Outlook Travel - issue 05

ISSUE 05

YOUR TRAVEL GUIDES TO

SEYCHELLES The Indian Ocean’s natural playground

PHILIPPINES Archipelago escapism in the Pacific

TRAVEL BUSINESS

CANOPY STARS A passionate advocate for the symbiosis of tourism and sustainability, UK-based travel photographer Diana Jarvis goes Behind the Lens

TATA HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

GOODWE | NAS AIRPORT SERVICES

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Cementing the Nation

LAHTI ENERGY Sustainable district heating in Finland

UMEX

We report on LafargeHolcim Côte d’Ivoire, highlighting the company’s products, services and its place in a highly competitive West African construction industry

The leading port and terminal operator in Constanta Port Romania

UGANDA HEALTHCARE FEDERATION (UHF)

K TEDI MINING

An in-depth look into Ok Tedi, its operations within Papua New Guinea, including executives interviews and revealing deep insight into the organisation

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CARVER COMPANIES Water-based logistics provision

MAVIRO Serving a diverse range of markets in North America

TIDEWATER MIDSTREAM

Energy

AND Environment

THE KINGDOM’S KITCHEN

Uganda’s private healthcare sector

WADHAMS ENTERPRISES | MARTIN BENCHER CANADA

QUALITEST | VALMET AUTOMOTIVE

The oil & gas giant talks of its progressive environmental, employee and community centered operations

REZA Food Services Co. Ltd. reveals insights into its operations across Saudi Arabia representing the McDonald’s brand

Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens South Africa, talks about the development on the continent and the pandemic-accelerated potential for digital applications

Kent Wu of JustKitchen, discusses his company’s all-inclusive business practices in the Asian food and beverage industry

Joshua Gould, CEO at thebigword, discusses the evolution of the language technology industry and his company’s goal of making the world smaller

SNEHA PATEL of NYC’s Women in Sustainability Network Hub discusses the role of women in sustainability and how the landscape is changing

the continent and the pandemic-accelerated potential for digital applications Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens South Africa, talks about the development on

business practices in the Asian food and beverage industry Kent Wu of JustKitchen, discusses his company’s all-inclusive

technology industry and his company’s goal of making the world smaller Joshua Gould, CEO at thebigword, discusses the evolution of the language

the role of women in sustainability and how the landscape is changing SNEHA PATEL of NYC’s Women in Sustainability Network Hub discusses

KITCHEN KINGDOM’S THE across Saudi Arabia representing the McDonald’s brand REZA Food Services Co. Ltd. reveals insights into its operations

and revealing deep insight into the organisation Papua New Guinea, including executives interviews An in-depth look into Ok Tedi, its operations within

MINING K TEDI healthcare sector Uganda’s private

Environment AND centered operations environmental, employee and community The oil & gas giant talks of its progressive

Tell us your story, and we’ll tell the world.

Energy

(UHF) FEDERATION HEALTHCARE UGANDA

West African construction industry services and its place in a highly competitive highlighting the company’s products, We report on LafargeHolcim Côte d’Ivoire,

the Nation Cementing w w w. a f r i c a o u t l o o k m a g . c o m

MIDSTREAM TIDEWATER

Romania in Constanta Port terminal operator The leading port and

UMEX

heating in Finland Sustainable district

LAHTI ENERGY

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in North America range of markets Serving a diverse

MAVIRO

logistics provision Water-based

COMPANIES CARVER

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Issue 03

Africa Outlook, APAC Outlook, EME Outlook and North America Outlook are digital and print publications aimed at boardroom and hands-on decision-makers, reaching an audience of more than 800,000 people around the world; spanning the full range of industrial sectors.

GOODWE | NAS AIRPORT SERVICES

TATA HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

QUALITEST | VALMET AUTOMOTIVE

WADHAMS ENTERPRISES | MARTIN BENCHER CANADA

With original and exclusive content compiled by our experienced editorial team, we look to promote the latest in engaging news, industry trends and success stories from across the globe.

Your company can join the leading industry heavyweights enjoying the free exposure we provide across both digital and print platforms with a free marketing brochure, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and to help you grow your business.

Visit www.outlookpublishing.com/work-with-us for details on how your company can feature for free in one of our upcoming editions.

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WELCOME ISSUE 05

ON HOME SHORES Introducing the fifth edition of Outlook Travel

YOUR TRAVEL GUIDES TO

SEYCHELLES The Indian Ocean’s natural playground

Magazine; the Staycation Issue.

PHILIPPINES Archipelago escapism in the Pacific

Amidst an exciting backdrop of countries tentatively

TRAVEL BUSINESS

CANOPY STARS

reopening to international travel, it finally feels as if the crisis is subsiding, as our Travel News ‘COVID-19

A passionate advocate for the symbiosis of tourism and sustainability, UK-based travel photographer Diana Jarvis goes Behind the Lens

Special’ reveals. Nevertheless, the travel industry remains fittingly EDITORIAL Editor: Phoebe Harper phoebe.harper@outlookpublishing.com Senior Editor: Sean Galea-Pace sean.galea-pace@outlookpublishing.com Editor: Marcus Kääpä marcus.kaapa@outlookpublishing.com PRODUCTION Production Director: Stephen Giles steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com Senior Designer: Devon Collins devon.collins@outlookpublishing.com Junior Designer: Matt Loudwell matt.loudwell@outlookpublishing.com Production Assistant: Courtney Solomon courtney.solomon@outlookpublishing.com BUSINESS Managing Director: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com Operations Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com Commercial Director: Joshua Mann joshua.mann@outlookpublishing.com TRAVEL GUIDES Sales Manager: Krisha Canlas krisha.canlas@outlookpublishing.com Sales Manager: Matt Cole-Wilkin matt.cole-wilkin@outlookpublishing.com SOCIAL MEDIA Social Media Manager: Dan Nash daniel.nash@outlookpublishing.com ADMINISTRATION Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com Finance Assistant: Freya Penn freya.penn@outlookpublishing.com Office Manager: Daniel George daniel.george@outlookpublishing.com CONTACT Outlook Travel magazine East Wing, Ground Floor, 69-75 Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1UA, United Kingdom.

Sales: +44 (0) 1603 959 652 Editorial: +44 (0) 1603 959 657 SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 657 sean.galea-pace@outlookpublishing.com www.outlooktravelmag.com

cautious, as virus variants from across the globe continue to be active travellers in themselves.

Shining a light on the British Isles, leaf through our guide to the underexplored gem of the Gower Peninsula and lose yourself on the Hebridean shores of the Isle of Eigg in The Last Stop. Discover the quirkiest selection of unconventional accommodation that the UK has to offer in our travel business feature with glamping specialists, Canopy & Stars. Meanwhile, Behind the Lens offers a glimpse into the extraordinary travel photography of Diana Jarvis, who has taken to capturing her hometown of Margate under times of lockdown. All the above promote a slower, eco-conscious approach to travel that celebrates our home shores.

We will of course be transporting you to foreign climes with a heady dose of island escapism in our travel guides to the Maldives and the Seychelles; both of which are hot tickets for travel this summer depending on the restrictions applicable to your home country. Journey across the globe on our round up of the world’s best train journeys in partnership with luxury tailor-made travel experts, Black Tomato. Finally, a foodie’s tour of the Moroccan city of Fez is sure to set your tastebuds tingling.

Thank you to all those who participated in this issue, especially during such torrid times.

I hope that you enjoy your read!

Twitter: @outlooktravel1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/outlooktravelmagazine Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/showcase/outlook-travel-magazine Facebook: facebook.com/outlooktravelmag

Phoebe Harper Editor Outlook Travel Outlook Travel issue 05 | 3

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REGULARS 06 NEWS A COVID-19 travel news special

08 ROUND-UP: THE WORLD’S BEST TRAIN JOURNEYS - OUTLOOK TRAVEL X BLACK TOMATO All aboard the railway revival

12 BEHIND THE LENS An interview with travel photographer Diana Jarvis

44 TRAVEL BUSINESS: CANOPY & STARS Accommodating a nation of happy glampers since 2010

68 THE LAST STOP Escaping to the wild reaches of the Inner Hebrides

T R AV E L G U I D E S

34

ASIA

22 PHILIPPINES Archipelago escapism in the Pacific

AFRICA

50 SEYCHELLES The Indian Ocean’s natural playground

40

F E AT U R E S 34 A GUIDE TO THE GOWER PENINSULA Your guide to the underexplored gem of Southwest Wales

40 FEZ: MOROCCO’S FOODIE CAPITAL An immersive cookery class in the Medina of Fez

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 5

NEWS

A COVID-19 travel news special Please note that the below information was relevant at time of publication. We encourage you to check current travel guidelines and restrictions if travelling.

UNITED KINGDOM

ROMANIA

GET JABBED IN DRACULA’S CASTLE

THOUSANDS FLOCK TO UK AIRPORTS FOR REOPENING OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AS OF MAY 17th, England’s much contested ‘Green List’ officially opened for travel. Of the 12 countries on the list, Portugal is one of the limited few that is accepting UK tourists without the need for quarantine.

Indeed, it was the six flights running to Lisbon, Faro and Madeira that were reported to be “very busy”, by BA Chief Executive Sean Doyle. Although the majority of holiday destinations remain on the amber and red travel lists, Doyle stated that the gradual re-opening was “a small step in the right direction.”

Ahead of further scheduled flights, Tui has announced that several of these departures will now take place on a Boeing Dreamliner, due to the increased capacity compared to the smaller Boeing 737s initially intended.

I TA LY

‘COVID-FREE’ CAPRI ACCORDING TO A report by CNN, the idyllic Italian island of Capri in the Gulf of Naples is capitalising on the ultimate boon for local tourism – by labelling itself a ‘CovidFree’ destination after vaccinating everyone on the island. According to the Mayor of Capri, Marino Lembo, at the time of writing, 80 percent of Capri’s 15,000 residents, had 6 | Outlook Travel issue 05

been vaccinated. Vincenzo de Luca, governor of the Campania region, first used the term when announcing in early May that the island’s vaccination programme had been concluded.

De Luca expanded that this was in a bid to attract more tourists than neighbouring Spain or Greece for the upcoming summer season.

This comes after the island saw a 70 percent dip in its tourist sector turnover during 2020.

TRANSYLVANIA’S BRAN CASTLE has opened a weekend COVID-19 vaccination centre designed to encourage vaccinations amongst residents and boost tourist numbers.

The Gothic castle is famous as the home of Bram Stoker’s vampiric protagonist in the 19th century novel, Dracula. Vaccinations are undertaken without prior appointment and visitors will receive an illustrated ‘vaccination diploma’ from a healthcare professional, complete with fang stickers.

Having been sticked by the needle, enjoy bonus free access to an exhibition of medieval torture tools next-door! Other famous tourist sites that have opened vaccination centres include Disneyland California, and the American Museum of Natural History.

UNITED KINGDOM

TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM FOR BRITON’S EXPLAINED THE UK GOVERNMENT’S traffic light system is now in effect due to the lifted ban on non-essential international travel. A green light signals that travellers from these destinations do not need to isolate at home or pay to quarantine in government-approved hotels once they return to England.

Travellers will still need to pay for pre-departure testing and a PCR test on their second day after returning to the UK. A ‘Green Watchlist’ is in place for ‘green countries’ at risk of becoming amber. Those travelling from amber countries must isolate at home for ten days, without the need to pay for quarantine. An additional PCR test must be paid for on the

tenth day after returning to the UK, along with the second day test as per green country travellers. Finally, those coming from red light countries must

GREECE

pay for ten-day hotel quarantine at a cost of £1,750 per adult, £650 for an additional adult or child over 11, and £325 for children aged five to 11.

ASIA

TRAVEL BUBBLE HALTED FOR SINGAPORE AND HONG KONG

GREECE OPENS TO TOURISTS FRIDAY 14TH MAY marked Greece’s official re-opening to tourism, with a significant number of German tourists flocking to the Greek Islands. Tourists from a list of 53 approved countries will be able to enter the country after completing a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) the day before travel, which includes

details of their accommodation whilst in-country, a vaccine certificate, and negative PCR test or documentation to prove recent recovery from Covid.

