The third instalment of ZafigoX will take place on September 21-22 at The Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel.
Founded in 2017 by Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, ZafigoX 2019 brings together a diverse group of extraordinary women, travel experts, and service providers from around the world. The event will focus on sharing new perspectives in travel for women, with the goal of inspiring and empowering women to elevate their self-confidence and experiences through independent travel.
Last year’s ZafigoX drew a passionate growing community, who were inspired and empowered to travel more. This year, ZafigoX 2019 returns better and bolder with more exciting opportunities to discover new travel experiences, participate in workshops and discussions, and learn how to be more travel savvy.
Attendees will gain valuable insights from inspiring women like university student Marin Minamiya, Japan’s youngest adventurer who has climbed all of the world’s highest peaks as well as trekked the North and South Poles to complete The Explorer’s Grand Slam. After a successful appearance at ZafigoX 2018, Claire MacFarlane, a rape survivor who now runs long-distance on beaches around the world to raise awareness on sexual violence, will return while new this year will be Aisha Preece, a perpetual adventure stalker who, in search of a career that allowed her to work remotely, left her corporate job in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since.
ZafigoX 2019 workshops will zoom in on skills that contribute to more confident and enjoyable travel experiences for women. Get insider tips on how to take amazing travel photos in a photography workshop by Xyza Cruz Bacani, a Filipina domestic worker turned internationally-acclaimed photo-journalist; learn how to write thrilling and engaging stories about your travels from Eliza Thomas, Editor of Zafigo.com; let Tercia Goh teach you how to master travel journaling and creative ways to keep your travel memories intact.
Moderated by Freda Liu and Sumitra Selvaraj, the two discussion panels this year will be powerful conversations on “Dealing with Unexpected Events, Accidents and Emergencies When You Travel”, and “Volunteering and Charity When You Travel – What To Know, What To Avoid And How To Do It”.
ZafigoX 2019 will also see special performances by Malaysian singer-songwriter Zee Avi, the multi-talented sape musician and cultural artist, Alena Murang, and spoken word poet, Sheena Baharudin.
Additionally, there will be a marketplace for women travellers, which is open to the public. It will offer local and regional travel products and services, and feature unique travel experiences catered exclusively for women travellers. Visitors can discover adventures to women-friendly destinations, travel packages with carefully planned itineraries, as well as curated activities.
“Statistics show that women’s travel is experiencing massive growth, with almost 80% of women in Southeast Asia planning to travel alone, and women making 80% of all travel decisions from where to go and what to do. ZafigoX aims to empower women to travel better, easier, safer and more independently through informed travel” says Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Founder of ZafigoX. “We are excited to learn from the experiences, successes and challenges of like-minded women from different walks of life. There is just something magical about bringing together a community of women to talk about travelling the world. ZafigoX 2019 will be an unmissable opportunity to gain some transformative insights,” she adds.
AVAILABILITY
ZafigoX 2019 is a women-only event accessed with a 2-day pass that entitles you to attend all talks, panels, workshops, performances, and activities. Passes can be purchased via www.zafigox.com.
SELECTED ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Beverly Aisha Roach
Self-Defense Instructor & High Security Expert (Canada)
Workshop: Street-Smart Self-Defence
Equip yourself with tried-and-tested knowledge, as well as personal safety tips that will help you stay safe while travelling!
Georgina Chin & Lee Ling Chong
Founders of 3Playgrounds (Singapore)
Talk: The Best Unique Experiences in Asia
These Chiefs of travel ‘Adventure, Fun, and Community’ that curate and organise group adventures share how to find one-of-a-kind journeys not found anywhere else.
Suzanne Ling
Co-Founder of PichaEats (Malaysia)
Talk: Travelling Right Here, Right Now
Step into the travel experience of learning new cultures, tasting new cuisines and meeting interesting people from countries we may no longer get to visit due to war. Suzanne takes you on a special journey through stories shared by refugees who have fled to Malaysia from war.
Nila Tanzil
Founder of Travel Sparks and Taman Bacaan Pelangi (Indonesia)
Talk: How Travelling to 42 Countries Solo Changed My Life
You’d never expect to spend your holidays volunteering to help local communities of countries you’ve travelled. This travel enthusiast and social entrepreneur shares how travelling the world has given her deeper understanding of local cultures and how “Travelling with a Cause” remains one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life.
