Outlook Travel - issue 09

The Shore Club

Long Bay

EDITORIAL

Head of Editorial: Phoebe Harper phoebe.harper@outlookpublishing.com

Senior Editor: Marcus Kääpä marcus.kaapa@outlookpublishing.com

Editor: Jack Salter jack.salter@outlookpublishing.com

Junior Editor: Ed Budds ed.budds@outlookpublishing.com

TURKS AND CAICOS

PRODUCTION

Production Director: Stephen Giles steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com

Senior Designer: Devon Collins devon.collins@outlookpublishing.com

Designer: Matt Loudwell matt.loudwell@outlookpublishing.com

Digital Marketing Manager: Fox Tucker fox.tucker@outlookpublishing.com

BUSINESS

Executive Officer: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com

Managing Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com

Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com

Commercial Director: Joshua Mann joshua.mann@outlookpublishing.com

Head of Projects: Deane Anderton deane.anderton@outlookpublishing.com

Project Manager: Alfie Wilson alfie.wilson@outlookpublishing.com

Project Manager: Krisha Canlas krisha.canlas@outlookpublishing.com

Project Manager: Matt Cole-Wilkin matt.cole-wilkin@outlookpublishing.com

Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com

Finance Assistant: Suzie Kittle suzie.kittle@outlookpublishing.com

Office Manager: Daniel George daniel.george@outlookpublishing.com

TRAVELS FIT FOR A ROYAL

This issue follows what has been a sombre week for the UK, as the country mourns the loss of its monarch. Waves of memory and grief following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II reverberate across the globe, felt both on home shores and by the farreaching geographies that were touched by her reign.

The British Overseas Territory of Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is one such destination, originally visited by the Queen and Prince Phillip on a historic visit in 1966. With just one day to spare after the Royal Yacht Britannia pulled into its shores, a fun-filled tour ensued, with the Queen witnessing everything from the Salt Piers of Grand Turk to donkey races in South Caicos. We recommend spending far longer than just a day on TCI, as we take a deep dive into this exclusive archipelago and get some expert insight from the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, on how to get the most out of a vacation on these idyllic islands.

Moving on to African shores, we return to the Seychelles for yet more island escapism, and the capital island of Mahé, where Queen Elizabeth II was once welcomed in 1972 to the sound of pealing church bells and a Creole band.

Elsewhere, in our regular Sustainability Stories feature, we uncover the power of influencer culture in holding sway over consumer behaviour and discuss the eco-friendly obligations of these ambassadors of social media with the creator of Denmark’s Best Travel Blog 2022.

We also hope to provide some staycation travel inspiration as October half-term approaches – whether it’s a Shepherd’s Hut in the far-flung corners of Kent, or a family-friendly forest short break with Center Parcs. Thank you to all who have contributed to this issue.

Happy reading and safe travels!

Phoebe Harper

Head of Editorial, Outlook Publishing

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SYDNEY TO BENGALURU FLIGHTS TAKE OFF

QANTAS HAS ESTABLISHED the first direct connection between Australia and Southern India by any airline, with the launch of a new route from Sydney to Bengaluru.

A significant boost to connectivity between India and New South Wales, the route will reduce the current fastest travel time between the two cities by almost three hours.

As well as boosting tourism and economic relations, the new flights

offer corporate and leisure travellers a non-stop route to Bengaluru. Widely regarded as India’s Silicon Valley, many Australian and global financial technology organisations have established major operations in the city.

Demand has been strong since the announcement of the new service earlier this year, with both outbound and inbound inaugural flights sold out in all cabins.

JAPAN TO FULLY REOPEN TO TOURISTS

THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT is reportedly planning to fully reopen its borders to international tourists as early as October.

Only a limited number of tourists have been allowed into Japan as part of guided package tours, however officials hope the current weakness of the Yen will attract tourists to the country.

Curiously, the decision to reopen to international tourists comes as Japan recovers from a record-high number of COVID-19 cases. More than 200,000 new cases were recorded daily in late August, despite more than 80 percent of the population being vaccinated against COVID-19.

FOLLOWING THE DEATH of Queen Elizabeth II, mourners hoping to visit London are being told to prepare for unprecedented travel demand.

Hundreds of thousands are expected to make the trip, with the Queen’s coffin lying-in-state at the Palace of Westminster before her

funeral. Travellers are being urged by the likes of Network Rail and Transport for London (TfL) to plan ahead and expect crowded transport services and congested stations, as the nation comes together to pay their respects.

Transport providers have welldeveloped plans in place, with additional members of staff and services to help ensure Londoners and visitors to the capital can get to where they need to be easily and safely.

ECOTOURISM

RECORD TOURISM REVENUE EXPECTED IN GREECE

TOURISM REVENUE IN Greece is expected to reach €20 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to the Minister for Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias.

In June 2022, revenues were a staggering 224.5 percent higher than in the corresponding period of 2021, figures from the Bank of Greece have revealed.

In what has so far been a record year for tourism, Greece is set to sur pass the 32 million arrivals registered

TRANSPORT

UNITED AIRLINES INVESTS IN ELECTRIC FLYING TAXI MARKET

A $15 MILLION investment in Eve Air Mobility (Eve), and a conditional purchase agreement for up to 400 eVTOL aircraft, has been announced by United Airlines.

First deliveries of the flying taxis, which have the potential to revolutionise the commuter

in 2019, with visitors flocking to both branded and alternative destinations on the Greek mainland and surround ing islands.

Tourism is a vitally important sector in Greece, accounting for around 25 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The anticipated increase in tourism-related revenue is set to boost GDP in Greece significantly.

TOURISM

ASIA’S LEADING NATURE DESTINATION HONOURED

FOR THE FIRST time, Vietnam has been awarded the title of “Asia’s leading nature destination” at the World Travel Awards, which acknowl edge excellence in the tourism and travel industry.

Votes are cast by travel industry professionals as well as the public, who recognised Vietnam’s abun dance of national parks, nature reserves, habitat conservation areas, and biosphere reserves.

experience in cities across the world, are expected as early as 2026. The two companies also intend to work on future projects, including studies on the development, use, and application of Eve’s aircraft and the urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem.

The agreement sees United Airlines become the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies, and highlights its confidence in the UAM market.

Ecotourism activities have been developing at 61 of Vietnam’s national parks and nature reserves, whilst many of the country’s high-end resorts prioritise environmental sustainability and make use of ecofriendly materials.

Vietnam was also named “Asia’s leading destination” for the second consecutive time at the awards.

AIRLINES

EXPANDED ICELAND PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

JET2.COM AND JET2CITYBREAKS are giving customers and independent travel agents an even greater choice of scheduled winter services and dedicated trips to Iceland.

The award-winning airline and city break specialist will operate to Iceland from nine of its UK bases next winter. Iceland has continued to experience strong demand thanks to its abundance of natural wonders, such as the Northern Lights, with winter proving to be particularly popular as a result.

Comprising more than 135 departing flights and over 27,000 seats on sale, next year’s expanded programme represents a capacity increase of 24 percent compared to this winter.

BEHIND THE LENS

Having photographed every continent on Earth, we take a deep dive into the evocative work of Philip Lee Harvey

Writer: Phoebe Harper | Photography: Philip Lee Harvey

For Philip Lee Harvey, there is no such singular thing as a ‘travel photographer’, since this is a role that demands every style of photography – whether landscape, wildlife, interiors, or portrait. Having photographed on every continent on Earth, it is this multi-faceted element that continues to hold him to the profession.

Across his work, a personal aspect prevails, with images that endeavour to capture the spirit of those he photographs, and the very soul of a destination. Harvey

combines a painterly aesthetic, centred on dramatic manipulations of light and dark, with a powerful yet minimal colour palette. His work seeks to evoke a response, posing questions to the viewer so that their own imagination might complete the full image.

His work has been featured in The Telegraph, Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet magazine, Vanity Fair, Tatler, GEO and Condé Nast Traveller magazine, with a multitude of accolades to his name. We catch up with Harvey to delve into the life of a travelling photographer and explore the images that have defined his career thus far.

Philip Lee Harvey (PLH): I always knew that I wanted to be a photographer first and foremost. The travel part came later, when I had already been to college and worked as an assistant, and I knew that I wanted to be a location photographer. Sometimes you get labelled as a travel photographer, but there’s a lot more to it than that. I knew that I loved adventure, I wanted to be outside and that I wanted to find a way to bring all of my interests, like the history of photography and of exploration, together, and see if I could make a career out of it.

My first travel adventures with cameras were done in my early twenties, and I always treated them as if they were a job. The first place I ever went was Bali, then onto Java, and I took an assistant and a guide with me to shoot on medium format. I tried to make it as professional as I could, since I knew that I didn’t just want it to be a gap year, but more of a gap career.

OT: How would you describe your style of photography?

PLH: I would say that it’s heavily influenced by painting, probably more so than other photographers. It’s personal too, and I think that it always should be. There’s a very strong graphic quality to my work, with a minimal colour palette, and a sense of light. I’m obsessed with how daylight can be used and controlled to add to the emotion that you’re trying to create.

Photographers often talk about light, but I think that daylight isn’t pushed far enough in terms of how you can use it to tell stories. In the beginning I was heavily influenced by early travel posters that were painted by hand, and art movements like the Hudson River School. These were really the first travel image makers.

When I go away, I will often look at the films and paintings that have been made there, and I will take a look at the photography that’s been done, but more to identify which places to visit. I never want to mimic what’s already been done.

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

OT: What is one of your accomplishments as a photographer that you are most proud of?

PLH: I suppose that being able to say that I’m still working in photography is a good one! It’s a hugely competitive industry, especially when related to travel. I’m proud that I’ve managed to keep on doing it and am consistently getting better. Awards are always great, but they come after the event. I’m most proud of being able to say that I am still doing this, and hopefully doing it well.

OT: What do you find most exciting about your field of work?

PLH: The aspects that are the most exciting are also the most challenging. It’s the element of the unknown – I don’t know what’s going to happen or what the weather is going to do, or what the people will be like. All of these things make it exciting, because when you’re out there and things start coming together, there’s an adrenaline rush, especially when you’re looking through the camera and you can see

the potential to capture something good. It’s an addictive feeling.

I like to create my images in-camera as much as possible. I don’t want to be excited later when I look at it on the computer, I want to be excited the same way I was as a teenager taking pictures for the first time. Of course, the challenges come when that doesn’t happen. Travel is full of logistical problems and sometimes simply getting there is the hardest thing. You have to just accept the weather and work

with it as much as you can. Some things don’t always work out and the challenge is the decisions that you make on that journey – when you decide to stop and try another location or how you try to make it work.

On a commercial level, you will also always have the challenge of fulfilling a brief. A certain scene or emotion might be requested, but when you get to the actual location it might be nothing like that! You constantly have to manage what people want whilst also putting your own creative spin on top of that, so you’re not just being descriptive. I don’t want any of my pictures to be purely descriptive, I want them to have an element of surrealness, so that the viewer and their imagination makes up the final part of the picture.

OT: Having visited every continent on Earth, what have been some of your favourite places to capture?

PLH: The problem is that I trick myself. I’m paid to make places look interesting, but when I look at the pictures afterwards and they do all that, I convince myself that it must have been an amazing place. I remember shooting a voodoo ceremony in Haiti, and it was an extremely tough place – civil war was breaking out, everything was going wrong for us, but the pictures were so powerful, I still think I have a fond spot for Haiti!

The first time you ever go anywhere new is always exciting, as is witnessing how a destination changes when you return to it after some time. I’m very much looking forward to where I’m going next – Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Rwanda for a two-and-a-half-week shoot capturing the people, the landscapes, and of course the wildlife.

HOW I GOT THIS PHOTO:

“For me it all began with one picture. What I remember most about that picture, is that I didn’t believe I took it, which is always a good sign that you’re going in the right direction.

“It shows a monk boy in India, and I still use it as a yardstick to measure the elements in a photograph that I love. I didn’t know before this picture what those elements were, that it should ask questions, and be arresting, with a minimal colour palette. It was shot on film, and I only took four pictures. It’s an old picture but I don’t think it looks it.

“I went to the Lamayuru monastery in Ladakh for the festival of the sun. I’d been photographing there all day, then I saw this young boy and he was one of the most arresting characters I’d seen. I took him inside, away from the sun, took the four frames, then he walked off. It was only later that I realised how well it suited my aesthetic using entirely natural light.”

OTHER WORKS

SILVER SCREEN SIGHTS FROM THE

We explore the most iconic film locations to visit and stay in, perfect for the ultimate movie obsessive to add to your travel bucket list

Writer: Ed Budds

Whether you’re looking to pay homage to ‘The Godfather’ in the villages of Savoca and Forza D’agro in Sicily, recreate a scene from ‘Mamma Mia’ amongst the simple white houses and gorgeous ocean views of the small Greek island of Skiathos, or simply catch a glimpse of the McCallister’s’ house from ‘Home Alone’ in Chicago, there are countless seminal film locations to be discovered worldwide. So, if you’ve ever been curious about where some of your favourite films were shot, we explore five iconic Hollywood locations to inspire any movie lover’s next pilgrimage.

KATZ’S DELICATESSEN

DESTINATION: New York, US

FILM: When Harry Met Sally

At 205 E. Houston St. in Manhattan sits Katz’s Delicatessen, as featured in the truly unforgettable,“I’ll have what she’s having” scene from the classic romantic comedy ‘When Harry Met Sally’. This legendary lunch location has become one of America’s most iconic restaurants, both for its famed pastrami on rye sandwich, and as the exact place where Meg Ryan sat opposite Billy Crystal for the hilarious set piece that has since been continually recreated.

TIMBERLINE LODGE

DESTINATION: Oregon, US

FILM: The Shining

One of America’s most culturally vital, historic, and ultimately chilling on-screen hotels, The Overlook Hotel was brought to life at Timberline Lodge, a mountainous estate on the south side of Clackamas County, Oregon.

Filmed here, ‘The Shining’, Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of the Stephen King novel, is set in the fictional grounds of The Overlook Hotel. Historically, guests would be reluctant to stay in the film’s haunted room 217, so the management eventually requested that the room number be changed permanently. The lodge and its extensive grounds host a ski resort, open for skiers, snowboarders, climbers, hikers, and of course film buffs, for all 12 months of the year.

THE PENINSULA HOTEL

DESTINATION: Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

FILM: The Man with the Golden Gun

A premium hotel chain, The Peninsula’s flagship hotel in Hong Kong has often been referred to as the best, most luxurious hotel in the world. As a result, it was inevitably featured as a classic James Bond location. In ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’, Roger Moore’s international spy wit nesses a fellow agent being collected by one of the famous “Peninsula-green” Rolls-Royces, part of the hotel’s lavish fleet of courtesy cars. Recently, the cars were updated from Rolls Royce Silver Spurs to 14 long-wheelbase RollsRoyce Phantoms, and you can still stay here to this day.

HOTEL SIDI IDRISS

DESTINATION: Matmata, Tunisia

FILM: Star Wars: A New Hope

George Lucas chose the sandy, winding caverns of Hotel Sidi Idriss as the set for Luke Skywalker’s childhood home in the very first ‘Star Wars’ movie. Packed with a plethora of memorabilia, and ripe with potential photo opportuni ties to recreate classic scenes, the hotel remains open to guests. If a little short on luxury amenities, the rugged, arid environment promises to transport you into the very heart of the desert planet Tatooine.

Hotel Sidi Idriss allows you to experience life under ground with its selection of 20 private grottos. The extremely affordable guestrooms also include a traditional breakfast each morning in the communal dining room.

GÖRLITZ DEPARTMENT STORE

DESTINATION: Görlitz, Germany

FILM: The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Görlitz Department Store, located in the German state of Saxony, was one of the longest-running stores of its kind worldwide, operating out of a breathtakingly beautiful art nouveau building between 1913 and 2009. It was then handpicked and renovated by Wes Anderson as the main set for the 2014 masterpiece ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’, which was awarded an Academy Award for best produc tion design. The intricate and exquisite architecture is now only open for special tour days, allowing visitors to stroll through its majestic halls in the style of Ralph Fiennes’ ‘M. Gustave’.

TRAVEL BUSINESS

THE TRAVEL BOXX

A subscription service with a difference, The Travel Boxx promotes small businesses in delivering travel essentials straight to your doorstep. We find out more and touch on the challenges of minority entrepreneurship with Founder, Caroline Sande

Writer: Phoebe Harper

We live in an era of subscrip tion services.

From our weekly meals to daily newsletters, wine deliveries to well ness boxes, there seems to be a subscription for just about anything.

A McKinsey report has shown that the subscription e-commerce market has grown by more than 100 percent a year in the past five years, with the majority of consumers identified as “younger urbanites with money”. Although dated a few years ago, the enforced limitations and restricted movement of the COVID-19 pandemic have only fed this boom, as consumers seek products delivered with doorstep convenience.

As both an entrepreneur and travel enthusiast, Caroline Sande identified this unique period as one of opportunity, and sought to rekindle the fires of wanderlust amongst a wave of frustrated travel enthusiasts. It

was in the doldrum days of global lockdowns that Sande acted on the niche vacancy in the travel market for a subscription box service.

“The Travel Boxx was born out of conversations with my peers - fellow content creators and entrepreneurs - on the lack of a single trusted subscription service that can provide all the essentials travellers need in one box,” she says.

Leveraging a strong audience and following from TravelEatSlay – an inclusive community providing travel apparel, The Travel Boxx was born.

As a quarterly subscription service, each box contains five TSA-approved travel essentials focusing on the four pillars of smart travel items, tech gadgets, snacks, or health and beauty. Although the products typically have a retail price of over £50, a threemonth subscription to The Travel Boxx costs just £30.

Caroline Sande

“I spend a lot of time and effort in hand-picking the brands and products for each box to make sure the products are suitable in size, are eco-friendly (e.g., collapsible water bottle) and can be used whether at home or while travelling, like the power bank,” Sande adds.

THE TRAVEL BOXX TRIBE

The Travel Boxx primarily targets a millennial audience, combining disposable income with a healthy appetite for jet-setting.

“It’s also designed for first time or casual travellers who need a starter kit with travel essentials for their first trip.

“Likewise, The Travel Boxx is the perfect gift for a loved one who likes to travel, as the items included are usu ally forgotten when packing or you did not know you needed them. The Travel Boxx Mini (which includes three items)

is available for one-off purchase for those who cannot commit to the subscription,” Sande elaborates.

All items are selectively hand picked as genuinely useful go-to packing essentials – whether it be packing cubes, power banks, or portable door locks – but the origin of such products is also a crucial factor in the selection process.

The Travel Boxx consciously part ners with small businesses, enhancing the notion of community throughout the travel industry and fostering mutually beneficial relationships and brand partnerships.

“As a jetsetter, entrepreneur, and a long-time champion of small and underrepresented businesses, I’ve seen the impact the pandemic has had on the travel industry, particularly on small brands and start-ups,” says Sande.

“I wanted to create a space that encourages collaboration between those brilliant minds and businesses, while also providing a useful product to customers.”

FROM CONTENT CREATOR TO ENTREPRENEUR

The Travel Boxx has since been included in Condé Nast Traveller’s list of top subscription services and enjoys a growing following.

However, reflecting on her experiences as a black female entrepreneur, Sande acknowledges that the path of entrepreneurship and seeing her idea come to fruition, has not been entirely smooth.

“Not only being a woman, but being a black woman starting up a company, has been a struggle. I found that not many doors or opportunities were readily available

for advice, funding or support, which was disheartening,” she observes.

“Secondly, as a self-funded entre preneur entering a new territory (subscription service) during a pandemic was a big hurdle.”

Nevertheless, with the spirit of communication and connection at the core, the nature of the business model behind The Travel Boxx lends itself to growth.

“Since starting The Travel Boxx I have been intentional about connecting with travel writers, publications, travel bloggers, podcasts and travel community groups to introduce this product

and help spread the word to reach a larger audience.”

With the launch of the Autumn Boxx imminent, Sande hints at a promising future for The Travel Boxx and its tribe.

“I am working towards themed collaborations with destinations and tourist boards to include souvenirs and wanderlust items to inspire subscribers to add to their bucket list,” she concludes.

For any adventurer looking for the travel essentials to take away the stress of packing for their next getaway, this is one tribe worth joining.

“I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE GREATER DIVERSITY WITHIN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY ALONG WITH SUPPORTING SMALL TRAVEL BUSINESSES TO HELP WITH BRAND AWARENESS”

– CAROLINE SANDE, FOUNDER, THE TRAVEL BOXX

If Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are anything to go by, the life of a travel influencer seems dreamworthy. To many, the idea of throwing in the nine-to-five to devote your time to the pursuit of your own wanderlust is undeniably seductive.

Rasmus Lythcke, Founder of TheTravelBook – a blog and social media platform with an Instagram following of over 30,000 people –was one such individual.

“I wanted to live this life that I saw everywhere on social media. The lifestyle of a travel blogger looked so beautiful,” he tells us.

After 10 years spent working in marketing and branding for the travel industry, Lythcke had begun to clock up some serious air miles. Commuting between his hometown of Copenhagen, his workplace in Zurich, and visiting his partner in New York, he estimates this amounted to roughly 100 flights a year.

“I was spending more time in airport lounges than in my own apartment!”