This is in place of the EU-wide digital certificate that will be launched at the end of June.

Greek tourists will now be able to travel around the Greek Islands for the first time since November. For Britons, travel to Greece is still advised against as an ‘amber list’ country.

FOR THE SECOND time Singapore and Hong Kong have been forced to postpone the long-awaited launch of their interconnecting travel bubble which eliminates the need for travellers to quarantine.

The scheme was planned to begin on May 26th, but a statement from Singapore’s transport ministry has announced that they are unable to meet the criteria to enter the bubble, due to the recent increase in “unlinked community cases”.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government has stated that updates will be announced on June 13th.

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 7

THE WORLD’S BEST TRAIN JOURNEYS OUTLOOK TRAVEL x BLACK TOMATO IN AN AGE where flying is the single most carbon intensive discretionary act that we can partake in, alternative means of transport come to the fore. As travellers become increasingly carbon-footprint conscious, trains have begun to replace planes as the overland alternative to flying. But more than a means of transit, the journey itself becomes the destination as we resurrect the art of passing through, rather than flying over.

From the convivial atmosphere of the cabins to the ease of watching scenic panoramas unfurl from the comfort of your seat, a train journey offers the chance to savour a slower pace of travel whilst capturing the adventurous spirit of the railroads. Whether it’s an antiquated vessel reminiscent of the Golden Age of the railways, or a high-speed alternative with glass-domed carriages, here’s our pick of the best for your next ‘traincation’.

8 | Outlook Travel issue 05

1. THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Route: Banff to Vancouver Length: Two Days with overnight stop in Kamloops Carving through the heart of Canada and connecting the country from East to West, the iconic Rocky Mountaineer pairs the ultimate comfort of ‘GoldLeaf’ service with the rugged terrain of the Canadian Rockies. Journeying from Banff to Vancouver, traversing the Continental Divide and bypassing mountain passes and jaw dropping canyons, this daylight only service is complete with glassdomed carriages to offer full exposure to spectacular mountain scenery.

To mark Canada’s 150th year, Black Tomato have designed this unique itinerary in partnership with Crown Royal Canadian Whisky, inspired by the 1939 tour of the British Royals.

Ride the Rocky Mountaineer in this Black Tomato Itinerary - Toronto, Winnipeg & Vancouver: A Trans-Canadian Adventure

THE WORLD’S BEST TRAIN JOURNEYS ROUND-UP

2. THE JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN Route: Fort William to Mallaig Length: Morning or Afternoon Service (Same day) Escape to the land of lochs and legend with a ride on the world’s most famous steam train – The Jacobite, better known as the alter-ego of the Hogwarts Express. For a taste of the wizarding world, journey to platform 9¾ and board at Fort William in the shadow of Britain’s highest mountain to observe the iconic scenery of the Highlands.

An 84-mile round trip, your voyage bypasses Loch Morar, the country’s deepest freshwater loch, the tranquil village of Arsaig, and crosses over the iconic arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, overlooking breathtaking Loch Shiel.

Ride The Jacobite in this Black Tomato Itinerary – Edinburgh, Gleneagles & The Highlands: A Luxury Family Holiday in Scotland

3. THE GLACIER EXPRESS Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz Length: Day Service – approx. eight hrs Immerse yourself in the romance of the Swiss Alps with a taste of ‘Excellence Class’ on the Glacier Express. Boarding in the picturesque town of Zermatt against a backdrop of the mighty Matterhorn, snake through mountain passes and endlessly impressive vistas as you journey to the luxury alpine resort of St. Moritz on the ‘Window of the Alps’. Cross the Rhine Gorge, Switzerland’s answer to the Grand Canyon, and glide over jaw dropping viaducts.

An expertly designed itinerary, this Black Tomato journey also includes an additional ride on Europe’s highest transalpine railway, the Bernina Express.

Ride the Glacier Express in this Black Tomato Itinerary – Switzerland & Italy: A Luxury Holiday in the Alps, Lakes and Coast

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 9

THE WORLD’S BESTCABINS INSTAGRAMMABLE TRAIN JOURNEYS ROUND-UP

A TREND TO STAY: A WORD FROM BLACK TOMATO “While it’s not a new trend, slow travel is now more relevant and appealing than ever, as we all have a heightened appreciation for the freedom and luxury of being able to explore new destinations.

“Train travel epitomises the concept of relishing the journey and deliberately taking longer to transfer between locations in order to dwell in the landscapes and soak up the surroundings more intentionally. At Black Tomato, we’re focused on creating extraordinary travel memories for our clients, which centre on crafting journeys to cultivate a deeper connection with the destinations visited. Travelling by train is an ideal way to do just that.”

– Tom Marchant, Co-Founder, Black Tomato

4. THE BLUE TRAIN Route: Pretoria to Cape Town Length: Three Days, Two Nights on board Acknowledged as both the ‘Window to the Soul of Africa’ and a ‘Palace on Wheels’, the legendary Blue Train is a luxurious black tie dining experience that traverses 994 miles of spectacular subcontinental landscapes. Cocooned In a luxurious private compartment, with additional ‘observation cars’, your journey includes a stop in Kimberley to explore the Open Mine Museum before continuing on to Cape Town, passing spectacular mountains and swathes of coastline, on the journey that links veld with sea.

Ride the Blue Train in this Black Tomato Itinerary – Cape Town, The Winelands & Kazulu-Natal: Untamed South Africa

5. THE BELMOND ANDEAN EXPLORER Route: Cusco to Arequipa Length: Three Days, Two Nights on board Bypassing the shores of Lake Titicaca and on to the Andean heights of the ancient Quechua capital of Cusco, the Belmond Andean Explorer is an exercise in ultimate train luxury that is less about the landscapes (which you might also explore by road) rather than the captivating Agatha Christie-style experience of a traditional sleeper train. Although the route is reversible, this direction offers the chance to explore the fascinating Sumbay Caves.

This Black Tomato itinerary also features an additional ride on the Belmond Hiram Bingham to include Machu Picchu.

Ride the Puno to Cusco stretch of the Belmond Andean Explorer in this Black Tomato Itinerary – Ultimate Peru: A Cultural Luxury Holiday

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 11

12 | Outlook Travel issue 05

BEHIND THE LENS INTERVIEW

BEHIND THE LENS A passionate advocate for the symbiosis of tourism and sustainability, UK-based travel photographer Diana Jarvis is just as comfortable shooting on commission in Guinea Bissau as she is wandering the British Isles as Visit England’s former ‘roaming photographer’ Writer: Phoebe Harper Photography: Diana Jarvis

DIANA JARVIS is a photographer and travel writer with a background in travel publishing spanning over 15 years.

Previously, Jarvis has worked in-house for Rough Guides whilst also shooting for various guidebooks in her freelance work, within both editorial and commercial photography.

Today, she is the Publishing Director and Photography representative for The British Guild of Travel Writers and the editor of subscription-only digital photography magazine, Eye for the Light in association with Travel Photographer of the Year– due to launch in May 2021.

Her words and photographs have graced the pages of illustrious travel publications, including regular features in National Geographic Traveller (UK), The Independent, TGO Magazine, Travel Africa and Canadian Geographic.

After recently completing an MSc in Environment and Sustainability, sustainable travel is a key focus in her Outlook Travel issue 05 | 13

BEHIND THE LENS INTERVIEW

work, alongside projects focusing on the outdoors and the environment.

Indeed, the ethos behind Jarvis’ photography embodies a way of travel that we should all aspire to as conscious travellers in the wake of the pandemic.

Her celebration of the British Isles, covered extensively through various campaigns across the UK for organisations such as Visit England, promotes the idea of home travel and encourages travellers to rethink their environmental footprint by considering closer to home destinations. Further afield, as a proud advocate of the ‘fly less, stay longer’ approach, Jarvis’ work has led her from Kerala’s highest organic tea plantation to documenting the lunar eclipse in Iceland, and on to warmer climes in the vibrant West African nations of Senegal and Guinea Bissau.

We caught up with Diana during the UK’s third lockdown from her hometown of Margate, where pandemic restrictions have become a catalyst for creativity. By turning the lens on her own town, Jarvis documents the everyday, seeking her ‘visual fix’ from her quintessentially British seaside surroundings.

Outlook Travel (OT): Can you give us a bit of an insight into your career and how you first became interested in photography?

Diana Jarvis (DJ): I was given my first SLR film camera as a birthday present during my Art Foundation course. Although I went on to study Art History and started my career as a print and then book designer, I always enjoyed taking photos and making albums with them. It wasn’t until I was able to afford a digital camera that I finally began to understand the principles of correctly exposing an image! By then, I was working as a book designer at Rough Guides so I was surrounded by travel images.

My job involved art directing and 14 | Outlook Travel issue 05

designing pages for inspirational coffee table books as well as photo research for cover designs, so I became very visually literate through the medium of stock photography.

Eventually, I got good enough as a photographer to persuade the picture editors to send me on a shoot, photographing the Rough Guide to Berlin in 2007. After that I shot one guidebook a year for places including Reykjavik, Florence, and Copenhagen.

I also landed work for GreenTraveller on their digital guides to the AONB’s (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and National Parks in England. I became Visit England’s ‘roaming photographer’ for a year or so, which took me to all sorts of places including the Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, photographing the royal procession on The Mall for the state opening of Parliament as well as covering seaside escapes and city break destinations.

I began to work for magazines like National Geographic Traveller and started to write travel pieces alongside my photos. Working for LoveExploring, TGO Magazine as well as roughguides.com, took me on some incredible trips to places like Guinea Bissau, Iceland for the Northern Lights and eclipse, Guernsey to walk the coast path and Zambia to the world’s first fully sustainable national park – South Luangwa.

or just because we’re in the same place at the same time and our paths are crossing.

OT: What is the most exciting thing about being a travel photographer?

OT: On the flip side, what are the biggest challenges?

DJ: Being able to set your own schedule (which invariably includes early mornings and late evenings for sunset and sunrise!) and being able to meet people all over the world. Taking photos is a great way of having a reason to chat to people – whether it’s because I’m photographing their restaurant, because they’re guiding me around their local patch of nature

DJ: Loneliness and lack of teamwork.

On a few occasions I’ve been able to work with a writer on a piece but invariably there’s just a picture list and it’s up to me to get those shots however I choose.

Travel photography is also about a whole host of other skills besides photography, including time management, geographical

knowledge (reading a map, not getting lost or getting lost on purpose to find great images), and interpersonal skills (meeting and chatting with lots of new people all the time, keeping in touch with picture editors etc., networking).

OT: How important is sustainable travel to you? Do you find it hard to travel sustainably when doing so for work?

DJ: It’s very important to me. I’ve just finished completing an MSc in Environment and Sustainability in which I’ve looked at various aspects

of travel from a sustainability perspective – from the business side of sustainability reporting to environmental policies and how they affect travel to issues in global nature conservation. I wrote a dissertation on responsible photography discussing a range of travel pieces about Madagascar. I have been immersed in how global travel is represented in photo form in the media ever since.

A lot of my commercial work has been in England so I didn’t have to fly. This was a conscious decision but I also didn’t get into this line of work just to stay at home. For shoots

further afield it was necessary to fly, though I felt uncomfortable when writing a piece about conservation in Africa when I was there for only eight days! Time is often a barrier to travelling sustainably in Europe not least because picture lists and signs offs on jobs can be quite last minute which means that cheap flights rather than expensive trains are more economical.

That said, I’ve made the decision to do less commercial photography work and, instead, allow myself one flight a year and to stay a month or more in order to fully immerse myself in a place and culture.

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 15

OT: Having travelled to many different countries for work, what has been one of your favourite places to capture? What can you tell us about it?

DJ: I always tend to say that my favourite place is somewhere I can return to again and again to see in different lights and weathers - usually that’s wherever I’m living. I currently live in Margate, Kent and moved here because I first visited it on assignment and loved the light and the sunsets.

There’s something in every destination I’ve visited that would have me back in a heartbeat, but it’s my trips to Iceland that were the most enjoyable to capture. The landscape and light are incredible and unlike anywhere else I’d visited.

