Hello, I’m Tannishtha Venkatesan, but everyone just calls me Tann. I grew up calling Oman home — a country tucked into the Arabian Peninsula with everything from glowing oases to dramatic mountains. Living there, surrounded by culture, diversity and the warmest hospitality, I naturally grew curious about tourism and how people experience places.
At 17, I moved to India for my business undergraduate degree and lived there for almost six years… completely on my own. It was a huge culture shock and honestly a bit chaotic at first. I learnt how to survive, adapt, grow, and yes — make childish mistakes along the way. But one thing remained constant: I always wanted to start my own business. That stubborn dream kept me moving even on the days when life made zero sense.
During and after my undergrad, I took on several internships in sales, marketing, and customer relations. I went from making my mom book my doctor’s appointments to confidently pitching high-skill programs to industry professionals. My communication improved, I learnt how businesses actually function, how interest becomes a sale, and how everything ties back to value and purpose. Understanding those little intricacies only made me more curious.
Eventually, I reached the classic question: What’s next? Where does all this business knowledge go?
If you read my Home page, you already know the answer — it had to be tourism.
After researching programs around the world, I found my way to Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada. As I write this in my final semester, I’m honestly certain this phase of my life was meant for me. I’ve worked part-time at a gourmet meat store, interned at a fine-dining restaurant, and built stronger hospitality and communication skills than I ever expected. University life, my professors, and TRU’s research-based approach sparked something even deeper: a passion for culture and community-based tourism.
This is the path for me — one where business, people, culture, and purpose actually meet.