BIOGRAPHY

Amar Latif is a blind traveller, entrepreneur and TV personality with an astonishing track record of facing up to major challenges. Due to an incurable eye condition, Amar lost 95% of his sight by the age of 18. Through sheer determination, he has managed to turn an unpromising tale of loss, into one of truly inspirational achievement.

Amar became known to millions through the groundbreaking BBC2 reality series, Beyond Boundaries (series 1), a jungle endurance expedition across Central America. Screened worldwide, this was a gruelling 220-mile trek on foot across the rugged interior of Nicaragua, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. Amar had to ford swollen rivers, cut through dense jungle, cross waterfalls, climb a 5,000 ft. active volcano and navigate the second largest lake in Latin America.

In 2004, Amar founded Traveleyes, the world’s first commercial tour operator to specialise in holidays for blind as well as sighted travellers. Traveleyes has opened the holiday travel industry to millions of blind and partially sighted people around the world, giving them the opportunity to walk with lions in Africa, sail the Ionian Sea and ski down Europe’s highest mountains. Amar continues to lead many of these group explorations himself; uncovering the countless wonders that world travel offers the senses.

For his entrepreneurial achievements, Amar received The Outstanding Young Person of the World accolade (Business / Entrepreneurial category) from the Chamber of Commerce International (JCI) and the prestigious Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur Award, presented by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

As well as directing documentary films, including work for UK’s Channel 4TV (Sightseeing Blind, featured at the British Film Institute), Amar has appeared in a number of TV productions both as a presenter and actor.

In 2015 Amar led Channel 4TV presenters Adam Hills and The Last Leg team on a 3000-mile journey through Australia’s rugged outback in the 2-part series The Last Leg Goes Down Under (Channel 4TV). Starting in Darwin and ending in Sydney, this taste of the real Australia included croc hunting, an encounter with a biker gang, explosive opal mining and Amar flying a plane over Uluru.

In February 2017, Amar presented the Channel 4 show How to Get Fit Fast alongside Anna Richardson. The show aimed to bust exercise myths, uncover workout secrets and explore why different exercises are suited to different people.

Amar also presented “Thrifty ways to…Summer Holiday!” in March 2018, alongside Katie Piper. The show revealed how to get the most out of your money when it comes to travel and holidays.

Amar being helped over a mudder hill surrounded by runners all taking part in Tough Mudder

Amar’s inspirational public speaking engagements for major organisations and charities have included key speeches to: The United Nations (Ethiopia), German University of Technology (Oman), The Arabian Travel Market (Dubai), The NHS, HSBC, The Royal College of Art and The Royal National Institute for the Blind (London). His talks cover a variety of themes: entrepreneurial, motivational, inclusive design, world travel, equality and diversity.

Amar is very rarely in one place for long, but when he isn’t travelling, he is often giving his time to charity. Amar is a regular fundraiser/supporter of blind-related charities including Sightsavers and the RNIB.

Through Traveleyes, Amar has created an innovative partnership with international schools around the world. Sighted students join on Traveleyes adventures to act as sighted guides for the blind travellers, building their communication, leadership and teamwork skills, and helping them to increase their awareness of disability.

BIOGRAPHY

As well as directing documentary films, including work for UK’s Channel 4TV (Sightseeing Blind, featured at the British Film Institute), Amar has appeared in a number of TV productions both as a presenter and actor.

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In February 2017, Amar presented the Channel 4 show How to Get Fit Fast alongside Anna Richardson. The show aimed to bust exercise myths, uncover workout secrets and explore why different exercises are suited to different people.

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​Amar also presented “Thrifty ways to…Summer Holiday!” in March 2018, alongside Katie Piper. The show revealed how to get the most out of your money when it comes to travel and holidays.

​

Amar is very rarely in one place for long, but when he isn’t travelling, he is often giving his time to charity. Amar is a regular fundraiser/supporter of blind-related charities including Sightsavers and the RNIB.

​

Amar also presented “Thrifty ways to…Summer Holiday!” in March 2018, alongside Katie Piper. The show revealed how to get the most out of your money when it comes to travel and holidays.