Small Talk: Luke Bailes
The founder and executive chairman of conservation led hotel brand Singita talks about the profound shift in travel and why sustainability is the only way forward.
Tell us how you travel in a regular year. I usually travel non-stop for business, so I love being at home in Cape Town when I have the chance. Often, our family vacations are at our lodges as there is no better way to spend time together—to connect while enjoying the simplicity and healing power of nature.
How has your outlook on travel changed due to the pandemic?
As a conservation brand, Singita has been focused on sustainability for more than 20 years, and even more so now. I am more conscious of having a light footprint as well as making ‘understated’ a choice—no excess.
Where are you dreaming of going in 2021 and why?
I plan to go to Singita Sabora Tented Camp and Sasakwa Lodge in the Serengeti, both in Tanzania, to see the new lodges we have created during lockdown. Sabora Tented Camp is inspired by Christian Liaigre and Hermès and is a bold new reinvention of a classic African tented experience showcasing contemporary African art, design and style.
I always look for a destination that offers a mixture of history, local culture, adventure and sustainability, as these are the places where I’m happiest. That said, Hotel Santa Caterina [in Amalfi, Italy] is on top of my European list for next year. It is extraordinary in every respect and is family owned and run—just as it should be. singita.com