With his partner and co-Founder of TheTravelBook Karoline fully onboard, together the couple embarked on a major lifestyle change and cashed in on a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia to pursue the travel influencer dream.

“We were living as kings and queens, and it was too good to be true,” he recalls. “After a few months, we slowly started to build our social media following. With that, we recognised that we were developing a kind of responsibility towards people.”

It may be easy to produce an aesthetically friendly grid on Instagram, but what you don’t see is the environmental cost behind each picture, like the carbon emissions of the transport and flights involved just to capture one shot.

It is this idea of responsibility, as Lythcke, and indeed the world, began to awaken to an environmental and

social conscience, that has come to define TheTravelBook’s success and content offering, as a platform entirely dedicated to sustainable travel and eco-friendly lifestyle tips.

For the globetrotting duo, this began with searching for accommodation and restaurants that would most benefit local communities, avoiding the model of tourism that is designed to cater to the whims of the Western world.

“There’s always white people sitting in westernised countries, earning from all these people running 100 kilometres an hour to fulfil the tourists’ needs,” Lythcke comments.

It also meant avoiding air travel as much as possible and becoming creative with more eco-friendly means of transportation. Ironically, ever since becoming a full-time travel influencer, Lythcke has only taken one flight in the past three-and-a-half years.

Four years since its inception, TheTravelBook has just been nominated as Denmark’s Best Travel Blog 2022. Copenhagen itself, where Rasmus and Karo are based, is widely hailed as the Green Capital of the World, with Denmark often ranking amongst the top positions in the Global Sustainability Index largely due to its innovative stance on waste management.

The whole idea behind TheTravelBook is to inspire people to travel without compromising on either quality, luxury, or enjoyable holiday experiences, whilst maintaining an eco-friendly lifestyle.

“Even going back to when we started, social media was entirely different. Then, if you were talking about sustainable tourism, that basically meant you had to walk around naked in a forest, eating leaves and not breathing before it was sustainable!

“But now, we have been doing this for years, and I’ve never once felt like I’ve had to compromise.”

CALLING FOR A CULTURE SHIFT

Social media influencers are a modern-day phenomenon with the potential to impact the entire tourism industry in shaping consumer behaviour.

Often with devoted, mass followings, Lythcke recognises that such individuals need to be mindful of the kind of tourism behaviour they are promoting. Having such an influential platform at your fingertips provides a powerful opportunity to become an ambassador for positive, ethical change.

“In my opinion, travel influencers have the biggest responsibility in making sure they’re not acting in the wrong ways,” he says.

He remains highly critical of influencer culture, as a world that can be built on artificial images and meaningless claims, particularly in an age where “sustainability has become the biggest buzzword of our time.”

As more and more people jump on to the trend of claiming sustainability, the true meaning of the word is diminishing, reducing its essence to nothing more than an empty hashtag to justify what in effect may represent the opposite of the word’s definition.

“It’s easy to see when someone is trying to force themselves into a topic that is outside of their comfort zone,” he says, laughing at how you will often see influencers dressed in a bikini made from recycled bottles claiming to be sustainable, having

jumped on a long-haul flight for a short-term stay in Thailand at the expense of whatever hotel might be hosting them.

“It’s extremely difficult not to be dragged into it when so many things claim to be sustainable, but you have to follow this up with a lot of research to make sure that things genuinely are being done in an eco-friendly way. Transparency is key and ensures that you’re authentic and actually doing what you believe in by travelling sustainably.”

TRANSPARENT AND AUTHENTIC CONTENT

Behind every stunning photo or travel guide that TheTravelBook posts, are the invisible hours of research that have been put in to planning that trip or selecting that particular hotel or restaurant.

“Before I arrive at any destination, I will spend hours and hours doing research in advance. This way, when people arrive at our social media pages, the research has already been done for them,” Lythcke explains.

By so doing, reliable means of sustainable travel are placed easily within reach for a mass audience. As such, the role of the influencer becomes far more educational and informative, exceeding the traditional model of providing aesthetic, ‘like’friendly content.

“I try to make it easier for everyone by giving them travel inspiration, where they don’t have to think about the research behind it.”

This research is often shared in the most transparent way through dedicated posts on the blog, where Lythcke might share a calculation of the carbon footprint behind an entire itinerary as accurately as possible.

For each trip, this revolves around the three essential pillars of travel – transport, accommodation, and gastronomy.

A slow-travelling couple, TheTravelBook limit themselves to

Norway - Atlantic Ocean Road PHOTO BY THETRAVELBOOK

no more than one flight per year. As official brand ambassadors for BMW, their preferred means of travel is electric vehicles (EVs), alongside rail travel.

Lythcke is also a huge advocate for bringing back the romance of the road trip, where the drive to get there is an integral part of the holiday itself.

“Transportation should become part of the journey where it’s not just about being in the car or on the train. Change your mindset to be glad that you’re able to discover a lot more than you would if you were just going from airport to airport.

“I thought that not travelling in aeroplanes twice a year would kill me.

But if I’m able to make this change, people who are going on regular holidays maybe just twice a year can do the same.”

In terms of accommodation, Lythcke recommends researching options that have been vetted by reliable sources for their sustainability credentials, such as Green Key International - the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operations within the tourism industry.

“If you also want to support sustainable tourism, book directly through

the owner rather than through huge booking chains like Booking.com. This removes all the fees that you’d be giving to a larger booking group - which is likely to be a company that doesn’t need any more money!

“Even if you do find a price that’s more competitive on a site like that, it’s always worth discussing with the owner directly to see if they would be willing to match it. Support the hotel owners themselves as best as you can.”

This ties into the third essential pillar of gastronomy, and how what we consume can impact the local economic footprint, for example by choosing restaurants and eateries that prioritise seasonal and locally produced products. Travellers should feel confident to ask for recommendations to eat where the locals eat, rather than opting for the obvious tourist restaurants which rely on international ingredients regardless of seasonality.

“Eating in local spots doesn’t just benefit the restaurant, it also benefits the local farmers behind the produce, or the fishermen who bring in that catch every morning. Go for the locally, freshly caught fish and support whatever local producers you can.”

Next up, TheTravelBook will be hitting the road (in an EV, naturally) through Sweden and on to the Fjords of Norway, documenting their travels as they go and continuing to act as ambassadors for a more ethical, mindful lifestyle.

“The important part all along, is that we still want to inspire people to travel.”

Visit @thetravelbook or TheTravelBook to find out more.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Savour a slice of paradise and recalibrate to the slow pace of island living in the exclusive archipelago synonymous with luxury tourism

Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

Located to the southeast of the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is a paradisiacal archipelago comprising over 40 islands and cays – only nine of which are inhabited. These low-lying coral islands are said to host the bluest waters in the Caribbean and float serenely above the third-largest barrier reef in the world.

Boasting the undeniable magnetism of pristine swathes of icing sugar sand, fringed with gently swaying palm trees and temperate azure waters that are the gateway to a thriving marine realm, it comes as no surprise that beaches and a heavy dose of ‘Vitamin Sea’ are the main draws for those visiting TCI, compared to its flashier and more developed Caribbean island neighbours. Nevertheless, the endless flurry of celebrities that choose TCI as their chosen getaway testify to the island chain’s status as a haven for luxury tourism.

Throughout TCI, you will be spoilt for choice with all-inclusive luxury resorts and tasteful villas designed for serenity and seclusion a stone’s throw from the ocean. It is this emphasis on luxury that naturally lends a certain exclusivity to TCI, meaning that any visitor is unlikely to encounter masses of tourists. Meanwhile, far-flung islets such as Ambergris Cay and Pine Cay, are private island

WHEN TO VISIT

Although the weather in TCI is favourable all year round, a popular time to visit is between April and May, when both prices and the number of visitors are likely to be lower. High season is generally considered as falling between December to March, making it a popular winter sun destination. The only month to avoid is September, when there are higher chances of hurricanes.

getaways home to hidden resorts.

As you may have guessed from the name, TCI is com posed of two island groups. The larger cluster of the Caicos Islands chain to the west comprises Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos, South Caicos, and West Caicos, whilst the smaller Turks Islands of Salt Cay and Grand Turk lie to the east. Although Providenciales repre sents the modern-day hub of tourism in TCI, the historic centre of Cockburn Town on Grand Turk is the cultural and

historic capital, where you will find colonial-style mansions, and a National Museum boasting spoils from centuries-old shipwrecks that have fallen prey to the surrounding reefs.

In terms of wildlife, TCI is a haven for migrating hump back whales and is reputed as one of the world’s best destinations for whale watching. Turtles and dolphins are other staples of marine life here. If joining a boat tour, you may be blessed with an appearance from the local celebrity and national treasure – Jojo, the wild bottlenose dolphin known for his naturally playful interactions with passers-by.

Wildlife enthusiasts will marvel at TCI’s expansive selec tion of national parks, nature reserves and sanctuaries, all of which are protected areas. Alongside a whole host of other natural delights, spot endemic rock iguanas on Little Water Cay, otherwise known as Iguana Island, or observe a vibrant flamboyance of flamingos on the salt salinas of South Caicos.

Elsewhere, wild donkeys abound, many of whom are descendants from the animals that were originally used in the heyday of salt production across the islands, suppos edly brought here by Bermudians to pull carts across the salt flats. It is not uncommon to see them wandering the streets freely, especially in Grand Turk.

Whilst the flora and fauna of the islands are the real calling card, TCI is a land ripe with culture and history for those interested in peeling back the layers of this fasci nating destination. Its cultural legacy extends far beyond

colonialism, to when these shores were inhabited by the Taino and Lucayan Indians before Christopher Columbus set foot on Grand Turk in the late fifteenth century during his discovery voyage of the “New World”.

These shores are ripe with romantic tales of piracy and smuggling, transporting you back to bygone centuries when these islands and cays were the playground of pirates lying in wait to target Spanish treasure galleons. Some claim that the word ‘Turk’ behind the islands’ name hearkens back to this time, as a term that translated as pirate during the days of the Ottoman Empire. However, the popular local interpretation is that TCI refers to the indigenous Turk’s Head ‘Fez’ cactus, and the name ‘Caicos’ – from the Lucayan term ‘caya hico’, meaning chain of islands.

TCI’s cultural legacy is tangible in the local cuisine, with a fondness for shellfish, conch in particular, being passed down through the centuries. Indeed, TCI hosts the world’s only commercial conch farm. Other seafood delights can be enjoyed on a weekly Thursday-night traditional fish fry, where you can taste the Jamaican influence with generous sprinklings of Cajun and jerk seasoning. TCI’s culinary delights are best washed down with a locally brewed rum such as Spicy Gosling, or a glass of the local favourite Turks Head Beer.

Each island in TCI is a destination of its own, with a different feel and unique offering depending on your preferences. With almost 40 separate islands to explore, TCI will keep you coming back for more.

Why Turks & Caicos Islands?

The Turks & Caicos Islands offers a unique combination of some of the world's most beautiful waters, a diverse and intimate group of islands and cays, a historically low tax environment, high quality properties and wonderful accessibility from the US and Canada, as well as one-stop flights from London. An inviting landscape and inviting people define these islands.

Visitors and owners from the US, Canada and beyond have discovered and coveted our award-winning beaches and island community, with many echoing the sentiment that they have found in the Turks & Caicos Islands a unique and highly accessible blend of compelling lifestyle, homes and properties, quality amenities and services unlike any other island chain in the region.

The investment and lifestyle benefits are many and we are available to assist you in navigating the real estate process.

Why List With Us?

Experience, dedication, service and successful results like no other real estate company in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Experience. Turks & Caicos Sotheby's International Realty represents perhaps the most experienced base of sales agents and experts in the industry, with over 250 collective years of experience in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Market Leadership. Turks & Caicos Sotheby's International Realty is the leading luxury real estate brokerage in the Turks & Caicos Islands and enjoys a commensurate market

share position. TCSIR is the acknowledged leader in the luxury condominium industry and luxury real estate market, and has been a major force in the concept, design, launch and completion of many prestigious resorts on Grace Bay. We consistently achieve record-breaking sales and industry statistics show that we sell twice the amount of real estate in dollar volume as our nearest competitor.

Worldwide Presence. Internationally, our Sotheby's International Realty® affiliation provides global marketing platforms, technology, and materials that are superb, and ensure that our clients are represented by the finest brochures, outreach, web placement and other tools and material. The Sotheby's Realty brand is one of the most prestigious in the world and adds extra credibility to the quality of your property listing - connecting our property listings to the finest real estate companies and the most prestigious clientele in the world - exposing your Turks & Caicos property to qualified buyers all over the globe.

Targeted Marketing. We maintain a substantial database of qualified buyers from all over the globe. Through this database and our network of Sotheby's International Realty® colleagues, we can expose your property to more qualified buyers than any other firm.

Referrals. A very high percentage of our buyers and sellers are either repeat customers or are referred to our real estate agency by our growing list of satisfied clients. In addition, the Sotheby's International Realty® network connects us to more than 25,000 sales associates located in over 1,000 offices in 79 countries and territories, sharing many thousands of referrals around the world.

On Island Presence. In addition to our splendid main office on Grace Bay Road, we have a unique advantage of controlling some of the island's best distribution points, i.e. the finest hotels and properties where the most qualified buyers will stay during their visits to the island, including properties such as the Grace Bay Club, and The Palms, which boast on-site promotion and offices with our agents ready to assist visitors with their real estate needs.

Communication. The basis on which we build and customise our service to each client's needs. We stay in touch and keep you completely up to date during the marketing and closing process.

Financial/Legal Associations. Our close working relationships with leading financial institutions, lenders and the local legal fraternity gives us an inside track to get transactions closed quickly and efficiently.

Product and Market Knowledge. We maintain an extensive database of property sales transactions throughout the Turks & Caicos Islands and have up-to-date market information, which enables us to provide you with the best possible advice on pricing and marketing your property.

Commitment. Our principals and agents, many of whom have roots dating further back in the Turks & Caicos Islands, have established a leading track record of success in helping investors navigate the Turks & Caicos Islands’ real estate market and finding income-producing investments, primary and vacation homes for hundreds of satisfied clients.

This is a testament to our commitment and dedication to serving our clients.

Why Buy With Us?

At Turks & Caicos Sotheby's International Realty, we take great pride in our real-time knowledge of the market and properties available.

This intimate knowledge allows our agents to quickly "shrink the real estate universe" so you may quickly focus on the right property in the right way and assist you with all facets of the sales process. There are many advantages to purchasing property in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Turks & Caicos Islands is widely perceived as an up and coming, sought-after and high-end travel destination with much potential for growth and increased awareness of the islands.

As luxury market leaders and experts, we are uniquely qualified to assist you with buying real estate throughout the various stages of the process.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

TURKS AND CAICOS TOURIST BOARD

AS THE PROMOTIONAL body tasked with maintaining the TCI’s status as an attractive tourist destination, we get some exclusive insight into the islands, where to visit, and why, with Chairman of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Caesar Campbell.

Outlook Travel (OT): Firstly, could you talk us through the origins of the tourist board and its initial mission?

Caesar Campbell

Caesar Campbell, Chairman (CC): In 1969, after a Legislative Assembly decision, Hon. Norman Saunders and John Wainwright went on a research tour exploring The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Barbados, and Martinique

before deciding whether or not TCI should pursue tourism. Based on their findings, Hon. Saunders and Wainwright recommended that TCI should indeed pursue tourism as an industry. After approximately a year of further research, which included discussions with leading tourism experts, Hon. Saunders ultimately decided that TCI should specifically pursue a high-end tourism model, which would require fewer tourist arrivals and thus have a lower ecolog ical footprint. Following his recommendation, the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board was founded with Hon. Norman Saunders as its Executive Chairman, and other members including Hubert James, Clifford Stanley Jones, Darthney

THE PREMIERE YACHT CHARTER IN TURKS AND CAICOS

Outlook Travel (OT): Firstly, briefly introduce us to Poseidon Charters – what led to the company’s inception, and how long have you been in operation?

Poseidon Charters (PC): Poseidon Charters started almost five years ago. Since then, we have grown to become one of the largest luxury yacht charter companies on the island. When we built the company, we saw a lot of assortments on the island for fishing, but we identified a niche in the need for luxury charter boats to cater to discerning clients that come to visit the island.

OT: What makes the company stand out from the competition as a luxury yacht charter provider of choice in Turks and Caicos?

PC: All of our yachts are maintained professionally and upgraded every 12 months. We do not want people to step on

a boat that feels like it is a charter boat. We aim for the boat to feel like it is your family boat, where you would spend the day with your family and friends. We feel that great food, drinks, and experiences set us apart. French Champagne, white wine, lobster and conch fritters are all typical treats that can be enjoyed on board. Aside from this, we stand out because of our Italian snorkel gear and a crew that is professional, courteous and experienced.

OT: What are your most popular charter packages or services?

PC: Our most popular charter is a half day trip. Our half day trip is different, since it actually lasts for a full four hours, compared to others that are typically between three to three and a half hours. A lot of families have limited time on the island and want to get out on the water but may not have enough availability in their day.

I tell our customers that a full day always allows for more time away from the resort, time to explore and time to hang out with family. Our family clients are always asking to extend when they realise just how short a half day is! Our second most popular

trip is our Sunset Dinner Cruise, which we do from March to August (during day light saving time). This cruise is two hours and is a perfect setting for ambience and great food.

OT: What are some of the highlights of Turks and Caicos that guests can experience on one of your charters?

PC: Of course, visiting the other islands and exploring part of the national park is always a highlight. Seeing the rock iguanas which are native to our country is both special and interactive. The fact that Turks and Caicos has the third largest barrier reef in the world allows for wonderful snorkelling, while our local underwater structures and shipwreck are also very special. Although we can’t always count on it, our local dolphin Jojo loves to jump behind our yachts or come and interact with us on our way to our next stop.

OT: Could you tell us more about your approach to customer service?

PC: Our approach to any day that someone spends on our boats is to help families and couples create memories. It is these moments that you will remember for years to come with

your family, and travel home to share with friends. We connect with our customers and engage with them on history and their interests on the day on the boat. We realise that where we live is a special place and helping customers experience this in an authentic way is the goal of our team. Being in a luxury category, we like to balance that goal for the experience whilst also being authentic to our Caribbean roots. Customer service to us means delivering a great customer experience.

OT: Looking ahead, what’s next for Poseidon Charters? Do you have any plans to expand your fleet or diversify your service offering at all?

PC: Currently, we have three yachts in our fleet totalling 170ft of vessels. We are looking to add to it where we see an opportunity to fulfil the needs and wants of our customers from all around the world.

We will be introducing more yacht toys and including these in our fleet experience as an all-encompassing luxury day on the water. We are broadening our company to be able to offer Sea Bobs, more elaborate floating islands, beach chairs, and all manner of things to set up when you arrive.

James, and Cecelia DaCosta (now Cecelia Lightbourne).

The initial mission of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board was to promote tourism in TCI, to identify developers who were willing to invest in this undeveloped industry, as well as set policies, which moulded the luxury tourism that TCI is globally known for today.

OT: As the newly appointed Chairman of the Board, what is your vision for tourism in TCI? Are there any major changes you would like to drive?

CC: My vision is for us to be even more intentional with tourism. TCI has been blessed with many natural assets that play a significant role in attracting visitors every year. And while we, as a country, have done an excellent job

in developing our tourism product, I am confident that by making more data-driven decisions we will be able to achieve even greater results. Our transition from a Tourist Board into a Destination Management Organisation (DMO) and a Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) will involve prioritising data collection.

We will ensure that this data is used to improve the full customer journey – from researching TCI to travelling here to departing and booking the next trip back to our ‘Beautiful by Nature’ islands. This data will also be utilised to further diversify and strengthen our tourism offerings, as we drive tourists to vacation in our sister islands.

OT: After recently opening your borders with no proof of vaccination or PCR requirements, are you confident of the tourism sector’s recovery in the wake of COVID-19?

CC: While travellers are no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of travel insurance to gain entry to the country, we’re still requiring visitors over the age of 18 to show proof of full vaccination for the health and safety of our locals and visitors. Currently, more than 85 percent of the adult population is fully vaccinated — making TCI one of the most inoculated countries in the world. Knowing how proactive the government has been with its vaccination programme, visitors have felt comfortable travelling to TCI and our arrival numbers have made a full recovery. We’re confident that tourism will

only continue to grow, thanks to the hard work of our local communities who continue to make TCI one of the world’s most desirable travel destinations.

OT: Have you noticed any new tourism trends emerge from this time?

CC: As working from home remains more popular, we’ve seen more people extending their travels for a longer period of time so they can live and work remotely from paradise. Our luxury villas are a perfect option for longer stays with multigenerational families or groups, and many are even purchasing second homes to spend more time here. Another trend we’ve seen is that booking windows have shortened – with travel sometimes

more up in the air, visitors aren’t booking quite as far in advance as they were pre-pandemic. As TCI is just a quick flight from the US and the East Coast in particular, it makes for an ideal last-minute getaway, which we’ve been seeing more of.

OT: How does TCI appeal to travellers in search of luxury?

