The travel industry stands at a fascinating crossroads where artificial intelligence meets wanderlust. With ChatGPT now serving 2.5 billion daily prompts and rapidly approaching Google's search volume, travellers are increasingly turning to AI for everything from Scottish road trip itineraries to hotel recommendations. But as algorithms become our new travel advisors and Google transforms into an AI-powered answer engine, a critical question emerges: what happens to the irreplaceable human touch that makes travel truly magical?In this episode of Unpacked, Jules sits down with Anant Sharma, Founder & CEO of Matter of Form and Chris Hughes, CEO of Navigator, to explore how AI is reshaping the way we dream, book, and experience travel.We ask: what happens when tech meets taste, and where does that leave the magic of human intuition, imperfection, and a truly brilliant travel adviser?
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Season 2, Ep.4: Mexico and the rise of Latam - a growing powerhouse?
Mexico, and Latin & South America more widely, is now a serious player in the global travel landscape. A land of style, design and art; jungles and snow-capped volcanos; sumptuous cuisine, and with beaches to end all beaches. And with ultra-high net wealth soaring, and 78 million inbound travellers a year, investment in luxury hospitality is surging. Elsewhere the figures from outbound travellers are equally staggering, with Mexican travellers spending $11 Billion on trips in 2024. Shooting the breeze with Jules, Unpacked welcomes Mary Holland, the South African-born New York correspondent for Monocle magazine and contributor to the Financial Times, WSJ Magazine and Condé Nast Traveler, whose global perspective perfectly captures this southern hemisphere shift. And Javier Arredondo, Vice President of Sustainability at Virtuoso and former architect of Latin America's luxury travel media landscape, who brings insider knowledge of how this transformation is reshaping the industry. We’re also pleased to announce the launch of our brand-new Unpacked newsletter. Complementing our podcast, expect dispatches filled with curiosity, candour, and jet-set irreverence. Subscribe via this link: Unpacked Newsletter
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Season 2, Ep. 3: London – The Greatest City on Earth?
Five years on from the world-shaping events of the pandemic, London isn't just surviving; it's thriving.Jules sits down with Paula Fitzherbert, Global Head of Communications at Maybourne, whose hotels in the capital include Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley. And Annie Fitzsimmons, National Geographic Author and Travel Expert. An American with a deep love of London, her knowledge and insights are a match for any top concierge… From indie shops and comedy clubs; to a Peckham rooftop cinema and a Mayfair chippy; to the simple joy of the Afternoon Tea Bus; and the world’s most unlikely housemates: Handel and Hendrix. London is a cultural, spiritual and gastronomic feast. If only we knew it…
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Season 2, Ep. 2: Conservation, the Community and the Wildland Vision.
The 220,000-acre Wildland project in the Scottish Highlands is one of the largest conservation projects in Europe. Its ambitious 200-year vision is centred on allowing nature to heal and thrive, and to rekindle living, working glens. Hand-in-hand, cottages, bothies and even castles are being artfully restored – and invite you to come and stay. Fresh from their own adventure there, Jules and sustainable travel expert Fran Kellet were blown away by what they saw. In this latest episode of Unpacked, they’re joined by Joe Dunn, Wildland’s Director of Built Development, and Ruth Kramer, interior designer and creator of Wildland’s ‘Scandi-Scot’ aesthetic. Discover more at wildland.scot
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Jules Perowne’s Unpacked – Season 2, Ep. 1: Where Do Restaurants Go Next?
Fresh from the Unpacked kitchen, Jules Perowne brings you the restaurateurs’ restaurateur Jeremy King, creator of Le Caprice, The Wolseley, Arlington, The Park – and, coming soon, his relaunch of Simpson’s in the Strand, where the trollies will roll once again. He’s joined by seasoned writer Maria Shollenbarger, the FT’s HTSI Travel Editor, a discerning voice in global dining and travel, and possessor of one of the world’s most cultured palates. Together they talk trends, fashionable food allergies, delicious un-Instagrammable specials, and why London is still the culinary capital of the world.
Unpacked is an insider’s look at the forces shaping travel, hospitality, and global culture cutting through the noise with sharp analysis, bold opinions, and exclusive industry insights. Created by Jules Perowne and the experts at Perowne International, this is your unfiltered guide to what’s hot, what’s not, and what’s next in luxury travel.
South Africa