ASB MAGAZINE: Industry identity and current RVCA ANZ Brand Manager Scott Payne together with his wife and Designer & Co-Founder Sarah Payne have launched Wayfarers Atlas the travel industry’s definitive online directory for premium hotels and resorts located close to first class surf breaks around the world. A recent family vacation led the couple to identify the gap in what they’ve dubbed the ‘barefoot’ luxury travel market and together the creative pair set about providing the solution for like minded travellers. Sarah Payne explains;
“As an interior designer, I draw on my love of design and my passion for travel to bring a new perspective to surf travel. One that breaks away from the typical ‘wave-focused’ surf travel sites and helps couples and families find amazing holiday options,” says Sarah Payne.
“As a wife of a surfer, I know first-hand how every surf holiday can end up revolving around surfing and since having children, my ‘reading and lazing by the pool’ days are limited. Ensuring that incredible waves are on the doorstep of the chosen hotel goes a long way to balancing out the time my husband is away surfing and the time we spend together as a family.”
Wayfarers Atlas connects surfers and their partners with a curated selection of accommodation options and provides an end-to-end booking service. Wayfarers Atlas isn’t your typical surf-centric travel site. While Wayfarers Atlas understands the importance surfers place on finding the perfect wave and that this is forefront when booking a surf trip, they also understand the importance of finding the ideal destination and perfect accommodation to suit not only surfers but also their partner and family. The hotels and resorts included in their online directory aren’t characteristically surf resorts and what sets Wayfarers Atlas apart from other ‘wave focused’ surf travel sites is their in-depth focus on partners and families.
Scott Payne admits that as a father, surfer, husband and traveller, he’s guilty of putting the search for the perfect wave first.
“Since becoming a Dad, I am now aware of the need to balance out surfing time with family time. These days, we’re a bit more conscious of where to travel with children in tow and how to find the style of accommodation we want with the best facilities to cater for my wife and children,” says Scott Payne.
The company recently announced that it will join environmental organisation One Percent For The Planet, committing 1% of Wayfarers Atlas annual profits to environmental charities.
Of course, great ideas need to be backed by incredible customer service and to address the demands of even the most seasoned travellers, the pair have bought on travel industry veteran Kate Scott to manage the logistics.
“Having now spent 15 years as a retail travel agent, I’ve been lucky enough to manage my own retail travel teams to great success and mentor new team leaders. I’ve represented Australia at global awards ceremonies and attend highly regarded industry events including Virtuoso Travel Week, ILTM Shanghai, L.E Miami and Luxperience in Sydney as a luxury buyer,” says Kate Scott.
“Through this experience, I’ve built and developed relationships with hundreds of hoteliers and industry partners worldwide, which means I’m able to keep my finger on the pulse of the travel industry’s latest trends and ‘must visit’ hotels, resorts and destinations.”
If hours spent on Trip Advisor or related travel search engines aren’t your thing, then Wayfarers Atlas are providing our readers with an introductory trial offer by booking an adventure within the next 3 months and you’ll get $250 off your holiday plus you’ll go into the draw to receive another $1000 off the total cost of your trip.
Wayfarers Atlas are also inviting you to share your adventures by using the hashtag #WAYFARERSATLAS
Check out
Read our Professional Edition article on the top 20 Travel Companies changing the way we travel in FROM LOSMEN TO LUXURY as compiled by industry veteran Phil Jarratt HERE.