CC: Home to the iconic “World’s Best Beach”, TCI offers breathtaking hues from inviting waters, legendary diving and snorkelling, culinary delights, and warm, authentic hospitality. TCI consists of 40 islands and cays, nine of which are inhabited, so travellers in search of luxury can continue to return to enjoy stays not only on

Providenciales, but on our boutique sister islands, which offer added seclusion and a sense of discovery. We’re also renowned for our world-class hotels, villas, spas, and restaurants, situated along stretches of uncrowded beaches and vibrant coral reefs. On land or below the water, guests can relax in the unique serenity, hospitality, and beauty of this extraordinary destination.

OT: Similarly, what do the islands have to offer in terms of sustainable travel experiences? Is eco-friendly travel an important pillar of tourism for TCI?

CC: Prioritising the planet and our wildlife has been a longstanding focus of the destination for decades, with sustainability measures from our government, local

businesses, hotels and resorts, and the participation of visitors, to ensure the islands’ pristine natural environments are preserved for generations to come. Ecotourism is a huge effort of ours and allows visitors to enjoy remarkable excursions without the environmental impacts. For example, Big Blue Collective, a popular tour operator on Providenciales is the first company to decrease its overall footprint with quieter and less polluting four stroke motors; excursions via power catamarans; the elimination of single-use plastics such as bottles, cups, and plates from their tours; and a requirement for reef-safe sunscreen on all trips.

The TCI government has also taken steps to instil eco-friendly laws that all establishments must adhere to,

including banning the use of plastic straws, Styrofoam products, plastic bags, cars over 10 years old, and more. On top of this, many resorts have enacted their own ecoinitiatives, such as waste management, energy-saving methods, using electric vehicles, and more.

Lastly, the preservation of our wildlife is another priority. Through its enactment of a Protected Areas system, the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) ensures the protection and promotion of biodiversity throughout the islands. In fact, the destination has one of the most extensive Protected Area (PA) systems in the Caribbean, with 35 PAs including national parks, nature reserves, sanctuaries, and areas of historic interest.

Outlook Travel Magazine (OT): Introduce us to Wymara Resort & Villas - how long have you been running and what led to your inception?

Jorge Collazo, General Manager (JC): When

I became General Manager in February 2020, it was my second time working at Wymara Resort and Villas. Previously, I had worked for the resort several years earlier as Director of Sales and Marketing based out of Miami.

I had not seen the property in five years, and when I returned what surprised me the most was how timeless the architecture of the resort really is. The design makes it feel very intimate; it feels like a true boutique hotel.

After touring the property and seeing the design for the complete room renovation that took place in 2020, I was once again sold –little did I know that the best was yet to come. When I arrived at Wymara Villas shortly after, I had only seen the multi-bedroom villas online and quickly realised that the images do not do it justice. The entrance courtyard of each villa has the first of two swimming pools with the second pool in the back overlooking the shallow bay. At any point during the day one pool will be in the sun and one in the shade. As we stepped out to the second pool deck, the view took my breath away, different shades of turquoise as far as the eye could see! It was the view from the villas that inspired our current tag line: It really is that blue. When people look at our images they often ask if we are using a filter and we answer, “No, it really is that blue.”

The villas follow the same aesthetic as the resort, with light colours and glass that not

allows light in but also constantly draws your eyes to the beauty of the ocean. After five years here, it still takes my breath away.

OT: What makes the resort an accommodation of choice in Turks and Caicos?

JC: There are several factors that make Wymara Resort and Villas unique in our destination. Our aesthetic is modern and a departure from the colonial architecture that is prevalent among the other offerings on the island. Our location is also unique. Grace Bay Beach has two arches, the East and the West arch. The East arch is where most of the hotels are located, including two very large ones, and as a result, that arch is high density with a lot of foot traffic. Wymara is located in the West arch, which only has two other small hotels so it is very low density. Even when the hotel is at full capacity, there is plenty of space for guests to spread out and have some peace and quiet by the sea.

Wymara is a must-experience culinary destination. Our hotel invites guests to dive into an unparalleled rush of flavours and into their commitment to sustainability and quality. Award-winning Chef Andrew Mirosh draws inspiration from local ingredients and his global specialties from his homeland of Australia, creating a unique combination of

international influences, island sensibility, and vibrance across the resort’s delightful restaurants.

Our accommodations also set us apart. The resort offers guest room choices from spacious studios to multibedroom suites, all with modern décor. The villas are unique not only because of the views they provide but also because of the Wymara Villas Sports Club – a multi-acre facility for the exclusive use of villa guests. We just introduced our One Bedroom Pool Villas where couples can enjoy complete privacy and their very own plunge pool overlooking the ocean.

OT: What is the resort’s target market?

JC: Wymara has always been known for attracting couples of any age who choose to live an active lifestyle. We are family-friendly, but we are not a family resort. Except for the holiday periods, our guests tend to be 90 percent adults. We are happy to see that the UK traveller is discovering our island through the twice-weekly direct flight from London.

OT: What are the top experiences that the resort has to offer?

JC: Our culinary experiences attract not only our guests but also guests from other hotels. Our signature restaurant, Indigo, has become so popular that we need to limit the number

of reservations from the outside so we can save room for our guests. Our Saturday night Beach BBQ and our Wednesday night Fish Fry have become very popular on the island as well.

Besides culinary, our guests enjoy the largest beach on Grace Bay with complimentary nonmotorized water sports. 7,000 square foot pool has always been the top choice for our guests and our Wellness Program is gaining popularity as we offer fitness classes and a full range of services at our spa. Our villa guests enjoy their Private Sports Club, which we are expanding and will include some unique facilities in the ocean.

OT: How does the resort incorporate environmental sustainability?

JC: We have been working on our sustainability for several years now and it remains an ongoing focus. We have eliminated most single-use plastic and have a programme in place that gives our guests the option of reusing linens and towels in their rooms. Our spa is the only certified green spa on the island, and we are proud to use the organic Eminence product line. For every product we sell in the spa, Eminence plants a tree. We are expanding our efforts and have started conversations with a local organisation that focuses on reef conservation.

JC: We will continue to focus on our delicious culinary offerings, expand our wellness experiences and grow our villa portfolio. In culinary, we are about to rebrand and reimagine our beachfront restaurant, and we are bringing back our Pink Bar, which will offer a great selection of rosé wines and traditional cocktails. Our Wellness Programme

will be greatly improved as we renovate the Spa this September and expand our fitness class offerings. On the Villa side, we just launched our One Bedroom Pool Villas, and the demand has been great! The Sports Club will soon have a very unique offering in the ocean that we want to keep a surprise, but it is something that is commonly found in Australia…

OT: Looking ahead, what’s next for Wymara Resort & Villas?

OT: Looking ahead, what are the tourism board’s key priorities for the coming year?

CC: Our biggest priority for the coming year is successfully transitioning the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board to a DMO and creating a TRA. The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board has done an incredible job moulding a successful tourism product, and through the DMO and TRA we seek to amplify those efforts. These entities will facilitate more alignment and collaboration between all tourism-relevant stakeholders – including the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College – whilst also providing intensive training. This, combined with more regulation, will ensure that the world-class experiences that TCI is known for will be standardised and strengthened even further across

every entity that is immersed in our tourism economy. New businesses will quickly be brought up to speed while older businesses will be modernised. Through the DMO and TRA, we will also be placing greater emphasis on the generation and utilisation of data catalysing the implementation of more strategic data-driven decisionmaking that continuously polishes our tourism product.

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OT: Finally, in your opinion, why should someone visit TCI?

CC: TCI is a high-end destination that truly has something for everyone seeking luxury travel. Though brand awareness, TCI has made significant strides over recent decades – particularly over the last 10 years – and tourist arrivals are steadily increasing. Our commitment to luxury tourism prevents our islands being overburdened with an unmanageable number of visitors. As a result, each and every guest can enjoy the intricacies of TCI.

Our tourism hub, Providenciales, is globally known for being home to Grace Bay Beach. With its powdery soft sand, mesmerising turquoise waters, and non-ex istent crowds, it is no surprise that it is known as the “World’s Best Beach”. Tourists can enjoy stretches of this award-winning beach to themselves, while only being steps away from world-class resorts and restaurants.

But TCI is so much more than just Providenciales. Our boutique sister islands each shine in their own right and cater to a multitude of unique experiences.

While in Grand Turk, history buffs can learn at the Turks and Caicos National Museum before visiting the salt ponds, the Grand Turk Lighthouse, and the ruins of the U.S. NAVY NAVFAC 104 BASE., South Caicos, commonly known as “The Big South”, attracts those seeking an adrenaline rush from reeling in an energetic bonefish or being carried by the Atlantic Ocean winds while kiteboarding.

For the eco-tourist, the twin islands of Middle Caicos and North Caicos provide the Conch Bar Caves and Mudjin Harbour to explore, lush farmland brimming with

mouth-watering tropical fruit to enjoy, and amazing bird watching with flamboyances of flamingos at Flamingo Pond Overlook. While Salt Cay is small, the memories that it provides are certainly not, as visitors head over to “the island that time forgot” to witness one of the world’s largest animals migrating – humpback whales. And for those seeking an ultra-secluded and uber-pre mium experience, we offer private islands, such as Parrot Cay, Ambergris Cay, and Pine Cay. TCI truly has something for everyone.

Your Private Luxury Resort

The Tuscany resort is an award-winning hotel set in the beauty of Turks and Caicos, as one of Grace Bay’s premier oceanfront boutique locations. The Tuscany combines luxury, intimacy and privacy with world-class service for a truly peaceful stay. Located on the far-east side of Grace Bay Beach, The Tuscany is spread across five scenic acres of land offering more than 300 ft. of pristine Grace Bay beachfront. For those seeking the ultimate in seclusion and relaxation, The Tuscany is the perfect resort. To the east of The Tuscany is the wide-open Grace Bay Beach, for hours of beautiful beach walks. But, The Tuscany is also a stone’s throw from world-class fine dining, fine boutique shops and the exclusive Provo Golf club.

Each villa at The Tuscany offers large, screened-in patios with panoramic views of powdery white sand and turquoise waters. Fully equipped kitchens provide top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Suites also boast travertine marble flooring throughout. Master bedrooms with king beds overlook Grace Bay with well-appointed master-bathroom suites. A queen bed in the second bedroom and a set of twins in the third bedroom, each with ensuite bathrooms, complete the floor plan. The villas feature open-concept dining and living spaces with beautiful furnishings. They are the perfect backdrop for you to rest and unwind. The Tuscany is the top choice

for couples honeymooning or celebrating special occasions because of the privacy and intimacy it offers. The resort welcomes one, two or three-bedroom condo rentals. With the five-star standards and personal level of quality service provided, it ensures a memorable stay for guests of all ages.

Amenities include a cell phone upon arrival for use throughout the guests’ stay; daily housekeeping, complimentary beach towels at the pool and beach; complimentary Wi-Fi, gated and covered parking; a fully equipped fitness room, beautiful 70-ft. pool, two lit tennis courts, and complimentary bikes to ride in the Grace Bay area.

An award-winning concierge service awaits every guest with options for arranging restaurant reservations, grocery shopping services, car rentals, and island excursions. The Tuscany staff are proud to make each guest’s stay as peaceful as possible so they can relax in the beauty of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Tuscany has been the recipient of several dozen Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards over the past several years and in 2022 named Best of the Best! Privacy, intimacy, and a relaxing stay? The Tuscany resort offers it all!

Treat yourself to the most luxurious accommodations in the Turks and Caicos. The Venetian on Grace Bay is one of the quietest, most private luxury resorts on the beautiful island of Providenciales.

Elegant and sophisticated, The Venetian on Grace Bay, in the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), offers luxury five-star concierge services, but most importantly, privacy, serenity, and a peaceful stay.

As one of Grace Bay’s newer premier oceanfront destinations, The Venetian is an award-winning boutique resort providing top-notch service in an intimate, luxury setting. Located on the far-east side of Grace Bay Beach, The Venetian is situated across four beautifully landscaped acres boasting its own stretch of ocean to the east of the resort. For those seeking the ultimate in seclusion and relaxation, The Venetian is the perfect location.

Although just a stone’s throw from the scenic swathes of Grace Bay Beach, The Venetian is also steps away from world-class fine dining, fine boutique shops and the exclusive Provo Golf club. Indeed, The Venetian has the best of both worlds.

The stylish, designer décor and soothing turquoise hues mimic the gorgeous beach-front views enjoyed by each of the resort’s luxury condos. The Venetian’s 27 beachfront villas offer large screened in patios with panoramic views of white sand and turquoise waters. Fully equipped kitchens provide top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, and travertine marble flooring throughout. Open concept dining and living spaces with beautiful furnishings are the perfect backdrop where guests can rest and unwind.

The Venetian also boasts two 3,100 square feet Penthouse Suites with oversized bedrooms, media room with pullout queen sleeper sofas, huge screened in patios

offering breathtaking views of Grace Bay beach. The Penthouse Suites can easily accommodate up to eight people and are the ultimate in luxury.

The Venetian is the top choice for couples celebrating special occasions because of its privacy and intimacy. The boutique resort’s size also makes it an ideal spot for multi-generational vacations, and it welcomes one, two or three-bedroom condo rentals. With the five-star standards and personal level of quality service provided, it ensures a memorable stay for guests of all ages.

Amenities include a cell phone upon arrival for use throughout the guests’ stay; daily housekeeping, complimentary beach towels at the pool and beach; complimentary Wi-Fi, gated and covered parking; a fully equipped fitness room, beautiful 70-ft. pool, two lit tennis courts, and complimentary bikes to ride in the Grace Bay area, and a dedicated on-site massage therapist at The Venetian!

Amazing, award-winning concierge service awaits every guest with options for arranging restaurant reservations, grocery shopping services, car rentals, and island excursions. The Venetian staff pride themselves on making each guest’s stay as peaceful as possible so they can relax in the beauty of TCI.

The Venetian is the recipient of recent Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards: Top 25 Hotels for Small Hotels –Caribbean, and Top 25 Hotels for Service in the Caribbean as well as Top 25 Resorts for Families – Caribbean.

The Venetian on Grace Bay... Paradise Found!

PROVIDENCIALES IN FOCUS

Colloquially known as Provo, Providenciales is the centre of tourist activity in TCI. At 38 square miles, it is the third largest landmass in the island chain. The majority of travellers will arrive at Providenciales International Airport, and transfer straight to one of a myriad luxury resorts, hotels and villas found throughout the island.

ARGUABLY PROVO’S BIGGEST attraction is the stretch of sand that has repeatedly been nominated as the World’s Best Beach by a wide range of tourism and travel publi cations – Grace Bay Beach. Such is the area’s draw, celebrities such as Beyoncé and the Kardashian tribe are often seen strolling along its whitesand shores. However, it is beyond these beaches where you are most

likely to see the real local celebrity of Jojo the bottlenose dolphin. Some of the island’s other most popular beach spots include Long Bay, Sapodilla Bay, Blue Hills Beach and Taylor Bay, with some fantastic reef snorkelling opportunities such as Smith’s Reef.

As the most populous area in TCI, those looking for a lively nightlife scene should look no further, since downtown Provo is known for some

of the best bars and restaurants in the archipelago – not to mention the regular Thursday night Fish Fry. Aside from this, here you can also explore cultural delights such as local arts and crafts at the Bamboo Gallery.

Since the opening of TCI’s first resort hotel here in 1990, Providenciales has continued to develop as a centre for all the modern conveniences that a traveller might need.

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

CHALK SOUND NATIONAL PARK

This secluded natural lagoon is a startling shade of turquoise, dotted with small islands where endemic Turks and Caicos Rock Iguanas cling to the rock. Elsewhere, the park hosts an underwater cave and an abandoned plane wreck. A short drive from Grace Bay, this is the ideal location to rent a kayak or hop on a stand-up paddleboard.

MUDJIN HARBOUR

The highlight of Middle Caicos, Mudjin is known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, white-sand beach and Dragon Cay – a small limestone inshore island. Next to the beach, you will find the extensive dry cave system of the Conch Bar Caves. Keen hikers might try the historical Crossing Place trail, which will lead you to Mudjin on a path traversing hills, cliffs and beaches.

THE GRAND TURK LIGHTHOUSE

This historic iron monument,

cast

1852, oversees TCI’s infamous northeast reef. This spot

feared to draw near. Visit for

and a touch of historical insight.

SANDS

PALMS

F F O R T L E S S ?OR B R I L L I A N T L Y U N C O N V E N T I O N A L ?

A GLANCE AT THE SISTER ISLANDS OF TCI

With over 40 different islands and cays, TCI offers a wealth of different locations to stay and explore. Here’s a whistlestop guide to some of the main islands and the unique experiences that each has to offer.

DIVE INTO CULTURE ON GRAND TURK...

The capital island of TCI, Grand Turk is known for its rustic charm and cultural appeal. This tropical isle boasts several enigmatic remnants of TCI’s history; from the towering lighthouse built in 1852 to the site of the supposed first landfall here by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Discover the Turks and Caicos National Museum in the historic setting of Guinep House, and admire scenic Bermudian style architecture from the island’s salt raking era as you stroll along streets shaded by bougainvillea in Cockburn Town.

Cultural appetites satisfied, Grand Turk is also a mecca for divers, with an underwater drop of 7,000 feet making for one of the best wall dive

sites in the world. With excellent water clarity and a thriving barrier reef, the underwater wall sites off the shores of Grand Turk support a kaleidoscopic array of fish, sea creatures and coral. The most popular diving areas are found off the west coast of Grand Turk in the Columbus Landfall National Park.

EXPLORE A RIOT OF COLOUR ON NORTH CAICOS...

“The Emerald Isle”, North Caicos is an island defined by colour, as a lush and verdant paradise that receives an abundance of rainfall throughout the year. Here, you can observe the largest flock of Pink Flamingo in the islands, with flamboyances regularly spotted at either Flamingo Pond or Mud Hole Pond. The island hosts

extensive sanctuaries and nature reserves, particularly for the varied birdlife that flock to these shores, whilst iguanas can be spotted on the nearby East Bays Cay.

Once TCI’s agricultural home, visit the historic ruins of long-abandoned plantations, the most popular of which is Wade’s Green Plantation which has almost become overtaken by vegetation. This agricultural legacy survives today, with several local farms harvesting the callaloo, plantain and sweet potato that are sold throughout TCI.

North Caicos is nicknamed “the breadbasket of the Turks and Caicos”, thanks to the thriving local craft tradition of straw work. Most of North Caicos’ inhabitants are concentrated round the settlements of Bottle

Creek Village, Whitby, Kew and Sandy Point. The island is linked with Middle Caicos through a causeway, making it easy to travel between the two.

VENTURE OFF THE BEATEN TRACK ON MIDDLE CAICOS...

The largest island in the TCI chain, Middle Caicos is the second half of the twin islands of Middle and North Caicos. A haven for natural wonders, Middle Caicos hosts an extensive labyrinthine cave system, comprising Conch Bar Cave and the Indian Cave. Spanning for miles, these are the largest underground network of limestone caves in the Caribbean.

A reminder of the island’s past, this area was settled in 1842 by the survivors of the ‘Gambia’ shipwreck, emerging from the wreckage of a Spanish slave ship bound for Cuba.

The multicultural origins of Middle Caicos are evident in other place names, such as Mudjin Harbour – a variation of the area’s original name of ‘Bermudian Harbour’. This section of coastline offers dramatic pano ramic views, with limestone cliffs and swelling seas.

A playground for adventure, Middle Caicos offers hiking, biking, and sea fishing in hobie tandem kayaks.

SET SAIL FOR THE BIG SOUTH WITH SOUTH CAICOS...

geared for immersion in nature, and a quiet, low-key getaway. Soak up the secluded shores of Long Beach, Easy Bay and Bell Sound to name just a few, or lace up your walking shoes to explore the Highlands of South Caicos, traversing rolling dunes and limestone cliffs. The island locals, known as Harbonians, are famously friendly, and you won’t regret paying a visit to this hidden gem.

SLOW THE PACE ON THE ECO OASIS OF SALT CAY...

The three major settlements include Conch Bar, Lorimers, and Bambarra, the latter of which is known for the breathtaking scenery of Bambarra Beach. The word ‘Bambarra’ refers to the Bamberra people, originating from the banks of the Niger River in West Africa.

This quiet island is known for its mod est small-scale fishing industry, with conch, lobster and fish being sourced and shipped from South Caicos to international markets. Visitors can arrange to spend a day on the water fishing for their own supper or pur chasing some fresh delicacies from local fishing plants for a tantalising ‘sea to table’ dining experience. Clear tidal flats make for ideal bone-fishing conditions, in pursuit of the elusive ‘grey ghost’. Venture out with a local fisherman for some expert guidance. A marine wonderland, snorkelling, fishing and scuba diving along awe-inspiring wall sites at Amos’ Wall, Eagle Nest or the Arch, are the main attractions here.

Just a ferry ride or short flight from Providenciales, South Caicos hosts a mixture of luxury resorts and accommodations. This is an island

Many say that Salt Cay is the island that time forgot. Although its slowpaced charm may have you thinking otherwise, this was once the bustling centre of TCI’s salt industry, as you can see by the now abandoned salinas. Elsewhere, the ruins of an old whaling station on Taylor’s Hill, not far from the beaches of Long Bay, offer a panoramic lookout point with unbeaten views.

