Annie Fitzsimmons

Annie Fitzsimmons is a luxury travel expert and editor, working in the travel industry for nearly 20 years. Her first book–for National Geographic and Disney Publishing–“100 Hotels of a Lifetime,” is now out wherever books are sold.

Annie has built a dynamic, multi-faceted career in travel media and in the travel industry—one that she considers the original travel “portfolio career.” With a strong foundation across editorial, content, brand storytelling, and beyond to include hosting and guiding, she has very intentionally pursued a future-proof path that defies categorization.

She currently serves as Editor in Chief at Embark Beyond, a $300 million luxury travel and lifestyle agency, where she hosts a podcast, authors multiple newsletters, and oversees creative. Annie is also the founder of Travel AF, her own travel company which encompasses hosting and guiding trips around the world for various clients and companies, now numbering more than 40. A 2007 graduate of the International Tour Management Institute (plus a university degree in journalism, of course!), she loves bringing people together through tours. Her company leads bespoke walking and food tours in London, where she lives, and New York City, where she is a licensed NYC tour guide. Travel AF is Annie’s way of sharing her love for cities that is deeply personal, thoughtfully designed, and culturally rich—with plenty of personality, deep local insight, and fun. She works with Blue Badge guides for those who want a more in-depth history lesson.

Previously, Annie held leading editor jobs at AFAR Media and Indagare. She spent nearly a decade at National Geographic Travel, where she held a variety of senior roles including Editor at Large, Luxury Editor, and Urban Insider. She also was an editor at Virtuoso for three years, where she collaborated with the most talented and inspiring team.

Throughout her career, Annie has cultivated a deep network of industry leaders and creative partners across a constantly evolving media and travel landscape. She has traveled professionally to six continents—and Antarctica will happen one day!

In March 2020, as the world shut down, she began hosting AFAR Live, featuring travel leaders and personalities such as Netflix’s Phil Rosenthal and Hermès CEO Bob Chavez, in front of an online audience of thousands. She worked with International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) to produce and host a podcast showcasing the true value of luxury travel, a $2.05 trillion ecosystem that supports around 170 million jobs, 90 percent of which are family or small businesses.

At National Geographic, she pitched and created the vision for an entirely new brand as National Geographic’s first and only Urban Insider, focusing on cities, culture, and lifestyle, and was a founding member of their Editorial Council. Within National Geographic, Annie leveraged her personality status and engaged social following to cross-promote brand initiatives across print, digital, and social media. She was the spokesperson for two NatGeo books, The World’s Best Cities and The World’s Most Romantic Destinations, through radio and media interviews. As Urban Insider, she worked with an editor and producer to execute on an annual editorial calendar. She also helped launch National Geographic’s first luxury magazine.

She has an in-depth understanding of advertorial, sponsored content, and commercials. Annie appeared in national campaigns for travel and lifestyle brands like Mexico, Maui Jim, Quebec City, and Colonial Williamsburg. She also been the main talent in national TV spots, including for Transitions Lenses and Buick. 

SPEAKING: Annie has been a speaker and panelist on luxury travel trends, media, and content at many events around the world, including SXSW in Austin, World Travel Market in London, the International Tourism Conference in Latvia (as keynote speaker, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Riga), the Hospitality World Congress in Barcelona, ILTM, and luxury hotel regional meetings, like Ritz-Carlton. In the first years of her travel career, she wrote for USA Today, Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNN, Robb Report, Gotham, and Hamptons. She is known for her interview skills and has connected with a wide range of A-list luminaries in business, technology, entertainment, and fashion.

“As with any renowned and respected journalist, Annie Fitzsimmons is an exceptional communicator who seeks to understand, evaluate and then impart her wisdom in a way that truly engages her audience. She is thorough, pays attention to detail and acts with integrity; values that we rate highly at The Ritz-Carlton. Each time Annie has presented to a group of our leaders, her contribution has been invaluable and her sparkling personality ensures continued invitations to return.”

Allison Sitch, The Ritz-Carlton

Beyond her dedicated, enthusiastic devotion to her job and the luxury travel industry, she is happiest having coffee, reading a great book, exploring new restaurants, and going on long walks (we’re talking 25,000+ steps/day) and bike rides through cities. She has been a licensed New York City tour guide since 2008. Annie is originally from Scottsdale, Arizona, spent the last decade in New York City (Brooklyn Heights), and is now based in west London with her family.

A Few Fun Interviews:

En Route with Annie Fitzsimmons

Johnny Jet - Travel Style: Annie Fitzsimmons

BBC Travel - Forms of ID: Annie Fitzsimmons

Style Jaunt: Expert Tips - Annie Fitzsimmons on How To Plan A Trip

Women We Love: Annie Fitzsimmons

Waiting to Board with Annie Fitzsimmons

Poshbrood's Featured Traveler: Annie Fitzsimmons