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United Kingdom Simon Calder is a leading travel journalist and broadcaster, providing expert insights and consumer advocacy across major news platforms for over three decades.
Simon Calder is the Senior Travel Editor at The Independent, a prominent role where he has contributed for over 30 years as a travel correspondent known for his unbiased reporting and consumer advocacy. He produces editorial content, daily podcasts, and films for the publication. He is dubbed 'the Man Who Pays His Way' to reflect his refusal to accept free travel, ensuring journalistic integrity. His work includes holding companies accountable for poor service and advising on travel regulations, especially post-Brexit.
Simon Calder has a long-standing association with the BBC, starting as a radio engineer and later becoming a travel expert on BBC Radio 1 in 1980. He co-presented BBC2's 'Travel Show' from 1994 to 1999, and has contributed to BBC1 shows like 'Perfect Holiday' and 'Departure Lounge', including presenting the final film of the 'Holiday' program in 2007. He is also known for his role as the 'Global Guru' on BBC News' 'The Travel Show' and a contributor to 'Rip Off Britain'.
Simon Calder's first job was as a cleaner for British Airways at Gatwick Airport. Later in his career, he has extensively covered the airline industry, including British Airways, as a travel journalist, notably advocating for correct EU passport rules post-Brexit when airlines, including BA, have sometimes misapplied them, leading to denied boardings.
Simon Calder's very first travel job involved cleaning aircraft for Laker Airways at Gatwick Airport, marking the humble beginnings of his extensive career in the travel sector.
Simon Calder presented 'The Travel Show', a weekly travel phone-in program, on the London talk radio station LBC for four years, concluding in April 2012.
Simon Calder frequently appears on Sky News, along with other major broadcasters like the BBC and ITV, where he shares his expert advice and provides insight on breaking travel stories.
Simon Calder is often seen on ITV, alongside the BBC and Sky News, offering his expert travel advice and analysis on current travel-related news.
Simon Calder has contributed as an expert on travel issues for Channel 5, appearing on documentaries such as 'Britain's Travel Chaos - How To Save Your Summer' in 2022.
Simon Calder's articles have been featured in Condé Nast Traveller, a prominent travel publication, showcasing his broad reach and influence within the travel journalism industry.
Simon Calder is a regular contributor to The Evening Standard, with his travel articles reaching a wide audience through this metropolitan newspaper.
Simon Calder has had articles featured in High Life, British Airways' inflight magazine, further extending his reach to travelers.
Simon Calder's writings have appeared in Travel Trade Gazette, a trade publication, indicating his engagement with both public and industry-specific audiences in the travel sector.
Simon Calder was born on December 25, 1955, in Crawley, West Sussex, England, and is an acclaimed freelance English travel journalist and broadcaster. His early life included joining the Woodcraft Folk in 1962, a group with whom he traveled to the Lake District. His first professional role was as a cleaner for British Airways at Gatwick Airport, followed by a period as a security guard. During these early years, he started writing budget travel guidebooks, beginning with the “Hitch-hiker’s Manual: Britain.” He then pursued higher education, earning a degree in mathematics from the University of Warwick. Concurrently with his studies, Calder indulged his passion for travel, notably setting a record for the quickest hitchhike between Land’s End and John o’ Groats.
Following his university education, Calder briefly taught mathematics in Crawley before transitioning into a role as a radio engineer for the BBC in London. His broadcasting career as a travel expert began in 1980 on Simon Bates’ program “Studio B15” on BBC Radio 1. He became the travel correspondent for The Independent in 1994, a position he continues today, known for his “The man who pays his way” strapline, signifying his commitment to independent journalism without accepting industry gifts. From 1994 to 1999, he co-presented BBC2’s “Travel Show” with Penny Junor and contributed to other BBC shows like “Perfect Holiday” and “Departure Lounge,” eventually presenting the final film of the long-running “Holiday” program in 2007.
Throughout his career, Calder has written for numerous publications, including Condé Nast Traveller, The Evening Standard, High Life, and Travel Trade Gazette. He maintains a visible presence across various BBC programs, serving as the ‘Global Guru’ on BBC News’ “The Travel Show” and contributing to “Rip Off Britain.” He regularly provides expert commentary on travel matters for other radio and TV stations, including Channel 5. His dedication to travel journalism has earned him recognition, including the Outstanding Achievement and Broadcast Journalist of the Year at the 2012 Travel Press Awards, and the News Journalist of the Year for Print at the 2012 Business Travel Journalism Awards. In 2011, he won the Christmas edition of Celebrity Mastermind, with Concorde as his specialist subject, and has traveled to over 120 countries.
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