I got to see and photograph some incredible things: the dancing aurora

16 | Outlook Travel issue 05

on several consecutive nights, an almost total eclipse of the sun, sunrise on the ice beach at Jökulsárlón, electric blue glaciers, the windswept black-sand beaches at Eystrahorn and Vestrahorn, powerful waterfalls, geysers and so much more. For my second trip I was shooting a guidebook to Reykjavik so I got to meet a wide range of people engaged in tourism and see the hotspots from a more considered perspective than just as a day-tripper.

OT: Can you discuss any interesting assignments or projects you’ve been involved in over the past few years?

DJ: The last big assignment I went on was to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. It was given the accolade of the world’s first fully sustainable national park by the UN in 2017, which is an interesting point because I’d

always assumed that national parks were somehow sustainable. This is obviously not the case when you factor in all the businesses and people living there, as well as visiting and staying in hotels.

There was a lot of community involvement in the running of the park as well as education programmes that informed communities on the importance of looking after the nature so that there was an abundance of wildlife and healthy ecosystems. I spoke to many people about their experiences of living in the area as well as went out on safari with some very knowledgeable guides.

It was a wonderful opportunity to photograph animals like elephants and zebras in their natural habitat.

I’d never really had that opportunity before and would love to return and see the region in the other seasons, too.

BEHIND THE LENS INTERVIEW

OT: Tell us about your lockdown photography project – has photographing your hometown of Margate helped to cope with the pandemic?

DJ: I moved to Margate only four months before the pandemic hit so I hadn’t really established a life here. I had planned not to go away too much in 2020 because I wanted to focus on my studies until they were completed but I hadn’t banked on going nowhere all year! It turns out that being in the one place for so long was a really useful opportunity to reassess my own creative practice and visual style and has helped me hone my ideas and approach to subjects.

Margate has incredible light – made famous by Turner’s paintings – so my camera and I were distracted by that for a while. I was fascinated by the endless palette of colours in the sky

and how it contrasted with the colour of the sea. I took a series of shots framed in portrait of the confluence of the sea and sky on different days.

My latest project is all about looking at the way light falls on the rippling waves in the tidal pool.

Another project I undertook during lockdown, ‘Waiting for the Light’, is a series of houseplants illuminated in windows at night. The idea initially came from my houseplant envy, but the more of them I spotted the more I realised there was a whole gallery of living works out there – elegantly framed in windows, beautifully backlit by flickering TVs, half-forgotten in front of rarely drawn blinds. This is a project that has given me hope and purpose in a time of universal darkness and it has taught me a lot about the art of looking for beauty in the everyday.

I go out every few days with the

camera because it’s my way of seeing and reason for being - these jaunts keep me sane and distract me from my own mind.

OT: What’s next for the future?

Where would you travel to that you haven’t had the chance to yet (home or away!)?

DJ: For the moment, I’m happy here rethinking my connection to travel photography. I’ve become a board member for the British Guild of Travel Writers as the photographer’s rep, which means I can represent photographers in the industry and stand up for the importance of commissioned work and visual storytelling in the face of the evermore generalising use of stock photography.

As for travel, I’ve always wanted to follow a long-distance walking trail or go bike packing so I think this is the summer to do it! So many of my trips in the last decade have been only about photography and not about the method of travel or sheer joy of travel, it feels important to return to being motivated by the experience rather than the possibility of pictures or a story.

When foreign travel resumes, I would like to find a way of spending a few months immersed in nature. I need to go there with purpose - I have my eye on various parts of Africa – I’d like to document the changing seasons in some of the world’s most endangered ecosystems.

Explore more of Diana’s work below: Website: www.dianajarvis.co.uk Instagram: @diana_jarvis Eye for the Light: www.tpoty.com/eyeforthelight/

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 17

BEHIND THE LENS INTERVIEW

HOW I GOT THIS PHOTO > Leopard in South Luangwa National Park This shot is largely thanks to my guide, Jonathan Mbao’s incredible tracking skills and communications with other guides in the area. We’d been out on night safaris on two previous occasions and seen her from a distance but this time we got lucky; after hours of stalking and chasing her prey she had feasted on a tasty impala and was having a well-earned rest in the bushes. She was so exhausted and wasn’t the least perturbed by our presence.

During the few moments I had to compose and take the shot, another vehicle appeared on the other side of the copse which is why she is illuminated from two sources and giving the image a bit more depth.

We left her moments later to enjoy her rest.

Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world.

Outlook Travel Magazine is a digital and print publication aimed at business executives and avid travellers, reaching an audience of more than 575,000 people. Working closely with tourism boards and associations around the globe, from cities to regions, from countries to continents, we take an in-depth look at where to visit, where to stay and what to do when you are there.

With original and exclusive content compiled by our experienced editorial team, complemented by an in-house design and production team ensuring delivery to the highest standards, we look to promote the latest trends, blogs, reviews and success stories from this fast-moving industry.

You can join the vast numbers of tourism sector players enjoying the exposure we provide across our digital and print platforms with a range of options, from advertising through to free-of-charge editorials, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and increase exposure.

To get involved, please contact Outlook Publishing’s Managing Director, Ben Weaver, who can provide further details on how to feature your company, for free, in one of our upcoming editions.

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ISSUE 05 SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

rtunity

S E YC H E L L E S With its vibrant Creole culture, astonishing biodiversity and breath-taking seascapes, island-hoppers prepare to set sail to the idyllic isles of the Seychelles Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

A

n island nation at the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles sit 1,000 miles off the East African coast. Although one of the world’s smallest countries, the Seychelles comprises an archipelago of 115 islands and atolls, from tiny outcrops of coral to vast hunks of granite. While this island republic is reputed as a white-sand haven for honeymooners and heliophiles, the Seychelles’ offerings extend far beyond its beaches.

Geographically, the Seychelles are split into two principal island groups.

Ringed by a halo of coral atolls, the centrally-located Mahé Island Group hosts the charismatic capital of Victoria on the most populous island of Mahé – gateway to the Seychelles.

Rugged and granitic, these islands are distinguished by forested slopes of lush tropical jungle, enticing ribbons of coastline and a mountainous spine that reaches its pinnacle at Morne Seychellois – the Seychelles’ highest point at 2,969 feet. Nearby, unspoilt Praslin and La Digue are a short boat ride away, whilst the outer group of low-lying islands, flat and coralline, mostly sit vacant at just a few feet above sea level.

Situated four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are an ecological delight with diverse terrain ranging from high-altitude tropical forests dotted with hiking trails to thriving

YOUR TRAVEL GUIDES TO

SEYCHELLES The Indian Ocean’s natural playground

PHILIPPINES Archipelago escapism in the Pacific

TRAVEL BUSINESS

CANOPY STARS

2 | Outlook Travel issue 05

coastal mangroves. Varied plant life is a joy for botanists with an abundance of exotic plant species, including the government-protected coco de mer - a fruit treasured by Asian cultures as a natural aphrodisiac and retainer of mystical properties. Verdant rainforest disguises tiny tree frogs and tiger chameleons whilst native Sunbirds and Paradise Flycatchers dwell in the treetops above.

Warm waters will tempt scuba divers, where vast whale sharks and manta rays glide. In the shallows, thriving reef beds and long sea grasses make for fantastic snorkelling along the varied, shipwreck-laden seascapes of Mahé’s north coast.

SEYCHELLES FACTS & FIGURES Population 98,462 Capital Victoria Language Creole, English, French Currency Seychelles rupee (SCR) Time Difference UTC +4

SEYCHELLES

Over half of the Seychelles’ surface area is covered by marine and wildlife reserves, including the UNESCO-protected Aldabra Islands where astonishing numbers of giant tortoises crawl ashore to nest – just one of the many examples of the harmony that can exist between tourism and conservation.

With their icing-sugar shores and glass-like water, reputation precedes the Seychelle’s beaches. As the primary draw for travellers, first time visitors will soon realise after a stroll along the powder-like stretch of La Digue’s Grand Anse, that the hype is more than justified. A favourable oceanic climate prevails as the archipelago sits on the calm waters outside the Indian Ocean’s cyclone belt, with the southeast trade winds that have long bought visitors to these distant shores soothing the tropical humidity.

Settled by French colonists in the eighteenth century, the mother tongue of the Seychellois is Creole - a distinct vernacular that is prevalent along these colonised areas of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Rich French Creole cuisine will capture your taste buds, with ubiquitous, flavoursome fish curries attesting to the Seychelles’ heritage as a centre of the spice trade.

Despite the Castaway style scenery, a touch of luxury is never far at hand in the Seychelles.

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 3

A passionate advocate for the symbiosis of tourism and sustainability, UK-based travel photographer Diana Jarvis goes Behind the Lens

www.outlooktravelmag.com/work-with-us

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE

PHILIPPINES A proverbial paradise of tropical islands and shifting white sands, the Philippines is a destination perfectly suited for beach bums, adventure seekers and heliophiles Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

T

he Philippines has long been synonymous with the idea of paradise, conjuring postcard-perfect visions of white sands and crystal waters. Varying with the shifting tide, this island country is composed of some 7,100 islets sprawled across the surface of the Western Pacific - most inhabitants occupy just 11 of them.

The country can be divided into three areas: the most populous and northernmost island of Luzon, including the capital of Manila, the central Visayas islands, and Mindanao to the south. Unsurprising for an archipelagic nation, the Philippines boasts endless beaches with scenery 22 | Outlook Travel issue 05

to rival Jurassic Park - from the popular shores of Luzon to quiet surfer enclaves like the teardrop island of Siargao.

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the islands’ volcanic foundations foster an astonishing diversity in terms of both landscapes and wildlife, from the verdant Chocolate Hills of Bohol to the teeming manmade metropolis of Manila. Although low-lying, the Philippines are far from flat, distinguished by the towering peak of Sacred Mount Apo and the jagged spine of the Sierra Madre in the North of Luzon. These densely forested mountain slopes are home to some of the Philippines’ many

indigenous ethnic groups.

With biodiversity in abundance, the islands’ flora and fauna is a major draw for tourism, from mangrove tunnels to the centuries old cultivated Ifugao rice terraces. The Philippines boasts over 30 National Parks, including the highly regarded Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in sparsely populated Palawan.

Varied wildlife encompasses the endemic Philippine Eagle, crab-eating macaques, and the bizarre wide-eyed Tarsier to name but a few. Out to sea, unparalleled scuba diving opportunities offer sightings from vast whale sharks to the pygmy seahorse.

Despite its natural splendour, to overlook the tangible culture and history of the Philippines would be a mistake. The heritage of these island people creates a culturally rich destination that encompasses histories both colonial and indigenous.

Philippine paleographs and various archaeological sites, such as the mysterious ‘Fire Mummies’ found in the caves towards the north recall the island’s earliest history, while Baroque churches dotted about the archipelago are reminders of the Philippines’ dominating Catholic faith. Indeed, the colonising Hispanic influence lingers to this day

THE PHILIPPINES FACTS & FIGURES Population 96,500,000 Capital Manila Language Filipino, English Currency Philippine Peso Time Zone GMT +8, ET +13

throughout the islands - the nation itself taking its name from King Philip II, the Spanish Monarch who initiated three centuries of colonial rule.

Despite the Philippines’ 144 distinct ethno-linguistic groups, English is the most widely spoken language.

With famous Filipino hospitality, the fusion of European and Asian influences creates a unique melting pot culture, but gastronomically speaking, local delicacies such as the ubiquitous sisig - a kind of grilled pork – are a direct route to the culinary heart of the island.

Future travellers, prepare to sit back and set your watch to island time.

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 23

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

T H E H OT E L A N D R E S TA U R A N T A S S O C I AT I O N OF THE PHILIPPINES (HRAP) FORMED IN 1951, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP) is the single voice consolidating the Philippines’ private hospitality sector. It was formed when hotel managers and restauranteurs found themselves beset by common issues, such as service charges, breakages and losses, and theft amongst employees. Heads came together to form a united stand, prompting the association’s birth on September 12th 1951. HRAP was subsequently registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and officially assumed its legal personality. In August 2001, HRAP was reincorporated for another 50 years.

As a non-profit organisation, the Association is operated by members of hotel owners, restaurant managers, and CEOs from various private enterprises. Their goal is to contribute to the development, growth and promotion of the Philippines as an attractive tourist destination. As the President and Chairman of HRAP, Mr. Eugene Yap discusses the federation today and explains why more people should consider adding his home country to their bucket list.