At just 2.5 square miles, it is easy to explore Salt Cay, whose population stands at less than 80 people. This is compensated for by a very healthy number of resident donkeys! Either bicycles or golf carts are the primary modes of local transportation.

Thanks to its position on Turks Island Passage, Salt Cay is well regarded as one of the best spots for whale watching in TCI, as giant hump backs dwarf the island’s, tiny size during migrating season in January through to April. This is the time to visit, as many local catamarans and yacht operators offer trips for an unforgettable close encounter.

A FOODIE SNAPSHOT OF TCI

THE FOOD IN TCI is testament to the various cultural influences found throughout the archipelago. A gas tronomical voyage here will expose you to flavours from Europe, South America, South Asia and West Africa, alongside other island territories such as Bermuda, Jamaica, and of course the original inhabitants of the native Taíno people.

Aside from the Thursday Fish Fry, Provo has developed a reputation for tourist-friendly culinary options, so for those seeking a truly authentic island eating experience, venture to the quieter islands of Salt Cay, North and Middle Caicos, or South Caicos –the fishing capital of TCI.

Unsurprisingly, seafood is the

staple of island cuisine, with conch being the signature ingredient. Akin to a giant sea snail, fried conch fritters are a popular way of serving this local delicacy, or it may be served raw in citrus juices. You would be remiss not to try cracked conch – which is widely acknowledged as TCI’s national dish. Visit Provo’s Da Conch Shack to experience the taste at a national institution.

Fish and lobster are other favour ites, particularly snapper and grouper so fresh it was likely caught that very day. If ordering fish, bear in mind that means the whole fish! For the more adventurous, embark on a fishing trip to source your own dinner in a ‘sea to table’ experience.

In terms of locally grown ingredi ents, the weather conditions here don’t naturally lend themselves to a productive agricultural sector, how ever sweet potato, okra, peppers and plantains are all harvested in certain areas. Old-style dishes might also include peas and rice, grits, or hominy, which has long been used in TCI as an alternative to rice made from drought resistant maize. Another is ‘johnny cake’, derived from the term ‘journey cake’, as a pan baked cornbread that was typically given to fishermen embarking on long trips, since it would preserve so well.

With such a varied range of dishes on offer, island cuisine is sure to delight.

A DIVER’S GUIDE TO TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Julie Anderson, Global Brand Director of world-leading scuba diving training organisation PADI, shares her tips and tricks for exploring the underwater world of Turks and Caicos

The diving in Turks and Caicos is some of the best in the western hemisphere - and it is what these islands are known for. It’s an absolute diver’s paradise and the third-largest barrier reef in the world.

Every dive is spectacular with stunning coral forma tions, many of them on steep walls. Fish life is plentiful and healthy as well. Whether you are into searching for amazing macro creatures or gliding with spotted eagle rays - the dives in TCI will not disappoint.

The underwater conditions - low current, stunning beautiful crystal-clear water with exceptional visibility, combined with great weather and water temperatures that are consistently higher than 75 degrees - make it a perfect place for learning to dive or logging some time underwater. With the walls, wrecks, diverse marine life, and even swim thru’s, it’s perfect for advanced divers. It’s also a fantastic place to go with non-divers who are interested in trying scuba diving for the first time and even getting certified themselves.

WHAT DIVERS CAN EXPECT TO SEE

TCI is situated on an expansive underwater plateau that rises 7,000 feet from the ocean floor, with most of the

islands being located directly on the north edge of this plateau. That means incredible wall structures, healthy coral, and a lot of incredible marine life in all shapes and sizes. The reefs are plentiful and, given the wall structure, you’ll see robust and dense coral species at deeper depths that you may have never seen before. The massive orange elephant ear sponges surrounded by contrasting, bright purple gorgonian coral with a Caribbean reef shark gliding above in crystal clear blue water is a vision I’ll forever have in my mind as my happy place!

You’ll also have the chance to encounter larger migra tory species, such as humpback whales, sharks, turtles, rays, and dolphins. You never know what might swim byespecially during January through March, as many pelagic species use the channels between the islands as watery “highways”. Navigating through coral heads or swimming around wrecks in stunning visibility allows you to take it all in - including chance encounters with megafauna!

Grand Turk, as well as the neighbouring island of Salt Cay, are two of the best destinations in the world for swimming with humpback whales. From January to April, mothers come to these shallow waters to calve. For snorkellers, it’s a humbling and awe-inspiring chance to

PHOTO © NEIL ANDREA, JULIE ANDERSEN

We offer a uniquely designed spacious ocean front villa with a private pool and pool house, nestled in exclusive Silly Creek Estates. A stone paved path leads to the ocean, where you can snorkel right off the coastline.

Relax and enjoy stunning sunsets from the beautiful screened-in lanai, beside the pool, or on the beach every evening. Discover Providenciales from Silver Palm Villa, a beautiful peaceful spot to relax, unwind and enjoy Providenciales during your stay.

The villa is a modular design, with each bedroom having its own private space with ocean views and patio/balcony for your enjoyment. The pool house serves as a third bedroom if needed and also as a space to hang out while enjoying the pool. It includes an outdoor shower as well!

During your stay at the villa, you will have the opportunity to discover a wide array of restaurants on the island, serving everything from local fair to international cuisine at the finest of restaurants.

For more information regarding water sports, tourist attractions and tours, please contact Selassie Smith at (649) 341-6937 or send an email to smith.tci.co@gmail.com

Silver Palm Beach House T&C Villa

Silver Palm Beach House T&C Villas

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands B.W.I

Creek Estates,

swim eye-to-eye with these charis matic megafaunas. If you’ve never swam with a whale before - it is a life-changing experience.

Marvel at colourful fish in all shapes and sizes, the incredible schools of horse-eyed jacks, the man-made (wreck) structures, and the constant Hawksbill turtle sightings. Of course, you will also have the chance to meet Jojo - the resident, wild dolphinand national treasure - who often welcomes divers to the islands.

Some of the best dives I have had here were during sunset. It is when the reefs begin changing and you see both the nighttime and daytime crea tures roaming about in such hectic

numbers that you don’t know where to look! Then, after a dive of a lifetime, you surface to a gorgeous sunset on the water, where words really do not do these colours justice.

THE ISLANDS YOU SHOULD VISIT

The islands are teeming with epic dive sites and there is a lot of diversity between each one in terms of development, feel, and, of course, underwater topography. All are equally beautiful with gorgeous white-sand beaches and crystal turquoise water. If you are looking for a more remote, “castaway” style of island life, some of the smaller islands

definitely fit the bill.

I loved my liveaboard trips, moving from island to island to discover new dive sites and be in the water literally all day - and into the evening. It’s a fantastic way to explore everything from walls to wrecks.

However, I’ve also stayed in “Provo” and with so many dive sites to choose from close to shore, I loved the posh Grace Bay and the diversity of the dives as well.

PADI has 13 Dive Centres in TCI on four different islands - and nearly half of those are five star - all of which are fantastic choices for every dive adventure. There are also two liveaboard choices as well.

MY TRAVEL TIPS FOR TURKS AND CAICOS

Be prepared to do a lot of diving! Make sure your gear is comfortable - and you have everything you need to be cosy underwater and topside. The weather is great, so don’t forget a lot of sun protection - including rash guards for the boat trips. I personally hate putting wet dive suits on, so I brought a few light suits and swapped between them.

And while you are headed to and from the dive sites, make sure you are prepared to hop in with snorkel gear in case you see a pod of dolphins or some other magical sight. I always had my fins, mask, snorkel, and an

extra weight belt at the ready.

TCI is fantastic for families - and even for non-divers. I spent many family vacations there throughout my childhood and into adulthood. We loved spending time underwater together, and it was a great place for both my young brother and my mother (who was afraid of the water at one point) to get PADI certified as well. They both became hooked on diving for life thanks to the encouraging PADI pros and gorgeous underwater environments.

If you are looking for an epic vacation and love diving, I can’t rec ommend it enough. It’s stunning and a fantastic place to seek adventure

under the surface.

If you haven’t yet discovered the underwater world but you’re thinking about becoming a diver, as summer approaches it’s the perfect time to dive in and learn to scuba. The weather is generally better, the waters are warmer and the seas are calmer. These conditions are ideal to get scuba certified.

The first step is to book your PADI Open Water Diver Course with a verified PADI Dive Centre so you can be assured you’re receiving top training from qualified dive professionals. They will guide you as you begin this exciting journey underwater.

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

FOR ISLAND HOPPING BOAT TOURS

FROM PROVIDENCIALES...

Caicos Dream Tours promises to deliver what its name suggests – unforgettable, dream-worthy experiences through island-hopping boat tours, or personalised snorkelling, fishing and water sports adventures around Provo. Whether a group snorkelling trip, or an intimate honeymoon celebration with a private charter for two, Caicos Dream Tours has the fleet and experienced staff to create your ideal tour. Included on board is all the necessary snorkelling gear, and a host of complementary beverages to keep you refreshed whilst exploring. Whatever your trip, captains, tour desk staff and welcoming, knowledgeable guides are dedicated to enhancing your experience in TCI.

FOR EXHILARATING SPORTS FISHING EXCURSIONS...

Based out of Provo’s Turtle Cove Marina, Catchin’ Caicos specialises in private, luxury fishing trips and exclusive boating excursions. Whether a novice or expert, the Catchin’ Caicos team are on hand to ensure you get the most out of your fishing

experience. With a bespoke offering, your trip can be entirely customised based on your preferences –whether its deep sea or bottom fishing, or perhaps even just a sunset cruise. Boasting over 40 years’ experience of fishing in TCI, guests can benefit from the unparalleled expertise of island resident Captain Roy, otherwise known as ‘The Fish Whisperer’.

FOR SEASING THE DAY...

Poseidon Charters Ltd is a premier yacht charter company catering to private all-inclusive days on the water. A fantastic way to explore the islands with your desired party, choose from half day, full day, or sunset dinner cruises. As one of the largest charter providers in TCI, Poseidon’s offering is expansive, with high quality vessels that are regularly renewed and updated. There’s nothing quite like soaking up the scenery of TCI from aboard a 51-foot Searay. Let the experienced and hospitable crew guide you with the best places to snorkel, paddleboard, cliff jump, or where to see abandoned shipwrecks.

FOR AQUATIC ADVENTURES...

Talbot’s Adventures leverages its unparalleled local knowledge to deliver fishing charters, boating excur sions and tours throughout the islands. Whether cruising through cays, enjoying a beach barbeque or an afternoon spent angling, you will find the crew’s knowledge and passion infectious, all of whom are TCI residents.

FOR A FUN-FILLED BIKE ADVENTURE...

FOR RELIABLE FERRY SERVICES

SLEEP

FOR LUXURY ISLAND VACATIONS...

Alive and Well Resorts

The Kokomo Botanical Resort offers Caribbean Cottages within a private gated family-friendly resi dential resort setting. Each guest room comprises an individual 2-bedroom cottage, providing an intimate, homely feel, within the grounds of a tropical garden oasis. The beautifully manicured five-acre site boasts 38 private cottages with a garden spa and yoga pavilion, a freshwater oasis pool with a saltwater hot plunge, and one of the best restaurants on the island. In an idyllic setting to relax and unwind, discover winding nature trails that will lead you through the resort’s amenities. Conveniently situated in Provo, enjoy exclusive access to the resort’s private beach club located on the world’s best beach – Grace Bay. Kokomo Botanical Resort is the perfect base for all your desired island vacation experiences.

Another Alive and Well highlight on TCI is the One on Marlin Resort. This private and secluded adults-only retreat provides a zen-like sanctuary that is ideally suited for independent travellers, honeymooners or couples in search of a romantic getaway. A haven in Provo’s suitably named ‘Sacred Valley’, the resort offers understated amenities in line with its environmentally friendly philosophy. As a multi-year Travellers’ Choice Winner from Tripadvisor, the luxury suites are mid-is land, surrounded by the native flora of the Caribbean, and just minutes away from Grace Bay Beach, and some of the island’s best restaurants and bars. Savour the chance to retreat, relax, unwind, re-energise, and rekindle your connection to nature. One On Marlin is truly “away” to find Oneself and One Another.

FOR BEACHFRONT TRANQUILLITY...

The Tuscany resort on Grace Bay is synonymous with luxury, intimacy and privacy. Here you will find 30 sumptuous suites, all with privately screened porches, located on a quieter stretch of what has regularly been voted as the world’s best beach. Life really is beautiful at The Tuscany.

FOR A SLICE OF ISLAND BLISS...

The Venetian on Grace Bay offers oceanfront suites with panoramic views of the bay, far away from the crowds. Although the beach may be at your fingertips, when staying at The Venetian you are also just a short walk from great restaurants and shopping in town.

FOR A MODERN AESTHETIC AND CULINARY EXCELLENCE..

Wymara Resort and Villas is a Caribbean sanctuary on the pristine sands of Grace Bay. Aside from its paradisiacal setting against a backdrop of white sands and azure waters, this resort prides itself on its tasteful, minimalist interiors that stand out from the typical colonial style. Wymara also presents an unforgettable gastronomical experience, born from the genius of award-winning Chef Andrew Mirosch who combines local TCI ingredients with international influences. Choose from a selection of oceanfront suites and studios, or seek out luxurious seclusion in one of the private villas.

FOR A PRIVATE STAY IN PROVO...

The Silver Palm Beach House is a spacious ocean front villa located in the exclusive Silly Creek Estates. Stroll down a short stone path and find yourself on Grace Bay beach with incredible snorkelling at your disposal, or retreat to your own private pool.

FOR A WEALTH OF CHOICES...

If you’re looking for luxury and serenity in Providenciales, The Sands and The Palms offer the quintessentially Caribbean resort experience along the scenic 12-mile-long stretch of Grace Bay. Meanwhile, to Provo’s southeast, The Shore Club promises a hedonis tic experience centred on relaxation and rejuvenation.

FOR AIRPORT CONVENIENCE...

The Lodgings Hotel SureStay Collection by Best Western provides a clean and comfortable stay just under a mile away from the International Airport in downtown Providenciales.

FOR A HEDONISTIC GETAWAY ON THE NORTH SHORE..

South Fleetwood Villas on Grace Bay Beach offers a range of rental properties ideal for any kind of vacation.

FOR A PRIVATE ISLAND GETAWAY... Pine Cay

FOR INDULGENT VILLA VACATIONS... Island Escapes

BUDGET TRAVELLERS…

TRANSPORT

FOR CAR RENTALS YOU CAN RELY ON...

Rent A Buggy is one of the oldest car rental com panies in TCI, originating in 1983 with a fleet of dune buggies. Whether you’re after a cute Jeep or a trusty SUV, head to Leeward Highway, Providenciales for a great service.

FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE TWOWHEELED ADVENTURE...

Caicos Cyclery in Grace Bay is the one-stop solution in TCI for bike rentals, repairs, sales, and even cycling tours. Travel around the islands the local way with a range of bikes and experiences that cater to cyclists of all levels and ages.

FOR QUALITY CAR HIRE STRAIGHT FROM THE AIRPORT...

Sixt Rent a Car Providenciales provides a quality, affordable car hire service, ready to collect from Providenciales International Airport. Whether travelling for a business trip in a spacious saloon, or a leisure visit that calls for a 4x4, Sixt has the vehicle for you.

FOR AN EXPERT PASSENGER AIRLINE... Caicos Express Airways

FOR VIP AIRPORT SERVICES... SkyPass Caribbean

REAL ESTATE

FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A LONGER STAY...

Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty is a leading luxury real estate brokerage firm in TCI that prides itself on a sparkling track record of satisfied customers. Its portfolio of real estate properties encompasses condominium development, homes, villas, land, commercial opportunities and luxury villa rentals. The Sotheby’s name connotes an esteemed heritage of marketing the world’s most treasured possessions since 1744, and its prowess within TCI’s real estate market is no different. With a diverse team of agents offering unparalleled location expertise, let the Sotheby’s team fulfil your property investment goals in TCI.

FOR ASSISTING BUYERS AND SELLERS OF LUXURY...

Coldwell Banker Real Estate has facilitated purveyors of luxury in residential, development and beachfront property in TCI since 1989, as one of the founding members of the Turks and Caicos Real Estate Association. Visit them in Grace Bay to leverage decades of expertise.

DESPITE ITS REMOTE location, TCI is well-known for how easily connected it is with the US, requiring just a short flight from Miami or New York and many other major cities. There is also the weekly Sunday British Airways flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), which is TCI’s only trans-Atlantic service. Aside from this, TCI is easily reached by air from Canada, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and Antigua.

Although all international flights will land at Providenciales International Airport (PLS), there are two additional interna tional airports in TCI - Grand Turk International Airport (GDT) and South Caicos International Airport (XSC).

For travel between the islands, many are linked by local airlines and ferry services. The majority can be reached with a 10-to-30-minute flight from Provo. The TCI Ferry Service offers a reliable, regular route between Provo, North Caicos and South Caicos. Otherwise, a host of boat charter operators offer a fantastic way to explore TCI with daily excursions. The mile-long causeway between the twin islands of Middle Caicos and North Caicos means that these two are easily accessible with ground transportation.

On land, taxis and car rentals are available in places, as are privately-run bus services, but bicycle is the most common means of travel.

SAINT LUCIA

Quintessentially Caribbean, Saint Lucia offers recreation and rejuvenation in the tropics. We take a deep dive into the gem of the West Indies as it embraces a future for community-led tourism

Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Deane Anderton

Much like its endemic national bird, the Saint Lucian Parrot, Saint Lucia is defined by colour –from the sparkling azure of its seas and verdant swathes of jungle, to the kaleidoscopic splendour of its coral reefs and the vibrant jumble of village markets.

Reputed for its beauty, known as the ‘Helen of the West Indies’, and thanks to its location in the path of the north-eastern trade winds, it is not surprising that Saint Lucia has seen many cultures fight to claim this land. First colonised by French settlers in 1650, Saint Lucia finally gained independence in 1979. Remnants of the island’s tumultuous period of colonisation can be found in the military ruins of Pigeon Island National Park, whose shores hold tales of plunder and pirates. Now, Saint Lucia represents a vivid melting pot of cultures, combining Carib, African, Indian, French and English.

This small, paradisiacal isle enjoys a tropical maritime climate. Saint Lucia is split into the livelier northern areas, home to the cruise port-terminal capital of Castries, and the far quieter, rural south. Here you will find a bounty of natural wonders, like the mud baths and natural springs of Soufrière, thundering waterfalls

and treks through thick jungle that hosts over 156 bird species. Fertile mountain valleys are carpeted with cocoa plantations that still represent a mainstay of the island’s economy, such as the historic estate of Fond Doux.

Hikers will savour the chance to summit the iconic Pitons – towering twin pyramids of rock rising out of the Caribbean Sea that have long been a national landmark. The surrounding western Caribbean coastline encases secluded coves and stretches of beach whose waters host teeming marine life. Snorkellers and divers worldwide flock to the coral reefs of Anse Chastanet and Grande Anse, where leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs, while whales and dolphins glide further out to sea.

Elsewhere, the island’s famous Creole cuisine is sure to set tastebuds tingling. Weekly ‘Friday Fish Frys’ are not to be missed, as villagers and visitors alike take to the streets to celebrate the start of the weekend over freshly caught fish and lashings of rum, as Calypso and other music drifts in the background. Islanders are known for their hospitality, and as the saying goes, in Saint Lucia, there’s no such thing as a stranger.

Mount Kailash Rejuvenation Centre was birthed out of a desire to revolutionise the healthcare system.

The attraction to the concept was initiated with the simple yearning to see mankind relieved from its suffering and experience the fullness of the healing properties of the natural remedies that occur in and are derived from nature. This sort of care is founded on an in-depth overstanding that we are natural beings and as such when our physical bodies become unbalanced as is reflected in a dis-eased state our remedy is in nature. This physical imbalance is brought about by a disruption in our natural life enhancing modes of thinking/meditating which is in harmony with nature/universe. Therefore, to effectively heal ourselves of our dis-eased condition we must be placed in an environment that not only caters to the physical manifestation of the dis-ease through natural herbal modalities of treatment, but one that also acknowledges the environmental and spiritual imbalance that made significant contributions to the manifested state of being unwell.

Mount Kailash Rejuvenation Centre seeks to redefine the concept of hospital by providing a service that heals the individual as a whole being by intricately intertwining their rehabilitation process with natural healing properties which include simply being in an environment that accommodates such, an environment that motivates ones to want to live, and to want to recuperate through its rich abundance of the beauty that life has to offer.

It awakens the consciousness of the simple perfection of beauty there is within every entity when in its natural state. Through this experience, it brings to remembrance the ancient ways that kept us well in times long past. It affords us the opportunity to be able to see, love, find full joy and value our natural selves.

Re-treat Rejuvenate Restore

The Ladera Resort is known as a romantic paradise in the West Indies. Reputed for its peaceful serenity, and hospitable staff, Ladera Resort prides itself on providing 5-Star luxury in perfect harmony with nature. As the only resort in Saint Lucia located on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ladera is perched on a volcano ridgeline 1,000 feet above the sea and just outside the port town of Soufrière, with stunning views of the Caribbean and Pitons. We find out more with Managing Director of the resort, Christian Gandara.

Outlook Travel (OT): What kind of travellers does the Ladera Resort target?

