Balancing a local voice with a global perspective is paramount across all of Conde Nast Traveler‘s eight global editions. And we recognize that travel is one of the most encompassing industries in the world, influenced by endemic players including hotels and cruise lines, but increasingly, by fashion, design, wellness and more. As such, we are thrilled to announce our second-ever Global Advisory Board, comprised of thought leaders and tastemakers from a range of sectors, backgrounds and countries, to help direct our global brand on the issues influencing travel and travelers right now. Consider these experts, who range from inclusivity advocates to conservation pioneers, a lens through which we will continue to shape all our coverage on travel in the coming years. Our board members will engage in editor-hosted panels on topics including wellness in travel and global travel forecasts; participate in public-facing events; and guide our teams where appropriate. Learn about the 13 members, below. You may even recognize a few names from last year.
Andrea De Marco, President, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
A veteran of the luxury cruise industry, Andrea has worked in numerous facets of the business in her twenty year career, including communications, investor relations, and corporate finance. After many years with luxury lines like Norwegian Cruise Holdings, she joined Regent in 2021, at a pivotal time to help the brand successfully navigate through COVID, and is currently spearheading new luxury collaboration efforts.
Tina Edmundson, President, Luxury, Marriott International
Few leaders in the industry have their finger on the pulse of luxury travel like Tina. As President, Luxury, at Marriott International, she has been reshaping what high end travel means now, steering brands like Bulgari, The Luxury Collection and others, in her 25+ years as a brand architect. Tina was previously a member of the US Condé Nast Traveler Advisory Board from 2021 through 2022 and part of our inaugural global advisory board.
Frances Geoghegan, Founder, Healing Holidays
About 15 years ago, Frances recognized a gap in the market for expert wellness and founded a vacation specialist service to address this need. Healing Holidays has grown to become one of the most sought-after, expert-led businesses when it comes to wellness travel. Through her company, Frances has connections to the most coveted wellness centers and practitioners in the world. She was a member of our inaugural global advisory board.
Aditya Ghosh, Co-Founder, Akasa Air (former CEO and director, Indigo Airlines)
This aviation expert has been at the forefront of air travel for decades, having co-founded Akasa Air and served on the board at IndiGo. An industry expert with insight that extends far beyond airlines, Aditya has been recognized as a Fortune 40 Under 40 and he has served as a Member of the Board of Directors for FabIndia Group, OYO Hotels and Homes, Ras al Khaimah Airport, and GreenCell Mobility. He was a member of our inaugural global advisory board.
Laila Gohar, Artist and Brand Collaborator
Egypt-born Laila Gohar is an artist who uses food as her medium; her work has been displayed in museums and galleries and at fashion events around the world. A skilled curator who can tap into desires and tastes across generations, she has become a favorite collaborator with luxury brands including Hermès, Prada, and Sotheby’s and has launched a line of homeware whose designs have been influenced by her travels across the globe. She recently partnered with Marriott’s Luxury Collection on a set of barware and site-specific installation art.
Joss Kent, Executive Chairman & CEO, &Beyond
A lifelong travel expert and leading voice in conservation, Joss was formerly the CEO of adventure travel company Abercrombie & Kent before joining &Beyond in 2012. In his role, he has been instrumental in leading its growth and expansion, both in localized conservation efforts and globally, with outposts now in South America and Asia. Joss was a member of our inaugural global advisory board.
Sophie Morgan, Television Presenter and Disability Advocate
The award-winning advocate for disability rights has been voted in the top ten most influential disabled people in the UK in the past three years. She is the leader of Rights on Flights, a global campaign and membership organization that provides educational resources for the airline industry and empowers disabled travelers. Along with Keely Cat-Wells, she co-founded Making Space Media, a first-of-its kind, disabled-led production company. She is also a frequent Condé Nast Traveler contributor, a BAFTA-nominated TV host, and has presented on the Paralympics and her own travel shows.
Marriam Mossalli, Entrepreneur and Founder, Niche Arabia
As the founder of Saudi Arabia‘s leading luxury marketing firm, Niche Arabia, which aims to connect leading luxury brands with the GCC market, Marriam Mossalli is easily one of the best-connected businesswomen in the Arab world, with access to a wide global network of creatives and entrepreneurs. Her savvy sense has led to investments in renowned brands like Bella Hadid’s Kin Euphorics and the Middle East’s leading lifestyle brand Powder Beauty.
Penny Rafferty, Executive Chair, Luxury Lodges of Australia and Head of Sustainability, Tourism Australia
Penny Rafferty has been at the helm of the Luxury Lodges of Australia since it was established in January 2010. In her role she has expanded the portfolio and overseen major directional change that has promoted conservation and community. She currently also serves as the head of sustainability for Tourism Australia where she advocates for sharper and more inclusive storytelling from and about her homeland. She was a member of our inaugural advisory board.
Cherae Robinson, Travel-Innovation Expert and Entrepreneur
A pioneer in pushing the boundaries of innovation and community building, Cherae founded Tastemakers Africa as a platform to digitally connect travelers with local hosts in mostly urban African centers. This encouraged authentic experiences, disrupted narratives about African travel, and supported under served communities. She has spoken atTEDx Euston, the House of Beautiful Business, MIT, Harvard, Georgetown University, and the US Africa Business Summit. In addition to starting Tastemakers, Cherae is an investor and strategic advisor to Babel Loft, a Black-woman-owned membership club, serves on the board of Birthright Africa, and leads platform initiatives as Head of Community at Flybridge, an early-stage venture capital fund.
Jaisal Singh, Conservationist, Founder, Suján
At just 20 years old, Jaisal founded Suján, which would become India’s leading conservation tourism brand, comprising three wilderness camps throughout the country. With the help of his team he has revived wilderness areas to help protect India’s biodiversity and endangered species, while partnering with and supporting the local communities. He has been twice elected as Vice President of Relais & Chateaux, and has served as a member of the Government of Rajasthan’s Standing Committee on Wildlife, amongst other positions that help to protect wildlife and support conservation efforts in India and aboard.
Emilia Wickstead, Fashion Designer
The New Zealand-born Emilia moved to Milan as a teenager to study fashion before going on to work at American Vogue. Now based in London, she launched her eponymous brand in 2012, and quickly earned a following for her classic, elegant tailoring, and fluent use of color in the suits, dresses, and jackets that have become favorites of Hollywood and British royalty. Her numerous hospitality collaborations include with Rosewood, Chiltern Firehouse, and the flagship carrier of her home country, Air New Zealand.
Mei Zhang, Founder, WildChina Travel Company
After a career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, Mei Chang decided to turn her her passion a new career. She founded WildChina to promote considerate and conscientious approach to traveling in China. She uses her sizable following on social media to promote sustainable lifestyles and is currently a China Fellow at the Aspen Institute. Mei is a CNT travel specialist and was a member of our inaugural advisory board.