From a handful of owners and managers in the 1950’s, HRAP has grown into a full-fledged national organisation representing the interests and concerns of the hotel and restaurant industry across the whole country.

24 | Outlook Travel issue 05

Eugene Yap, President Outlook Travel (OT): Can you talk us through the origins of HRAP and its initial vision?

Mr. Eugene Yap (EY): The tourism industry in the Philippines just after WWII was quite challenging, as everyone was busy recovering from the war. Amidst these rebuilding efforts in Manila, the heart of the Philippines, there were just four hotels that were operating at the time.

The managers and owners sought to unite among themselves just the four, and along with some restaurants they banded together and formed the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines in 1951. So, we have been operating as early as the 1950’s.

At that time, our tourists were mostly newspaper men and photojournalists, documenting the recovery and development of the islands. Manila was very much the centre, since there was not much development going on elsewhere.

HRAP was registered on September 12th 1951 and has survived

even up to today. From a handful of owners and managers, HRAP has grown to a nationwide organisation representing many interests and concerns both at local and national level. We now deal with legislators, both national and international, and we join other associations around the world. We expect to expand into Europe probably in a couple of years.

OT: What are your organisation’s current goals?

EY: We here in the HRAP hope to continue to take leading roles representing the Philippines’ private business tourism sector in the hotel and restaurant industry. Our membership comprises several sectors; we have the hotel, the restaurant, and suppliers are now part of it.

We also have the education sector where we partner with colleges and universities because we believe that the education sector will produce the tourism leaders of the future. Unity and cooperation among industries is the key goal of the association. We encourage and foster high technical standards in business.

OT: How do you market the Philippines as a destination?

EY: The Philippines is extremely out of the way for international travellers.

We are situated in the far, far east – it’s not as simple as crossing a border or hopping on an airplane for half an

President Eugene Yap at the HRAP Biennial Assembly

hour. It takes much longer than that!

So, we only promote our very best.

This includes the unique topographical features in the Philippines, and the personalised travel packages that we can offer to highlight outdoor activities.

We are marketing ourselves as both a natural and urban destination.

In terms of nature, we have the beaches, the resorts, hiking trails and wildlife reserves which are slowly opening up. For indoors, we have plenty of sports activities in the urban areas and restaurants, modern and classical. Accommodation still abounds in the urban areas, but when you talk about the Philippines, you are really talking about nature and the outdoors. This is where we centre our marketing efforts.

In the Philippines, it is the local government agency at the Department

of Tourism that really guides the tourism industry. Right now, the tourism department is looking into a travel bubble strategy, even within the Philippines. So hopefully when the pandemic restrictions are lifted, we can develop bubble destinations among the cities here.

OT: How do you promote off-season travel (i.e. during rainy season)?

EY: In the Philippines, it is like summer all-year round - there are only two to three months when we experience the rainy season. This is a huge advantage for us as a more consistent travel destination. So, what we do is modify our travel packages if the outdoors are not available. Since the Philippines is a very big archipelago, we market from the north to south, east to west, and modify travel plans to go to different parts of the country.

The other way we promote it would be by hosting special events. Both the Department of Tourism and even the private sector sponsor events to invite international travellers. Right now, these organisations will be inviting local travellers also. Right now, we continue to maintain online bookings all year round because online is key as the window to the future.

OT: Can you tell us how COVID-19 has affected the organisation, and the associated hotels and restaurants?

EY: In the Philippines, pre-covid in 2019, we had as many as eight million arrivals. For the Philippines, this is a good number, and we were hoping to increase it to nine million for 2020 but of course the pandemic hit. As a result, there have been challenges for Outlook Travel issue 05 | 25

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE

everyone. Throughout 2020, a lot of agencies and restaurants reported that their revenue for the year had been halved or worse. What many of our members did, to save cost or to be practical and realistic, was suspend operations. For permanent closures, we are still unsure on the figures but at present it is few. Mostly, people are just waiting for the lifting of restrictions and so have undertaken temporary hibernation to reduce overhead.

Right now, hotels are mainly getting their business from returning overseas Filippino workers. As you know there is a big market for that, since the Philippines is one of the biggest exporters of human labour.

Right now, people are returning home and before returning to their own homes they have to quarantine in the hotels – so the hotels and restaurants have been benefitting from this Ciis ea denisitibus aut market since last year. Of course, the laboraest, alitatus eum revenues are but it’s still a welquatquae nis corelower, nat come market for us. In the education rernatur sector, they have adopted online learning to find ways to synchronise their internships during this time.

OT: Why, in your opinion, should someone visit the Philippines?

EY: It’s not only because I am from the Philippines, but I love the Philippines - it’s a beautiful country.

Filipinos are known for our hospitality, we are friendly and warm, and the summer weather is practically all year.

So even if you encounter a typhoon, you can just transfer to another area.

The natural wonders and the uniqueness of the Philippines is really second to none. We have Philippine festivals; we call them fiestas. It is tradition for every city to have a couple of citywide festivals every year, so you can see the numbers of provinces and municipalities that we have. Just thinking about that, you can imagine just how many festivities and celebrations we have just in the Philippines alone.

26 | Outlook Travel issue 05

“WE’RE LOOKING F O R WA R D T O T H E FUTURE TO LIFT THE RESTRICTIONS S O T H AT W E C A N CONTINUE WHERE WE LEFT OFF WITH TOURISM. I AM PROUD TO S AY T H AT W E A R E E XC I T E D A N D W E A R E R E A DY ” - M R . E U G E N E YA P, PRESIDENT HRAP

OT: What are some of the country’s most unique landmarks?

EY: As a tropical area, we have many beaches that are entirely different from the beaches that you may find in Europe or North America. The beaches in the tropics make for an incredibly welcoming tourist destination, and our beaches and resorts are what we are most proud of.

We have underground rivers and then we have several new wildlife reserves. They are not as big compared to other countries but located in the northern and southern part of the islands where the land mass is more concentrated, so slowly wildlife is being introduced to tourism.

OT: What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Philippines and how are you utilising them?

EY: We continue to look over developments in the Philippines and we encourage our members also to look beyond themselves to see how we can help out. We really have been learning a lot, and I think education is

foremost - both in our destination and for the tourism workers that will eventually become leaders.

The urban areas here are fast catching up with the rest of the world – we have a lot of structures now that are catering to the international business traveller. It’s not only nature that people are looking for, since there are times when you may need to do business in an urban environment. If they come here, the Philippines is so far away that you may as well travel as a tourist during your free time. I think the urban landscape will continue to sprout up fast.

The most important is a shift from the international market to the local market. As mentioned, we have more

than 100 million Filipinos in the local population here, so if just a small portion of this can travel it will make a huge impact for the improvements of the tourism industry. This will play a big part for hotel and restaurant marketing strategies.

Furthermore, we are now focussing on travellers’ demographics.

Individuals used to mainly join group tours, so now we are also encouraging travellers such as couples and families to tour independently and not wait for other people. We continue to focus and promote online bookings, but personalisation above all is the most important.

Travel agencies are as important as any sector, since they are in a position to personalise the traveller’s requirements. Tourists aren’t always well-versed, or they’re not seasoned

travellers, so the travel agencies are essential as the first vehicle to the travel destination.

OT: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Philippines?

EY: In the Philippines we are so excited about reopening. As soon as we can lift our restrictions, everyone will go back to work and we are really gearing up for it. I manage one of the hotels here at HRAP, and we are refurbishing, refitting, and renovating a lot of things, so we are preparing.

So, if you ask me are we optimistic yes, we are!

We want to go back to pre-covid days. We’re looking forward to the future to lift the restrictions so that we can continue where we left off with tourism. I am proud to say that

we are excited and we are ready. We must hope that the health situation will continue to improve around the world, so that we are raring to go.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP) Rm 4016, Golden Rock Bldg., #168 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City Tel: (632) 8162421 secretariat.hrap@gmail.com secretariat@hrap.org.ph www.main.hrap.org.ph Outlook Travel issue 05 | 27

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

E AT: F OFROB RUFDI G L IEPTP ITNRO AV FE IN LE L EDRISN… ING...

Antonio’s – An illustrious gastronomical destination set in a colonial style mansion, Antonio’s is a hot ticket in the idyllic city of Tagaytay. The menu is intercontinental and offers tantalising set courses.

F O R A Q U I R KY D I N I N G E X P E R I E N C E . . .

Van Gogh is Bipolar – An eccentric hotspot in Quezon City at the heart of Manila’s culinary scene.

Expect a shoes-off experience and eclectic decoration that is as unique as the dining. Reservations recommended.

DO: T R AV E L L I K E A LO C A L . . .

Jeepney Tours - Take a tour of downtown Manila in the back of the Philippines’ most iconic mode of transport – the colourful Jeepney - a converted WWII truck. Bookings will re-open when restrictions permit.

TA K E A S N O R K E L SA FA R I . . . snorkelventure

SLEEP: F O R C A P I TA L CO M F O R T A N D CO N V E N I E N C E . . .

Belmont Manila - Boasting contemporary design, sophistication and simplicity, Manila’s Belmont Hotel is ideally suited for the business traveller.

Currently closed to tourists exempt from ‘essential requirements’, when restrictions lift the Belmont offers world-class facilities in the strategic location of Newport City, just a short walk from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Savoy Hotel Manila - Also located within Manila’s Newport City, the Savoy Manila gives you the space to experience and savour the taste of the Philippines.

Spacious rooms with tasteful contemporary design are the ideal base to unwind after taking in the sights of Manila, including nearby shopping malls, spas and entertainment centres. The hotel will reopen to leisure travellers once restrictions permit.

F O R H E D O N I ST I C I S L A N D E S C A P I S M . . .

El Nido Resorts - A serene collection of resorts on paradisiacal Palawan, spread across four miniature islets offering Filipino style thatched cottages and all the activities to best enjoy your tropical surroundings. Travel between the resorts using El Nido’s recently launched travel bubble.

28 | Outlook Travel issue 05

WELCOME TO YOUR SPACE

www.savoyhotemanila.com.ph

info@savoymanila.com (General Inquiries) | stay@savoymanila.com (Reservations) | +63 2 53172869

www.belmonthotelmanila.com

A Blissful and Safe Stay at Belmont Hotel Manila Contact Number: +63 2 5318-8888 Email: info@belmontmanila.com stay@belmontmanila.com

Acceptance of Leisure-related accommodations are subject to availability depending on the current government mandated policies.

IN FOCUS

MANILA THE ‘PEARL OF the Orient’ has ballooned into a teeming metropolis. Previously the Western hub of trans-Pacific trade, the capital of the Philippines is an underrated historic city where ancient monuments rub shoulders with skyscrapers and shanty towns.

Manila is much more than a stopover destination or the gateway to your Philippines itinerary. Indeed, ‘Metro Manila’ as it is known, encompasses 17 separate cities.

Visitors should start at one of the Philippines’ most important historical sites - Fort Santiago, the colonial seat of government during Spanish occupation which contains the iconic shrine of the National Hero. Found within Intramuros – the restored walled city of Manila – this area is rich with colonial heritage. Nearby, San Augustin Church 30 | Outlook Travel issue 05

is well worth a visit, as is the world’s oldest Chinatown in Binondo.

Harbour Square, the port on the capital’s west side, boasts tranquil views out to the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the 60-hectare wide Rizal Park offers peaceful escapism amidst the urban bustle.

The city’s food and drink scene is renowned, with an abundance of notable restaurants and a wealth of street food options to be found in the markets of Quiapo and the famous Tutuban Night Market. A lively capital, Manila’s nightlife is legendary, with districts such as contemporary Makati and Quezon City offering a wealth of clubs and cutting-edge bars ideal for those who prefer to carpe nocte.