Christian Gandara, Managing Director (CG): We target people who are looking for romance, like honeymooners or couples celebrating special occasions. Otherwise, it might just be people who are looking for a place to reconnect with their loved ones. We also attract people who want to immerse themselves in the nature and the culture of Saint Lucia. Our three-wall concept allows you to interact with the beautiful wonders of Saint Lucia, while enjoying the pleasures of life. With excellent farmto-table food and the best wines, you will be truly pampered by our team members.

OT: What are some of the top experiences that the resort has to offer?

CG: For some, it might be enjoying a nice glass of champagne in your private heated pool, overlooking a panoramic view of the Pitons rising above the blue Caribbean Ocean. Others might enjoy hiking along our private nature trail to the top of the volcano ridge, where you can enjoy complimentary sunrise meditations or yoga sessions.

OT: How does the resort incorporate an eco-friendly philosophy?

CG: We harvest all of our rainwater. It is then treated and used for all the resort’s needs, whilst our hot water is entirely heated by solar panels. Meanwhile, most of the ingredients used in our restaurant are grown on property, or sourced from local farmers and fisheries in order to support our surrounding communities.

OT: Are there any recent new developments at the resort that visitors can look forward to?

CG: We have several new additions that we are excited about. These include a new 18,000 square ft spa, a new wine room, and a brand new rum bar that stocks rums from across the whole Caribbean. www.ladera.com

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

SAINT LUCIA HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION (SLHTA)

FOR ALMOST 60 years, the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) has operated as the trusted voice behind the island’s tourism industry. We catch up with CEO, Noorani Azeez, as the association engages with major amendments to the local tourism development act, to discuss a future for a community-centred industry.

Outlook Travel Magazine (OT): Can you talk us through the origins of SLHTA and its initial vision?

Noorani Azeez, CEO (NA): The association was initially formed in 1963 by a group of 12 hotels who wanted to share with the wider economy and other stakeholders the opportunity that the tourism sector held for investment, employment,

Noorani Azeez

and the general development of the country. In 1985, the association expanded to include nonaccommodation business operators, including destination management companies, sites and attractions, with a particular emphasis on the food and beverage sector. In 2019, our current

board of directors saw how the association was evolving and based on the strengths of the institution, we amended our name from The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association to the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association. We felt that this better reflected our growth and the fact that two-thirds of our members are non-hoteliers.

OT: What are your association’s current goals?

NA: COVID-19 really turned everything upside down, so we have drifted slightly from the strategic plans that we had mapped out for 2019 to 2023. Our primary goals haven’t changed, but they have been reclassified in terms of priority for our organisation. Right now, these

include focusing on sustainable economic recovery both for our members and the destination. We are working closely with our members to ensure they are complying with the new protocols of operation that have been created post-2020.

Now, we are also much more deeply involved with civil society. We have literally tripled our resources to support discussions amongst civil society actors that reflect issues affecting our communities and our environment. Many of these issues rose to the fore during the COVID-19 experience, and so we recalibrated our resources to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure we create sustainably healthy communities and protect our environment.

OT: How do you market Saint Lucia as both a business and leisure travel destination?

NA: We lean heavily on the fact that we are first and foremost a leisure destination and we are still piggybacking on the many incredible leisure accolades that we have won over the years – whether it’s bragging about our Nobel Laureates, our unique cultural heritage, or geographic amenities. We have been able to package this all in a very effective way for business travellers too, who may have an opportunity to come here whilst doing business and allow themselves a couple of hours for rejuvenation. That blend has worked fantastically for us.

We support the marketing of Saint Lucia by working closely with our sister association, The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, and serving on their Marketing Committee. We engage with prospective clients through trade shows and other marketing mediums where we can

promote our offerings.

OT: What trends are currently reshaping tourism in Saint Lucia and how are you utilising them?

NA: We’re paying very close attention not only to what our members want, but also our guests and potential visitors, and particularly how those demands are evolving post-2020. For many of us, 2020 will serve as a new benchmark and it has really triggered a national call to action for us to revisit the vision for tourism’s development on the island.

We are focused on ensuring that tourism permeates our communities more effectively. Its benefits need to redound more powerfully to our communities and our environment. Through re-shaping and amending legislation, we are hoping to accommodate this new vision for tourism. This includes implementing

new legislation on communitybased tourism, allowing groups to make legitimate investments in their communities that have a tourism bias. Our evolving Tourism Development Act also seeks to allow these non-traditional operators access to incentive regimes, financing mechanisms and human resource development - resources that will allow them to not only take the risk of investing in tourism but also to thrive as a business operator.

OT: How is sustainability transform ing Saint Lucia’s tourism industry?

NA: Community development has got to be twinned with the development of tourism. We cannot divorce the two from each other. We’ve got to do it in a manner that is sustainable and allows our community-based investors to own assets and equity in the tourism industry. When this type of ownership is created, then it has a positive knock-on effect for

environmental sustainability, as seen with communities who are involved in developing the coral reefs and taking guests on diving excursions. These individuals have vested ownership in terms of how the reef is managed, pollution is mitigated, and how waste is disposed of. That type of ownership model allows us to have a very competitive edge when it comes to sustaining our environment.

OT: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Saint Lucia, particularly with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic?

NA: All of us who are involved in policy-crafting for the destination are very encouraged, both at a regional and an international level. The predictions that were put forward in terms of tourism’s recovery were quite measured and we have been able to surpass that in an admirable way. We have seen tourism continue, as it has done in the past, to demonstrate a high level of resilience

and an amazing ability to recover quickly.

We are very optimistic right now, since all of our brands are open for business and we’re in a situation where we are looking at setting up strategic relationships with other sectors on the island to build much more powerful linkages in the supply chain. We are realising that we can rely more on domestic producers to bridge supply chain gaps thereby making our destination more resilient to future shocks. The prospects are excellent for Saint Lucia, and I believe that in the next 12 to 24 months we will see more new brands operating on the island with healthy expansion for existing brands driven by investor confidence.

Tel: 758 452 5978 evp@slhta.com www.slhta.com

Alisa Coleman, President (AC): Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel was originally a private residence built by my father, the renowned graphic designer Owen Coleman. After completion of the build it soon became apparent that this location and property needed to be shared and in 2018 we converted the compound to a bed and breakfast and eventually a full service hotel. Our guests appreciate the intimate nature of our luxury resort and the numerous services we provide. The hotel is operated by the Coleman family, ensuring the same level of service to guests year after year. In 2022 Tripadvisor named us on its Best of the Best list as the #12 Bed and Breakfast in the entire Caribbean.

OT: What makes Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel stand out from the competition as an accommodation of choice in St. Lucia?

AC: Each of our six luxury suites are uniquely appointed with various architectural elements from around the world

but the most compelling, according to our guests, are our breathtaking views and the truly outstanding service provided by our team. Gazing from our sundeck and our suites you can look past our 65 foot infinity pool and stare directly at the majestic pitons which reflect against the Caribbean Sea in Soufriere Bay. While you’re enjoying your sunset drink or the rainbows overhead, our team, made up of dedicated, loving and warm employees,will go out of their way to ensure that each guest has a fabulous experience.

OT: Could you provide a brief overview of the hotel and its facilities?

AC: Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel has six luxury suites each with their own private bath and exclusive appointments. The common areas include the infinity pool, our Asian reflecting pool with koi fish, an outdoor shower surrounded by lush vegetation, and our living room area with Piton view and fire pit. We provide in room spa and massage services, day to day concierge services for transport and excursions and our fabulous restaurant – The Pavilion.

Our suites include the Grotto mini apartment suite, the two-

Outlook Travel (OT): Introduce us to Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel - how long have you been in operation and what led to your foundation?

room Upper Temple suite, and the Pool View, Sunset and Bouganvilla suites. The latter has recently been updated to include a private dunking pool off its Pitons view deck. All of our suites are fully air conditioned, have in room safes and mini refrigerators along with US and Caribbean voltage outlets. Suite stays currently include our signature daily buffet breakfast and housekeeping services. Meal plans are also available.

Our Pavilion restaurant accommodates not only our hotel guests but offers delicious local and American fare to all during lunch and dinner. Our tasty specialties range from frosty tropical drinks, Rotis and Burgers to candlelit romantic dinners with a star-speckled view of the sky and the majestic pitons. We require reservations to dine with us but can easily welcome large parties celebrating special occasions including pre-wedding dinners and more. We have entertainment weekly and a full bar to accommodate guests nightly.

OT: What is the hotel’s target audience?

AC: We are an adults only venue with romance as our specialty. Guests have planned engagements with private moments and locations, small weddings and ceremonies and what we call “villa takeovers” buying out the entire property for a wedding ceremony and dinner accommodating up to 50 people.

OT: How has the hotel navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and are you confident about recovery?

AC: As one of the first resorts to open during the pandemic, we are confident about recovery – we take the safety of our guests and staff very seriously instituting special cleaning protocol and education for our team. We support helping the infrastructure of St. Lucia which in turn helps our team and their families.

OT: What does the future look like for Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel?

AC: We see a bright future at Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel and plan for improvements to guest services and experiences on a consistent basis. We understand the balance between luxury and eco-tourism provides its challenges and recognise guests that appreciate that our natural resources are limited. Still, we plan to grow to allow as many people as possible to share what we found to be the magic and beauty of St. Lucia not just the Pitons - but the warmth of its people.

FOR BUDGET TRAVELLERS… SLEEP:

FOR PANORAMIC ROMANCE –

The Ladera Resort boasts a unique location, perched on a volcano ridge 1,000 feet above the Caribbean Sea on the site of the Rabot Estate –one of Soufrière’s oldest and most famous cocoa plantations. Reputed as Saint Lucia’s most romantic getaway, all 37 suites here benefit from a private plunge pool and stunning views of the Pitons. Ladera stands out for its eco-friendly philosophy, with each room constructed from locally harvested tropical hardwoods and its award-winning Dasheene Restaurant, which offers a Farm to Table culinary experience. All furniture is also hand-crafted by Saint Lucian artisans. Although not a beach hotel, a free shuttle service is provided to Malgretout Beach nearby.

FOR A QUIET BOUTIQUE STAY –

Located on the Anse Chastanet Road near Soufrière, Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel offers guests a luxurious stay amidst the most majestic view on the island. An intimate boutique with six bespoke suites including either sea or mountain view, guests can also enjoy a 65-foot infinity pool and waterfall facing the Caribbean Sea and Pitons. Savour authentic

cuisine prepared by a Saint Lucian cook and arrange excursions through the team to feed your appetite for adventure. Aside from its tasteful decoration and dedication to exceptional customer service, the hotel sits above the secluded paradise of Snorkel Cove, where untouched coral reef awaits.

FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SOUL -

Promising the ultimate off-grid experience, the Mount Kailash Rejuvenation Centre harnesses the power of nature to deliver optimum health and wellbeing through its all-inclusive wellness retreat. The centre was founded in 2017 by renowned herbal physician the Rt Hon Priest Kailash. Born from a desire to revolutionise the healthcare system, the centre believes in intertwining the rehabilitation process with natural healing. It offers a range of group retreat programmes, including Self Love, Sacred Goddess, and Rising of the Gods. Personalised retreats are also available. A remote natural sanctuary hidden amongst tropical greenery, allow yourself to unwind to the sounds of nature.

SOUFRIÈRE IN FOCUS

THE TOWN TAKES its name from the sulphur fumes of the nearby volcano, where hot springs, geothermal fields and waterfalls await, and bathing in the volcanic mud promises a rejuvenating healing treatment. The dormant caldera of Qualibou is renowned as the world’s only ‘drive-in’ volcano, allowing you the ultimate access to its steaming sulphur streams.

The town itself is a picturesque assemblage of colonial architecture and wooden cottages painted in vibrant colours. The bustling

waterfront is also a hive of activity, justifying Soufrière itself as at least a day-trip destination. Ideally positioned in the scenic south, Soufrière is surrounded by centuries-old plantations, such as the still-functioning cacao plantation of the Fond Doux Estate which offers popular walking tours.

Offering hidden beaches and natural wonders, Soufrière’s most obvious draw is its proximity to the two towering Pitons. These scenic pinnacles overlook the town and are flanked by swathes of sandy beach.

The daring may choose to hike and climb these conical volcanic spires, savouring a variety of hiking trails that offer unparalleled island views. Below, explore the submarine jungle of coral reefs at the Pitons’ base for some unforgettable snorkelling or diving. Sit back and admire the view on the white sands of Sugar Beach or seek out true seclusion on the quiet shores of Anse Mamin.

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

GROS AND PETIT PITONS

These two limestone peaks are the most iconic sight in Saint

local

PIGEON ISLAND

ANSE CHASTANET

This scenic spot is best known for its coral reef, which is protected as a national marine reserve. The dark-sand beach, nestled against sloping hillsides swathed with jungle, is located on the southwest of the island and is known for its water sports and some of the best snorkelling to be found in Saint Lucia.

A National Park and picturesque islet, Pigeon Island is a gateway to a tumultuous era in Saint Lucia’s history ever since the first European settled here in the 1550s – an enigmatically named Frenchman called Jambe de Bois, or ‘wooden leg’. Dominated by an 18th-century fort, take a tour of ruined military buildings used during the French and British battles for the island and ascend the fort’s lookout point for unbeaten panoramic views.

officially designated a UNESCO

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

ALTHOUGH IT IS possible to travel from one end of Saint Lucia to the other in under two hours, the island’s interior is one of the most mountainous in the Caribbean. For those keen to venture beyond the confines of their resort, a hire car is the most popular option. A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended, not just for more adventurous excursions, but also since the conditions of the roads can be poor in places – potholes and roadworks are to be expected, as are narrow roads and sharp corners! Most main roads are well-surfaced but can be extremely steep on the West Coast and notoriously pot-holed in the East. Bear in mind, most tourist attractions are a few miles off the main highways where you are likely to encounter steep, rough roads where signposts may be lacking.

All visitors will need to acquire a temporary permit to drive here, which can be obtained at the rental car company, or at the airport’s immigration station. Local minibuses are also an option but are reputed for their lack of a timetable and often cramped conditions. Elsewhere, water taxis are a good way to commute between beaches and waterside villages.

The two primary airports include Hewanorra International Airport in Saint Lucia’s south, or George F.L. Charles Airport in Castries.

G. F. L. Charles Airport, Castries

CHARLESTON

In the Lowcountry of South Carolina, the city of Charleston is a true gem. Imbued with Southern charm, the second largest – and arguably best preserved –historic district in North America boasts antiquated mansions flanked with palm trees lining cobblestone streets where horse and carriage rides await.

Few destinations in the US can surpass Charleston in terms of its historical legacy since its settlement as ‘Charles Towne’ by British colonists in 1670. The city combines many rich and varied layers of history, from the evocative Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon – an underground prison once stormed by Blackbeard himself - to the birthplace of the American Civil War at Fort Sumter. Meanwhile, the many steeples piercing the Charleston skyline testify to its namesake ‘The Holy City’. Beyond Charleston, discover inviting stretches of coastline that are ideal for a longer stay, combining city and beach.

For all its eye-catching aesthetics, the history of Charleston and the conspicuous wealth evident in its architecture is inseparable from the origins of slavery and subsequent plight of the former enslaved African American community. Multiple cultural sites within the city, whether its many museums or mansions where slave quarters remain intact, offer an authentic insight into this period. The legacy of this generation is still tangible in the rich culinary heritage of Gullah cuisine, offering soulful recipes blended with local ingredients, like the signature dish of okra gumbo. Elsewhere, savour Southern classics, including mac ‘n’ cheese or shrimp and grits.

From the devastating fires and major earthquakes that wreaked havoc on Charleston in the 19th century to the onslaught of the Civil War, Charleston has a legacy of resiliency and enduring conflict. Now, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s tourism sector is no different. Come to Charleston for a taste of classic Southern hospitality.

Laden with American heritage, historical treasures, and a rich culinary legacy, discover the cultural heartland of the Deep South

Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

CHARLESTON AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

FOR THE PAST 30 years, the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (Charleston CVB) has been committed to sharing the charm of one of America’s top travel destinations. Supporting the long-term development of communities through sustainable tourism marketing and management strategies, Charleston CVB repre sents municipalities within Charleston and Berkeley Counties in South Carolina. We peel back the layers of historic Charleston as an overnight destination with Vice President of Media and Innovation at Charleston CVB, Douglas Warner.

Outlook Travel (OT): Can you talk us through the Bureau’s inception and its initial vision?

Douglas Warner, Vice President of Media and Innovation (DW): We’re

Douglas Warner

a 30-year-old destination manage ment organisation (DMO). We exist to market our region, which covers 10 different municipalities, including the city of Charleston and the wider area.

OT: What are the organisation’s current goals?

DW: To increase the economic foot print of visitors within our community

and its businesses. It’s not neces sarily about increasing the number of visitors but rather the economic footprint of those who do.

OT: How do you market Charleston and the wider region as a destination for business and leisure travel?

DW: We focus on several key pillars that make Charleston attractive to visitors. History is always top of the list – we’re the most European of American cities, and it’s hard to find more American history than exists in Charleston. Aside from this, we focus on the culinary scene, arts and culture, our beaches and outdoor activities, and shopping.

OT: What trends are currently re-shaping tourism in Charleston?

DW: The trends that we are seeing are more infrastructure based. Our

TO VISITORS”

- DOUGLAS WARNER, VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDIA AND INNOVATION, CHARLESTON CVB

airport has seen tremendous growth in seat availability and direct fly markets. We had a direct route to Heathrow with British Airways up until the COVID-19 pandemic, which is unusual for a non-island city of our size, and we hope it will come back soon. Despite being a city with just under one million population, we serve 60 direct-fly cities out of Charleston.

OT: Could you tell us more about your appeal to Northern Europe and the UK markets?

DW: There were originally three walled cities in North America; St. Augustin, which was Spanish, Quebec City, which was French; and Charleston, which was the original English walled city. King Charles gave this property to the Lord’s Propri etors, so our connection is strong. Our earliest settlers were the English colonists from Barbados, and our number one international visiting partner has always been the UK, fol lowed by Germany. We are seeing a huge economic investment here from Northern European companies, like Volvo North America, and our travel business follows that model.

OT: Are you optimistic about tourism’s recovery in Charleston following the COVID-19 pandemic?

DW: We’re extremely optimistic. Our numbers already show that for Charleston, each time our community has seen a major crisis, we have found a way to elevate ourselves. It hap pened with Hurricane Hugo in 1989,

with our base closure in 1991, and we are seeing the same thing again. But our demand is higher now than it was pre-COVID-19. A lot of it is because of the increase in air services. Airlines pulled their assets, from business travel markets and reassigned them to leisure travel markets like Charleston. We were a beneficiary of that.

OT: Are there any projects ongoing in Charleston that you would like to highlight?

DW: There are several taking place in our community that are of interest to the visiting public. The first is the opening of the International African American Museum (IAAM) in January 2023. IAAM will be this country’s most comprehensive museum on the

African American experience – it begins with the arrival of the first enslaved people, and the museum is being built on the actual docks where 60 percent of the enslaved African people landed on this continent.

We’ve also got some major infrastructural developments that will come online within the next two years, including the construction of the Cooper Hotel, the renovation of The Charleston Place Hotel, and the completion of the Daniel Island Tennis Center, home of the Volvo Car Open women’s tennis tournament.

infor@explorecharleston.com www.explorecharleston.com

“WE’RE THE MOST EUROPEAN OF AMERICAN CITIES, AND IT’S HARD TO FIND MORE AMERICAN HISTORY THAN WHAT EXISTS IN CHARLESTON”

- DOUGLAS WARNER, VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDIA AND INNOVATION, CHARLESTON CVB

The Sound of Charleston

Gospel to Gershwin

The Sound of Charleston, now in our 12th season, presents the music of Charleston, South Carolina’s rich history during live, 75 minute concerts. Audiences will hear gospel spirituals, music of George Gershwin, jazz, songs of the Civil War, and light classics, all presented in the historic Circular Congregational Church by the area’s finest professional musicians. Group rates and special performances can be arranged by contacting the box office. Additional concert and ticket information can be found on our website.

DO:

FOR BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE...

The Sound of Charleston – Music has defined the past 350 years in Charleston. An unmissable destination, experiencing a live performance in this circular congregational church – through gospel, Gershwin, Civil War songs, and jazz – will bring that history to life through a rich and diverse musical heritage. Book tickets in advance so you don’t miss out.

SLEEP:

FOR LOCAL CHARACTER IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT...

Hotel Emeline – This noble hotel is a Charleston classic. Expect modern detailing combined with elegant design in a tasteful setting, where one may wake to the sound of horse hooves on the cobblestone streets outside. Offering the finest southern hospitality, the on-site café Clerks Coffee is a coffee and culinary destination in its own right.

Located in Charleston’s historic district, Emeline is a clever and thoughtfully designed retreat crafted with the curious traveler in mind. The experienced team embodies the persona of a consummate host, always focused on the vibrant days of hospitality.

Emeline’s accommodations provide a warm welcome after a busy day exploring all the notable points of interest that lie just outside its doors. This captivating refuge with 212 all-king bed guest rooms includes 128 luxury suites and 16 double king bed accommodations.

