Don't miss the destinations that matter next

The Emerging Travel Briefing brings travel professionals the news and data on the destinations that matter next.

Meet the team

Journalists and specialists who know these markets

Meet the editors and contributors behind Emerging Travel News, and the expertise they bring to every story.

Work with us

Our team

The people behind Emerging Travel

Emerging Travel brings together journalists and tourism specialists who have lived and worked in the markets we cover. Between them, our team has advised governments and reported from the Gulf to Central Asia.

Every story we publish is edited to the same house style and checked against original sources before it goes live.

Sophie Ibbotson, Emerging Travel

Co-founder

Sophie Ibbotson

Sophie is the founder of Maximum Exposure, a tourism consultancy specialising in sustainable development across Eurasia. She advises governments and development agencies, and has written guidebooks for Bradt.
  • Uzbekistan’s official Tourism Ambassador
  • Brand ambassador for Uzbekistan Airways
  • Awarded the Turizm Fidoyisi medal by the Government of Uzbekistan
  • Trustee of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs
  • Co-author of the Bradt guide to Karakalpakstan
Daniel Rad, Emerging Travel

Editor

Daniel Rad

Daniel is the editor of Emerging Travel, with more than a decade in international business and financial journalism. He was previously at IntelliNews and the Future Economic Rural Network, and leads our agri-tourism coverage.
  • Previously at IntelliNews, covering the Gulf and wider region
  • Previously at the Future Economic Rural Network
  • Member of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists
  • Reads sources in Arabic, Persian and Russian
Kamila Erkaboyeva, Emerging Travel

Sub-editor

Kamila Erkaboyeva

Kamila is a sub-editor at Emerging Travel. Multilingual, with a background in event organising and cross-cultural communication, she brings an eye for detail to every story we publish.
  • UN Women delegate
  • Cultural Lead for Cultural Style Week
  • Organised performances at the Mayor of London’s 2024 Eid in the Square
  • Specialist in immersive cultural experiences
Jon Basker, Emerging Travel

Digital Director

Jon Basker

Jon leads our digital services, from website design to development. He brings a background in business development and user experience design.
  • Full-stack WordPress developer
  • UX design and front-end build
  • Business development and management
  • Leads website and digital projects for travel clients
James Nute, Emerging Travel

Contributor

James Nute

James is a consultant specialising in agritech and digital assets. He contributes on rural innovation and the technology linking farming with travel.
  • Agritech and crypto consultant
  • Works with the Future Economic Rural Network
  • Contributes on rural innovation and agri-tourism
Bosphorus bridge and Istanbul skyline at night

Contributors

A wider network of contributors

Our reporting draws on contributors including Daniel Turner and Hafsa Gaher, alongside the 100 journalists across our 2026 syndication network.

We welcome guest contributions from people working in travel and tourism. If you have expertise in an emerging market and an insight to share, pitch us your idea.

  • Opinion and analysis from industry practitioners
  • Market insight from destination and hotel specialists
  • Clearly bylined and edited to our house style
  • Pitch your idea to info@emergingtravel.news

Join us

Write for Emerging Travel

We welcome guest contributions from industry practitioners and specialist writers. Send us your idea and the market it covers, and we will come back to you.
Pitch an idea

Editorial: info@emergingtravel.news · Advertising: enquiries@emergingtravel.news
Read more about Emerging Travel.

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