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE

Main gate of Fort Santiago

Chinatown

Manila Cathedral, Intramuros

Monument in memory Jose Rizal in Rizal park in Metro Manila

Harbour Square

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 31

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE

LANDMARK AT T R A C T I O N S

CHOCOLATE HILLS PALAWAN Widely perceived as the jewel in the archipelago’s crown, the UNESCO protected biosphere reserve of Palawan is a coral-fringed island whose verdant swathes of rainforest lend the province an Amazonian appearance. Paradaisacal El Nido in the north offers a good base for marine adventures in the Bacuit Archipelago while nearby Puertro Princesa boasts underground rivers that beg exploration.

So named due to their chocolate-like brown appearance during the dry season, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol are a geographical oddity that offer an impressive vista. Various local legends attest to the 1,000 or so natural conical domes, suggesting that they sprouted from the tears of a lovelorn giant. Nearby observation decks make for fantastic photo opportunities.

IFUGAO RICE TERRACES Nestled at the foot of the Philippine Cordillera, these impressive rice terraces were carved by hand into the mountainside by the ancestors of the Ifugao tribe centuries ago.

Known as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, the terraces cover around 4,000 miles with a total length that is half of the world’s circumference.

32 | Outlook Travel issue 05

PHOTO BY MITHRIL CLOUD AT ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA, CC BY-SA 3.0

PHOTO BY PATRICKROQUE001

GETTING THERE & AROUND MOST INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS will arrive in the Philippines at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), located just seven kilometres from Manila. The majority of resort stays are reached by boat or charter flight from Manila – but over-packers beware! It is worth remembering that luggage on charter flights is limited to 10 kilogrammes per person.

Public transport around Manila has a reputation for not being the most tourist friendly, but if you can, try and secure a ride in the brightly painted converted World War II trucks known as Jeepneys that are iconic to the islands. Asian ride-sharing service, Grab, is a good option for getting round the city, as is Manila’s Metro and Light Rail Transit which links most of the major tourist attractions.

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 33

A G U I D E TO T H E GOWER PENINSULA World-renowned beaches, coastal adventures and romantic ruins beckon with a UK staycation on the Gower Peninsula Writer: Phoebe Harper

JUTTING INTO THE Bristol Channel in the southwest corner of Wales and just a stone’s throw from the Welsh industrial heartland of Swansea, sits the Gower Peninsula.

Often overlooked for neighbouring Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire – the most popular tourist destination in Wales – the Gower is an equally

captivating alternative with a rich offering for holidaymakers in the British Isles.

Most recently, the Gower topped the list of destinations for a socially distanced staycation in the UK, receiving the highest score in a ‘Safecation Report’ conducted by ‘Money’, thanks to the area’s relatively

low visitor numbers, recorded at 149,089 visitors per year.

‘Gateway to the Gower’, the 19 miles of the peninsula officially begins in the village of Mumbles, home to the family friendly beaches of Swansea Bay. Although small, the Gower’s size belies the wealth of activities and sights on offer.

GOWER PENINSULA UK STAYCATION

DID YOU KNOW? • The Gower was the first place in the UK to be officially named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1956.

• In Welsh, the Gower is called Penrhyn Gŵyr.

• Often mistaken as part of neighbouring Pembrokeshire, the Gower is located in the most westerly part of the county of Glamorgan.

• The Gower Peninsula measures just 16 miles by seven miles wide.

• Over the years, the area has developed its own unique dialect.

THREE CLIFFS BAY A haven of unparalleled natural beauty, the glorious 12th century stone ruins of Pennard Castle and the three jagged peaks that earnt the bay its name overlook this expanse of beach. Reached via a pleasant, (although long) walk, this is Gower’s quieter answer to Rhossili.

GOWER PENINSULA UK STAYCATION

A geological delight, the Gower’s diverse landscapes comprise dramatic limestone cliffs and a rugged coastline littered with shipwrecks and legends of smugglers, particularly in the south. Miles of wild open headland, estuaries, woodland and saltmarshes lure thousands of walkers and outdoor enthusiasts every year.

To the North, the Loughour river forms the natural border to separate Carmarthenshire and Swansea, surrounded by salt marshes and the sprawling estuary where Penclawdd cockles are a local delicacy. Ramblers are spoilt with some of the most scenic stretches of the Wales Coastal Path, and a plethora of other well-established walking routes crisscrossing the entire AONB. With undeniable coastal charisma, surfers will be lured by the reputable waves of Llangenith and Langland Bay. Elsewhere, a wealth of unspoilt beaches are waiting to be explored

- whether a world-famous favourite like Rhossili Bay, or a secluded pebbly gem like Pwll Du. The rugged shorelines hide pockets of coves and mysterious caves such as the ‘Goat’s Hole’ nearby Rhossili, where the Paleolithic remains of the ‘Red Lady’ were once unearthed along with some of the oldest cave art to be discovered in Great Britain.

Historic ruins are dotted throughout the peninsula, with six castles once having been strongholds in the area, including Landimore and the crumbling ruins at Oxwich. Marvel at Iron Age forts and Bronze Age menhirs, or standing stones, dotted about the grasslands, just some of the many potent visual reminders of the Gower’s ancient history.

Wildlife abounds, from the coastal waters that are home to porpoises, grey seals and gliding dolphins, to the Guillemots and Razorbills wheeling overhead that make the area a major draw for twitchers. On land, grazing

ponies are never too far away.

A good supply of country pubs inland are the perfect fuel after a long walk where you may be tempted to sample local specialities including succulent saltmarsh lamb and the distinctly Welsh phenomenon of Laverbread, made from local seaweed.

MAEN CETI / ARTHUR’S STONE Located near Cefn Bryn, this unique balancing boulder formation was discovered to be a Neolithic stone burial chamber.

The legend claims that King Arthur, pestered by a rock in his shoe, removed the offending pebble and tossed it away so forcefully that the rock landed in Carmarthenshire and continued to grow, having been touched by the King.

WORM’S HEAD & RHOSSILI BAY The tidal island of Worm’s Head earnt its name from the Vikings that once visited these shores and likened the rocky promontory to a serpent rising out of the sea. Be sure to check the tides before crossing the causeway by foot, since Worm’s Head is only reachable for a two-hour window either side of low tide.

As a young boy, legendary Welsh poet Dylan Thomas was once stuck here until midnight.

Meanwhile, the three-mile golden stretch of Rhossili is a regular feature in round ups of the world’s best beaches.

The highest point in the Gower, Rhossili Down (193 metres) overlooks the open bay and is a good viewpoint for soaring paragliders. Whilst here, visit the half-sunken remains of the Norwegian shipwreck Helvetia, jutting out of the sand like a ribcage.

Worm’s Head

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 37

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS SLEEP: Dylan Coastal Resort – A stone’s throw from the Gower further along the coast in neighbouring Carmarthenshire and the charming village of Laugharne, the newly opened Dylan’s Coastal Resort celebrates the poet’s literary connection to the town. Offering luxury self-catering lodges, expect hot tubs and a breath-taking infinity pool overlooking the scenic Taf Estuary.

F O R A B O U T I Q U E STAY I N T H E G R E AT OUTDOORS… Eirlys Cabin - A seaside escape under a mile from Three Cliff’s Bay, this beautifully handcrafted cabin offers a bespoke, stylish stay in a secluded position. Oh, and did we mention there’s a hot tub on the balcony?

38 | Outlook Travel issue 05

F O R C R E AT U R E CO M F O R TS …

Penmaen House – A stunning 17th century Manor, this self-catering holiday home is ideally located overlooking Three Cliff’s Bay and just a fifteen-minute walk from the sweeping sands of Great Tor. With tranquil landscaped gardens and eight bedrooms (many of them with sea views) you will be equipped with all the amenities for a wonderfully comfortable stay. An indoor pool and accompanying ‘playbarn’ are bound to keep you entertained if you are caught out by the unpredictable Welsh climate.

GOWER PENINSULA UK STAYCATION

Dive with PADI

St. Brides

DO: F O R COASTA L E X P LO R AT I O N …

Dive with PADI – Join the world’s largest diving organisation for unparalleled underwater exploration of the Gower’s rocky reefs and sheltered bays. Discover an abundance of marine life, including porpoises and seals.

You may also spot the extremely rare Angel Shark, since the West Wales coastline is one of the last remaining strongholds for this endangered species. The Welsh Diving Five Star PADI Scuba Diving School and Instructor Development Centre operates across South Wales with regular trips to the Gower. Complete novices can take part in a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience offering participants as young as 10 years old the chance to take their first breaths underwater with the direct supervision of a trained PADI Professional. A one-day activity, ‘Discover Scuba Diving’ (or Try Diving) costs £65.00 per person.

Gower Coast Adventures – Set out to sea to explore the marine wildlife of the Gower with a boat safari led

by Gower Coast Adventures. Their most popular cruise departs from Oxwich Bay. Warning – strong likelihood of getting wet with a paddle out to the Worm’s Head! Guided boat trips are available from May to September.

Worm’s Head

Three Cliffs Bay near Oxwich

E AT: F O R AWA R D -W I N N I N G D I N I N G I N A COASTA L SETTING… The Beach House – Overlooking the tranquil expanse of Oxwich Bay, the Beach House restaurant has amassed an impressive collection of awards – including one Michelin Star, three AA Rosettes and recipient of Best Welsh restaurant of the Year for 2018/19. Renowned for its excellent food and drink from Head Chef and Welshman Hywel Griffith, be sure to bring your appetite.

View From Llanmadoc Hill

F O R H E A R T Y LO C A L P U B G R U B …

The Britannia Inn – Nestled in the village Llanmadoc in the Peninsula’s Northwest, this picturesque village pub is considered amongst the best in Wales. The Britannia is also certified as an AA COVID-19 Confident choice.

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 39

FEZ: MOROCCO’S F O O D I E C A P I TA L Preparing a Moroccan feast in the atmospheric heart of Fez Writer: Michael Edwards

W

alking through the narrow ochre alleys of Fez’s Medina is like stepping back into the Middle Ages. It is home to 40,000 people who eat, live, pray and work in the world’s largest pedestrian area. Moreover, Fez is Morocco’s foodie capital.

The Fez Cooking School’s course, which includes shopping 40 | Outlook Travel issue 05

for ingredients in the souk, has its home at the Palais Amani. An Arab-Andalusian 17th century palace that was refurbished with Art Deco features after the earthquake of 1928.

With our guide Fatima, our chef Zakia and ample shopping bags, we head into a labyrinth of 9,500 alleys that are beyond mapping, beyond GPS, and beyond navigation. This is

a medieval maze where you literally follow your nose to the fish souk, past the tanneries’ stench, to the fragrant spice souk.

A morning spent food shopping in the souks, cooking in the Palais’ rooftop kitchen and then lunching in the tree-shaded gardens is more than a culinary education, it is an intimate introduction to life in Fez.

FEZ: MOROCCO’S FOODIE CAPITAL FEATURE

After all, we are what we eat. Food is not just sustenance. It is faith, family, geography, identity, politics, and society. Often the tablecloth is a national flag, a statement of nationality. From 1912 to 1956, Morocco was reluctantly a French Protectorate. Moroccans fell in love with French patisserie assimilating it into their lives but rebelled linguistically. Breakfast brioche, to Moroccans, are krachel.

In a city where the Muezzin’s call to prayer echoes from numerous towers and where a Quranic library hosts the world’s oldest book, food is inevitably shaped by faith.

“No, not that one,” says Fatima as I eye-up a plump speckled chicken from a cage of just four fine birds.

“They are for special celebrations, like the end of Ramadan. We are having one of those,” she says, gesturing at cage after cage of what essentially are Fez’s grumpy-looking value chickens.

“Besides, our chicken has marinated overnight in salt water

and lemon juice to make it tender, less bitter,” she continued. “Our First World sensibilities were spared a chicken’s death throes.”

This was shopping without plastic packaging, shopping without plastic payment cards. For centuries, Fez folk had shopped just for the day, partly because Dirham were tight, partly because, until recently, refrigerators had been scarce. Khili’i, preserving food through pickling and preserving, had become an essential skill in a baking climate.

“My mother would never buy packaged chicken from a supermarket,” Fatima continued.

“How does she know when it was killed? Where has it come from?” For Fez shoppers, provenance is not just the latest trendy fad; it had never gone away.

Religion shapes when people eat too. During Ramadan, the faithful look for a last burst of energy before sunrise and immediately after sunset.

