A polar specialist is to join the line-up for the TTG Luxury Travel Summit, bringing her depth of experience on operating in fragile environments and the growth of tourism to these areas.
Sophie Galvagnon is a French-Swedish captain, expedition leader, ice pilot and entrepreneur and has spent a significant period in Arctic regions, exploring the polar world onboard a wide range of vessels, from research icebreakers to sailing ships.
In her 17 years of navigation, 10 of those have been in polar environments and when she was just 26 years old, she became the youngest woman to command polar expedition ships and has earned maritime honours for her remarkable contributions to sea expeditions.
Mapping uncharted areas has become her distinctive expertise, nurtured during her own expeditions or special missions. Since 2017, she has also expanded into entrepreneurship, founding maritime companies and developing ships tailored to extreme environments.
Galvagnon is also deeply committed to advocating for the consideration and inclusion of women in the maritime industry.
Her next venture will see her launch the world’s first sustainable polar expedition company, with a collection of luxury Polar ships, set to embark on its first journey in 2026.
Also new for the 2024 conference lineup is Justin Wateridge, managing director, Steppes Travel, a B Corp Certified specialist tour operator.
Wateridge has been with Steppes Travel since 2012 and for the five years preceding that was managing director of Abercrombie & Kent UK.
Brought up in Zambia, educated at Oxford and having lived in London, he then began exploring his passion for travel. His travels have taken him to more than 100 countries, whether as a guide (Explore Worldwide), expedition leader (World Challenge Expeditions), pioneering expedition (Mekong River Expedition) or for personal trips.
“I have had a lifelong passion for travel which stemmed from growing up in Zambia and the fact that my father instilled in me the wonderful diversity of the world and the importance of understanding people,” he said. “I’m lucky enough to have travelled a lot. It is a privilege I do not take for granted. Travel gives us a different sense of perspective. We see life, scenarios through the eyes of others. Travel breaks down barriers, it changes perception and prejudice.”
Galvagnon and Wateridge will join Carmel McQuaid, head of environmental and social impact, Belmond on a panel to discuss the challenges and opportunities of modern sustainability in the context of luxury and experiential travel.
