British Society of Magazine Editors Awards 2023
It isn’t every day that you prepare to meet one of the most influential figures in global travel media. We were first introduced several weeks earlier through a mutual friend at an art exhibition in London; a brief encounter that gave me a glimpse of her poise and presence. On the 1st of September, I waited in the Drawing Room at Maison Estelle in Mayfair, nerves running high for what I knew would be one of the most important interviews of my career.
At precisely 3:30 p.m., Divia Thani walked in, impeccably dressed in a crisp white blouse and tailored trousers, her hair loose, her greeting warm. Within moments of sitting down, the nerves dissolved. Divia is down-to-earth, eloquent, and disarmingly kind, with a calm presence that instantly puts you at ease. Yet her influence is formidable. It’s no secret in the hospitality world that the resorts, bars, and restaurants discovered and spotlighted by Condé Nast Traveller, see high-end travellers flocking there, and soon find themselves winning awards and, subsequently, securing a place on global “best of” lists.
Divia’s life has always been defined by travel. Born and raised in Mumbai, her father moved to Lagos, Nigeria and then the Caribbean islands. Her mother’s family was scattered across Hong Kong, Singapore and London, so she grew up seeing the world as home. Both her parents are Sindhi; a community displaced by Partition in 1947, forcing many to find homes on foreign shores. That early immersion into different cultures, cities, and stories shaped her worldview; no place was ever truly foreign, only another thread in the fabric of a shared global community. She studied at the University of Pittsburgh in the US, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in literature and creative writing, and winning numerous awards and fellowships. Storytelling has always been her passion; and an international perspective has been key to her approach.
Her career reflects that outlook. Divia made publishing history as the youngest Editor of a Condé Nast Traveller magazine worldwide when she was appointed to lead the Indian edition in 2010. Prior to that, she had worked as part of the teams to launch Vogue, Time Out, Seventeen and L’Officiel magazines in India. Her work has consistently explored the intersection of style, culture and travel. At the end of 2020, when she made history by being appointed Condé Nast Traveller’s Global Editorial Director (the only non-US Editor to take on global stewardship at Conde Nast), the travel world was at a standstill due to the pandemic. Borders were sealed, planes grounded, and journeys suspended. For many, it would have been the worst possible time to take on such a role. Divia moved to London and focused her energies on developing a global strategy that accounted for the rise of luxury travellers from emerging markets. She also launched the brand in Germany and the Middle East, and Latin America is next on the cards. At her core, she is a storyteller, one who believes that travel is not only about the destinations we reach, but about the transformations that happen along the way.
Q In Sri Lanka, we often talk about the “Divia Effect.” Brands or destinations featured under your leadership often go viral and receive global mileage. How intentional is that, and what do you think drives it?
I love that; I hadn’t heard of the “Divia Effect” before, and it’s very flattering! But honestly, I see it less as a “Divia effect” and more as the Condé Nast Traveller effect. I’m fortunate to be the gatekeeper of a brand that is globally respected and deeply trusted. Condé Nast Traveller is not just a magazine; it’s an institution, with decades of credibility behind it, and I consider myself privileged to carry that legacy forward. Our brand has eight editions, but our audiences come from all over the world. They are incredibly well-travelled, discerning, and engaged, with a very high intent. They aren’t just browsing, they are actively researching and deciding where to go next, what to book, and what to experience. They identify as travellers, and they are genuinely curious about the world. When we feature a boutique hotel in Sri Lanka, or spotlight a chef doing something extraordinary, our readers don’t just take note; they act. They book, they visit, they remember. That’s the power of the brand. That kind of conversion is rare, and it comes from decades of building trust with our audience. For me, it’s less about chasing virality and more about sustaining that trust, and ensuring the brand continues to be the definitive voice in travel. I feel very fortunate to be leading Condé Nast Traveller at a time when its influence translates into such meaningful, real-world impact.
Q When deciding what to feature, what makes a destination or hotel stand out to you?
For us, travel is not just about seeing something new; it’s about how that encounter makes you feel or shapes how you think about the world. That’s the real beauty of travel: it expands you. So, we look for experiences that go deep. It’s not about surface-level sightseeing, but something that makes you understand a culture in a way you hadn’t before. People often equate Condé Nast Traveller with luxury, which is true, but our definition of luxury has evolved. It’s no longer just about the thread counts of your bedsheets or the square footage of your suite. Luxury today is about insider access, authenticity, and transformation.
Q Do you remember your first trip to Sri Lanka? What drew you to the island, and what impression did it leave?
I think my first trip was around 2012. It was a holiday spent in a villa by the sea. I’d known villas in Thailand, where the service is flawless and seamless. Sri Lanka felt different; the service was less polished, but the hospitality was innately generous. The warmth of the people felt natural. I remember thinking, this is not perfect, but it feels real, closer to the heart of the culture. So often, this boils down to the people you meet on your journeys, that’s why our tagline is ‘The World Made Local.’ You leave feeling like you had truly connected with people, not just consumed a service; and that, to me, was the lasting magic of Sri Lanka.
