We recognise the women in travel and work from around the world. With our platform, we want to shine a light on the amazing work they are doing in travel and beyond.
For International Women’s Day 2023, we highlight Geraleine Yap, a Luxury Travel Specialist at Scott Dunn, and her journey as a world traveller. From her favourite destinations to discussions around female travellers, we explore the wonderful world of travel with her.
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As a travel expert, Geraleine is especially adept in catering to the needs of the female traveller. In her time at the company, she has designed a plethora of different trips for women of all ages, from luxuriant wine-and-dine tours through Croatia, thrilling and exclusive jaunts in Cambodia, bucket-list solo trips through South America, as well as a flora-and-fauna themed wheelchair-friendly itinerary through Japan for a mother-and-daughter duo.
Who is Geraleine Yap?
Geraleine Yap has been a traveller since the age of 18 starting off with a graduation trip through Europe and it is now part of her life and job.
She works at Scott Dunn, an award-winning luxury tour operator, specialising in creating tailor-made travel experiences around the world. Part of her job is designing these amazing experiences for her clients and bringing their travel dreams to life.
The next destinations on her travel bucket list are Iceland, South Africa and Morrocco.
Could you explain how female travellers are changing in terms of their behaviour?
There used to be this misconception that women are a sort of monolith when it comes to travelling – that all of them are interested in only one particular sort of travel, or that certain age groups or segments only do one sort of travel. But in my experience, it’s really hard to generalise.
I’ve handled really exciting bucket list trips for women in their 40s who are super active, itineraries with plenty of hiking involved — but I’ve also had requests where female clients just want to take it slow, to travel through Europe on leisurely wine-and-shop trips.
I’ve also noticed a recent emerging trend amongst our guests with one parent taking one child away for a bonding holiday to spend quality time together. Mother and daughter trips in particular are on the rise. One really memorable example I have is a mother-daughter duo who wanted to see lots of flora and fauna in Japan. The mom, however, was wheelchair-bound, so I took all the steps necessary to ensure that both of them had a comfortable trip and that they got to see plenty of beautiful scenery and nature.
What is your advice for people looking to get back into the travel scene once again?
We’ve seen a surge in interest and bookings in recent times — definitely because of the pent-up demand; availability for flights, hotels and activities is getting quite challenging. My biggest advice is to book as far in advance as possible to secure your trip.
Another piece of advice is to really be familiar with the terms of your bookings and just how flexible it is.
However, we do recognise that sometimes it is hard to plan for the unplannable, which is why at Scott Dunn we always provide guests with 24/7 support — our ‘little black book’ of curated contacts across the globe developed through the last 35 years means guests always get the best service wherever they are.
What destinations would you recommend this year?
For year-end family trips, I would recommend the traditional favourite destinations such as Finland, Iceland as well as Norway – the experience of witnessing the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights in person will definitely create memories for a lifetime.
Croatia in particular is a real hidden gem in Europe that’s perfect for both families and couples. It offers the perfect mix of fun in the sun, gastronomical experiences, and rich history — you can soak in the sun with all the watersport activities, and go on luxurious yacht trips and exciting island-hopping adventures, plus, party-goers will also love the country’s vibrant culture and nightlife.
For a fun all-girls trip, I’d recommend places like the South of Spain: the rich architecture, beautiful countryside, and great weather makes it a fantastic year-round destination.
Closer to home I’d also recommend Cambodia. There’s been increasing interest in the area, partially because we offer some amazing properties and experiences — for example, there’s Shinta Mani Wild, where our clients enter the hotel through a 320m zip-wire. We also offer really exclusive experiences like access to areas of temples that are normally closed off to the public, and giving them the chance to see the valuable conservation work up close.
What has been the best travel experience of your life so far?
The best travel experience I’ve had so far was the very first long-haul trip I did with my friends. I was 18, and we decided to go on a Europe adventure our journey took us through Paris, Amsterdam, and London. The entire experience holds significant importance for me as it was the first trip I did without my parents, and I felt fully responsible for my own well-being overseas.
We had fun nights and interesting days, from getting lost by taking the wrong train accidentally and ending up in Brussels to meeting extremely friendly strangers who bought us ice cream and brought us to visit their personal art studio. Looking back, we were definitely young and bold. As a group of 4 female young adults, we did not do much trip planning prior to departure and just winged it while we were there.
This trip really taught me the importance of trip planning and taking the appropriate measures to stay safe while travelling. I count myself lucky since we had several close shaves — from getting on the wrong trains and being kicked off by the conductor, to broken luggage, and even misleading hotel listings. I think this has translated nicely into the role I am in now. As I plan trips and holidays for my guests, I do my best to ensure that the entire experience is smooth and seamless while they get to experience the best that each city can offer, all while ensuring their well-being and safety are being taken into consideration.
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Where is your go-to travel destination and why?
My go-to travel destination is Japan. Not only is it relatively close to Singapore, but it is also a destination which is suitable to visit year-round. There’s something for everyone there – from fantastic Michelin-star restaurants, well-curated museums, and bustling street markets to amazing scenery that changes each season. My favourite property there would have to be Amanemu at Ise Shima. It is a beautiful resort for rest and relaxation while overlooking Ago Bay. What is unique about Ago Bay is that it has been home to the one-of-a-kind ama divers, a community of all female free divers who make their living collecting shellfish from the seabed. Not only do you get to see and experience this tradition there, but you can also even have lunch with them for an unforgettable insight into their daily life!
