Hilary Bradt
Encyclopedia
Hilary Bradt MBE
(born 17 July 1941) is the founder of Bradt Travel Guides
, a publisher which became an increasingly visible presence in the travel guide book
world starting in the mid-1970s.
From 1972, Bradt spent 18 months backpacking from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego and then Argentina and Brazil with her then husband, with whom she subsequently co-founded Bradt Travel Guides. Their first book was Backpacking along Ancient Ways in Peru and Bolivia.
The Bradt guides began by covering exotic or off-beat destinations, such as Rwanda and Albania, and have continued to target this niche, frequently publishing guides to countries not yet covered by any other travel publisher. The Bradt books have won a number of awards. The company is based in Chalfont St Peter
, England.
After running the company for 35 years, Bradt announced her retirement in 2007, but retained an involvement as chairman of the company. She also continued to write after her retirement, authoring a guide book called Slow Devon & Exmoor in 2010.
Bradt has also worked extensively as a tour leader. Her area of special expertise is Madagascar
and she has written several books on this African island nation. Bradt is a long-standing member of the British Guild of Travel Writers
, from which she received a Lifetime Achievement Award in November 2009.
She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to the tourist industry and to charity. Amongst other charity work, Bradt is patron of the British charity Money for Madagascar, which has been raising funds for projects in the country since 1986.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 17 July 1941) is the founder of Bradt Travel Guides
Bradt Travel Guides
Bradt Travel Guides is a publisher of travel guides founded by Hilary Bradt who was awarded an MBE in 2008 for services to the Tourist Industry and to Charity....
, a publisher which became an increasingly visible presence in the travel guide book
Guide book
A guide book is a book for tourists or travelers that provides details about a geographic location, tourist destination, or itinerary. It is the written equivalent of a tour guide...
world starting in the mid-1970s.
From 1972, Bradt spent 18 months backpacking from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego and then Argentina and Brazil with her then husband, with whom she subsequently co-founded Bradt Travel Guides. Their first book was Backpacking along Ancient Ways in Peru and Bolivia.
The Bradt guides began by covering exotic or off-beat destinations, such as Rwanda and Albania, and have continued to target this niche, frequently publishing guides to countries not yet covered by any other travel publisher. The Bradt books have won a number of awards. The company is based in Chalfont St Peter
Chalfont St Peter
Chalfont St Peter is a village and civil parish in Chiltern district in south-east Buckinghamshire, England. It is in a group of villages called The Chalfonts which also includes Chalfont St Giles and Little Chalfont. The villages lie between High Wycombe and Rickmansworth. Chalfont St Peter is...
, England.
After running the company for 35 years, Bradt announced her retirement in 2007, but retained an involvement as chairman of the company. She also continued to write after her retirement, authoring a guide book called Slow Devon & Exmoor in 2010.
Bradt has also worked extensively as a tour leader. Her area of special expertise is Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
and she has written several books on this African island nation. Bradt is a long-standing member of the British Guild of Travel Writers
British Guild of Travel Writers
The British Guild of Travel Writers was formed in 1960. It is a membership organisation that admits authors whose work focuses on travel. It also includes among its membership many other professionals who generate travel-related content for print, broadcast and online media...
, from which she received a Lifetime Achievement Award in November 2009.
She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to the tourist industry and to charity. Amongst other charity work, Bradt is patron of the British charity Money for Madagascar, which has been raising funds for projects in the country since 1986.