Ep. 128: Uwern Jong – Luxury, Diversity, Disruption: The Story Behind the Award-Winning OutThere Magazine

LONDON:  What happens when a finance exec ditches spreadsheets to launch one of the world’s most influential luxury travel magazines—centered on inclusivity, representation, and authentic storytelling?
 
 Join us for a captivating conversation with Uwern Jong, Co-Founder & Experientialist in Chief of the award-winning OutThere Magazine, the multi-award-winning inclusive, luxury travel magazine that's flipping the script on who gets seen and heard in the world of travel. From navigating the digital vs. print debate to championing representation in travel media, Uwern shares what makes OutThere resonate with readers around the world—LGBTQ and far beyond. We also explore emerging trends like slow travel, digital detox, and why immersive storytelling still matters in the short-form age.

 

Inside this episode:

• How OutThere became a global force despite limited marketing budgets
• Why half its readership isn’t LGBTQ+—and why that matters
• The bold decision to invest in high-end print media in a digital-first world
• The rise of slow travel, digital detox, and meaningful experiences over photo ops
• How The Experientialist was born during a global crisis to deliver feel-good travel stories
• Disruptive branding, immersive storytelling, and what’s next in luxury experiential travel
• Travel trends: growing, here to stay, and new

ABOUT UWERN JONG: 

 Uwern Jong is Experientialist-in-Chief of award-winning luxury and experiential travel media brand, OutThere. The brand, rooted in 'diversity, discovery and discernment' is a champion of inclusive tourism. Uwern recently won 'Luxury Travel Writer of the Year 2025' at the prestigious TravMedia awards and is recognised as one of the '50 most influential people in British Luxury' by Walpole, the association of UK-based luxury brands. SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAG HERE

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Music Credits: INTRO: Loyalty - Philip Ayers | OUTRO: Grasshopper's Dance - Etienne Roussel