From Zambia to Ireland, the Maldives to China, Anantara celebrates the individuals who preserve local heritage and turn sightseeing into meaningful encounters.
As World Tourism Day 2026 explores how artificial intelligence will transform the way destinations are managed and experienced, Anantara Hotels & Resorts marks 25 years of championing the human side of travel. Innovation may help protect the essence of hospitality, but it is the stories, rituals and connections that ensure the Anantara experience remains proudly human.
At The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara, storyteller Edward Minyoyi introduces awe-struck travellers to the majesty of Victoria Falls. Under his guidance, guests experience the thundering Mosi-oa-Tunya not simply as a sight to behold, but as a being with a soul, a history and a voice. A member of the Lozi tribe, Edward appears in ceremonial Siziba attire, a symbol of identity and belonging, and shares his own story alongside the legends of the river god Nyami Nyami, drawing even seasoned travellers in through the power of his storytelling.
Derek Anthony Brennan, guest experience and guardianship manager at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel, embodies Ireland’s gift for storytelling, using it to protect the cultural DNA of his native land. Since 2013, Derek has evolved his role to leading a renowned Docklands Storytelling Tour that leans into Ireland’s oral tradition to peel back the layers of Dublin’s financial and tech hub. Drawing from a “quiver of tales” chosen to match what each guest is seeking, he ends every tour with a ritual pint of Guinness, turning strangers into friends.
On the twin Indian Ocean islands of Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort and Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, father-and-son duo Sambe and Rilwan serve as cultural insiders dedicated to preserving Maldivian heritage. Sambe, who began his hospitality journey as a gardener 18 years ago, has mentored his son in the arts of Boduberu drumming and palm weaving, viewing these traditions as essential for guests to truly understand Maldivian culture. Together, they embody the sagaafee, those who carry their culture with pride, inviting guests into a meaningful exchange.
In Thailand, Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas has its own insider in Smithy, who introduces travellers to one of the country’s last unspoiled frontiers, the bucolic island of Yao Yai. Having spent years volunteering in local communities, he has an inside track to experiences grounded in sustainability and deep respect for the environment, revealing beauty in the everyday life of village coffee shops, rubber plantations and fishing villages.
In China’s southern reaches, Yan Penghan looks after both guest safety and their cultural needs, leading the sunset ceremony at Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort. A former Theravada Buddhist abbot, he draws on his monastic training to translate the soul of Dai culture for global travellers, showing that safeguarding guests and safeguarding tradition are expressions of the same calling. Each evening, as lanterns drift across the river carrying deeply held wishes, he offers a moment of connection between his land and those who have come to experience it.
