SECTION HEADER Pioneers of travel
BOONCHU ROJANASTIEN | THE WELLNESS RETREAT PIONEER Founder, Chiva-Som International Health Resort
THOMAS COOK | THE PACKAGE HOLIDAY ARCHITECT Founder, Thomas Cook & Son
In 1841, Thomas Cook organised his first package holiday – a 22-mile train journey that introduced hundreds to the thrill of travel. Over the decades, he pioneered accessible tourism, from UK excursions to global tours, and adapted to every new mode of transport. While the original business changed hands many times, the Thomas Cook brand continues to evolve, blending modern technology with its founder’s enduring vision of convenient, joyful travel.
When Boonchu Rojanastien opened
Chiva-Som in Hua Hin in 1995, he reimagined the holiday as a path to health and renewal. Blending Thai hospitality, holistic therapies, and serene surroundings, he created Asia’s first destination spa – a place where guests could transform their wellbeing, not just escape everyday life. Boonchu’s vision paved the way for the global wellness tourism movement, inspiring a wave of retreats that fuse travel with mind-body balance.
ANNA POLLOCK | THE CONSCIOUS TRAVEL VISIONARY Founder, Conscious Travel Anna Pollock has spent decades rethinking tourism’s role in society, advocating for regenerative and values-led models. Through her Conscious Travel platform, she has inspired destinations and businesses to design experiences that restore ecosystems, empower communities and create lasting wellbeing for hosts and guests alike.
MOHAMED AWADALLA | BUILDING A HOMEGROWN HOSPITALITY BRAND Founder & Chief Executive Officer, TIME Hotels
Mohamed Awadalla is the driving force behind TIME Hotels, one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing homegrown hospitality groups. Founded in Dubai, the brand is built on regional identity, operational discipline and long-term value, positioning TIME Hotels as a strong alternative to international chains. Under Awadalla’s leadership, the company has grown into a multi-brand group operating across the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with a pipeline extending into Africa, Asia and the Indian Ocean.
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