Q If you had to describe Sri Lanka in just three words?
Safe. Welcoming. Beautiful. As a woman who travels alone often, safety matters to me enormously. I’ve been to Sri Lanka solo and never felt unsafe. That’s rare and precious. It’s also incredibly welcoming; I don’t know anyone who has had a bad holiday there. People leave full of goodwill, and they want to return. And, of course, it’s just beautiful. For such a small island, the variety - beaches, hills, jungles, cities; it’s extraordinary.
Q What are some of your favourite places to stay in Sri Lanka?
Ceylon Tea Trails by Resplendent Ceylon was magical. You’re surrounded by lush hills, flowers everywhere, and there’s this sense of stepping into another time without it feeling colonial in a problematic way. It struck a perfect balance; authentically Sri Lankan yet evocative of a bygone era. I also love what brands like Teardrop are doing, attracting younger travellers with stylish, characterful properties that retain history and culture, such as Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa’s Country Estate. And I love Galle and Ahangama; they remind me a little of what Bali used to feel like a decade ago. What’s still on my list is Santani, the wellness resort, and Yala for the wildlife.
Divia and Anna Wintour
Q And where do you love to eat, drink, or shop when you’re in Sri Lanka?
Everyone goes to Paradise Road, and rightly so. But I also love The Design Collective, it’s a brilliant platform for contemporary Sri Lankan designers. When it comes to food, I adore Dharshan Munidasa’s restaurants, Nihonbashi and Ministry of Crab. I love how Dharshan seamlessly wears both sides of his heritage, Japanese and Sri Lankan. In London, Karan Gokani with Hoppers, Eroshan Meewalla with Kolamba, and Dom Fernando with Paradise Soho have succeeded in spotlighting Sri Lankan cuisine beautifully.
Q Sri Lanka is working to reintroduce itself to global travellers post-pandemic and post crisis. What advice would you give the industry on storytelling?
My advice is simple: stop chasing ‘new.’ What made Sri Lanka extraordinary a decade ago still makes it extraordinary today. Consistency matters more than novelty. Look at Incredible India or Malaysia Truly Asia; campaigns that have endured for decades. Their strength lies in repetition, which has made them iconic. For Sri Lanka, the message is clear: it is safe, it is open, it is beautiful, and it is warm and welcoming. That’s the story. The task is to tell it well, tell it consistently, and tell it to the right markets. And crucially, the goal should not simply be more arrivals. It should be attracting high-spending, discerning travellers who are curious about and respect the environment and culture; not tourists simply looking for a cheap beach holiday who can become a drain on local infrastructure. That is the path to long-term, sustainable success.
Q Looking back, what was the defining moment that set you on the path from a Mumbai girl to Condé Nast Traveller’s Global Editorial Director?
Honestly, I never set out thinking I’d end up here. After university in the US, I returned to India and fell into media almost by chance. I took on the opportunity as a way to make the most of my time before returning to New York for my Master’s degree. But I began enjoying the job so much, I never went back! I had the chance to learn every aspect of publishing, from content and editorial to sales, advertising, marketing, distribution, and crucially, understanding how to build audiences and trust. My first roles were with L’Officiel and Seventeen when those brands launched in India, and that experience gave me a holistic foundation. When I moved to Time Out Mumbai, it was such a joy because it was about celebrating my own city; its food, culture, style and nightlife. Later, when Condé Nast entered India with Vogue, I joined the team, and a few years on, I was asked to launch Condé Nast Traveller there. I edited it for ten years, which deepened my perspective on both travel and storytelling. So, when the Global Editorial Director role came along in 2020, it was of course daunting; how do you unify such different markets? How do you retain your edge in print which continues to inspire people so much, but also grow and develop multiple other revenue streams? How do you stay focused on high quality editorial? But I also felt like it was the opportunity of a lifetime.
Divia and Sabyasachi
Q Was there a moment when you felt you had truly “arrived” on the world stage?
I don’t think I’ve “arrived” - it never feels that way. But there have been many moments that were profoundly meaningful, especially when I get the chance to showcase my South Asian heritage on a global platform. We are now hosting our third annual Diwali Ball in London in partnership with Cartier, and it’s become a highlight on the social calendar for the community. When I moved here, I longed to recreate the Diwali celebrations I grew up with; glamorous, joyful, and unapologetically South Asian. Each time the ballroom fills with 300 people in dazzling Indian designers, dancing to Bollywood and Bhangra, enjoying great food, I get goosebumps. It feels like a love letter to our culture. We even served hoppers last year! Travel is, at its heart, about discovery, it shapes and transforms you, but it’s equally important to remain rooted in who you are and where you come from. That sense of grounding is essential and very important to me.