Countless sweet stalls sell sugar rushes. Chebbakia, plaited coils of

saffron pastry - deep fried and then dipped in honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds - are served at the breaking of the fast with a bowl of Harira soup, freshly baked bread, boiled eggs and dates. For many Moroccans, the queen of pastries is the “corne de gazelle”, half crescents of wafer-thin pastry filled with almond paste, flavoured with orange flower water, and then dusted with icing sugar.

Fez’s stalls invented the concept of “fast food” centuries before McDonalds. For breakfast people sit at rough-hewn benches and tables for a bowl of bessara; garlicky split pea soup served with a hunk of kesra bread. Then at lunch they may opt for the local take on fish and chips, where the fried sardines are chilli spiced.

As with every culture bread tells political and social stories.

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 41

FEZ: MOROCCO’S FOODIE CAPITAL FEATURE

Traditionally, women kneaded dough and shaped the loaves in their kitchens. And there, controversially, they were expected to stay. Children and elderly relatives of the extended family took the loaves to a communal baker who knew every family’s tins by their dents and scratches. Old men tut their traditional values at today’s wives who dare to personally deliver their bread to the baker.

Vegetables, couscous and spices had been bought for our chicken tagine along with ingredients for the zaalouk, a spicy aubergine purée, too.

Jemima Mann-Baha, co-owner of the Palais Amani, describes zaalouk, with its heady smoked aroma, as her twenty-something son’s “favourite seduction dish.”

For us shoppers it was time for a tea-break, Moroccan style; mint tea.

For over five decades, Atay Bnaanaa, wrapped in an extravagant cerise head-dress has been creating the Grand Cru of Fez’s mint teas.

“VEGETABLES, COUSCOUS AND SPICES HAD BEEN BOUGHT FOR OUR CHICKEN TAGINE ALONG WITH INGREDIENTS FOR THE ZAALOUK, A SPICY AUBERGINE PURÉE, TOO”

FEZ: MOROCCO’S FOODIE CAPITAL FEATURE

At 10 Dirham per cup, a day’s wages for some in Fez, this is a middle-class treat. Stood by a shining silver samovar, Atay creates a flower-show of a cup; leaves of absinthe, geranium, verbena, sage, and plenty of mint.

Revived, we return to the kitchen

of the Palais Amani to cook. Looking across the roof-top garden of terracotta pots of bougainvillea, olive trees, roses and vines towards the Middle Atlas Mountains, there can be few better places to chop, grate, simmer and spice.

Our work done, we head down to the Eden Restaurant, at the heart of the 18-room boutique riad. Lanterns hang in the gardens of lemon, orange and pomegranate trees. Fountains, by the blue-mosaic-tiled columns, play. When the Arabs were a foreverthirsty nomadic people, ferrying goods with caravans of camels across the desert, these cool, fertile gardens would have been a paradise.

Such hands-on experiences, like the cookery course, where you spend time with Fez’s people, take you deep into the Fez way of life. The Palais also offers bread and baking lessons as well as an Arabic calligraphy course. Beyond the hotel you can even graduate from a traditional bookbinding course.

The Fez Cooking School at the Palais Amani Fez Cooking School, Fez Medina, Moroccos

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 43

TRAVEL BUSINESS CANOPY & STARS

T R AV E L B U S I N E S S

CANOPY “THE POPULARITY OF British ‘glamping’ holidays is at an all-time high. From treehouses to luxury tents, we can’t get enough of stylish holidays in the Great Outdoors.”

Would you spend the night in a refurbished 1950’s fire truck parked on a Highland estate? How about a spherical treehouse hidden amongst the forest, or an architect-designed ‘eco-build’ bothy?

Aside from the cabins, converted airstreams, shepherds’ huts and yurts that are the popular cornerstones of the ‘glamping’ movement, these are just some of the more unusual choices offered by Sawday’s company Canopy & Stars – the specialists in unconventional accommodation.

As the parent company of Canopy & Stars, Bristol-based champions of ‘slow travel’ Sawday’s, are notable for having achieved accreditation as a B Corporation. An enormous asset for the brand, and by extension Canopy & Stars, the B Corp. status reflects the positive impact of the business in terms of an approved ownership structure and sustainable working practices, having successfully met with stringent criteria.

44 | Outlook Travel issue 05

S TA R S

Sawday’s carefully curated glamping directory Canopy & Stars celebrates the wonder of the Great Outdoors and is dedicated to the pursuit of a life more wild. We catch up with co-founder Tom Dixon as the season approaches for what is set to be a record year Writer: Phoebe Harper

Prompted by a search for the perfect treehouse to stay in, Canopy & Stars was born in 2010 against the backdrop of an overcrowded farmhouse-cum-coworking space, after the founders identified an increasing number of ‘beautiful, inventive, and downright crazy’ places to stay being built across the UK.

The company has since evolved significantly to become the defining name of quirky glamping vacations in the UK. For co-founder Tom Dixon, the memories of these humble beginnings are a welcome reminder of just how far the business has come.

“I look back with very fond memories to when there were just two of us in a coworking space – when at random times of the day there might be an African drumming workshop going on in the next-door room!” he recalls.

A personal passion for the outdoors continues to fuel the company’s vision. “Time in nature and in beautiful spaces has always been something that we love. We soon realised there was a bunch of yurts, cabins and other spaces popping up that offered something a little bit different that we could create a really interesting collection around,” Dixon explains.

That collection has since ballooned significantly to encompass an eclectic portfolio of almost 900 spaces spread across the UK, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Collectively, this thoughtfully curated selection represents the antithesis of standardised travel.

TRAVEL BUSINESS CANOPY & STARS

“ I T ’ S P R E T T Y E A SY TO G E T E XC I T E D A B O U T S TAY I N G I N A T R E E H O U S E . T H AT C R E AT I V E E N E R G Y O F D O I N G S O M E T H I N G N E W, O F B E I N G O U T S I D E A N D C E L E B R AT I N G N AT U R E THROUGH ALL THE SEASONS STILL KEEPS U S M O V I N G F O R WA R D T O D AY ” – T O M D I X O N , C O - F O U N D E R , C A N O P Y & S TA R S

“We launched in April 2010 with just 10 spaces. We now have over 850 amazing places to stay in the outdoors from yurts, to treehouses, converted horseboxes and everything in between.”

To this day, the business has surpassed 200,000 guests, and not to mention some 9,000 dogs.

Yet on the travel landscape in 2010, glamping was a relatively untapped market, further heightening the element of risk that is common to all new business ventures. As Dixon elaborates, “I guess the biggest business challenge was that when we launched, we didn’t really have anything to show and there were no big direct competitors for what we planned to do, so we needed people to take a leap of faith to confirm that this was indeed a good business idea.”

Fast forward to today, and ‘glamping’ – the portmanteau that has become commonplace in travel parlance as the intersection of glamour and camping – has evolved from a niche to a full-blown mega trend. Across the British Isles in particular, the movement has taken the travelling public by storm.

“There’s no question that the British love of camping and its importance in our culture over hundreds of years, is a big part of glamping’s success,” Dixon states.

“On a global level, the UK really does lead the way. I think it is a mixture of our creativity, love of the outdoors, and entrepreneurial spirit.

“People love authentic and 46 | Outlook Travel issue 05

personal experiences run and managed by interesting and independent people. I’d say this is truer of the UK as a whole than many other countries,” he contemplates.

Multiple factors combine to make the Canopy & Star’s concept so attractive. The crucible of the pandemic has led to unprecedented market demand, following on from extended periods of housebound lockdowns that have accelerated the public’s appetite for escapism.

As Dixon confirms, “July to October 2020 were the most successful months in Canopy & Star’s 10-year history. As of October, forward bookings for 2021 were up 400 percent from the same period last year.”

Indeed, in line with a recent article in Forbes Magazine, which heralded glamping as, ‘the biggest success story for the UK travel industry in 2020’, Dixon is confident that the year ahead is likely to be their biggest.

Travel analysts have attributed glamping’s popularity to global overconsumption, identifying the trend as a response to worldwide recessions and the heightened cost of air travel over the course of the past decade.

Now that COVID-19 has made travellers more health conscious than ever, safety and control over their position and location have become paramount concerns, making a selfcontained space whose surroundings allow for the most natural kind of social distancing and isolation, the ideal option.

Recent scientific research has also elucidated other health benefits to sleeping outdoors, tying into the general concept of wellbeing that has sparked growth for the movement.

By escaping an urban environment and the harmful effects of light pollution on our sleeping patterns, a return to natural light – under canvas or stars - offers the chance to recalibrate to our natural circadian rhythms.

“Slowing down and doing nothing, connecting with nature and those around you, is something that we should all be doing more of. These

STAY WILD A GLAMPING COMPENDIUM The Canopy & Stars philosophy is perfectly embodied in the businesses’ first publication, entitled ‘Stay Wild’.

An elegant linen-finished volume, the book is a selection of some of their most unique destinations accompanied by thought-provoking essays ruminating on our connection with the great outdoors, accompanied with stunning photography. With a foreword compiled by Emily Eavis of Glastonbury fame, this recently-published inspiring volume is available to buy through their website.

“Stay Wild celebrates everything that we believe in.”

– Tom Dixon, co-Founder, Canopy & Stars

trends have really kicked off over the last few years, and if anything, accelerated during the pandemic as we have all reassessed what’s important in life and how we want to spend it, where and with whom,” Dixon reflects.

Through their selection of boltholes and hideaways, Canopy & Stars tap into the timeless appeal of the simple life and our changing concept of what luxury looks like to a modern traveller. Rural retreats and the oft-touted phrase of a ‘digital detox’, offer the escapism that many of us need from the technology-fuelled Outlook Travel issue 05 | 47

modern working lifestyle, where we often place the greatest currency on the simplest things. In the modern context, peace, time and nature become precious commodities, or ‘luxuries’ that offer the chance to reset and recharge.

The spaces themselves are more than a bed for the night, tapping into the demand for experiential travel.

“First and foremost, Canopy & Stars is a carefully curated collection of experiences. But these are experiences that extend beyond the space itself. It’s the setting, the owners, the welcome, the connection to nature…It’s all very subjective, but at the heart is the question of

whether or not it’s ‘special’,” Dixon comments.

To guarantee this and ensure consistency behind the collection, each space continues to be personally inspected by the Canopy & Stars team.

“All of our spaces have something about them, the little touches and details that sets them apart. We visit every single space that we include within Canopy & Stars and are very selective about what we include.

On average, we accept less than 20 percent of the places that apply to join.”

The company are directly involved with the owners behind the spaces and adopt an advisory role that safeguards their business interests.

“Part of what we do as a business is provide advice to new and existing owners about how they can start to develop their business into something that is sustainable, both economically and environmentally. The conversations that we’re having right now with those owners feel very energising.”

Further unpacking the concept behind the brand, Canopy & Stars extends beyond the traditional role of an accommodation directory and booking

platform. Ultimately, the business champions a wilder way of living whilst advocating a greater connection with nature. The more unique and unusual the setting, the better.

For Dixon, the prospect of converting such a pleasurable concept – the intersection of luxury amenities and the wilderness – into a viable business model, came relatively easily. The appeal of savouring a night under the stars without the burdensome camping paraphernalia speaks for itself.

Aside from the global health emergency, Canopy & Stars are alert to the precarious state of our planet and are laudable for their eco-friendly business practices. As Dixon affirms, “we are in the middle of a climate crisis and consumers are demanding more ecological awareness and action.”

The business embodies a model of ‘conscious consumerism’, that modern travellers should subscribe to in the context of an environmental crisis.

“Along with many other ethical companies and brands, we want to champion a more conscious consumerism where impact is considered at

TRAVEL BUSINESS CANOPY & STARS

all stages. By its very nature, a Canopy & Stars stay is a low impact and sustainable holiday choice.”

With a portion of their collection searchable via ‘Sustainable Spaces’, the luxurious amenities applicable to a glamping holiday are given an eco-friendly spin with reusable facilities and reduced waste. Expect wood-fired hot tubs overlooking open moorland, natural showers taken amongst the trees, and off-grid organic farms offering local produce to consume on site. It is a uniquely Canopy & Stars take on luxury.

