism agenda. This motto comes first on the website of Citizen Adventures, the social activism and urban tourism enterprise founded in 2014 by Cai Yinzhou, our guest in this episode #3.
No longer able to unsee some of the ills of our postmodern societies, Yinzhou and his team decided to respond with social initiatives, building bridges, introducing dialogue, and imagining cohesive and impactful activities between all generations and social strata represented in Singapore. His tours of Geylang, a colourful but notorious historic district of Singapore where Yinzhou was born and raised, exemplify what tourism must be at its core: an opportunity to meet fellow humans of walks of life, cultures and traditions that our daily lives and personal social and professional background make obscure or even transparent.
Awarded with the Singapore Youth Award in 2017, Yinzhou has been walking his talk from the get-go of Citizen Adventures. He went through personal quests, risk taking moments and comprehensive academic training, to fine-tune his innovative and generous approach of tourism, life and work. His stamina, no-bullshit attitude, and performative approach of entrepreneurship illustrate why more leading roles are needed for Gen Z, to unite forces, change modes of action, and mobilize to achieve a real tipping point and address the ills of our societies.
References:
Citizen Adventures: https://www.citizenadventures.com/our-organisation
Geylang Adventures: https://www.facebook.com/geylangadventures
Backalley Barbers: https://www.facebook.com/backalleybarbers
Covid-19 Migrant Support Coalition: https://www.facebook.com/SG.CMSC
Credits:
The awesome hosts of the podcasts are Benoit Badufle & Zhi Heng
The awesome music of our generic is composed by Mikael de Matos aka Mijh: https://soundcloud.com/mijh
The awesome graphics are by Jacob Kotsura (@jaykotsura) http://linktr.ee/JacobKotsura
Find out more about Horus Development & Consulting: http://www.horusdvcs.com
For partnership inquiries please email us: info@horusdvcs.com
In 2006, Zhang Zhang, first violin of the famed Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra in Monaco, created ZhangomusiQ, her own non-governmental organization, innovating the classic business model of live concerts into an alliance of partnerships including sponsors who fund the costs of the concerts, and NGOs who receive 100% of revenues generated by the concerts, towards humanitarian and ecological projects worldwide.
Travelling for a cause, Zhang’s many voyages around the world are often turned into opportunities to organize and hold charity, education, and environment-focused events, often under the benevolent auspices of Monaco’s government. Thus, over the last 14 years, ZhangomusiQ has created more than 60 musical events, helping projects in 33 countries, including creating schools for girls in Afghanistan; access to fresh water in Africa; emergency aid after natural disasters in Japan, Philippines, and Chile; planting trees in the Amazon; protecting marine life in the Mediterranean; helping handicapped and elderly persons living in poverty…
Championing the Principality of Monaco’s leadership in ecological engagements, Zhang’s engagement in environmental causes has made her an ambassador for the Nicolas Hulot Foundation and the GoodPlanet Foundation of Yann Arthus Bertrand. She has also worked with innovative leaders and thinkers including Bertrand Piccard, Dominique Bourg, and Pablo Servigne. Participant in the United Nations Climate Change Conferences in Paris and Bonn, Zhang was invited to give a speech at the Summit of Conscience by French President François Hollande in Paris.
In 2020, Zhang was the recipient of the Jean Pierre Bloch prize, awarded by the LICRA to “an artist and his work in his relationship to the fight against Racism and Anti-Semitism and in his relationship to human rights”.
References:
Zhangomusiq: http://www.zhangomusiq.org
Solar Impulse Foundation: http://solarimpulse.com/
TEDx Cannes: “Music is a powerful instrument for positive change” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HERDUt6j7hA
Credits:
The awesome hosts of the podcasts are Benoit Badufle & Zhi Heng
The awesome music of our generic is composed by Mikael de Matos aka Mijh: https://soundcloud.com/mijh
The awesome graphics are by Jacob Kotsura (@jaykotsura) http://linktr.ee/JacobKotsura
Find out more about Horus Development & Consulting: http://www.horusdvcs.com
Find out how we can help with sustainable marketing of your brand, email us at info@horusdvcs.com
In 2006, Zhang Zhang, first violin of the famed Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra in Monaco, created ZhangomusiQ, her own non-governmental organization, innovating the classic business model of live concerts into an alliance of partnerships including sponsors who fund the costs of the concerts, and NGOs who receive 100% of revenues generated by the concerts, towards humanitarian and ecological projects worldwide.
