Hear how immersive travel experiences challenged stereotypes and deepened Marissa’s commitment to community-led tourism. Travel creator Marissa Strang shares how immersive travel experiences across Cuba, Egypt, Jordan, Iceland and India shaped her approach to culture-first travel and community-led tourism. She reflects on studying Afro-Latin dance in Cuba, taking her first solo trip through Iceland, honeymooning in Egypt, and experiencing Jordanian hospitality while challenging common Western stereotypes about the Middle East. Marissa also discusses visiting women-led businesses in India, learning about tourism as a tool for economic empowerment, and using travel storytelling to highlight local communities and underrepresented perspectives. This episode explores cross-cultural travel, women-led tourism, identity, hospitality, and the impact of intentional travel experiences on the way we understand the world.
389: Culture-First Travel: Marissa Strang on Egypt, Cuba and Centering Women’s Stories in India
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Marissa Strang
Marissa Strang is a Washington, D.C.–based travel creator, storyteller, and tourism marketing professional who has built a global community of over 100,000+ travelers through culture-first, experience-driven content that inspires people to explore the world with more confidence, curiosity, and intention. A lifelong traveler with a passion for immersive experiences and community-led tourism, Marissa has explored destinations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean, with a travel style centered around local culture and highlighting underrepresented stories. And she will be a featured speaker at the upcoming WITS Travel Creator Summit 2026.
What You'll Learn
- How studying abroad in Cuba transformed her understanding of culture-first travel
- Why community-led tourism and women-led businesses became central to her travel philosophy
- What traveling through Egypt, Jordan and India taught her about hospitality, stereotypes and human connection
Links From the Episode
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LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
- Marissa: Fairfax, Virginia
- Matt: Asheville, North Carolina
WINES CONSUMED IN THIS EPISODE
EVENTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
COMPANIES / COMMUNITIES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
UNIVERSITIES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN EGYPT MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN JORDAN MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN ICELAND MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN INDIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Buenos Aires (Argentina)
- Cairo
- Cuba
- Egypt
- El Paso (Texas)
- Europe
- Georgia
- India
- Ireland
- Italy
- Jordan
- Los Angeles
- Mexico
- Napa Valley
- Nubia
- Santorini
- South Africa
- Tuscany (Italy)
- Vietnam
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[0:42] Introducing Marissa Strang
[2:39] Wine Tasting in Santorini
[4:11] Meeting Post Malone
[6:38] Growing up in Washington DC
[8:15] Studying Abroad in Cuba and Studying Salsa Dancing
[12:15] Being Inspired to See the World and Document It
[13:36] Deciding to Take Her First Solo Trip to Iceland
[15:36] Roadtripping Solo Around Iceland
[18:31] Seeing the Northern Lights
[21:46] Honeymooning in Egypt
[32:50] Spending time with the Nubians in Aswan
[35:28] Visiting Jordan for the first time
[38:11] Visiting Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea
[41:47] Debunking misrepresentations
[43:49] Reflections on India
[50:09] The Impact of Visiting India
[52:24] Contact and Follow Marissa