Amenities include Frannie & The Fox, Clerks Coffee Company and Keep Shop. The property boasts over 13,000 square feet of flexible event space and 10 private occasion spaces, with the Hayne Street Gallery accommodating events up to 250 and for receptions up to 350 guests.

Emeline’s courtyard and greenhouse offer expansive outdoor spaces that are ideal settings for receptions or social gatherings.

Suite Dreams

For the traveller who enjoys long strolls along the picturesque Waterfront Park and enchanting cobblestone streets, autumn is the best time of year to experience downtown Charleston. Choose from our spacious one-bedroom suites to our more luxurious premium and exclusive two-bedroom suites with enhanced views. Perfect for entertaining, our suites all feature a separate living space equipped with Crosley turntable and custom Emeline vinyl. Reserve our Suite Dreams package and enjoy a welcome drink at checkin, along with a welcome bottle of bubbles and an artisan cheese plate. Suite dreams!

https://hotelemeline.com/offer/suite-dreams-fall

Breakfast Please

Wake up with Emeline and start every morning during your stay with breakfast for two. Enjoy breakfast from the luxury of Frannie & The Fox or Clerks Coffee to sit and sip while enjoying breakfast favourites.

Value up to $50 per day.

https://hotelemeline.com/offer/breakfast-please-offer

CHARLESTON

ARCHITECTURE

CHARLESTON IS A city renowned for its architecture. With over 2,500 historic buildings in the downtown area, eight different schools of architecture prevail: Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Classical Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Victorian, and Art Deco.

Each is intrinsically linked to a historical period and a direct reflection of Charleston’s cultural evolution - from the Neoclassical charm of Manigault House to the historic Edmondston-Alston House, which has stood on the

harbourside since the great earthquake of 1886 and on through the American Civil War.

The city’s historic district occupies the peninsula’s tip, where careful restoration efforts continue to preserve its unique cultural identity. Here, tall and narrow houses are packed cheek-by-jowl, elegantly decorated with wroughtiron balconies, broad piazzas (or porches), characterful shutters, and flanked with leafy courtyards.

Arguably the most iconic buildings here are the

pastel-hued mansions built in the ‘Charleston Style’ typical of the 18th century. This distinctive fashion is derived from the West Indies, where early British colonists were inspired by high-ceilinged houses designed to stay cool and sprawling piazzas on every level.

The picture-perfect Rainbow Row shows that colour is a significant element in Charleston’s aesthetic appeal. These merchant houses were given a colorful revamp in the aftermath of the Civil War, when the area had become

rather downtrodden and dreary.

Many of the homes throughout downtown Charleston have plaques that explain their architectural origins, and resident Charlestonians are well-used to passers-by pausing to admire their dwellings. For architecture enthusiasts, a walking tour or carriage ride is highly recommended.

ST. MICHAEL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH (shown in the background), built in the 1750s by order of the South Carolina Assembly, is located at Broad and Meeting streets on one of the Four Corners of Law, and represents ecclesiastical law. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.

BY ELISA.ROLLE

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

FORT SUMTER NATIONAL MONUMENT

This historic spot marks where, on April 12th 1861, the first shot of the American Civil War rang out. Fort Sumter became a Confederate stronghold and symbol of Southern resistance, receiving significant shelling from Union forces in the years that followed. Located on a manmade island in the waters of Charleston’s harbour, the monument is accessible only by boat tour.

AIKEN RHETT HOUSE

One of the best-preserved townhouse complexes in the country, this historic home is a poignant reminder of urban life in antebellum Charleston. A house built on the wealth of chattel slavery in 1820, you can still visit the virtually untouched quarters of the enslaved Africans that once lived here alongside its powerful owners. The audio tour is recommended for real historical insight.

MAGNOLIA PLANTATION AND GARDENS

Open to visitors since 1870, these are the oldest public gardens in the US. Just a half-hour drive from Charleston, parts of these gardens have continued to flower since before the American Revolution. Originating as a rice plantation owned by the Drayton family, tour the house for insight into plantation life, or stroll along picturesque pathways that look fresh out of a Monet painting.

CHARLESTON IS JUST a two-hour plane ride from the major US airports of JFK and LaGuardia. Daily non-stop flights are available from 37 US and UK cities to the recently renovated and expanded Charleston International Airport (CHS). CHS is located roughly 11 miles from downtown Charleston and is easily accessible by car, taxi and shuttle. For taking in the sights of the downtown area, the DASH Shuttle is a quick, easy, and (best of all) free, option.

SEYCHELLES

Breathtaking palm-fringed beaches, myriad marine life and historic charm – revel in the natural wonders of the Seychelles, a true taste of the exotic

In the warm, glistening climes of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles yearns for exploration.

That it is one of the world’s smallest countries, with a modest population of just under 100,000 people, only adds to the sense of intrigue, exclusivity, and longing for discovery. This idyllic archipelago, located around 1,000 miles east of Kenya, comprises 115 distinctive and charming tropical outposts, including the three major inner islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Mahé is the Seychelles’ largest

island and cultural capital, alive with bustling markets, colonial-style mansions, and splendid national parks.

Together, all three islands are a fabulous fusion of tropical forests and paradise beaches, where temperatures remain tropical but comfortable throughout the year reaching highs of mid-30 degrees Celsius.

Aside from sunbathing on sun-kissed sandy beaches, there are some 80 plant species to discover that are entirely unique to the Seychelles, such as screw pines,

Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

jellyfish trees, latanier palms, and more.

Most famous of all is the coco de mer, the national fruit of the Seychelles and the largest and heaviest seed in the world. It is the subject of various legends and lore, viewed in some parts as a rare and fascinating object with mythological and even magical properties.

The islands are home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS), including the jaw-dropping Aldabra coral atoll, which coexists alongside a remarkably diverse array

of marine life. Indeed, more than 900 species of fish have been identified in Seychellois waters, whilst impressive green sea turtles and giant tortoises also inhabit the islands. It is one of several nature preserves established to protect the Seychelles’ marked biodiversity, along with the Vallee De Mai National Park, the country’s second UNESCO WHS and the only place where all six of the Seychelles’ endemic palm species, including the coco de mer, can be found together.

Seychelles is a top desired destination that offers luxurious experiences and easy access from other countries. The island currently has direct flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Istanbul, Mauritius, and Johannesburg.

Whether staying on the island for business or leisure, take a seat at one of our tables or try your luck on the slots while sipping a drink .

We are confident you will want to return again and again. From novices to experienced gamers, everyone is welcome at Star Casino. We are all about creating the perfect casino experience for you. We take pride in being the largest and most popular casino in the tropical paradise of the Seychelles.

Star Casino is located in the heart of the Eden Plaza, in an area of more than 1,200 m² on Eden Island. This is an area that has long been acknowledged as the most affluent neighbourhood in the Seychelles, and includes 650 luxury high-end homes and world-class facilities such as high-end shops, supermarkets, spas, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, five-star hotels and of course, the Star Casino.

The casino offers the best in gaming with 14 Live Table Games including Roulette, Blackjack, Punto Banco and several varieties of poker. It also boasts a VIP Room with High Limit Gaming and 158 of the latest exciting electronic slot machines.

We offer the latest and most popular electronic slots available on the gaming floors of the Star Casino, including classics such as 88 Fortunes and so much more. Choose from more than 150 slot machines.

Whether you’re looking to hit the jackpot or just play for fun, you’ll find a game just for you at Star Casino while listening to live music from the best DJs in Seychelles.

At Star Casino, we pride ourselves on having the highest possible standards in safety, value products and service on the island.

Promoting responsible gaming is part of the heritage and culture of Star Casino. Star Casino’s position on this issue is clear: we want everyone who gambles at our casinos to be there for the right reasons – simply to have fun. We believe that all entities involved in legal wagering must promote responsible gaming and address underage gambling.

Entry is free, and we are open daily from 12 noon to 3am during weekdays and 12 noon to 4am during weekends.

Star Casino offers to its loyal customers a Players Club Card which allows them to participate in the best gaming experience in the Seychelles. The Players Club Card gives the opportunity to earn and redeem points at the Star Casino. Customers can redeem these points for promo play, lottery tickets, drink tickets and more.

Star Casino is running different events and promotions during the week such as live bands and DJs, Karaoke, Happy Hour and Lotto Draws to keep customers entertained and satisfied.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

TOURISM SEYCHELLES

FRESH FROM A recent rebrand, Tourism Seychelles is the official tourism department of the Seychelles that is catalysing and spearheading sustained tourism growth and development in the country. The department is committed to creating a conducive environment for authentic, dynamic, and sustainable tourism, an industry that is of utmost importance to the Seychellois economy. Bernadette Willemin, General Director for Destination Marketing at Tourism Seychelles, is optimistic about prospects for the country’s tourism industry and its ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernadette Willemin

Outlook Travel (OT): Since we last spoke, how is tourism in the Seychelles recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Bernadette Willemin, General Director for Destination Marketing (BW): Seychelles was at the forefront of COVID-19 immunisation in the African region. From June 2020 to March 2021, when the destination finally opened its doors to all visitors irrespective of their vaccination status, Seychelles manoeuvred its way through the pandemic by imposing a firm local sanitary protocol, making sure the health of residents and visitors wasn’t at risk while achieving economic recovery.

OT: What are the greatest challenges now facing members of the Seychelles tourism industry?

BW: Like many countries, our biggest challenge now remains the political unrest between Russia and Ukraine. Our small destination is heavily dependent on imported goods, which impacts our cost of living and operations. Our partners are faced with the dilemma of increasing prices, and this can impact on our visitor arrival numbers or potential interest.

OT: Have you noticed any changes in travel behaviours as a result of this time? What do you think will be the lasting impacts on the industry?

BW: The trends seem to be picking back to pre-pandemic levels. We have noticed that our arrival numbers are on the rise; in seven months

our visitor arrival numbers have surpassed those for the entirety of 2021, and our forecasted figures show that we can expect the Seychelles to do better than the yearly arrivals forecast set in January 2022.

OT: Are there any interesting upcoming events or occasions in the Seychelles that you would like to highlight?

BW: With all restrictions lifted, we are expecting this year’s Creole Festival to be one that visitors and locals will not forget.

OT: Looking ahead, what are the department’s key priorities for the coming years?

BW: In order to strengthen our brand, the department is presently working on the diversification of

our product offering. We are aiming to reinforce our presence on social media, growing our audience and using these platforms to highlight incredible stories that showcase the Seychelles experience. As we gradually shift our focus from traditional to digital media, we are also working on moving our traditional content creation to a more integrated marketing approach, whereby the department will invest more resources into curating great, inspirational content from travellers and consumers.

Looking down onto Mahé

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MAHÉ

IN FOCUS

THE ARCHIPELAGO’S LARGEST island, Mahé is home to the capital city, Victoria, and 90 percent of the entire Seychellois population.

The dense virgin forests of this tourism infrastructure hub cascade down magnificent mountainsides to more than 60 pristine beaches, an inviting blank canvas of white sands where often the only footsteps you will find are your own.

With an international airport and bustling harbour, Mahé is the Seychelles’ commercial centre. Much

of the island’s vibrant consumer buzz, retail outlets and tourism facilities are concentrated towards the north, poetically juxtaposed against eloquent, picturesque villages in the south which propose life at a quainter pace.

Equally, Mahé has a rich heritage embodied by its Creole character and delightful nooks and crannies, with local souvenirs sure to be found at the island’s two cathedrals, diverse botanical gardens, and esplanade.

Despite its timeless historic

charm, the likes of Eden Island just off the east coast of Mahé possess modern yet discreet infrastructure to accommodate elegant marinas and malls, casinos, a selection of bars and restaurants, and a thriving nightlife.

Offering a wide choice of accom modation options, from luxurious international five-star resorts and bouquet hotels to well-appointed villas and attractive guesthouses, visitors to Mahé are far from short of idyllic places to stay that offer fantastic value for money.

Mahé is a real hive of activity, that embodies the colourful spirit of both the Seychelles and the striking oblique bands of its national flag

Seychelles’

Victoria, Mahé

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

VICTORIA CLOCK TOWER

One of the Seychelles’ most iconic features, this popular landmark is a prominent feature of the capital. It was erected more than a century ago in 1901 to commemorate the death of Queen Victoria, and whilst surrounding buildings have modernised over time, the clock tower has remained a virtually unchanged timestamp of the Seychelles’ historic past.

SAINT ANNE MARINE NATIONAL PARK

This prized scuba diving and snorkelling hotspot is situated around 20 minutes by boat from the island of Mahé. The park, originally created in 1973 for the purposes of wildlife preservation, is the oldest marine reserve in the Seychelles. Set amid dazzling turquoise waters, it comprises eight small islands and is blessed with magnificent coral reefs and tropical fish.

THE PRASLIN MUSEUM

Get a glimpse of the tradition, culture, and cuisine of Praslin at the island’s very first museum, located close to Cote D’Or beach. It is a unique, must-visit attraction for visitors, who can experience a variety of interesting activities from feeding fruit bats to peeling coco nuts. As well as boasting a garden of medicinal plants, museum-goers will be able to spot the rich abundance of wildlife close to the exhibit.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

PLANNING A VISIT to the Seychelles? The chances are that you will want to visit more than just one of the country’s multiple islands.

Scattered across an impressive 1.4 million square kilometres, the islands are each defined by their own distinct character and personality. Knowing how to reach these islands, as well as how to navigate between them, is therefore imperative for a well-planned island-hopping trip.

Almost all visitors flying to the Seychelles will arrive at Mahé International Airport. Daily ferry connections from Mahé can be caught to the other two main islands of La Digue and Praslin, the latter of which also benefits from an inter-island flight connection courtesy of Air Seychelles. It is advisable to book ferry tickets in advance, as connections can vary and change quickly.

Mahé and Praslin are best to get around by rental car, with public buses and taxis both viable alternatives thanks to the wellmaintained road networks on the two islands.

On La Digue, meanwhile, bikes are the transport mode of choice. This tropical biking paradise prides itself on using the bicycle as its main form of travel, and it is very much part of the La Digue way of life. Indeed, there are only 60 cars on this entire island of 3,000 people. Partake in this local tradition by renting bikes to explore the island!

MALAWI

Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Matt Cole-Wilkin

Recently recognised by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 Best Places to Travel in 2022, Malawi is emerging from the woodwork as a destination of choice in Africa. Traditionally dwarfed by neighbouring Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Botswana, the dynamic is now shifting towards this small landlocked country. One taste of Malawi’s delights, and you’ll find it hard to believe that this

is one of Southern Africa’s least visited countries. Despite its diminutive size, Malawi is vast in its offering to travellers; from the towering highlands of the Great Rift Valley to the sparkling waters of Africa’s third largest lake and rolling swathes of tea plantations. Above all, Malawi is earning its right as a worthwhile safari destination. This is largely thanks to major wildlife conservation efforts in recent years as both

From bush to beach, overlooked Malawi offers a diverse and unforgettable taste of the wonders of Africa

government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) seek to revitalise the country’s national parks, as seen with the lion reintroduction programme underway at the Majete Wildlife Reserve. Off land, the ‘Lake of Stars’ covers one fifth of the country and is a magnet for water sports lovers look ing for a beach-style escape lounging on its sandy shores. Head to another famous waterway in the country’s south,

The Mulanje Massif, also known as Mount Mulanje, is a large inselberg in southern Malawi. At 3,002 metres, Sapitwa Peak is the highest point both on the massif and in Malawi. It lies 65 kilometres east of Blantyre, rising sharply from the surrounding plains of Phalombe and the Mulanje district

and a boat safari voyage along the Shire River promises glimpses of hippos and elephants dousing themselves in the cool waters. Aside from its sheer natural splendour, this is a land famous for the welcoming and hospitable nature of its people. A haven for diversity ideal for any intrepid traveller, mass tourism is yet to get fully underway in Malawi, so there really is no time like the present.

MALAWI TOURISM INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Sosten Yobe Lingwalanya

to make Malawi a sustainable tourism destination that professionally manages and actively conserves its natural and cultural heritage through vibrant collaborations with communities, businesses, and government.

OT: What are your organisation’s current goals?

SYL: Our goals are as follows:

A TRUSTED VOICE to guide anyone interested in visiting Malawi, we speak with Malawi Tourism as the country expands its efforts in the sustainable travel market and seeks to grow its tourist product offering to encour age visitors to stay longer. Deputy Director of Tourism and Marketing, Sosten Yobe Lingwalanya, tells us more.

Outlook Travel (OT): Can you talk me through the origins of Malawi Tourism and its initial vision?

Sosten Yobe Lingwalanya, Deputy Director of Tourism & Marketing (SYL): The tourism industry in Malawi has significantly grown since the mid-1970s, and the Ma lawian government is attempting to expand it further. The tourism industry was, however, significantly affected in the 1980s by an economic recession in South Africa where most Malawian tourists were coming from. Our vision is

• Double the total aggregate number of visitors coming from key markets in Europe, North America, South Africa and Asia (including China and India).

• Increase the contribution of tourism to GDP.

• Add 10,000 tourism-benefitted direct and indirect jobs.

• Increase average annual occupancy rates of licensed accommodations by 10 percent to 63 percent.

• Increase the average length of stay from current 7.6 nights by one day through the introduction of more tourist activities.

OT: How do you market Malawi as both a business and leisure travel destination?

SYL: We conduct various marketing campaigns based on our major tourism products, all of which are affordable for medium spend tourists. These include wildlife, water, landscape, and cultural experiences.

OT: What trends are currently reshaping tourism in Malawi and how are you utilising them?

SYL: We have noticed a rise in domestic tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of international borders. The Department of Tourism has even developed a domestic tourism strategy to fully utilise this growing trend, launching several campaigns including radio pro grammes to encourage people to travel internally.

Religious tourism is another big trend here that has been picking up recently, as a number of international delegates primarily from African countries come to Malawi to congregate with fellow faithfuls.

OT: How is environmental sustainability transforming Malawi’s tourism industry?

SYL: Conservation efforts to sustain our environment are having a significant impact on the transformation of our tourism industry. A great example includes the work being done by African Parks to conserve our National Parks. Many of these, including Liwonde, Nkhotakota and Kasun gu National Parks were under encroachment and suffered from high levels of poaching. Thanks to these conservation efforts, tourists can now ably visit these areas and witness the many different species of wildlife that were previously

diminished. In the same vein, due to such efforts Malawi was voted by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 countries to visit in 2022.

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

SYL: There is definitely optimism throughout the industry. Like many other destinations, Malawi is taking the nec essary steps to make sure that we recover well from the impacts of COVID-19. Necessary actions are being taken to make sure that despite the pandemic, international tourists continue to visit, and domestic travellers can move about the country with ease. We are working to increase awareness about our destination and coming up with new products that will entice future tourists. This will include various marketing campaigns to increase domestic tour ism. But also, we intend to tap into more niche markets within sustainable travel, including birding, hiking, and many others.

“OUR VISION IS TO MAKE MALAWI A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DESTINATION THAT PROFESSIONALLY MANAGES AND ACTIVELY CONSERVES ITS NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE”

SOSTEN YOBE LINGWALANYA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TOURISM AND MARKETING, MALAWI TOURISM

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African Parks’ re-stocking of the reserve with wildlife, the park now provides a wildlife and wilderness experience to match the beauty and style of the place, even though large sightings of wildlife cannot be guaranteed due to the rugged terrain and tall vegetation of the reserve, especially in the rainy season (Jan-April).

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LILONGWE IN FOCUS

THE CAPITAL AND mostpopulous city in Malawi takes its name from the river that carves its route through Lilongwe. Lilongwe is typically overlooked as nothing more than a stopover for most visitors to the country, however at least two nights here will expose you to a sprawling and vibrant city.

After a hike up Nhkhoma Mountain, survey the city from this summit and you will see the distinct separation of the Old Town in the south, and the New Town to the north, so named

after Lilongwe took over from Zomba as the official capital of Malawi in 1975.

Separating these two downtown areas is a forest of green, spread across the very heart of the city’s cen tre. One of Lilongwe’s most worth while attractions, here you will find Malawi’s only wildlife sanctuary. The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is an animal rehabilitation centre dedicated to helping injured and rescued animals before they are eventually returned to the wild. Visitors can even volunteer and learn about caring techniques

for the resident fauna, including crocodiles, monkeys and lions.

Elsewhere, souvenir hunters will enjoy the city’s eclectic markets such as the Kanelolo Curios Market, which makes for a great way to spend an afternoon. Lilongwe also hosts a reputed selection of eateries and res taurants for dining out in the evening, most of which can be found in the Old Town. Be sure to spend some time in this underrated capital before venturing out to the wilderness of Lake Malawi and beyond.

Bird’s eye view of Lilongwe

Bingu International Conference Centre

Washing clothes near Kamuzu dam in Lilongwe

PHOTO BY NESNAD - OWN WORK, CC BY 3.0

PHOTO

PHOTO

Malawi’s only wildlife sanctuary

King’s African Rifles War Memorial, Downtown Lilongwe

Malawi Hastings Kamuzu Banda in Lilongwe

PHOTO

PHOTO BY

PHOTO

Crafts

in Lilongwe

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

THYOLO

Southern Malawi hosts the fertile region of Thyolo, an area dominated by verdant swathes of tea planta tions. A walker’s paradise, many plantations and hiking trails are to be found along the foothills of Malawi’s highest peak – Mount Mulanje. Take a stroll through some of the country’s oldest plantations, like the Satemwa Tea Estate, and savour a taste of local produce from Africa’s second-largest tea producer.

