PAST PURSUITS & CHALLENGERS
Since the inaugural PURE Pursuit in Iceland in 2016, PURE Pursuits have ventured into Idaho, Norway, Italy, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Portugal, Colorado and Australia…
BEYOND THE BEACHES
LOCATION
AUSTRALIA
DATES
8 – 13 MARCH 2020
PURE Pursuits Australia brought together a group of senior visionaries within the industry at a critical time for us all. It provided an incredible landscape to discuss and workshop the current landscape and provided invaluable learnings for everyone to move forward with in their businesses. It proved – as we all know – that we are #allinthistogether.
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Alan Mandic
Owner and Director, Secret Dalmatia -
Andy Lark
Marketing & Digital Leader, Group Lark -
Assefa Azene
CEO, Kibran Tours -
Becky Harris
Owner, Viaventure Central America -
Debra Carr
Director, Helloworld Travel Surrey Hills -
Ennio Gonzalez
Director, Brickell Travel Management -
Jen Murphy
Freelance Travel Writer -
Jesse Desjardins
Strategist, The Guest Experience Map -
Lucas Kambic
Managing Partner, Designer Trips Argentina -
Maria Lilly Flakk
Co-Owner & Business Development, 62°NORD -
Mark Sariban
Travel Editor, Vogue Australia -
Nicola Billens
Group Marketing for Concierge Travel Group, Alquemie -
Penny Rafferty
Global Manager, Tourism Australia -
Jessica den Boer
Head of PURE Pursuits, This is Beyond Ltd
INTO THE
MOUNTAIN PASS
LOCATION
USA
DATES
29 SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER 2019
PURE Pursuits Colorado was perfectly timed as the leaves started to turn, while our group of industry leaders journeyed through the mighty peaks of Colorado. We cycled, rafted and hiked along the way, including the once in a lifetime hike from Aspen to Crested Butte. Along the way there were expert-led workshops as well as thought-provoking discussions from the Challengers.
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Alejandra Ramírez
Founder & CEO, ÛNIK -
Andrea Grisdale
CEO, IC Bellagio -
Benedetta Mazzini
Founder, Ultimate Places -
Enrique Velasco
Director, COLTUR Peru -
Jen Deacon
Founder, Quench Trip Design -
Mark Hehir
CEO, The Small Maldives Island Co -
Monika Valentini
Sales Manager, Dolomite Mountains -
Murray Gardiner
CEO, Giltedge Travel -
Nicola Billens
Group Marketing for Concierge Travel Group, Alquemie -
Raul Buenaventura
Founder & CEO, VM Elite -
Simon Court
CEO & Founder, Value Partnership -
Thomas Serrano
President, Havas -
Zoran Pejovic
CEO, Paradox Hospitality -
Joe Solomon
CEO, Iconic Adventures -
Jessica den Boer
Head of PURE Pursuits, This is Beyond Ltd -
Serge Dive
CEO & Founder, This is Beyond Ltd
WHERE THE STARS MEET THE SKY
LOCATION
PORTUGAL
DATES
2-7 JUNE 2019
PURE Pursuits Portugal took 18 Challengers deep into the untouched Alentejo region of Portugal where we slept under a dark sky reserve, hiked along Europe’s largest lake and cycled through ancient olive groves. Along the way there were countless discussions and two guru-led workshops topped off with a hot air balloon ride over the region.
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Avi Lugasi
Founder/CEO, Windows to Japan -
Benedetta Mazzini
Founder, Ultimate Places -
Bernhard Stingl
GM/Owner, Top Tours GmbH -
Christianna Teixeira
Owner/Partner, Hotel Casa dos Arandis -
Eunice Schleier
Director, Alles Blau Viagens E Turismo LTDA -
Gina Forte
Principal, Atelier Group -
Ishwar Kumar Basnet
Responsible Tourism Manager, Tiger Mountain Nepal -
Jemima Mann Baha
Co-Owner and Communications Director, Palais Amani -
Jessica Pugh
Founder & Director, Blue Moon Escapes -
Kristin Valdimarsdottir
Iceland/Greenland Chief Executive, Luxury Beyond -
Lindsy Terry
Sales & Marketing Manager, Ellerman House -
Marianne Suh
Managing Director, Jason Travel Service -
Marit Miners
Co-Founder & Director of Sales and Marketing, Misool -
Matias Schwab
Managing Partner, Designer Trips Argentina -
Nathan Sharma
Managing Partner, Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa -
Palma Michel
Leadership & Mindfulness Consultant -
Rohit Kohli
Managing Director, Creative Travel -
Senta Slingerland
Brand Strategy & Creative Consultant -
Pedro Quaresma
Co-owner, Portuguese Ways -
Jessica den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond
LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD
LOCATION
NEW ZEALAND
DATES
3-8 MARCH 2019
The first Pursuit of 2019 saw our most global mix of Challengers yet converge in New Zealand: hiking Ben Lomond, rafting grade 4 rapids, cycling, jet boating and camping under the stars. Dynamic discussions and guru-led workshops took place along the way, with incredible backdrops and in bright sunshine, before the guitars came out to wrap up each day.
