Bio – Parm Johal, Editor & Founder of Desi Globetrotter

Parm Johal is the founder and editor of Desi Globetrotter, an international travel lifestyle magazine + blog with a focus on independent travel. Based in Vancouver, Parm is also an Arts + Culture professional, freelance content marketer and freelance travel writer with articles published in Conde Nast Traveller India, Huffington Post Canada, AsiaRooms.com, Mybindi.com, and MasalaMommas.com.

Parm’s favourite travel moments include backpacking solo in Spain and Portugal, exploring the streets of Mumbai, and experiencing the magic of travel with her husband in Turkey, Europe, Thailand, Japan, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Parm is inspired by arts, culture, architecture and design and her favourite cities include Madrid, Tokyo and Istanbul. To date, she has travelled to 24 countries on 5 continents.

International Travel Experience

Working Abroad

I worked onboard Norwegian Cruiselines, living and breathing ship life for 6 months after university. I travelled to the Carribbean, Mexico and Alaska working with over a 1000 crew members from around the world. Ship life is truly another world all on its own and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to experience it. I made friends from India, Australia, Romania, South Africa, Peru, Jamaica, Turkey, Philippines and beyond and it was a great way to work, travel, and pay off some of my student loans.

Boutique Hotel Experience

I have worked at two luxury boutique hotels in Vancouver for 3 years in Reservations, Front Desk and Spa reception roles. By having industry knowledge and understanding the other side, I can provide honest, well-rounded reviews and feedback (both the good and the bad) – an essential skill for a travel writer and blogger.

Solo Travel

I backpacked Europe solo, staying at hostels and making friends on the road while travelling to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Most exhilarating, challenging and fun experience in my life. Not lonely as some people may think.

I have also travelled to Mumbai, Jaipur, Agra, Goa in India, staying and travelling with a friend who grew up there. By being open and meeting new people while working on the cruise ship, it gave me the opportunity to travel to different parts of India a few years later and see the country through the eyes of a local.

Couples Travel

Now that I’m married (6 years!), I love sharing travel experiences together with my husband (who was a non-traveller when I first met him). Apart from Canada and US, we have travelled together to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Mt. Koyasan, Okinawa); Argentina (Buenos Aires); Uruguay (Montevideo, Punta del Este); Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket); Turkey (Istanbul, Izmir, Kas, Antalya); Europe (UK, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands); Mexico (Cancun); Cuba (Havana, Varadero); and Dominican Republic (Punta Cana). Looking forward to sharing more experiences together with him.

Family Travel

As of January 2016, our first child, baby globetrotter will be joining us on our life journey – which also includes travelling! This will be a new life chapter for me and I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for travel with our little one.