LAKE MALAWI

Covering a fifth of the country, this vast body of water is the closest thing that landlocked Malawi has to a beach destination. Known as ‘the Lake of Stars’, thanks to the breathtaking reflection of the night sky on its waters, this freshwater national park is home to authentic wooden lodges nestled along its shores, offering diving, snorkelling, and sailing.

LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK

Malawi is still developing its repu tation as a safari destination, so a visit to Liwonde offers a chance to observe big game away from the masses. Keep your eyes peeled for hippos, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, and if you’re lucky, perhaps a leop ard. Take a game drive, a bush walk, or an increasingly popular boat safari along the Shire River for an authentic wildlife experience.

AS A LANDLOCKED country, travel throughout Malawi is mostly by road, with the exception of boats traversing the breadth of Lake Malawi. A trip on the traditional MV Ilala ferry is a recommended way to explore its scenic shores, with boats leaving once every week. Boat transfers here will also escort you to resorts on the lake’s islands, such as Likoma. Many will choose to take a light charter aircraft straight to the lake after arriving in the country. If doing so, it is worth bearing in mind that luggage restrictions on such flights are capped at a strict 12 kg per person.

With relatively short journey times between places of

interest, and roads that are generally in good condition, Malawi is recommended as a self-drive destination – just keep an eye out for people, animals, and the occasional pothole! If visiting a National Park, it is recommended to either hire a driver, or rent an appropriate 4x4 vehicle.

Most tourists will arrive at the country’s two main airports in either Blantyre or Lilongwe, with the country’s primary airport, Kamuzu International (LLW) located 24 kilometres from the capital. For travelling through Lilongwe itself, this is typically done by taxi. Internal flights link most of the country’s main towns, alongside a bus service that connects most major centres.

To visitors from around the world, Zambia embodies the classic African experience; fiery sunsets over rolling grasslands silhouetted by the sparse and iconic acacia trees; herds of elephants and lion prides dwelling by watering holes; verdant forests teeming with ever-changing life; rivers and wetlands where hippos live and thrive, all set close to the belly of the continent.

Zambia is widely regarded as one of Africa’s top desti nations for travel, and it is clear to see why. The country is blessed with a rich and diverse geography that is matched by that of its cultural heritage and is home to majestic natural wonders such as Mosi-oa-Tunya - “The Smoke That Thunders” - also known as Victoria Falls.

The Devil’s Pool looks out over this monumental

Waterfalls and wildebeests; the spirit of African adventure flows through Zambia, a must-see place to visit

Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Matt Cole-Wilkin

drop – the best seat in the house. Visitors can immerse themselves in shallow pristine waters that have travelled hundreds of miles via the Zambezi River, and witness refracting rainbows born from the sun’s touch on cascad ing vapours.

Beyond Zambia’s natural beauty, the bustling capital of Lusaka boasts restaurants offering dishes and dining

experiences unique to the country, active and energetic nightlife, and a range of markets where tourists can purchase goods that are cultural staples in the region.

With Zambia’s dry season taking precedence over half of the year, all of this is within reach for the awe-inspired and adventurous traveller, and it remains a must-do on the African travel bucket list.

ZAMBIA TOURISM AGENCY INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Operating in a country of boundless wonder, we take a look at Zambia Tourism Agency, the organisation’s efforts in promoting the rich and diverse nation, while also covering its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future of tourism.

Outlook Travel (OT): Can you talk me through the origins of Zambia Tourism Agency and its initial vision?

Chavunga Lungu, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CL): The Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA), formerly Zambia Tour ism Board (ZTB), was established through the Tourism and Hospitality Act. No. 13 of 2015. Through this, ZTA is mandated to “effectively market Zambia as a tourist desti nation of choice” and to “regulate the tourism industry”.

The sole mandate of ZTB was to market Zambia’s tourism products locally and internationally. The regula tory function was reposed in the ministry responsible for tourism. This meant that the institution responsible for the marketing of tourism was delinked from the enforcement of standards in the hospitality industry.

The new Act of 2015 empowered ZTA to regulate the tourism industry through licensing tourism enterprises, setting standards and carrying out inspections to ensure conformity to the minimum set standards. These functions are in addition to the responsibilities of ZTB which were purely marketing oriented.

ZTA is anchored on the vision of becoming a leading tourism marketing agency in Africa by 2030. This desire

has been the focal point for all ZTA destination marketing collateral, with enhanced social media marketing activities to raise awareness, especially for the international markets.

OT: What are your organisation’s current goals?

CL: ZTA will continue to target tourists from markets with high volumes of travel, whilst also offering attractive tourism products such as exclusive safari experiences. ZTA will leverage on enhanced visitor satisfaction, improved tourism economy and the sustainable use of tourism resources.

Further, ZTA will also focus on the following strategies:

• Diversify into relatively new but potential international leisure markets.

• Consolidate and penetrate Europe, the US and African leisure markets where ZTA already has strong tourism growth.

• Target meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) as a new product for the African/regional and European markets.

• Stimulate the desire to travel locally by citizens and residents.

OT: How do you market Zambia as both a business and leisure travel destination?

CL: Zambia leverages its strategic position which has access to eight countries providing unparalleled land linkage as a business travel destination of choice. Zambia offers a professionally designed MICE travel experience both locally, regionally and globally. Over the last five years, the country has built a strong infrastructure to support the growing demand for business and leisure travel.

Zambia continues to have a strong presence on social media platforms, and through virtual interactions, ZTA has been able to host destination presentations to key source markets. Zambia continues to engage with strategic partners, and recently the country participated in the Eurowings Germany Roadshow to promote African destinations in view of the newly launched routes into Southern Africa in 2022. The hosting of the African Union Mid-Year Meetings in July 2022 also positioned the country as an emerging conference hub not only in Africa, but the world at large.

A state-of-the-art conference facility, the Kenneth Kaunda wing of the Mulungushi International Conference

Centre has been built in Zambia’s capital city of Lusaka, catering for huge meetings and conferences.

OT: What trends are currently reshaping tourism in Zambia, and how are you utilising them?

CL: Tourism is essentially integrated with other sectors in the economy, so tourism trends cannot be considered in isolation from key drivers that will shape the future. Natural resources and environment; science and technology; travellers’ desire for new experiences and other dynamics that range from destinations following the COVID-19 pandemic are some of the trends transforming the tourism industry in Zambia.

Zambia has seen a growing demand for leisure travel, especially from the middle class who tend to combine business travel with leisure, enjoying the leisure aspect with friends and relatives. ZTA has used social media to reshape tourism because of the impact that the social plat form has on people’s lives, and has continued to engage the services of influencers to motivate future consumers of tourism by sharing varied experiences from different destinations.

This strategy has seen an increased number of people undertaking local travel and posting their experiences to international audiences, demonstrating the power of social media in tourism marketing.

OT: How is environmental sustainability transforming Zambia’s tourism industry?

CL: Environmental sustainability has been a key element for Zambia’s competitive advantage. Zambia is home to the South Luangwa National Park, an international sustainable park, recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as a park that has taken full accountability for its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. Most of Zambia’s tourism players are implementing sustainable tourism practices that include, protecting the environment, natural resources and wildlife, providing socio-economic benefits for communities who live in tourist destinations, conserving cultural heritage, and creating authentic tourist experiences.

OT: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Zambia, particularly with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic?

CL: Zambia remains optimistic about the future of tourism. The sector is a major driver of economic growth and a catalyst for job creation. The Zambian government has prioritised the industry as an economic sector. After years of growth and expansion in the sector, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on tourism

enterprises, the livelihoods of tourism workers, and communities.

The pandemic and the subsequent restrictions placed on travel and tourism in order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus exposed the fragility of the sector and its vulnerability to shocks. Nonetheless, Zambia is rebound ing, and future prospects look even brighter than before because of the desire of the international traveller to get out after the shocks of COVID-19. Zambia as a destination remained strong with regards to managing the threats of COVID-19 and the sector was on high alert to avert any challenges that the pandemic would have on the industry. ZTA will continue using a multi-sectoral approach to ensure that all stakeholders continue monitoring the trends and developments of the pandemic.

This year seems to have exceeded expectations, as early indications suggest that the forecasted rebound of the tourism sector has come sooner than was anticipated.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought transformation to many facets including marketing, bringing to life new ways of doing things or enhancing what already existed but was underutilised before the pandemic hit. Marketing Zambia after the pandemic, the tactics we are using are strongly anchored on digital media platforms. Digital platforms post-COVID-19 have enormous traction globally, presenting an easily accessible market within seconds of initiating interaction.

OT: Finally, what are your priorities for the year ahead?

CL: The tourism sector will remain an important component of our economy and allow us to create quality jobs for Zambians and great opportunities for our businesses to ensure the vitality and sustained growth of the industry. ZTA is putting in place a robust tourism marketing programme to incorporate all tourism products to include traditional ceremonies, visual arts, culture, heritage sites and more. Zambia will also promote tourism diversification to attract more and new visitors to our destination.

“ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY HAS BEEN A KEY ELEMENT FOR ZAMBIA’S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE”

– CHAVUNGA LUNGU, ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ZAMBIA TOURISM AGENCY

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IN FOCUS

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

THIS PARK IS still relatively undeveloped; its beauty lies in its wild state. The diversity of animals is not as vast as the other larger parks, but the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular. The park lies along the Zambezi River, a huge traction for wildlife so the whole area on both sides of the Zambezi River forms a massive wildlife sanctuary.

The river’s edge is overhung with a thick riverine fringe, including ebony and fig trees. Further inland is a floodplain bordered by mopane forest and interspersed with winter thorn trees and huge acacias. The hills which form the backdrop to the park are covered in broadleaf woodland.

Even though the Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4,092 square kilometres, most of the game is concentrated along the valley

floor. There is an escarpment along the northern end which acts as a physical barrier to most of the park’s animal species. Enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the river’s edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and waterbuck are common. The park also hosts good populations of lions and leopards, and if you listen you may also be able to catch the piercing cry of the fish eagle.

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

VICTORIA FALLS

Victoria Falls presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800s as Mosi-oa-Tunya – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. In more modern terms, Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world. It is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

SIMALA HA COMMUNITY CONSERVANCY

Meaning “come together”, Simalaha is an apt name for the community conservancy inspired and driven by the Sesheke and Sekhute Chiefdoms. Bordering the Zambezi River on the Zambezi-Chobe

Floodplain, Simalaha is where wild life and people come together and co-exist under one sky as they once did many years ago. The Simalaha Conservancy is also a horse-riding uniquely destination found in the Kavango-Zambezi Conservation Area (KAZA).

NORTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

This remote tract of land, covering 4,636 square kilometres, offers one of the finest wilderness experiences in Zambia, if not Africa itself. It is open to the public and there are semi-permanent lodges there. Access the park with one of the few safari operators granted permission to conduct walking safaris.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

NEIGHBOURING EIGHT COUNTRIES and home to myriad waterways, travel to and from Zambia is best done via plane. The city of Lusaka is home to two airports, the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) on the northwest outskirts serving international and commercial traffic, not to be mistaken with the second, centrally located Lusaka City Airport (FLLC) serving military and governmental traffic.

From the city, flights can take travellers to Mfuwe in South Luangwa, for walking safaris, elephant watching or alternative destinations to experience all Zambia has to offer.

Via road, there are long range buses that depart Lusaka to all main towns across the country, whilst minibuses or taxis are affordable options for shorter journeys. Alternatively, cars - or if you want local expertise, chauffer-driven vehicles - can be hired to explore urban hubs or various regions home to wildlife.

WANDERING THE DESERT WILDERNESS

From lush wetlands to inland and coastal deserts, Namibia is a treasured land of pristine nature and offroad adventure. We take a look at Gondwana Collection Namibia, and speak to Managing Director, Gys Joubert, about the organisation at the centre of the country’s tourism sector

Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Matt Cole-Wilkin

NAMIBIA IS HOME to a treasure trove of experiences. Neighbouring Botswana and sharing the Southern African region with popular tourist destinations such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Eswatini, Namibia often goes amiss by those wishing to experience the diverse beauty of the continent’s natural world.

Yet, Namibia hosts an abundance of tranquil wilderness. From lush northern wetlands to inland deserts and sands that tumble into the sea along its vast stretch of coastline, it is the second least populated country in the world, leaving a lot of space for the wilderness to thrive and for people to witness.

Specialising in luxury stays and unique road trips, Gondwana Collection Namibia (Gondwana) is a key player in the country’s tourism sector and has been in operation since 1996.

“Namibia is truly a very diverse destination; we offer the classic African safari experience that is ample in our country, with absolutely world-class national parks, wildlife, wide open spaces, and yet we have so much more than that,” introduces Gys Joubert, Managing Director at Gondwana.

“Namibia has had deserts since time immemorial, and these are places of untouched nature that are respected and protected by the people.”

PRISTINE NATURE

The Namib Desert and Kalahari Desert are unique and represent only one end of the spectrum of Namibia’s diverse landscape. On the other end, Namibia is home to watery regions such as the Zambezi region in the north, connected to large rivers rich with life.

The mighty Okavango River is the parental source of the freshwater rivers that feed into these wetlands, and these diverse habitats are as defining to Namibia as its ancient deserts.

“From the open expanse and nothingness of these deserts, the land can change suddenly to waterfalls and lush forests, and you can find an abundance of variation across the country,” Joubert says.

“But what we do at Gondwana is about more than just promoting Namibia’s natural beauty, our business is also about community. We have eight community-based lodges where the local community literally partners with us in what we do, and together we work to conserve the Namibian environment.”

Gondwana offers hotels, lodges and camps across multiple regions of the country, where visitors can experience the spirit of the land in their own - often solitary - way. On top of this, the organisation provides domestic and international tourists with optional transport through its NAMIBIA2GO Car Rental service, allowing families, couples or individuals the freedom and flexibility

Outlook Travel: Can you tell us about Gondwana’s lodge services?

Gys Joubert, Managing Director: “Traditionally, we were very much a mid-market product offering true value for money, and this remains our bread and butter. But over the past few years, we have really invested in a lot of segments, such as our Secret Collection. This is a five-star experience where people are offered unique solitude in beautiful areas, and from there we also offer camping or glamping, and we really try to be a one-stop shop in our offering.

“Another thing I should mention about Gondwana is that we are very diverse. Every product that we have is highly varied. A sense of place is very important to us, so we don’t have a copy-and-paste model at all, our lodges are completely different offerings to one another with the golden thread being that of our ethos, values and service offering.”

of a Nguni cattle head, with chalets stunningly furrowed to the north and south, from the central area like a bull’s horns. Upon walking into the reception and curio shop, boma and dining areas, the Oshiwambo ethos is intriguingly evident from colours, fabrics, cutlery, chandelier, table engravings with impactful proverbs and other embellishments.

The chalets are spacious and stylishly adorned with a touch of Oshiwambo cultural ornaments, and each has its own plunge pool, allowing guests to behold boundless horizons of the Andoni plains – fit for a king and queen. The lodge hosts 40 rooms and pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of the area.

as the park is home to much exotic wildlife, but one of the other main selling points is the culture of the area. That part of Namibia is home to the Ovambo people and it is a very beautiful and culturally rich part of the country.”

TRUST IN TOURISM

to explore the country for themselves in a comfortable 4x4 designed for adventure. Alternatively, they also offer a traveller-orientated transfer service, the Go2, aimed to cater to travellers who are not too keen on driving themselves.

A LAND OF CULTURE

Strikingly set on the Andoni plains, one kilometre from Etosha National Park is Etosha King Nehale. The lodge effortlessly portrays the shape

“Our biggest investment so far has been our Etosha King Nehale, that opened up in 2020,” Joubert tells us. “The land itself belongs to the local community and it is part of the Namibian government commu nity-based resource management programme, while also being com munity owned rather than privately, meaning people in the community benefit from it.

“The lodge is based right next to the Etosha National Park, which is very much part of the selling point

There is one detail that puts this lodge over the top, which is its private access to a secluded waterhole, the Ontalelo Outpost, set in the Etosha National Park. This waterhole is reserved for Etosha King Nehale guests, allowing them to immerse themselves in the tranquillity of nature and observe the rich diversity of the animal world in this corner of paradise.

The Etosha King Nehale project was almost complete by the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which placed Gondwana in a difficult position.

According to Joubert, even prior to the pandemic, the lodge investment was considered a partial risk as there were questions regarding the potential success or failure of cultural tourism in the region.

“To the north, the conservancy is surrounded by the pulsating life of the communal areas of the Oshikoto,

Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati regions,” Joubert says. “This new Gondwana lodge gives guests the opportunity to combine the natural wonders of Etosha with the cultural vibrancy of the Aawambo, also known as Ovambo, people.”

With COVID-19 forcing Gondwana’s hand, the organisation decided to bite the bullet and follow through with their investment, having already proceeded so far.

“We opened the lodge slap-bang in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, and for the first 12 months we could largely only cater to the local population. Today, both local and internationally speaking it has been a roaring success, and it has given rise to a fantastic story,”

THE WEINBERG – AT A GLANCE

Enjoy the pleasures of city life and the serene atmosphere of Africa in style at The Weinberg Windhoek. Its iconic styling seamlessly blends old-world splendour with modern lines as well as state-of-the-art amenities.

The hotel’s elegant architecture wraps around a heritage building, which forms the heart of the Am Weinberg Estate. It also features restaurants of different culinary styles and the appealing Soulstice Day-Spa.

Spend the day exploring Windhoek. Visit the Christ Church (Christuskirche), the National Museum and the Alte Feste, or take the opportunity to go shopping in one of the modern malls. And don’t forget to try a typical Namibian dish, kapana or biltong, before returning to your temporary home at the end of an exciting day.

Experience the sunset by enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding valley. The Weinberg (German for vineyard) lives up to its name and invites you to choose your favourite wine from an extensive wine list while savouring the hotel’s sophisticated atmosphere.

Joubert explains. “We believe that tourism isn’t sustainable if it is not inclusive, and we try to live and be an example of that, and the Etosha King Nehale lodge has really benefitted the local community.”

A FUTURE OF OPTIMISM

The second major enterprise that Gondwana has sought out is its takeover of The Weinberg, a hotel in the capital of Windhoek, and one of the top offerings in Namibia.

“We were lucky to be approached to manage the hotel,” Joubert tells us. “We have already made vast improvements and it is something that we are really proud of. In terms of our brand, The Weinberg fits nicely into our portfolio, and it is our first of

that kind having opened Gondwana up to the corporate tourism sector.”

Promoting Namibia is paramount for the organisation moving forward, and Gondwana is focused on showing the world what the country has to offer.

For Joubert, the future of tourism is a movement from group travel to that of individual families or couples, including self-drive experiences where people can journey to and from exotic locations at their own leisure.

“We have some beautiful roads in Namibia that allow you to experi ence the unique wilderness by car,” he elaborates. “Post-COVID-19, these kinds of trips are becoming far more popular. People want to do their own thing without being

restricted by timing or others like on group journeys.”

The future of Namibian tourism is an optimistic one, and Gondwana is working with the community to increase opportunities for those local to the organisation, while also expanding the overall experience for those who visit the wondrous wilderness of the country.

“We are highly optimistic about the future of our industry,” Joubert says. “Our goals are mainly driven by quality and sustainability, and we focus on combatting unem ployment in the country as well. In this respect, we promote training programmes to increase the chances of young people entering the working world.

“Namibia has a brilliant story to tell; over 40 percent of our country is under some form of protection and conservation, so this really is a tale of sustainability and environmental respect and allowing people to experience this in brilliant ways.”

“GONDWANA IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST PROMOTING NAMIBIA’S NATURAL BEAUTY, OUR BUSINESS IS ALSO ABOUT COMMUNITY”

– GYS JOUBERT, MANAGING DIRECTOR, GONDWANA COLLECTION NAMIBIA

SPOTLIGHT ON CORFU

The jewel in the crown of the Ionian Islands, dive into a land of legend on Corfu

Writer: Phoebe Harper

Otherwise known by its Greek name of Kérkyra, Corfu is an island wrapped in legend. Tales of mythical figures and heroes abound, from Poseidon, Odysseus, Achilles - the threads of their stories winding like the labyrinthine cobbled streets of the central Old Town. All the way from Homer to the celebrated TV drama of The Durrells, Corfu has long been immortalised as one of the most eternally seductive of the Greek Isles.

The most northerly in the archipelago of Ionian Islands, Corfu has always been targeted for its strategic location and natural beauty – whether by warring armies in cen turies gone by, or the hordes of holidaymakers that flock here in droves during the summer months. Appearing on the map rather like a pebble kicked off the heel of the boot of Italy and sent flying towards the Grecian mainland, Corfu is actually closer to Puglia than it is to Athens. An Italian influence is palpable across the island, since the Venetians first arrived in 1386 and occupied Corfu for four centuries. Their touch lingers in an architectural legacy of shaded piazzas, sweeping colonnades, and cafés offering sumptuous gelato.

Corfu’s mountainous interior promises scenic swathes of olive groves, fig trees, hilltop monasteries and villages with quiet tavernas where a taste of authentic Greek island life can be savoured away from the over-developed tourist hotspots, as seen in the clusters of whitewashed houses in the sleepy mountainside villages of Makrades and Lakones.

The turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea are arguably Corfu’s greatest calling card, with a host of alluring beaches and coves, like the Canal d’Amour or ‘Channel of Love’ where, as legend goes, couples who swim through the sandstone gorge are fated to remain together forever.

The combination of the bounteous harvests of the island’s rugged interior with the cross-cultural legacy of Corfu has created a rich culinary scene, offering favourites like seafood souvlaki, and fresh yoghurt with local honey. Such staples are best washed down with a drop of kum quat liquor, produced from the Corfiots’ signature fruit, or a cooling glass of Tsitsibirra.

With a prime airport location and a temperate yearround climate, what are you waiting for?

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

PALAIOKASTRITSA BEACH

Known as one of Corfu’s best beaches, Palaiokastritsa’s sandy shores offer refreshingly cool waters ideal for snorkelling. Here, Odysseus supposedly disembarked his ship and found himself surrounded by pine trees, olive groves and a natural cove. A short walk uphill to visit the 13th century monastery promises an unbeaten sunset view.

THE CORFU TRAIL

Keen hikers will enjoy this challenging trek – a 200-kilometre route that traverses the whole island. A feat that is estimated to take 10 days for strong walkers, a well-marked path will lead you through beaches, lagoons and mountain peaks, from Cape Asprókavos in the south to Áyios Spyrídhon beach in the far north.

CORFU TOWN

A UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the eighth century BC, the Old Town of Corfu is dominated by two hilltop fortresses flanking its entrance to the Adriatic. The cultural heartland of Corfu, wander cobblestone streets and visit St. Spyridon’s Church – the final resting place of the island’s patron saint.

ON

BARBATI

LOCATED ON THE northeast coast of Corfu, Barbati is a small coastal resort, perfectly positioned to enjoy the best of the island and offering the ultimate combination of both mountain and sea. Situated on the slopes of Pantokratoras Mountain, from Barbati you can view the

Venetian fortress of the Old Town, and the mountaintops of Albania in the distance. From the centre of Barbati, a 10-minute drive north will take you to the quaint village of Nissaki, whilst driving for the same amount of time in the opposite direction will see you in the larger resort town of

Ipsos, where a lively selection of tavernas, bars and shops await. The highlight of Barbati is its Blue Flag beach, where a mile-long stretch of white shingle hosts a watersports centre and a sleuth of shops and tavernas on the higher coastal road.

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

The Best of Barbati

EAT

FOR COCKTAIL SIPPING AND BEACHFRONT BLISS...

Piedra del Mar - Split into three layers comprising a beachfront bar, lounge bar, and a restaurant dressed in African notes, this cosmopolitan hotspot has all the ingredients for a hedonistic day by the beach.

Bahia Mare – Another Barbati beach favourite, head here to nab a sunbed and sip cocktails, or enjoy the chic, minimalist-styled restaurant, unwinding with background music late into the night. Booking in advance is recommended.

Verde Blu – A family-run restaurant since 1976, Verde Blu has evolved into a sophisticated, modern restaurant/beach bar experience, offering quality gastronomy and a mouth-watering cocktail menu.

FOR LOCAL FAVOURITES WITH SCENIC VIEWS...

Lord Byron – Kept in the family since 1978, this Greek tavern is widely acknowledged as the best restaurant in Barbati. Enjoy classic favourites like courgette fritters, feta with local honey, calamari and fresh octopus.

La Piazza - This Greek restaurant is known for its authentic feel, scenic views, and occasional live music. The wine menu boasts the finest produce from the vineyards of Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Lefkada.

Dionysos – Located in the centre of Barbati, Dionysos offers classic Corfiot dishes with a modern flair. Enjoy views across to the Old Town amidst a laidback atmosphere in another family-run favourite.

SLEEP

FOR A TASTEFUL VILLA STAY...

James Villas offers a curated selection of hand-picked villas across the whole of Corfu, 14 of which are in Barbati. Designed to accommodate varying numbers of travellers, choose from the beachfront luxury of Barbati Beach Villa, or the comfort of Villa Chloris, situated at the foot of the mountain, amongst many others. The majority of the villas here are dotted along the peaceful mountainside, surrounded by olive groves and lemon trees, but all within easy reach of all the essential amenities of Barbati.

STAYING GREEN WITH CENTER PARCS

Founded

Writer: Phoebe Harper

Since the opening of its first UK lodge in 1987, Center Parcs has stood as a landmark of British tourism. The name is synonymous with fami ly-friendly escapes to the forest, where a host of outdoor activities and indoor indulgences await.

Today, the Center Parcs footprint extends to six ‘villages’ dotted throughout the UK and Ireland. With over 30 years of experience in providing short stays, Center Parcs has moved with the times, but what has remained a steadfast concern is a way of operating that is in harmony with its natural surroundings.

This reverence for the environment is testified by the company’s stance on environmental sustainability, and the myriad schemes and initiatives that are underway behind the scenes with any Center Parcs stay. It is through these commitments that Center Parcs ensures the preservation and protection of the woodland environments that are its greatest natural calling card. Whilst a hotbed for tourist activity, Center Parcs sites are also havens for biodiversity, as seen by the extremely rare red squirrels that can be spotted at Whinfell Forest. In recognition of its status as a

custodian of these environments and the species to be found within, the company frequently undertakes ecological surveys which are in turn overseen by Conservation Rangers and ecological consultants, and con tinually monitored through Sensitive Area maps. Each village site entails a bespoke Forest Management Plan with a detailed 10-year strategy across all dedicated areas – from waterways to landscaping and arboriculture. In recognition of these efforts, Center Parcs has received The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark Award for 15 consecutive years, validating its performance in meeting Biodiversity Action Targets.

Center Parcs was alerted to the pressing need to mitigate its environmental impact, when in 2010 the company recorded that it had consumed 63,000 tonnes of carbon throughout the year. The journey to carbon reduction began, with the overriding target of reducing this number by 20 percent by 2020. By reducing carbon consumption throughout Center Parcs’ leisure activities and accommodation – the two major culprits – this goal was achieved two years ahead of schedule in 2018, meaning that all expansion and development work undertaken during that time had a carbon neutral result.

The goals haven’t stopped there, with a further 30 percent reduction in carbon footprint fore casted for 2030 from the baseline year of 2020. Some of the many tactics and innovations employed to attain these goals in the energy field include anaerobic digestion processes, which in turn cre ates the biogas that works in conjunction with combined heat and power systems (CHPS) to keep the lights turned on across the villages. At the Sherwood Forest site, the anaerobic digestion plant supplies 22 percent of the village’s heat and 78 percent of the required electricity, which equates to a 4.8 percent reduction in carbon use. Meanwhile, these CHPS provide critical heat and power to some of Center Parcs’ most popular facilities, including heating the Aqua Sauna Spa at Elveden Forest, Longleat Forest and Longford Forest.

The majority of Center Parcs lodges use low lighting, while ground source heat pumps at Sherwood and Longleat Forest provide natural heat solutions for some lodges, in addition to solar thermal systems to heat water in other accommodations.

The company’s dedicated Energy Centre continues to research the applications of such technologies through out all Center Parcs villages. In terms of transport within the parks, this is primarily by new electric golf carts, with most staff and technical services transport also using an electric fleet – aside from the Housekeeping team who you may see travelling by bike. For guests, electric vehicle charging infrastructure has been installed across all sites.

In 2020, Center Parcs successfully made the transition from grid electricity to 100 percent renewable energy. That same year, all Center Parcs parks across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France received official Green Key certification.

With a Center Parcs stay, you can expect comfort, quality, and a clean eco-conscience.

‘IN 2020, CENTER PARCS SUCCESSFULLY MADE THE TRANSITION FROM GRID ELECTRICITY TO 100 PERCENT RENEWABLE ENERGY. THAT SAME YEAR, ALL CENTER PARCS PARKS ACROSS THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, GERMANY AND FRANCE RECEIVED OFFICIAL GREEN KEY CERTIFICATION’

Spotlight on Center Parcs - Elveden Forest

Nestled in the heart of the scenic Suffolk countryside, Center Parcs Elveden Forest was the second village to open in the UK, originating in 1989. Elveden Forest is designed to make the most of the great outdoors, with thrill-seeking activities, up to 400 acres of forest to explore and an abundance of wildlife.

Discover the largest water sports lake of all the Center Parcs villages, bordered by the scenic Waterside Lodges, and take two-wheeled adventures along some fantastic biking trails. Offering myriad activities, adventure playgrounds and peaceful picnic areas, not to mention the Subtropical Swimming Paradise water park, as with all Center Parcs villages, there truly is something for everyone.

Writer: Phoebe Harper

the vast expanse of Romney Marsh to the quintessentially British seaside charm of Margate, step into the Garden of England for a fruitful UK staycation

THE BRITISH PAINTER J.M.W Turner famously said that it has the best sunsets in the world. It has inspired the great minds of Charles Darwin, Dickens, Chaucer, and modern-day icons such as David Bowie and Kate Bush, to name but a few. These are just some of the myriad fruits stemming from the Garden of England.

Living up to its charming soubriquet, Kent is a county known for its verdant tapestry of farmlands, ancient woodlands, marshlands and fertile pastures that are home to flourishing orchards and vineyards, bearing fruit to world-renowned hops, ales and wines.

Arguably the county’s greatest draw is its dramatic coastline, from the eclectic seaside town of Margate to the bleak shingle shores

of Dungeness, inspiration to the celebrated British filmmaker Derek Jarman. Voted by Lonely Planet as Best in Travel 2022, Kent’s scenic Heritage Coast stretches from the shores of Folkestone to the iconic white cliffs of Dover, where wartime history co-exists with rewilding and conservation efforts on rare chalk grasslands grazed by Exmoor ponies.

Kent’s seaside towns are resplendent with remnants of the Victorian age, the era of the Great British promenade, and are now home to a plethora of vintage and curiosity shops. Often considered rundown, there is an undeniable romanticism to the faded splendour of such places, which are now widely enjoying a thriving creative resurgence as seen with the likes of Deal, Folkestone and Margate – home to the Turner

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

FOR MODERN MINIMALISM ON THE COAST...

If you crave the freedom of a self-catering option but with added luxury, Original Cottages boast a selection of properties throughout the county. Situated right on the seafront, Vause at Sea is a large luxury option accommodating up to 10 guests and is equipped with all the modern gadgets – from Sonos to a cinema room – to make for an unforgettable stay in ultimate comfort. Combine a dip in the sea with a soak in the hot tub at this tastefully furnished contemporary accommodation, located close to the village of Kingsdown. Meanwhile, the charming seaside town of Deal is just a short walk or cycle along the coastal path away.

Contemporary art gallery.

These coasts give way to a fantastic foodie scene based on the bounty of the sea, as seen with the famous Whitstable Oyster Festival and an endless selection of places for fish and chips.

Away from the coast, Canterbury is the historic jewel in the Kentish crown, and has stood as a revered site of pilgrimage for centuries, since the 12th century murder of the martyr Thomas Becket. Elsewhere, in the sparse wetlands of the Romney Marsh, evocative tales of smuggling from bygone centuries abound, beyond a coastline submerged in a rich maritime heritage.

As steeped in history as it is natural splendour, Kent sits just under an hour from London by train and has easily accessible links to Europe.

DEAL

A quieter alternative to Margate found further south down the coast, Deal is often referred to as an overlooked gem, known for its seaside charm. As quaint as it is quirky, here you will find the formidable coastal defence of Deal Castle, originally built by Henry VIII in his efforts to protect the UK’s coast. Another destination renowned for its creative scene, equally as popular a landmark, is one of the southeast’s best indie record shops – Smugglers Records. With an inviting small beach dotted with wooden fishing boats, and a 1950s concrete pier, it was on this very spot where Julius Caesar first set foot on British soil in 55 BCE.

Deal pier, first opened in 1957, is the last remaining fully intact leisure pier in Kent

THE KENT COAST - WHERE TO VISIT

RYE

Although technically in neighbouring East Sussex, a visit to Kent’s sprawling Romney Marsh would be incomplete without hopping across the border to the picturesque hilltop town of Rye. Known for its scenic cobblestone streets and medieval timbered houses, stop by the legendary Mermaid Inn – the notorious smuggling den of the infamous Hawkhurst Gang– for a drink in an atmospheric location steeped in history. Mermaid Street – where the inn stands – is reputed as one of the most ‘instagrammed’ streets in the UK. Survey the coastline from ancient fortifications, and wander down to the harbour for seafood fresh from the bay.

MARGATE

Long-loved by Londoners thanks to its proximity to the capital, and often hailed as ‘the new Brighton’, Margate is an eclectic combination of vintage British seaside charm and modern appeal. In the streets of the Old Town, you will find a wealth of vintage and curiosity shops, packed cheek by jowl with old pubs and trendy cafés, not to mention the bizarre attraction of the underground Shell Grotto, discovered in 1835. The beachfront offers endless options for fish and chips, the sun-bleached fairground rides of the Dreamland amusement park and Britain’s largest tidal pool at Walpole Bay. The famous playground of Tracey Emin, art lovers in Margate will revel in the Tuner Contemporary gallery and a vibrant creative scene.

ROMNEY MARSH SHEPHERDS HUTS

SPRAWLED ACROSS THE low-lying coastal plains beyond the English Channel lies the scenic wetlands of Romney Marsh. Known as the ‘fifth continent of the world’, the marsh comprises 100 miles of land defined by verdant pastures and labyrinthine ditches. One of Kent’s Areas of Outstanding Beauty, it is synonymous with centuries-old tales of smuggling, and a rich history of sheep-rearing.

In keeping with this tradition, on visiting the area, we had the fortune of staying with sixth generation family farmers on the marsh, Paul and Kristina Boulden, and their flock of Romney Sheep. We hole up for two nights in ‘The Rumwold’- a gorgeous Shepherd’s Hut so named after the marshland church of St. Rumwold’s nearby, whose tower can be seen poking through the trees. We have the field entirely to ourselves, with the exception of our neighbouring hut, ‘The Lookerer’, and of course a herd of four-legged companions, comprising roughly 100 Romney ewes and their lambs.

Inside the hut, a wood burner, generous double bed and compact kitchen awaits, not to mention the unexpected luxury of a hot shower. By evening, we sit by the firepit outside, warning off the chill of the creeping marshland mist, and sampling the bounty of the Garden of England with a bottle of local white wine from a Kentish vineyard that had been left

for us in the fridge.

The epitome of a cosy stay, every convenience has been catered for with generous touches of luxury –from toiletries to sumptuous bedding and towels, firelighters for the woodburner, a portable radio, and even milk in the fridge for morning brews spent surveying the marsh.

We sleep soundly at night in perfect seclusion, encased in the warmth of Romney Wool blankets, and with a hot water bottle to match. These are just some of the goods spun from the wool of the Romney flock, sold in the shop located in one corner of the farmyard (and online) under the brand name of Romney Marsh Wools (RMW). Run by the same family as the huts, RMW was the worthy recipient of the ‘National Best Creative or Artisan Business Award’ at the Rural Business Awards 2020/2021.

With a new country wear line woven from quality local wool, ranging from flat caps, to scarves, moccasins and ponchos, this is locally made, artisanal craft at its finest, as a truly self-sustaining enterprise founded on one of the most sustainable and durable materials you can wear. These sheep in particular –the Romney breed – are known to be one of the hardiest stocks, with the quality of their wool highly resistant to rains and wetland conditions, hence their suitability in thriving on these pastures for centuries. To walk away with a piece from RMW is to handle a tangible piece of history, created from traditional techniques that have been passed from generation to generation.

Aside from a host of woven delights, we savour the toiletries provided inside the hut, all of which

have also been handmade by RMW. With nourishing lotions and silky hand washes, these products are founded on lanolin – the natural waxy substance found within a sheep’s wool that is well-known for keeping the hands of any sheep shearer or wool worker perpetually soft.

A true off-grid rural retreat, the marshland is extremely peaceful, save for the calls of marshland birds and a sunrise wake up call to a chorus of hungry ewes. It is a land of wide-open skies and Shepherd’s Delight sunsets of roaring reds and pinks.

On waking, we savour a treasure trove of local produce with our breakfast box and cook fat sausages and perfectly fresh eggs, feasting perched on the bench outside surrounded by our curious companions. It is the perfect start

to a day spent exploring the local area – from the squat little church of St. Thomas a Becket, as featured in the BBC adaptation of Dickens’ Great Expectations, to the famous smuggler’s pub of The Walnut Tree in the nearby village of Aldington.

As curious as the wandering flock, we cannot resist venturing beyond our hut to where construction is underway on ‘The Romney’ - the third hut and newest instalment on the farm. A larger hut, designed to accommodate four (two adults and two children), it is on the decking outside where we spy a newly installed outdoor bath, perfectly positioned with idyllic views stretching across an uninterrupted expanse of marshland.

Sign me up.

MORE INFORMATION:

Phoebe Harper was a guest of Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts (www.romneymarshshepherdshuts. co.uk). Based near Aldington on the Romney Marsh in Kent, a two-night stay in the Rumwold Hut for two adults sharing is priced from £250. There is a minimum two-night stay per booking. Local produce breakfast boxes are available from £15 extra per booking. A range of optional add-ons with local activity providers and artisans are also available to book. To book a stay, visit www.bloomstays.com/ property/rumwold or call Bloom Stays on 01227 903 404.

PRODUCT REVIEW: RINGANA FRESH SUNSCREEN

Introducing the new coral-reef friendly, vegan sunscreen from natural skincare specialists, RINGANA

Writer: Phoebe Harper

Although an essential form of skin protection, applying suncream can be an irksome task. As a pale Brit, since the earliest childhood holidays, I have become all too familiar with being forced to coat every inch of exposed skin in thick lotions that take forever to dry and leave you sticky and shining.

Yet this all changed in Summer 2022, with the launch of RINGANA’s FRESH sunscreen SPF 20. This lightweight solution is easy to

percent organic ingredients, and although it is perfume-free, leaves a pleasant, natural scent, unlike other chemical-heavy brands.

The product provides reliable broad-spectrum protection against UV light, blue light and infra-red light, and prevents skin ageing resulting from direct exposure to the sun. Since it is founded on fresh ingredients, it is recommended that the sunscreen is used within 10 weeks, which is why it makes for a perfect addition as a base for your daily skincare routine.

For beach lovers, what stands out about RINGANA’s sunscreen is that it is certified as coral-reef friendly, as confirmed by the ‘Positive Reef Initiative’. This is because the sunscreen is based on light

protection properties from a zinc oxide filter, which is renowned as a coral-reef friendly ingredient that also provides stronger protection against UV-A rays. To top it all off, this unique formulation is also 100 percent vegan.

FRESH sunscreen, and a host of other quality natural skincare products and supplements, are the brainchild of Austrian brand RINGANA. Since 1996, the company has produced vegan, non-artificial skincare products and food supplements, founded on freshness, efficacy and sustainability.

With no artificial preservatives or additives, these are products that take the health of your skin seriously. On top of the sunscreen, I highly recom mend a RINGANA travel set, for a compact selection of travel essentials.

Designed to comply with cabin baggage restrictions, each set comes in a handy, transparent RINGANA travel bag made of recycled PET. The travel set includes FRESH products such as shampoo, body wash, deodorant, tooth oil, rejuvenating hydro serum and cleansing toners designed to create a holistic and satisfying grooming routine.

For essential skin protection and body care, your suitcase simply isn’t complete without it.

FOGO ISLAND

AMIDST THE WILD seas of the North Atlantic, the island of Fogo is so remote, that according to the Flat Earth Society, this landmass represents one of the four corners of the Earth.

Located to the east of the Change Islands, Fogo Island is the largest of the offshore islands surrounding Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada.

Although remotely situated and surrounded by the roaring Atlantic Ocean, Fogo Island is an accessible outpost that was originally populated by Irish settlers in the 18th century, beginning with the town of Tilting. English and Irish folk customs still abound from these original inhabitants, although their prevalence is now waning across Fogo’s 11 established settlements.

With a rich maritime history, fishing has long been the lifeblood of Fogo, in particular the shoals of cod that are a historic staple of both the local culture and economy. You will find colourful ‘stores’, or fishing sheds, dotted throughout the island. These teeming Atlantic waters also boast pods of whales that migrate here in the summer months and can be spotted breaching the waves offshore. Situated in what is colloquially known as ‘Iceberg Alley’, these waters are known for the

icebergs that drift through here on their path between Greenland and Newfoundland between May and June.

Elsewhere, the sub-arctic climate supports thriving birdlife and myriad flora and fauna, including the roaming herds of Caribou that were introduced here in the mid-twentieth century. On land, a hiker’s paradise awaits with endless trails covering the wilderness, skirting panoramic ocean views and traversing jagged clifftops.

Aside from its natural splendour, Fogo Island is establishing a reputation as a cutting-edge destination for contemporary art. Artists flock here to hide away in modern studios, seeking inspiration from awe-inspiring landscapes. The Fogo Island Inn stands as an iconic structure on the island, a minimalist, Nordic-style building perched on stilts whose glass-fronted façade offers dramatic views out across the ocean.

Now why not tell us yours? Turks and Caicos Islands has told its story...

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