Common across the Sawday’s family is the prioritisation of sustainable choices that marry with their reverence for the outdoors and B Corp accreditation. A proponent of eco-tourism, Canopy & Stars showcase the symbiosis that can exist between the environment and our travel behaviours. “Glamping has a key role to play here and has the potential to be an exemplar for sustainable tourism,” Dixon adds.

“Canopy & Stars has pledged to plant a tree for every booking as part of our response to the climate emergency and, with our community of owners and guests, have an ambition to plant one million trees

in the next five years. This is building giving back to nature into our business model.

“We believe in making travel as low impact as possible. By working with owners who build and live sustainably, and encouraging people to appreciate the natural world, we can play a part in helping to preserve our natural environment,” he states.

This laudable goal suggests the size of the network and community that exists behind the business, and the concern for the people behind the places, whether owners, employees or guests.

“I think people really love being part of a business and community that has a greater purpose than taking bookings and making money,” Dixon muses.

This community ethos is reflected in the very structure of the business

itself, with part ownership held by employees and a charitable trust.

As Dixon elaborates, “In 2018, we entered a unique version of Employee Ownership, in which the company was divided between the employees (52 percent), a charitable trust (24 percent) and the Sawday’s family (24 percent).”

A solid brand identity and effective marketing strategies continue to drive the company’s success. Now, the team anticipate what is set to be a ‘whopping summer’ along with an exciting pop-up campaign that will take place across the UK. “We’re really excited about this summer. Seeing everyone get back outside and spending time together somewhere beautiful is such a pleasure and an honour for us to help make happen.

“None of it would be possible without all our amazing owners, and we’re so excited for them to finally be back up and running again.”

www.canopyandstars.co.uk Outlook Travel issue 05 | 49

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

50 | Outlook Travel issue 05

S E YC H E L L E S With its vibrant Creole culture, astonishing biodiversity and breath-taking seascapes, island-hoppers prepare to set sail to the idyllic isles of the Seychelles Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

A

n island nation at the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles sit 1,000 miles off the East African coast. Although one of the world’s smallest countries, the Seychelles comprises an archipelago of 115 islands and atolls, from tiny outcrops of coral to vast hunks of granite. While this island republic is reputed as a white-sand haven for honeymooners and heliophiles, the Seychelles’ offerings extend far beyond its beaches.

Geographically, the Seychelles are split into two principal island groups.

Ringed by a halo of coral atolls, the centrally-located Inner Island Group hosts the charismatic capital of Victoria on the most populous island of Mahé – gateway to the Seychelles.

Rugged and granitic, these islands are distinguished by forested slopes of lush tropical jungle, enticing ribbons of coastline and a mountainous spine that reaches its pinnacle at Morne Seychellois – the Seychelles’ highest point at 2,969 feet. Nearby, unspoilt Praslin and La Digue are a short boat ride away, whilst the outer group of low-lying islands, flat and coralline, mostly sit vacant at just a few feet above sea level.

Situated four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are an ecological delight with diverse terrain ranging from high-altitude tropical forests dotted with hiking trails to thriving

coastal mangroves. Varied plant life is a joy for botanists with an abundance of exotic plant species, including the government-protected coco de mer - a fruit treasured by Asian cultures as a natural aphrodisiac and retainer of mystical properties. Verdant rainforest disguises tiny tree frogs and tiger chameleons whilst native Sunbirds and Paradise Flycatchers dwell in the treetops above.

Warm waters will tempt scuba divers, where vast whale sharks and manta rays glide. In the shallows, thriving reef beds and long sea grasses make for fantastic snorkelling along the varied, shipwreck-laden seascapes of Mahé’s north coast.

SEYCHELLES FACTS & FIGURES Population 98,462 Capital Victoria Language Creole, English, French Currency Seychelles rupee (SCR) Time Zone UTC +4

Over half of the Seychelles’ surface area is covered by marine and wildlife reserves, including the UNESCO-protected Aldabra Island where astonishing numbers of giant tortoises roam freely – just one of the many examples of the harmony that can exist between tourism and conservation.

With their icing-sugar shores and glass-like water, reputation precedes the Seychelle’s beaches. As the primary draw for travellers, first time visitors will soon realise after a stroll along the powder-like stretch of La Digue’s Grand Anse, that the hype is more than justified. A favourable oceanic climate prevails as the archipelago sits on the calm waters outside the Indian Ocean’s cyclone belt, with the southeast trade winds that have long bought visitors to these distant shores soothing the tropical humidity.

Settled by French colonists in the 18th century, the mother tongue of the Seychellois is Creole - a distinct vernacular that is prevalent along these colonised areas of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Rich French Creole cuisine will capture your taste buds, with ubiquitous, flavoursome fish curries attesting to the Seychelles’ heritage as a centre of the spice trade.

Despite the Castaway style scenery, a touch of luxury is never far at hand in the Seychelles.

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 51

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

S E YC H E L L E S TO U R I S M B OA R D Established in 2005, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) are the public/private sector body responsible for the promotion of the Seychelles as a tourist destination of choice Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

FOLLOWING ON FROM our initial interview with the Tourism Board in Issue One, we check back in with CEO, Sherin Francis to see how the organisation, and indeed the Seychelles, are coping in the wake of the pandemic.

Outlook Travel (OT): How has COVID-19 affected the tourism industry in the Seychelles, and how are you helping local businesses recover?

Sherin Francis (SF): Over the past year, COVID-19 has prompted a heavy downward trend in tourism arrivals.

In spite of this, we continue to be proactive. We participate with our 52 | Outlook Travel issue 05

Sherin Francis, CEO tourism partners, both at home and abroad, to keep the Seychelles at the forefront of people’s minds.

We do this through a number of social media campaigns, such as ‘Experience Seychelles: Our Home, Your Sanctuary.’ We also keep in close

contact with all of our stakeholders, as well as facilitating a link between our partners via zoom conference calls, virtual marketing meetings, virtual roadshows and trade fairs.

This is done to both maintain and build new relationships, whilst keeping everyone abreast of what is happening.

OT: The Seychelles has been one of the first holiday destinations to reopen to tourists without a vaccine requirement. Could you tell us your thoughts on this and how you think this will affect tourism for the islands?

SEYCHELLES VACCINATION CAMPAIGN Total Population: 98,462 Vaccination Uptake (cumulative): 58,496 (59 percent) Targeted Population for Vaccination: 70,000 Vaccination Uptake (cumulative): 58,496 (84 percent) Statistics April 2021

SF: This has been a bold but carefully considered move to relaunch our tourism industry – given the fact that at the time of writing, well over 53 percent of our targeted population have already been vaccinated and 91 percent have already taken their first dose. This has created the necessary degree of herd immunity.

This immunisation campaign is being complimented by proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken by travellers 72 hours before travelling to the Seychelles. Within the destination itself, we are maintaining the necessary sanitary measures, including the mandatory wearing of face masks in public areas, social distancing and constant hand hygiene.

OT: What are your organisation’s current goals?

SF: The Seychelles Tourism Board’s goals are to continue to provide leadership and a sense of direction as we navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We endeavour to remain tactical and light on our feet, as we leverage our resources to the best effect by identifying the new markets and trends that will help to inflate the number of tourists travelling to our shores.

OT: Are there any interesting projects in the pipeline you wish to highlight?

SF: In line with our sustainability label, STB will be launching the Global Outlook Travel issue 05 | 53

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

“ O U R W O R K C AT I O N P R O G R A M M E H A S B E E N D E S I G N E D T O TA R G E T A S P E C I F I C T R AV E L S E G M E N T W I T H I N T W O C AT E G O R I E S ; T H O S E W H O A R E E M P LOY E E S A N D T H E S E L F E M P L O Y E D , FA L L I N G W I T H I N T H E M E D I U M TO H I G H - I N CO M E B R AC K E T ” – SHERIN FRANCIS, CEO, STB Impact Network. This is a platform developed by a group of young entrepreneurs with the aim to allow anyone, but of course here we are targeting primarily visitors, to post their experiences in the Seychelles.

This in turn supports some of the UN’s sustainable development goals and measures in metric terms to analyse how they are positively contributing towards the goal. We are confident that this project will go a long way in supporting and advocating Seychelles’ efforts in sustainability and conservation.

OT: Is the Seychelles Tourism Board capitalising on any current trends in the travel industry?

SF: As a small destination that is heavily reliant on tourism, the Sey54 | Outlook Travel issue 05

chelles always has a weather eye on the latest travel trends and how they might be turned to our advantage.

One of the latest examples of this is our Workcation Programme.

This has been designed to target a specific travel segment within two categories; those who are employees and the self-employed, falling within the medium to high-income bracket.

Local tourism establishments especially hope to use this strategy to attract working professionals for long stays, using the Seychelles as a home office destination whilst on holiday.

With regards to sustainability, STB is partnered with the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label. For a country and tourist destination such as the Seychelles, sustainability ensures our future by mainstreaming

sustainable practices that enable us to protect the environment whilst also crucially underpinning our attraction as a tourism destination.

OT: I understand that you have developed a travel guide smartphone app – could you tell us a little bit more about this? Has it been popular?

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

SF: This was developed some years ago in response to a perceived need for our tourists to have access to a virtual tour guide and access to real time information to enable them to make immediate choices. In general, this continues to be well received.

OT: Are you optimistic about the recovery of the tourism industry in the Seychelles?

SF: As optimistic as I can be. Many of the controlling factors of the COVID-19 situation remain beyond our control. However, the signs are promising so far that, gradually, we will be able to reclaim our industry.

OT: Finally, where is your personal favourite spot on the islands that you would recommend to tourists?

SF: The problem is that I have so many favourite spots: from the viewpoints overlooking our wide expanse of emerald forest and sapphire ocean to any one of our world-beating beaches. We are spoilt with our wonderful choice of island resorts and a spectacular network of walks and hiking trails that allow visitors to discover our wealth of rare flora and fauna.

Seychelles Tourism Board P.O Box 1262, Botanical House Mont Fleuri, Mahé Seychelles Tel: +248 4 67 13 00 info@seychelles.travel www.seychelles.travel Outlook Travel issue 05 | 55

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

E AT: F O R C R E O L E C U I S I N E I N A N H I STO R I C LO C AT I O N . . .

Marie Antoinette’s Restaurant – the Seychelle’s oldest restaurant is set in a colonial Seychellois mansion, delivering authentic Creole cuisine in this historic Victoria hotspot.

DO: Contribute to Conservation – Blue Safari Seychelles offer the chance for guests to get involved with several conservation initiatives. Roll up your sleeves and contribute to the preservation of the Seychelles through beach clean-ups, turtle patrol, and observing the Manta Rays.

Submarine Exploration – Bookable via Viator, take a semi-submarine tour through Saint Anne National Marine Park. Departing from the aptly named Eden Island, enjoy an unbeaten view of the island’s marine life and vibrant coral reefs from an underwater cabin.

Charter a luxury yacht – Cruise your way through the islands on-board a pedigree vessel with luxury amenities at your disposal. Safe in the hands of an experienced Captain and exceptional crew, a selection of charter packages are bookable via Ocean Independence. Cruising season from November through to April.

56 | Outlook Travel issue 05

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

Re tre at G

etaway

SLEEP: F O R A P R I VAT E B E AC H R E T R E AT. . . .

La Digue Island Lodge Hotel - Sample authentic Seychellois hospitality with island style accommodation

La Digue Island Lodge resort is well known for its iconic A-frame chalets as an original Creole resort on the island of La Digue. Nestled amongst 17.51 acres of lush tropical gardens, hemmed in by a beautiful sandy semi-private stretch of beach on Anse Reunion. The resort is anchored by the nationally protected antique plantation Yellow House. The beachfront boasts a magnificent vista of the neighbouring islands and a beautiful bay protected by a reef. One can enjoy cocktails with colourful sunset painted skies daily while lounging on the beach, pool deck or their beach front patios. The gardens feature a variety of tropical fruit trees and flowering plants where one can relax and take in nature at its best. With various garden nooks our guests can find a perfect environment to recharge and be refreshed. Couples can enjoy intimate, exclusive settings while families and children have ample space to explore and be active.

