Blending luxury and authenticity is at the core of what we do and ensures a memorable experience at premium quality.
- Adam McEwan, CEO and Founder
UNIQUE
We create unique experiences
Hero adventures break away from standard expectations of what a destination has to offer. From the endless dunes of Dubai to the heritage-filled canyons of AlUla, our experiences go beyond check-box tours and are designed to delight and immerse you fully in your experience.
SUSTAINABLE
We create sustainable adventures
When you explore with us, you’re not just travelling through the destination but also giving back to it. Our sustainable practices preserve nature and promote authentic culture and heritage. Travel knowing that you are respecting the land and making a positive difference.
MEANINGFUL
We create meaningful journeys
Hero journeys offer a window into a slice of Arabia. We reject inaccurate cultural representations of destinations and instead craft experiences true to the destination's history. Every journey is designed so you can take away learnings and lifelong memories.
Awards
Timeline
Timelines summary
Platinum Heritage - On 24 October 2012, we opened our experiences to our very first guests. Starting off with one Platinum Camp and one Heritage Camp, we were able to accommodate a total of 36 people per day.
Platinum Heritage - We welcomed our 5,000th guest.
Platinum Heritage - Opened our second Platinum Camp and Heritage Camp.
Platinum Heritage - Received the reward for Gulf Capital Start Up of the Year. Welcomed our 10,000th guest
Platinum Heritage - We hosted our first wedding.
Platinum Heritage - Introduced Astronomy on our evening safaris.
Established a long-term partnership with Land Rover.
Platinum Heritage - Opened an internal workshop to service our desert fleet.
Balloon Adventures Dubai - Acquired the UAE’s longest operating hot air balloon operator.
Platinum Heritage - We welcomed our 100,000th guest.
Platinum Heritage - Opened our third Heritage Camp.
Hero Boat Tours – Opened Dubai’s first self-drive boat tour company. * Balloon Adventures Dubai – The first hot air balloon company in the world to fly falcons from the balloons. * Platinum Heritage – Started using solar panels as the main energy source for all our camps.
Balloon Adventures Dubai – Won first of multiple World Travel Awards.
Platinum Heritage - Started using hydro panels for drinking water and plumbing.
Hero Experiences Group – Established a group identity that provides the UAE’s leading air, sea and land experiences.
Platinum Heritage – Established our own internal falconry department.
Balloon Adventures Dubai – Introduced drone shows as part of our hot air balloon experience. Platinum Heritage - Introduced acrobatic entertainment on our Platinum Evening Safaris.
Hero Classics – Opened our own official workshop for servicing our whole fleet.
The Dubai Balloon – Opened the highest observatory point on Palm Jumeirah.
Balloon Adventures Dubai - Organized and hosted the annual AlUla Skies Festival in AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Absolute Adventure – Acquired the UAE’s leading outdoor adventure provider.
Hero Balloon Flights – Launched Saudi Arabia’s first commercial hot air balloon company. Platinum Heritage – Opened our third Platinum Camp.
Switched our fleet of Range Rovers to the most modern and ultra-luxurious Land Rover Defenders.
Absolute Adventure – Developed hiking trails in the stunning volcanic landscapes of Khaybar, KSA.
Absolute Adventure – Developed hiking trails in the stunning volcanic landscapes of Khaybar, KSA.
Team
Adam McEwan
CEO and Co-Founder
Nationality
Australian
Hero since the very beginning (September 2012)
Hero Role
Leading a team of strong leaders and talented employees to be part of one of the most successful travel experience providers in the region.
Fun Fact
“I’ve traveled to 138 countries”
Bassam Chamoun
COO and Co-Founder
Nationality
Syrian
Hero since the very beginning (September 2012)
Hero Role
An ever-changing role, from ensuring smooth operations for flawless guest experiences to mentoring and supporting other passionate people in the team.
Fun Fact
“I used to be a goldsmith. I like to think that’s why I can be so creative.”
Zelda Anthony
CCO
Nationality
Australian/British
Hero since March 2024
Hero Role
Supporting Sales and Marketing to propel the growth trajectory of the company’s existing and new products while keeping the guests at the heart of our business.
Fun Fact
“I have travelled to more than 90 countries AND speak three languages”
Warren Blore
CFO
Nationality
South African/Australian
Hero since October 2022
Hero Role
Warren is a key person in the company’s spur decision-making while finding new ways to keep growing.
Fun Fact
“I love trail running and being in the outdoors, as long as I can find my way back to civilisation!”
Christopher Anthony
Group Business Controller
Nationality
British
Hero since September 2023
Hero Role
Identifying and pursuing opportunities in destinations all over the world where Hero Experiences Group can go and make a difference.
Fun Fact
“I only wear white shirts.”
Conny Geiger
General Manager of Platinum Heritage
Nationality
German
Hero since the very beginning (September 2012)
Hero Role
Overseeing the daily management of the UAE’s leading desert safari provider to ensure that every guest walks away with a memorable experience, feeling like a HERO.
Fun Fact
“I played in the German women's soccer league.”
Shigyo Yoshitaka aka Yosh
Director of Flight Operations
Nationality
Japanese
Hero since September 2019
Hero Role
Managing our hot air balloon maintenance, crew training, flight operations and ground operations in UAE and KSA. Yosh is also our Chief Pilot for our hot air balloons.
Fun Fact
“I am the first Japanese hot air balloon pilot to fly in Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Myanmar, UAE and the KSA.”
Brahim Megguen
Group Director of Aviation Project
Nationality
Moroccan
Hero since July 2020
Hero Role
Overseeing the standardisation and effectiveness of all aviation safety and compliance practices, combined with the project management of all aviation projects.
Fun Fact
“I am the Old Cadet Champion of Morocco in Surfing from 2003-2004.”
Anthony Henderson aka Tony
General Manager of Hero Experiences Group in Saudi
Nationality
Kiwi - New Zealander
Hero since April 2022
Hero Role
Overseeing the day-to-day operations in Saudi Arabia and helping ideate and conceptualise exciting new products for each brand.
Fun Fact
“I developed and owned a radio station in New Zealand with over 40 presenters. I’m also a psytrance DJ on the weekends.”
Yamen Al Obeid
Group Special Project Manager
Nationality
Syrian
Hero since the very beginning (September 2012)
Hero Role
Contributes to cultural preservation efforts, fosters a happy work environment and delivers great guest experiences.
Fun Fact
“I moved to the UAE in 1997 and used to work in construction and hospitality.”
Paul Oliver
Founder & Consultant for Absolute Adventure
Nationality
British
Hero since June 2023
Hero Role
Paul uses his experience to curate unique adventures and inspire staff to achieve excellence.
Fun Fact
“I’ve lived in Dubai for 42 years, like to collect watches and have a burning passion for helping the less fortunate.”
Giulia Figliuzzi
Group Head of Marketing
Nationality
Italian
Hero since February 2018
Hero Role
Giulia implements dynamic and creative marketing strategies that contribute to the bottom line by leveraging a mix of traditional and digital channels.
Fun Fact
“I am a spirited wanderer who called five different countries home in the last 12 years. I am also an avid scuba diver.”
Richa Swaika
Group Head of Partnerships & Events
Nationality
Indian – and now Italian!
Hero since October 2014
Hero Role
She guides a motivated team towards achieving revenue targets while fostering internal camaraderie and external customer relations.
Fun Fact
“Here’s a few! I’m a yoga teacher. I speak four languages. And, in high school, I played the bagpipes.”
