Willem Niemeijer who is the Founder of Yaana Ventures talks about the ethos and spirit which Yaana has embraced as we discuss the motivations for sustainability and why it is encapsulated in all they do.

Today we're delighted to be joined by Willem Niemeijer who is the Founder of Yaana Ventures. YAANA Ventures’ story began in the early 90s, which was a pivotal time for Southeast Asia as geopolitical shifts saw the opening of tourism in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam after decades of war and isolation. Willem started Khiri Travel offering travel services for Thailand and Indochina, with the four countries as one destination. Over the next decades, the rapidly growing destination management company broke ground in Myanmar, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Today Khiri still continues to carry its founder’s DNA of a passion for exploration and sustainability.

Willem expanded his vision further by including the building of eco-lodges in some of the region’s most stunning locations. YAANA Ventures was formed at the start of 2016 to provide a home to Willem’s next ventures. It creates a platform for new tourism, travel tech, and hospitality companies, united under the same vision and values, yet different in ambition and audacity. We caught up with Willem to learn more about the ethos and spirit which Yaana has embraced as we discuss the motivations for sustainability and why it is encapsulated in all they do. And if you’d like to learn more about Yaana, Khiri Travel and all of Willem’s ventures, then please do visit www.yaana-ventures.com