Surfing and Community Tourism

In this podcast we speak to Bastian Barnbeck who is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Waved, a non-profit organization that empowers students from rural coastal communities in Panama, using surfing a tool for social change.  With a background in Hospitality, Management Consulting and Corporate Social Responsibility, Bastian discusses how he has used all of his experiences for this forward-looking social adventure.
 
 We ask Bastian about his motivations for creating Waved and how his career path in hospitality, finance and education, not to mention, surfing, led to his passion for social change.  Bastian explains to our listeners how Waved connects with the local community and local community tourism to bring about positive change.
 
 Bastian also explains why he decided to create an NGO in Panama and some of the challenges he has faced and why he wanted to be part of the growing tourism industry in Panama.  Bastian was a proud finalist for the Héroes por Panamá, “a national TV platform in Panama that not only recognizes the work of individuals, but also connects them with people and organisations willing to support their causes.  Their mission is to highlight the tireless work of people who, with their resources and big hearts, are changing realities.”
 
 Finally, Bastian gives our younger listeners some tips and advice for getting started in the hospitality industry and how he continues to be inspired by this multifaceted industry.
 
 He holds a BA in Hospitality Management and Marketing from the Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, a Non-Profit Management Certificate from Georgetown University, a Master’s in Sustainability & CSR from CMI Business School and the University of Ávila in Spain, where his thesis explored obstacles to implementing community tourism in Latin America. He was also recently awarded a scholarship to participate in the Global Business Executive Leadership Program at Georgetown University.
 
 He is adept at navigating new cultures and skilled at learning languages rapidly, having worked and studied throughout France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Argentina, Chile, Brazil and now Panama.