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Alejandra Burro
Founder, Boarding Pass -
Alexandra da Sacco
Partner, Beyond Dracula -
Andy Lark
Marketing & Digital Leader, Group Lark -
Angie Bradbury
Managing Director, Dig & Fish -
Benedetta Mazzini
Founder, Ultimate Places -
Caroline Ferguson
Founder, Luxury Bound -
Daniel Brown
Managing Director, dmAFRICA -
Darren Humphreys
Owner / Founder & CEO, Travel Sommelier -
Don Martinson
Director of Travel Industry Relations, Natural Habitat Adventures -
Gonçalo Alves
Sales Manager, Vila Monte Farm House -
Hiran Cooray
Chairman, Jetwing Hotels -
Joost Tania
Owner & Founder, Thika Travel -
Maria Alzamora
Vice President Marketing, Mashpi Lodge / Metropolitan Touring -
Miguel Cunat
CXO, The Fabulous Getaway -
Silvia Rico
CEO & Founder, Enigma -
Sisinio Alvarado
Co-Founder, Origen Escapes -
Soliman Ma
Founder, LE Travel -
Stavros Kapnias
Director of Sales & Charter, Abberley Yachts -
Virgi Schiffino
Owner, Lux Voyage -
Zoran Pejovic
Owner & Founder, Paradox Hospitality -
Amy Cahill
Marketing & Community Director, This is Beyond -
Jessica den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond
JUNGLE OUT THERE
LOCATION
COSTA RICA
DATES
25-30 NOVEMBER 2018
The final Pursuit of 2018 saw challengers joining forces to hike through puma-populated jungles, raft down 20km of grade 4 rapids, cycle, climb and swim through some of the most remote and magnificent parts of Costa Rica. Along the way, we had Discussions and Workshops in some of our most incredible locations to date on any Pursuit including a thermal hot spring and in the ocean while the sun set. Pura vida!
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Alex Malcolm
Managing Director & Founder, Jacada Travel -
Chase Poffenberger
Executive VP and Co-Owner, Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. -
Dominik Babel
Owner, Elegant Travel GmbH -
Gabbi Cahane
Chairman, Multiple -
George Koletsos
Founder and MD, Kudos Life Experiences -
Isabella Nardini
Experience Leader, MESA -
Jay Ahmed
Managing Director, KMX Global -
Justin Wateridge
Managing Director, Steppes Travel -
Karina Moreton
Director, Panoramic Journeys Ltd -
Luke Brown
Co-Owner, Vayeni -
Maria Nikolakaki Koletsou
Founder and MD, Beyond Spaces Villas -
Penny Rafferty
Excutive Officer, Luxury Lodges of Australia -
Rana Dababneh
Owner, Pomalo Travel -
Rebecca Dixon
Director of Sales & Marketing, Crafted Ireland -
Siobhan Byrne Learat
CEO, Adams & Butler -
Stuart Campbell
CEO, The Lodge at Blue Sky -
Jessica den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond -
Ryan Wallace
Managing Director, We Are Africa
LA DOLCE VITA
LOCATION
ITALY
DATES
20-25 MAY 2018
The second Pursuit of 2018 saw our global group of challengers live La Dolce Vita, winding through the sun-baked Puglia countryside on foot, by bike and even vintage car. With days punctuated by burrata making, afternoon hikes and candlelit dinners in ancient caves, the discussions and workshops that followed were among our most productive (and provocative) to date.
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Agustina Lagos Marmol
Founder & MD, Dolomite Mountains -
Alexis Vincent
Founder, Dive Butler / Life Butler -
Andrew Wallas
Founder & CEO, Business Alchemy Limited -
Caroline Wallace
Owner, Caroline Travels the World -
Daniel Fraser
Owner, Smiling Albino -
Emilio Heredia
Director, Papayaplaya Project -
Eva Stelzer
Founder, Evia Active Travel -
George Dominic
Executive Director, CGH Earth -
Joe Solomon
President, Iconic Adventures -
Katherine Usher
Director of Sales and Guest Services, Trek Travel -
Lila Fox
Owner, Lila Fox Travel Co. -
Maria Victoria Saiz
Owner & CEO, MVS Travel -
Marlene Soto
Sales Director, Inkaterra -
Rhett Lego
CEO, The Conjoint Marketing Group GmbH -
Rohit Kohli
Managing Director, Creative Travel -
Scott Morrison
Founder, The Boom! -
SJ Lee
Executive Director, The Travel&Leisure -
Sunita Hedaoo
Founder, Kora Journeys Powered by Frosch -
Jessica Den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond -
Serge Dive
CEO & Founder, This is Beyond
LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
LOCATION
NORWAY
DATES
8-13 APRIL 2018
The first Pursuit of 2018 took our most global group of challengers to date to the land of the midnight sun where they kayaked, cycled and ski toured their way through Norway, all the while pushing themselves and their businesses forward together.