Travelling for a cause, Zhang’s many voyages around the world are often turned into opportunities to organize and hold charity, education, and environment-focused events, often under the benevolent auspices of Monaco’s government. Thus, over the last 14 years, ZhangomusiQ has created more than 60 musical events, helping projects in 33 countries, including creating schools for girls in Afghanistan; access to fresh water in Africa; emergency aid after natural disasters in Japan, Philippines, and Chile; planting trees in the Amazon; protecting marine life in the Mediterranean; helping handicapped and elderly persons living in poverty…
Championing the Principality of Monaco’s leadership in ecological engagements, Zhang’s engagement in environmental causes has made her an ambassador for the Nicolas Hulot Foundation and the GoodPlanet Foundation of Yann Arthus Bertrand. She has also worked with innovative leaders and thinkers including Bertrand Piccard, Dominique Bourg, and Pablo Servigne. Participant in the United Nations Climate Change Conferences in Paris and Bonn, Zhang was invited to give a speech at the Summit of Conscience by French President François Hollande in Paris.
In 2020, Zhang was the recipient of the Jean Pierre Bloch prize, awarded by the LICRA to “an artist and his work in his relationship to the fight against Racism and Anti-Semitism and in his relationship to human rights”.
References:
Zhangomusiq: http://www.zhangomusiq.org
Solar Impulse Foundation: http://solarimpulse.com
TEDx Cannes: “Music is a powerful instrument for positive change” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HERDUt6j7hA
Credits:
The awesome hosts of the podcasts are Benoit Badufle & Zhi Heng
The awesome music of our generic is composed by Mikael de Matos aka Mijh: https://soundcloud.com/mijh
The awesome graphics are by Jacob Kotsura (@jaykotsura) http://linktr.ee/JacobKotsura
Find out more about Horus Development & Consulting: http://www.horusdvcs.com
Find out how we can help with sustainable marketing of your brand, email us at info@horusdvcs.com
In our premiere episode, which is our manifesto, we discuss how the current pandemic has triggered a renewal of how we consider travel. We open discussions on how these changes must and will materialise, and we introduce the core values of the CHORUS podcast.
CHORUS (by Horus Development & Consulting) is a series of podcasts that aims to promote new ideas, values, and best practices in the fields of sustainability in travel and tourism. Through the series, we will also highlight many other relevant topics (environmental protection, culture, heritage, leadership, human encounters, adventure, performing arts, craft, animal welfare etc.) which are at the core of what travelling ought to be and must become again.
Our guests share their stories and inspire us towards critical thinking, and personal action on these crucial subjects.
Credits:
The awesome hosts of the podcasts are Benoit Badufle & Zhi Heng
The awesome music of our generic is composed by Mikael de Matos aka Mijh: https://soundcloud.com/mijh
The awesome graphics are by Jacob Kotsura (@jaykotsura) http://linktr.ee/JacobKotsura
Find out more about Horus Development & Consulting: http://www.horusdvcs.com
For partnership inquiries please email us: info@horusdvcs.com
In our premiere episode, which is our manifesto, we discuss how the current pandemic has triggered a renewal of how we consider travel. We open discussions on how these changes must and will materialise, and we introduce the core values of the CHORUS podcast.
CHORUS (by Horus Development & Consulting) is a series of podcasts that aims to promote new ideas, values, and best practices in the fields of sustainability in travel and tourism. Through the series, we will also highlight many other relevant topics (environmental protection, culture, heritage, leadership, human encounters, adventure, performing arts, craft, animal welfare etc.) which are at the core of what travelling ought to be and must become again.
Our guests share their stories and inspire us towards critical thinking, and personal action on these crucial subjects.
Credits:
The awesome hosts of the podcasts are Benoit Badufle & Zhi Heng
The awesome music of our generic is composed by Mikael de Matos aka Mijh: https://soundcloud.com/mijh
The awesome graphics are by Jacob Kotsura (@jaykotsura) http://linktr.ee/JacobKotsura
Find out more about Horus Development & Consulting: http://www.horusdvcs.com
For partnership inquiries please email us: info@horusdvcs.com