In Conversation with Simon Calder
We had the privilege of hosting an inspiring interview with one of the most recognised names in travel, Simon Calder. Attendees were captivated as Simon shared his extraordinary journey through travel reporting, filming, and broadcasting, offering unique insights into the evolution of the industry.
Simon also shared his predictions for how media will adapt to source and cover travel news and features in the years ahead. The discussion explored the shifting role of travel commentators in an era of 24/7 broadcasting and fragmented traditional and digital news channels.
With media groups constantly rethinking their revenue models, Simon offered a no-holds-barred perspective on the travel media landscape and its relationship with travel communications professionals.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Simon Calder
Travel Journalist, Broadcaster, & Travel Commentator
Simon Calder is a UK travel journalist and broadcaster, recognised as Britain’s leading travel commentator.
He’s also known as “The Man Who Pays His Way” because he does not accept free travel.
Born within earshot of the runway at Gatwick airport, Simon began his travel career cleaning out planes, frisking people and working for Sir Freddie Laker’s revolutionary Skytrain operation.
He then combined a job as a sound engineer at the BBC with writing travel guidebooks. His global journeys led to books on Central & South America, Russia & the Republics, the USA & Canada. To this day, he is proud of writing the first guidebook to Cuba.
In the early 1990s Simon took a call from the Independent who asked him to be a travel correspondent. Since then he has covered every significant development in travel and transport: from the opening of Eurostar and the launch of easyJet to 9/11, the Icelandic volcano and the Covid pandemic.
He is a familiar face and voice on TV & radio, guesting on the BBC, ITV, CNN and Sky, interpreting the travel news, giving travel advice and advising on the best travel deals.
Simon has filmed for BBC TV travel series including The Travel Show, Departure Lounge, Perfect Holiday and the Holiday programme.
For BBC Radio 4, he crossed overland from Colombia to Panama in a series called Bridging the Gap, and tracked down the last refuge of the Inca empire in Looking for Vilcabamba.
He has reported for ITV’s Good Morning Britain live from Australia – straight after the first nonstop scheduled flight from the UK in 2018 – and for Sky News from a very empty Sydney in 2022 when the nation reopened to tourists after two years. Simon was also the first overseas journalist to enter the US after a 19-month Covid closure – achieving the feat by walking across the Rainbow Bridge as the clock approached midnight.
He has won countless awards. The one he is most proud of is the Hero Award from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, recognising his work on consumer issues and the help he gives to travellers in distress.
Follow Simon Calder on Twitter (@SimonCalder) for up to date travel news, views and opinion.
Henry Hemming (Interviewer)
Global Advisor
TravMedia
Henry lives in East Sussex, is a keen photographer, nature lover and ardent Beatles fan (yeah, yeah, yeah).
