Hannah Martin
Client Loyalty
With a background in Social Science, I’ve pursued travel as a way to engage with cultures, communities, and the natural world. From teaching in Indonesia to volunteering in India and working across remote Australia, I value slow, purposeful journeys that foster a real connection and learning to the world around me.
As a member of the Customer Loyalty team at NWS, my role is to maintain strong relationships with our existing clients by providing early access to new products and journeys, while continually refining the level of service we deliver. I take the time to understand what you valued most from previous experiences and what you hope to explore next. From there, I assist in planning your next adventure, offering guidance on destinations and connecting you with the appropriate specialists to ensure a seamless and memorable journey.
My favourite travel destination has to be India, it is such a varied country with so much to explore. I honestly could not choose a favourite animal, it’s an impossible choice!
What is your first travel-related memory?
My first travelled related memory isn’t even of my own travels! It’s a memory of a postcard of the Taj Mahal at my grandparents, sent by my aunt house who was backpacking in India. I was obsessed with it and it ignited a passion early on for India and exploring new places!
Why do you travel?
Travel is, quite simply, what inspires me most. It offers a chance to step outside the familiar and immerse myself in entirely new worlds—meeting people, tasting new cuisines, and learning about cultures, traditions, belief systems, and environments. For me, it’s about gaining fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of both people and the planet.
What is your most memorable wildlife encounter?
That’s a really tricky one! I think it would have to be swimming with Manta Ray of the coast of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, it was a magical, almost other worldly experience! Or spotting Orangutan while hiking through the Danum Valley in Borneo, it was a totally unexpected sighting as they hadn’t been spotted in the area for a while which made it all the more exciting.
If you could do just one NWS safari, which one would it be and why?
I would love to do the ‘swimming with orcas and humpbacks’ in Norway, swimming with whales is a life long dream of mine.
Aside from travelling, how do you maintain your connection to the natural world?
Staying connected to the natural world is really important to me, and being near the sea plays a big part in that—I’ve always lived close to the coast and can’t imagine being far from it. I also spend as much time as I can in the countryside around my home. Whether it’s hiking the Downs, cycling along the river, or simply enjoying a picnic in the woods with my family.
Do you have any travel habits or rituals?
Its a bit cheesy, but I always pick up a fridge magnet from every country I visit—and I have every single one proudly displayed. They’re a daily reminder of the adventures I’ve had and the places I’ve explored. Now, as a parent, I love watching my kids play with them and ask questions—it often sparks fun conversations and, I hope, will inspires a love of travel in them too.
What is your favourite souvenir from your travels?
My wedding ring! My husband proposed at the Taj Mahal while we were backpacking through India, and we had our rings made shortly after by a local silversmith on the side of the road in a small Rajasthani village. They’re simple, with no monetary value, but the memory behind them is priceless—a beautiful reminder of an unforgettable moment.
What is the best travel advice you have received?
Slow down and be flexible. Sometimes the most magical moments are the unexpected ones.
What's the farthest away from "civilisation" that you've been
Probably living in a tent on a tiny island in the Philippines. At the time, there was nothing there but a small fishing village with fewer than 10 residents and an endless stretch of coconut trees. No internet, no shops, no accommodation—just miles of untouched sand and some of the most incredible snorkelling I’ve ever experienced. It truly felt like the edge of the world, I will never forget it.