Tourism Hospitality and Travel Expert, Coach and Pro Poor Tourism Advocate
Professional Summary
I Never Chose Tourism—Tourism Chose Me
I am Emeka Ihumezie, widely known as Mr Horecan—a passionate tourism and hospitality expert, keynote speaker, coach, researcher, and brand ambassador with over 23 years of impactful experience across Africa and Europe. What began as a chance encounter has evolved into a lifelong mission: using tourism as a transformative tool for economic growth, social equity, and community empowerment.
As an advocate for responsible and sustainable tourism, I specialize in Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT)—a people-centered approach that combats poverty and hunger by creating meaningful opportunities for marginalized communities. Through initiatives like Tourism 4 Food and Living Your Daydream, I’ve pioneered grassroots programs, certified webinars, and advocacy platforms that position tourism as more than travel—it becomes a pathway for restoring dignity, redistributing resources, and unlocking human potential.
I don’t just work in tourism—I live it, teach it, and use it to change lives. As Convener of Tourism for Food, I lead operations in Nigeria and Liberia, driving food justice through culturally immersive and community-driven tourism models. To date, we’ve reached over 50 individuals and delivered more than 1,000 meals, partnering with local schools, restaurants, and travel providers.
As a proud member of the Institute of Hospitality, I embody the values of Pro-Poor Tourism. My leadership combines grassroots impact with global advocacy—evident in my work as a lecturer, brand ambassador, department founder, and strategist. Whether managing multicultural teams or leading continent-wide tourism campaigns, I remain dedicated to creating accessible, inclusive, and innovative solutions that elevate voices and communities often left behind.
23+ Years Experience
Cross-sectoral expertise spanning hospitality, tourism, sales, customer service, and event management with a proven track record of excellence.
Living Your Daydream Convener
I drive the development of tourism future leaders with the living your daydream platform. A career mentorship and networking forum for tourism professionals.
PPT Advocate
Passionate advocate for Pro-Poor Tourism initiatives that inherently embody Poverty Eradication, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and responsible tourism principles.
Education & Academic Excellence
“Emeka Ihumezie: International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Ulster University”
My academic background demonstrates a well-rounded and globally-minded approach to learning, combining rigorous study with real-world applicability. This progression from accounting to hospitality and then to a specialized master’s in tourism reflects a strategic and evolving academic path, consistently building on foundational knowledge to achieve specialized expertise. I believe this robust educational journey positions me as a highly capable and adaptable professional.
Professional Experience
Mr Horecan | Keynote Speaker, Advocate & Coach
January 2022 – Present
- Convene Tourism for Food initiative integrating travel with community empowerment
- Lead advocacy platforms focused on DEIB in tourism
- Spearhead events centering underrepresented voices
Hospitality360 Africa | Consultant & Project Manager
October 2010 – February 2022
- Managed multicultural hotel teams across multiple properties
- Led consulting projects including business recovery and hotel openings
World Beer/Drinks Awards | Global Brand Ambassador
June 2017 – Present
- Promote equitable global recognition in beverage awards
- Grown participation from emerging markets worldwide
My Current Projects
Join thousands of readers who engage with my inspiring and thought-provoking tourism and hospitality insights, where we dive into reflexive analysis to explore contemporary issues, challenge norms, and reimagine the future of travel and community impact.
WhiskyLIve Brand Ambassador. At the World Whisky Festival in Pretoria
Brand Ambassador World Beer Awards
As a Global Brand Ambassador for the prestigious World Beer Awards, I actively contribute to promoting excellence and equitable global recognition within the beverage industry.
My role involves expanding the reach of the awards to include diverse and emerging markets in Africa, fostering fair representation, and engaging with breweries and distillers to highlight exceptional products on an international stage. www.worldbeerawards.com
Keynote Speaker at the Sustainable Tourism Conference in Nigeria
Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advocacy
As an influential leader and advocate, I am deeply committed to fostering a more just, equitable, and inclusive society. Through my work and community involvement, I actively champion Pro poor tourism, and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across various sectors.
Pro poor Tourism Advocacy
I leverage my platform to advocate for policy reforms and organizational practices that dismantle barriers and create more accessible, diverse, and inclusive environments.
DEIB & Community Advocacy
Expertise in Pro-Poor Tourism, inclusive event design, multicultural leadership, and community empowerment initiatives that center accessibility and representation.
Hygiene and Quality Advocacy
As a health and safety advocate, I champion rigorous hygiene standards, transparency, and accountability to protect consumer well-being.
My commitment to hygiene and quality advocacy is rooted in a deep-seated belief that everyone deserves access to safe, reliable, and high-quality products and services. I will continue to be a passionate voice for change, collaborating with industry leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders to create a more trustworthy and consumer-centric landscape.
Professional Development & Certifications
My professional development journey reflects my commitment to excellence and staying at the forefront of industry best practices. Each certification has enhanced my ability to deliver exceptional results in multicultural environments.
These credentials complement my academic qualifications and provide practical frameworks that I’ve successfully implemented across diverse hospitality and tourism contexts.
Leadership & Management
- Managing a Multicultural Team
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey Workshop)
Business Development
- International Business Development
- Protocol and Diplomacy
- The Perfect B2B Salesman
IT Knowledge
- MS Office
- WordPress
- Webinar organization
- Power point presentation
Multilingual Capabilities
Language proficiency is a cornerstone of my approach to inclusive hospitality and tourism. My multilingual abilities enable me to connect authentically with diverse stakeholders, understand cultural nuances, and create truly welcoming environments.
A Deep Dive into My Passion for Research
Ultimately, my goal in every research endeavor is to not only generate robust findings but also to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights. I am eager to continue applying my analytical prowess and critical thinking to new challenges and contribute to meaningful advancements.
Passion for Inquiry
My dedication to research is a true passion, driving me to constantly seek deeper understanding and expertise through continuous inquiry.
Advanced Analytical Tools
I possess extensive experience in rigorous data examination, adeptly using industry-standard software like SPSS and NVivo for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Critical Analysis & Narrative
My approach is grounded in critical analysis, identifying key trends and connecting disparate information to construct compelling, evidence-backed narratives.
I’m passionate about turning research into real-world impact. Beyond generating strong data, I use reflexive articles to translate complex tourism issues into clear, actionable insights. Through this approach, I connect theory with practice and contribute meaningfully to pro-poor and responsible tourism discourse. Have a go at some of my articles below.
