Singapore-based journalist and storyteller Howard James first caught the travel bug in his teens, travelling thousands of miles from his native Wales to Japan and Australia. Since then, he has toured extensively across Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific, and has lived and worked in Singapore for 14 years. Beyond travel, he has contributed to multiple business titles, notably as editor for Asia Markets magazine, and editor-in-chief of Solutions newspaper. In the branded content space, he has written for The Economist, Bloomberg, BBC, CNBC, Forbes and National Geographic. In 2018, he co-founded Singapore’s top storytelling agency CP5, his current gig.
What does a journey mean to you?
Discovering new places and cultures, which provide different perspectives and help us to solve day-to-day challenges at home and at work.
Which other country or location most inspires you?
East Asia: specifically Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan. While vastly different countries, I find their lush greenery, spectacular mountains, beautiful waterways, and exquisite cuisine and cultural events — as well as their tech-powered modern metropolises — mesmerising.
Where would you go back to, and why?
Deserts, especially those with points of interest like Uluru in Australia, the Grand Canyon in the US, and Valley of the Kings in Egypt. I find them deeply enchanting, particularly at nightfall, and most importantly, a welcome change to where I live.
Top insider tip for Singapore?
Look beyond the CBD and Changi Airport! We’ve got rainforests, idyllic tropical beaches, traditional “kampung” villages, and much, much more.
What journey would you most like to go on?
Tibet, China. The iconic Potala Palace, multitude of Buddhist temples, and the spectacular drive to Everest Base Camp have long been top of my bucket list.