T +248 4292525

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info@ladigue.sc

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www.ladigue.sc

F O R A FA M I LY- F R I E N D LY E CO - E S C A P E . . .

Les Lauriers Eco Hotel and Restaurant - Family run and environmentally friendly accommodation in Northern Praslin.

T (+248) 4297900 | laurier@seychelles.net | www.laurier-seychelles.com

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 57

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

IN FOCUS

LA DIGUE AS THE SEYCHELLES’ thirdmost inhabited island, and just a 15 minute ferry ride away from the paradisiacal shores of Praslin, the teardrop-shaped island of La Digue warrants a visit from any traveller to the Seychelles. Offering an idyllic snapshot of Seychellois island life, here, only a handful of cars are permitted and you may wander barefoot along sandy roads where giant tortoises are likely to be the only traffic. Just one road snakes around three quarters of the entire island.

Many choose to explore La Digue on two wheels, cycling to the most renowned beach of Anse Source D’Argent or wandering on foot to Anse Marron – a worldwide favourite.

Offering a series of breath-taking bays, beaches are the primary draw here. Swimmers may luxuriate in the turquoise waters on the boulder-strewn shores of Petite Anse in the Southeast, whilst the island’s 58 | Outlook Travel issue 05

West Coast offers beaches sheltered by coral reefs that promise calm seas perfect for snorkelling. The more active beach lovers may prefer to horse ride, fish, or take boat trips around the island.

Inland, the wooded La Digue Veuve Reserve is a bird sanctuary boasting a healthy population of the endemic black Paradise Flycatcher. Visitors interested in the island’s historic coconut farming industry may visit the L’Union Estate coconut plantation whilst La Digue’s hilly interior offers meandering hiking trails navigating thick jungle. Hikers should venture up to the promontory at Pointe Petite Anse, offering astonishing ocean views across to the Ramos National Park and the miniature islet of Félicité.

Infrastructure is limited here and mainly prominent in the laidback port towns of La Réunion and La Passe where Creole cafés offer local cuisine and relaxed ramshackle style eateries.

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

LANDMARK AT T R A C T I O N S

ALDABRA ISLANDS The large, uninhabited island of Aldabra, within the Aldabra Group is the world’s largest raised atoll, surrounded by a shallow lagoon. Naturally protected by a coral reef and preserved from manmade interference by UNESCO, Aldabra boasts the world’s largest population of giant tortoises with numbers in excess of 152,000. Embark on a cruise to observe these ancient creatures and learn about local conservation efforts at the research station.

ANSE LAZIO In the northwest of Praslin, you will find what is widely regarded as one of the world’s best beaches. This is quintessential Seychellois escapism at its finest, with granite boulders bordering one end of the bay and white sands fringed by a thick curtain of swaying palm fronds and tamakata trees.

The idyllic backdrop opens out to a deep bay, unprotected by coral reefs, although perfectly suitable for bathing.

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MORNE SEYCHELLOIS NATIONAL PARK This vast National Park covers over 20 percent of Mahé’s land area and comprises a mixture of terrains including coastal mangroves, rugged mountains and an extensive trail network snaking through dense jungle and indigenous forest. The pinnacle of Mahé’s mountainous interior can be reached at Morne Seychellois (905 metres), the country’s highest peak. Encounter fantastically rich ecosystems and keep your eyes peeled for endlessly impressive native flora and fauna, including the world’s smallest treefrog.

GETTING THERE Xxxxxxxx & AROUND ALL INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS to Seychelles arrive and depart from Mahé in Victoria (SEZ).

Getting to the islands is relatively simple – it’s getting around them that can be half the experience!

Inter-island flights are available between Mahé and Praslin with a reliable scheduled service from Air Seychelles. Charter flights are the only option to reach other islands by air. The most popular choice is to travel by boat, with fast passenger vessel services running between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. Other ferry services and catamaran crossings operated

by Cat Cocos are also available. If travelling in high season, we advise booking your crossing in advance online.

Those based on the larger islands of Praslin or Mahé may consider car rental for unparalleled independence, and this can often prove cost-effective if staying more than a few days. On both islands, the road network is in good condition, meaning that extensive bus routes are also available. Alternatively, we highly recommend bike rental for laidback island exploration whilst staying on La Digue. This is typically available through your accommodation.

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SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

ALPHONSE ISLAND: A H AV E N F O R E C O -T O U R I S M We shine a spotlight on Alphonse; the island that may be small in size but is big on sustainability. For burgeoning eco-warriors and mindful travellers, this is one for the bucket list Writer: Phoebe Harper

LOCATED IN THE remote Outer Islands of the Seychelles, some 400 kilometres southwest of Mahé, the tiny island of Alphonse has earnt itself a name as a leader in eco-tourism. Flying the flag for sustainable travel, Alphonse is part of the prestigious Blue Safari Seychelles portfolio. Blue Safari embody the philosophy of combining sustainable travel with high-end accommodation, ensuring their clients can enjoy memorable holidays and worthwhile 62 | Outlook Travel issue 05

experiences, without compromising on service.

Renowned as a gem in the archipelago’s crown, Alphonse has the untouched feel of an undiscovered Eden.

Yet, as with eco-systems worldwide, there is a fragility here that demands protection. As such, the island has implemented an array of environmental procedures to preserve its delicate habitats, whilst promoting and educating guests regarding wider sustainability practices.

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

“ E N C O M PA S S I N G A R A N G E O F C O N S E R VAT I O N P R O J E C T S , T H I S O F F E R S U N PA R A L L E L E D INSIGHT INTO THE ISLAND’S E C O L O G Y, W I T H B E A C H C L E A N UPS, TREE PLANTING, TURTLE M O N I T O R I N G A N D U N D E R WAT E R WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY ALL R U N B Y A D E D I C AT E D T E A M O F E N V I R O N M E N TA L I S T S A N D MARINE BIOLOGISTS” NATURE-BASED EXPERIENTIAL TRAVEL On Alphonse, you are spoilt for choice with enriching and immersive experiences suitable for all the family.

Adventure activities include snorkelling, scuba diving, turtle hatching and fly-fishing to name just a few. For conservation enthusiasts, from May to September 2021, you can partake in the ‘Explorer Season Conservation Experience’. Encompassing a range of conservation projects, this offers unparalleled insight into the island’s ecology, with beach clean-ups, tree planting, turtle monitoring and underwater wildlife photography all run by a dedicated team of environmentalists and marine biologists.

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SELF-SUFFICIENT FARMING Remarkably, the entire island is reliant on a vegetable garden that produces a staggering average of 2.5 tonnes of fresh produce each month. This self-sufficient farming has prevented around 30 metric tonnes of CO2 from being released each year via air miles, excluding the reduction of countless other emissions released from overland refrigerated haulage and processing factories in the commercial food industry. The chefs on the island’s sole resort are experts in curating menus from this produce.

Indeed, 65 percent of the fresh produce consumed across the islands and atolls in the Blue Safari Seychelles

portfolio are sourced directly from the farm on Alphonse Island- including lemongrass, tamarind, curry leaves, coriander, mint, basil and parsley. Organic salad ingredients such as rocket – a notoriously difficult plant to grow in the tropics - are grown in the garden, ensuring zero-kilometre food miles and a farm to fork ethos is adhered to.

Celebrating the best of Seychellois cuisine, the traditional Creole menu also uses fresh fish that has been caught daily in local waters with zero imported shellfish. By joining a garden tour, guests can start the day on the right track with a hand-picked smoothie.

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RENEWABLE SOLAR POWER In 2018, the Seychelles’ largest solar farm was installed on Alphonse Island, earning Blue Safari the status of the Outer Island’s first hospitality group to operate on solar power. As a result, the island eliminated the use of 268, 000 litres of diesel usage a year, consequently reducing emissions by 718.24 tonnes per annum.

REDUCTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS Guests are requested to leave their plastic bottles at home, with Blue Safari providing reusable YETI drinks flasks for the duration of the stay. In an unforgiving tropical climate, some plastics are unavoidable, yet eco-friendly alternatives are implemented wherever possible, such as biodegradable cling film. Sustainable in-room toiletries are designed to minimise plastic supply and guests are provided with handmade cosmetic products from a cruelty and plastic-free local brand.

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SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

ECO CONSCIOUS CLEANING Alphonse Island has reduced the use of environmentally destructive cleaning products by using Innuscience products – 100 percent biodegradable cleaning solutions that use microbial action to break down dirt. Automatic refill stations around the island ensure that single-use cleaning bottles and plastic usage is kept to a minimum.

On Alphonse, your accommodation comprises beach bungalows, suites and villas surrounding the central lodge building. Visitors here can expect to leave not just with the treasured memories that accompany any holiday, but also a renewed appreciation and respect for the delicate ecosystems of our planet.

Outlook Travel issue 05 | 67

THE LAST STOP ISLE OF EIGG

THE LAST S T O P. A HUNK OF rock cast adrift in the Atlantic, the Isle of Eigg is the second largest of the archipelago of The Small Isles in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, alongside Muck, Canna, and Rum. It is, as some say, the Jewel in the Hebridean Crown.

Eigg can be found south of the Isle of Skye and north of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula in the turbulent waters of the Minch Strait.

At just nine kilometres long from north to south and five kilometres from east to west, Eigg’s distinct silhouette is distinguished by the lavaridge pinnacle of An Sgùrr, formed amidst the violent tectonic activity that prompted the birth of the island some 60 million years ago.

It is this formation, giving the island

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ISLE OF EIGG, INNER HEBRIDES ( P O P U L AT I O N 1 0 5 ) a fin-like appearance resembling a prehistoric creature rising out of the sea, that lent Eigg its name, translating from the Gaelic word meaning, ‘notch’. The pitchstone ridge is the largest of its kind in Europe and offers an ample feat for keen hikers.

Elsewhere, you may dare to spend a night in Sweeney’s bothy, an off-grid timber hut named after the Gaelic hermit king or wild camp amongst the graze-friendly livestock. Low tide exposes a series of caves and shipwrecks that invite exploration along the foreshore, while eagles soar over the white sand beaches of picturesque Laig Bay. To the north lie the famous ‘Singing Sands’ of white quartz.

Eigg is littered with the remnants of a rich history, from Iron Age forts to Viking burial mounds. Rather bizarrely, the island also boasts the

Inner Hebrides only record label, Lost Map, home to an array of folksy indie bands.

In 1997, the islanders pioneered a history-first buyout of their own land.

To this day, Eigg remains managed by the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, a partnership among the island’s inhabitants, the Highland Council and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The islanders also established Eigg Electric, the world’s first stand-alone energy grid powered entirely by wind, waves and sun.

Eigg offers the abundant wildlife of the Atlantic, with healthy breeding populations of eagles and Manx shearwaters. Typical of Scotland’s wild West Coast, whales, dolphins and seals may all be spotted out to sea. Unique geology, archaeology and natural heritage combine in harmony to make Eigg an island worth sticking a pin in the map for.

Canopy & Stars has told its story...

Now why not tell us yours?

ISSUE 05

YOUR TRAVEL GUIDES TO

SEYCHELLES The Indian Ocean’s natural playground

PHILIPPINES Archipelago escapism in the Pacific

TRAVEL BUSINESS

CANOPY STARS A passionate advocate for the symbiosis of tourism and sustainability, UK-based travel photographer Diana Jarvis goes Behind the Lens UK-based travel photographer Diana Jarvis goes Behind the Lens A passionate advocate for the symbiosis of tourism and sustainability,

STARS CANOPY TRAVEL BUSINESS

in the Pacific Archipelago escapism

PHILIPPINES natural playground The Indian Ocean’s

SEYCHELLES GUIDES TO YOUR TRAVEL

I N A C HA N G I N G WO R L D, where the travel industry must adapt to challenging global situations, our mission at Outlook Travel remains the same. We will continue to showcase some of the world’s most inspiring destinations, offering real insight and comprehensive travel guides for when global mobility resumes.

The major component of the publication takes the form of our Outlook Travel Guides, providing executives, avid travellers and our existing 575,000 international subscribers with the ultimate rundown of all the major economic drivers and thriving hubs across the world, with exclusive input from tourism industry associations and stakeholders – the people who know these places the best.

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