Lisa Shakespeare creates memorable travel adventures
Published:Saturday | March 2, 2024 | 12:08 AMJada Powell/Gleaner Writer
Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare’s journey as a travel influencer, specialising in crafting unforgettable Caribbean itineraries, has its roots in a profound love for her Jamaican heritage.
In speaking with Lifestyle, she says she proudly carries the essence of Jamaica with her wherever she goes.
“Everywhere I go, I proudly display my Jamaican flag and share the richness of our food, music, and culture. But as I ventured into neighbouring Caribbean countries, I discovered a deep appreciation for their vibrant cultures, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, which both resonated with and intrigued me,” she said.
Her journey has blossomed from sharing travel stories with friends and family to becoming a trusted resource for fellow adventurers seeking to explore the Caribbean’s treasures.
Driven by a passion to become a trusted resource for Caribbean explorers, Shakespeare dedicated herself to thorough research, uncovering hidden gems, and crafting immersive itineraries. Through collaborations with hotels, resorts, and local businesses, she offered insights and behind-the-scenes experiences to her followers.
“Collaborating with hotels and local establishments for content creation is vital,” she explained. “I seek exceptional experiences that authentically reflect the charm and culture of the Caribbean, underscoring the importance of authenticity in content creation.”
Inspired by her own challenges breaking into the influencer space, Shakespeare extended her influence beyond content creation to empower aspiring creators through mentorship and training programmes. Her four-week coaching programme guides aspiring influencers through brand establishment, content creation, growth strategies, and monetisation avenues, fostering community and collaboration within the travel industry.
“There’s room for all of us,” she said, adding, “I share my knowledge to bridge the gap and help build successful careers in the digital media world.”
Juggling her roles as a travel influencer and educator isn’t easy. Yet, she discovers fulfilment in helping her clients succeed and cherishes the meaningful rewards it brings.
“Managing a hectic travel schedule, which can be unpredictable at times, poses challenges every now and then,” she admits. “However, I always manage to make it work because I’m deeply passionate about the success of my clients and the rewards are truly meaningful. Not only do I get to develop a diverse set of skills, including content creation, communication, teaching, and leadership, but I also get to build community by sharing my experiences, which add depth and authenticity to my programme and provide creators with real-world examples and insights that they can apply to their own journeys.”
Looking ahead, Shakespeare envisions deeper collaborations to showcase the Caribbean’s diverse offerings on a global stage. She wants to strengthen partnerships with local businesses, hotels, resorts, and tourism boards, and expand her travels to highlight lesser-known islands and their unique attractions.
“As a travel influencer with Jamaican roots, I have yet to work with Visit Jamaica, so that is a goal of mine to collaborate with them and proudly showcase the land of my birth to my audience. I also plan to increase my travels throughout the Caribbean and highlight more of the lesser-known islands and their unique attractions, cultural heritage, and off the beaten path experiences. Overall, strengthening my partnerships with more local business, hotels, resorts, and tourism boards in the Caribbean to create sponsored content, promotional campaigns, collaborative projects, and group trips are all part of my future plans.”
As for her courses, Shakespeare plans to explore hosting virtual workshops and self-paced masterclasses focused on specific aspects of content creation, such as storytelling, video editing, photography, social media marketing, and brand pitching.
Excited about the future, Shakespeare is determined to raise awareness of the Caribbean as a premier travel destination and share its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty with a global audience.
“Inspiring others to explore new destinations and create unforgettable memories is my passion,” she added. “Whether it’s recommending a secluded beach for a romantic getaway or highlighting the best spots for authentic Caribbean cuisine, I take pride in helping travellers embark upon transformative journeys.”