Beyond Borders: Redefining Travel, Hospitality & Purpose

49er Industry Chat Natalie M

Beyond Borders: Redefining Travel, Hospitality & Purpose
Natalie Mgonja '16
Founder & Experience Manager
Backyard Ventures
 

Join us for a compelling 49er Industry Chat featuring Natalie Mgonja '16, Founder & Experience Manager of Backyard Ventures.

Through curated retreats, co-living experiences, and immersive adventures, Natalie helps travelers connect with themselves, local communities, and nature in meaningful ways. Her work blends mindfulness, creativity, and adventure—reshaping travel as a journey of self-discovery, cultural immersion, and sustainable impact.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from an entrepreneur redefining the future of travel and hospitality!

This conversation is part of Grow Long Beach’s Hospitality and Tourism sector, Mayor Rex Richardson’s initiative to strengthen workforce pipelines and drive economic growth. 

Natalie Mgonja is a Tanzanian-American experience curator, travel planner, and founder of Backyard Ventures, a company redefining tourism through slow, intentional, and wellness-focused travel. After earning her degree in Communication Studies from Cal State Long Beach, she returned to Tanzania, navigating startups and tech before building her own path in experiential travel. Through retreats, co-living, and curated adventures, she invites travelers to immerse themselves in regenerative travel—connecting with themselves, local communities, and nature beyond the surface-level tourist experience. Her work blends mindfulness, creativity, and adventure, fostering personal transformation and deeper connections. Natalie is passionate about reshaping how people experience travel, turning it into a journey of self-discovery, cultural immersion, and sustainable impact.