Travel Journalist. Author. Filmmaker. Creative Director of Simon Parker Creative.
Producing cinematic brand films for the world’s leading travel brands, hotels and destinations.
About Me
I’m a British travel journalist, author and filmmaker based in Oxfordshire. I write columns and features for newspapers and magazines, such as The Telegraph, The Times and National Geographic. My work for BBC Radio 4 and the World Service has taken me to more than 120 countries on six continents. I’m the founder and Creative Director of Simon Parker Creative, a UK video production company specialising in cinematic brand films for luxury hotels, tourism boards and safari brands. Clients include Calcot & Spa, Promote Shetland, YellowWood Adventures, Cotswolds Tourism and Visit Madeira.
I’ve reported on climate change in the ice caves of Svalbard and glaciers in Bolivia. Sailed and cycled halfway around the world from China to London, via the Pacific, USA and Atlantic. I’ve driven a rickshaw the length of India and cycled the length of Scandinavia for Earth Cycle – a multi-award-winning TV show on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
I also give inspiring keynote speeches to travel industry leaders all over the UK and around the world. I’ve spoken at The Frontline Club, the Royal Geographical Society, TedX, FT Live and Cheltenham Literary Festival, among hundreds of corporate clients.
Elaine Dellar, CEO, Dellar Davies
Simon is a master storyteller who has an incredible ability to connect with his audience on a personal level. At the UK Morocco Tourism Summit in Agadir, Simon skilfully wove together anecdotes, real-world examples, and visuals from his trip to Toubkal.
Professor Joe Smith, Director of the Royal Geographical Society
A great contribution to the Royal Geographical Society’s Monday Night Lecture series. Our audience really appreciated hearing about his imaginative cycle powered investigation of the state of the nation.
Laura Gane, Editorial Director, The Frontline Club, London
It was a real pleasure having Simon come to chair an event at the Frontline Club. Not only is he an excellent public speaker in his own right with fascinating experiences; he is a great interviewer – bringing the best out of the other film makers on the panel.
Kimberley Owen, Event Director TEDx LeamingtonSpa
What an extraordinary life! Simon had the guts to live the way he wants, no regrets – and this is what appealed to us when curating our event in 2017. He delivered a kick-ass TEDx Talk that wowed our audience on event day. Highly recommended.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
Simon was an engaging and popular presenter at ABTA’s 2023 Travel Convention in Türkiye. His personal account of his odyssey brought home to an audience of travel professionals the sense of excitement and adventure that is at the heart of our industry.
What’s the Story?
Why brands work with me
Why brands work with me
Most filmmakers understand cameras. I understand the travel media. Twenty years of national newspaper bylines, 100+ countries, and a journalist’s instinct for story — that’s what runs through every Simon Parker Creative production.
I work with some of the best video production talent in the world to create cinematic travel video that helps destinations, tourist boards and brands tell their stories to global audiences.
Our work has scooped a host of high profile travel industry awards for The Telegraph, The Times and Amazon Prime.