Q Which personal characteristics have shaped your success, and which have you had to develop?
I’ve always tried to keep an open mind. I don’t have a rigid blueprint for what my life should look like. That openness has allowed me to embrace unexpected opportunities, like this role, and often the reality turns out better than anything I could have planned. What I’ve had to learn is to be more direct and vocal, both internally and externally, to get my message across as clearly as possible, even at the risk of repeating myself.
Q Who have been your biggest mentors or role models?
First and foremost, my mother. She was one of the first female stockbrokers on the Bombay Stock Exchange; a true trailblazer in a male-dominated industry. She’s a woman of few words but extraordinary action, and grace in everything she does. She never holds a grudge; she’s always said that everyone has their own karma, and you must focus on your path, and your own inner growth. My mom never complains, never procrastinates, and just gets on with things. It is so admirable. Professionally, Anna Wintour has been an extraordinary mentor. She is direct, decisive, and entirely confident in herself. She also places great trust in you to do your job, which is both empowering and liberating. From her, I’ve learned the importance of decisiveness; make the call, move forward, and don’t look back.
Q Your job is glamorous and demanding in equal parts. How do you stay grounded?
The truth? When I’m not at some glamorous event, I’m probably at home on my couch, watching Netflix and eating Ben & Jerry’s straight out of the tub. That balance keeps me sane. People see the glamour, but the reality is that the job is a lot of hard work, long hours, and constant travel. So, when I have downtime, I make it very simple.
Q Do you think being an Indian woman in a global leadership role has shaped your editorial voice in unique ways?
Absolutely. We are all products of our circumstances. Being Indian, being female, being educated in the US, growing up partly in Africa, living in London; all of that shapes how I see the world. When I first moved to London, I wondered whether to bring my saris. And then I thought, if I wore them to events in India, why not here? So, I do. For important high-profile events, I often wear saris or Indian designers. It’s a matter of pride. My first Editor’s letter for the British edition of Condé Nast Traveller was about the beauty of the monsoons in Mumbai, my home. That’s my voice. I can’t, and wouldn’t want to, erase it. It makes me distinct.
Divia and Bhumi Pednekar
Q What excites you most about the next decade of travel? Are there emerging trends you’re watching closely?
The pandemic was such a leveller. Before 2020, hoteliers in Europe would complain about Indian travellers booking last-minute, traveling in large groups, wanting large suites and connecting rooms, or villas with private chefs and vegetarian food; things they found difficult to accommodate. Since then, these micro-trends have become global. We book last-minute, we want private villas, bespoke wellness, and plant-based menus. Privacy, flexibility, and personalization. I think we’ll see more of that, more conscious travel, more sustainable travel, more experiences that feel intimate and transformative rather than performative. Global warming and climate change is also affecting our travel decisions majorly, as is overtourism in many parts of the world.
Q Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
I don’t plan that far ahead. What I hope is that I’ll still wake up every day excited to go to work, curious about who I’ll meet and excited about what I’ll learn. As long as I have that, I’ll be happy.
Q If you weren’t in travel journalism, what alternate career could you see yourself in?
Probably writing fiction. In one way or another, I think I would have found my way to a career built around stories.
Q Is there a destination you keep returning to, no matter how many new places you explore?
Kashmir is one of the most magical places on earth. Every time I land there, I get goosebumps. I always say a prayer of gratitude to the universe for allowing me to come back again. Pahalgam in Kashmir feels especially sacred to me. Picture towering mountains, streams cutting through valleys as green as Switzerland. The landscape is breathtaking, but what stays with you most are the people; the artists, the nomadic tribes, the craftspeople, the hotel managers and staff. They have been through so much political upheaval and yet, they greet you with warmth, generosity, and joy. They welcome you as if you’ve always belonged there. Being in Kashmir stirs emotions that are almost contradictory. Sometimes the beauty is so overwhelming that you think, there must be a God to have created this. At the same time, you remember the pain the region has endured and wonder, how can there be a God when so much suffering exists here? Both feelings are so powerful that they shift something inside you every single time. It’s difficult to put into words, but Kashmir changes you. Each visit leaves me humbled, grateful, and deeply moved.
Q Do you have any regrets?
No. Of course there are things I could have done better, but regrets don’t serve me. You make the best decision you can at the time, with the information you have. Then you move forward. Energy spent regretting is better spent on figuring out tomorrow.
Q Finally, what advice would you give aspiring South Asian journalists who dream of making an impact globally?
Do your research, and it cannot just be online. Fact-check. And be open. Don’t lock yourself into one vision of what your career or what professional success has to look like. Work hard, say yes to opportunities, and don’t be afraid of mistakes; they’re how you grow. And remember that your voice, shaped by your culture and identity, is your strength. Don’t try to sound like everyone else. The world doesn’t need more sameness. It needs your perspective.
