Episode #318: Navigating the Neo-Colonial Dynamics of the Travel Industry and Co-Founding the Hybrid Tours with Hira Aftab

Episode Summary

Learn about the neo-colonial dynamics in the travel industry but how tourism can include both recreation & human rights. In part 2 of this interview, Hira Aftab starts off talking about the neo-colonial dynamics of the travel industry.  She explains what prompted her to co-found the Hybrid Tours and how she integrates human rights and refugee experiences into her travel itineraries.  Hira also explains the importance of studying genocides and understanding what leads to them.  She then talks about her evolving connection with her Pakistani identity, learning about the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, her upcoming Hybrid Tour to Pakistan, and how you can join.  Finally, Hira reflects on how travel has impacted her, give tips on how we can be more ethical travelers, and shares specific action items for how we can help stop the genocide in Palestine.

 

Get The Maverick Show's

Monday Minute Newsletter

Unsubscribe at anytime. You can read the
Privacy Notice and Terms of Use here.

Kick off each week with 3 personal
recommendations from me that
you can read in 60 seconds.

Hira Aftab

Hira Aftab is the founder of Our World Too, a global storytelling platform dedicated to re-humanizing the narrative surrounding refugees and displaced communities around the world. She is also a communications expert in the humanitarian and international development sector and has experience working in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UK on projects relating to refugee support and access to justice.  Hira holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and a second Master’s degree in Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development.  She is also the host of the More Than a Statistic Podcast, and she is the co-founder of The Hybrid Tours – a travel company dedicated to combining recreation and human rights for those interested in leaving a positive mark as a tourist.

What You'll Learn
  • How to the Hybrid Tours empowers you to travel with a human rights lens
  • The importance of studying genocides as we travel
  • The neo-colonial dynamics to be aware of in the travel industry
Links From the Episode

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you click through any links and make a purchase, you should assume that Maverick will receive financial compensation (at no additional cost to you). We greatly appreciate you using our affiliate links because it helps to support the show and cover production costs of the podcast.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAVERICK SHOW’S MONDAY MINUTE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

LISTEN TO HIRA’S MORE THAN A STATISTIC PODCAST

JOIN THE UPCOMING PAKISTAN TRIP WITH THE HYBRID TOURS IN MAY 2025 (Get a $100 Special Discount with Code: Maverick)

OTHER MAVERICK SHOW PODCAST GUESTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

#1 BOOK THAT HIRA RECOMMENDS

#1 PERSON WITH WHOM HIRA WANTS TO HAVE DINNER

TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

TOP 3 BUCKETLIST DESTINATIONS

OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

PLACES PAKISTAN MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

PLACES IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE

OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

CONTACT AND FOLLOW HIRA

Time Stamped Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

[1:35] The Neo-Colonial Dynamics in the Travel Industry

[4:36] Co-Founding the Hybrid Tours

[8:36] The Importance of Studying Genocides

[12:07] Hybrid Tour Itineraries

[15:55] Hira’s Evolving Connection with Pakistan

[23:13] The Bangladesh Genocide of 1971

[28:06] The Upcoming Hybrid Tour in Pakistan

[30:05] How Travel Has Impacted Hira

[30:59] How We Can Be More Ethical Travelers

[32:54] How We Can Help Stop The Genocide in Palestine

[37:32] The Lightning Round

[39:57] Follow and Connect with Hira