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Benedetta Mazzini
Owner, Ultimate Places -
Cornelius O’Shaugnessy
Founder, Bodhi Maya -
Daniel Brown
Managing Director, dmAFRICA -
Emily Brooke
Founder & CEO, Blaze -
Fernanda Martin Del Campo
Independent Travel Advisor, International Travel Group -
Giulio Da Sacco
Entrepreneur, Beyond Dracula Travel -
Greg Norris
Director / Founder, OneNineFive -
Nick DiBartolomeo
Vice President - Finance, Blackberry Farm -
Nicolas Ramirez
Founder & Director, Tanit Trails -
Nicole Krenzien Ellison
Vice President, Paul Klein Travel -
Pedro Quaresma
Co-owner, Portuguese Ways -
Soliman Ma
Founder, LE Travel -
Stavros Kapnias
Director of Sales and Charter, Abberley Yachts -
Steve Mitchell
Co-Founder & CFO, Angama -
Yvonne Verstandig
Co-Founder - Head of Leisure, Executive Edge Travel -
Amy Cahill
Marketing & Community Director, This is Beyond -
Emma Squire
Event Director, This is Beyond -
Jessica den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond
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Aldo Melpignano
Founder, San Domenico Hotels -
Alexis Vincent
Managing Director, Dive Butler International -
Antonello Losito
President & Founder, Southern Visions Travel -
Benedetta Mazzini
Owner / Managing Director, Ultimate Places -
Craig Beal
Owner, Travel Beyond -
Don Martinson
Director, Natural Habitat Adventures -
Felipe Artinano De Bedout
Co-Founder & VP Operations, Origen Extraordinary Escapes -
Inderpal Kochhar
Founder, Sewara -
Jef Moons
CEO, Knai Bang Chatt -
Jen Murphy
Freelance Travel Writer -
Jody Shield
Author -
Justin Huxter
Owner, Cartology Travel -
Justin Wateridge
Managing Director, Steppes -
Knut Flakk
Founder & Owner, 62º Nord -
Louise Beveridge
Communication & Advisory -
Luca Franco
CEO & Founder, Luxury Frontiers -
Reid Bader
VP, Ker & Downey -
Rodrigo Garza
President & Owner, Lozano Travel de Mexico -
Wendy Davis
CEO & President, Zebrano Travel -
Emma Squire
PURE Event Director, This is Beyond -
Jessica Den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond -
Serge Dive
CEO & Founder, This is Beyond
FIRE AND ICE
LOCATION
ICELAND
DATES
2-6 MARCH 2016
The inaugural Pursuit took the first brave group of challengers to the land of fire and ice: Iceland, as they touched base off-road, hit the ground ski-dooing, took the dive into the blue sea thinking and got (their ice-axes) stuck into new ideas.
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Aldo Melpignano
Founder, San Domenico Hotels -
Ana Bru
Owner, Bru & Bru Exclusive Travel -
Barkley Hickox
Co-Owner / Partner, Local Foreigner -
Benedetta Mazzini
Owner / Managing Director, Ultimate Places -
Jessica Cook
Director of Sales, The Ranch at Rock Creek -
Joyce Choi
Senior Travel Designer & Product Manager, Jacada Travel -
Karl Olafsson
Co-Founder, Nordic Luxury -
Kate Corey
Founder, Nomadic Souls -
Kevin Callaghan
President & CEO, Mountain Travel Sobek -
Marc Telio
President, Entrée Destinations -
Marina Safonova
CEO & Founder, Nordic Luxury -
Mark Lakin
Co-Founder, Epic Road -
MPS Puri
Chief Exective, NIRA Hotels & Resorts -
Quentin Desurmont
Owner, Peplum -
Sarah Bisa
Global Director of Leisure & Luxury Sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts -
Steve King
Editor-at-large, Condé Nast Traveller UK -
Thierry Teyssier
CEO, Maisons des Rêves -
Tom Marchant
Co-Founder, Black Tomato -
Emma Squire
PURE Event Director, This is Beyond -
Serge Dive
CEO & Founder, This is Beyond