Meet Our Founder

Meet Wilma van de Maten, the visionary founder of Asian Travel Pioneers.

As an anthropologist, journalist, and writer, she spent 23 years living across Asia where she found her passion- connecting with the people and local communities. She reflects, “Some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen weren’t on a map. They were in the hearts of people who welcomed me into their homes.”

After being deeply immersed in local communities, she learned of the diverse cultures, traveling from remote villages to bustling cities which all allowed her to gain a unique understanding of human connection and the vibrant journey of everyday life which is overlooked by conventional travel.

Our Story

Following Wilma's vision, Asian Travel Pioneers was established in 2019 with our aim to showcase a new form of traveling- experience the nature, culture and heritage, art, food and most importantly understanding the people. As Wilma often says, “In a world that’s rushing forward, we offer something different: the chance to realize what matters.”

Wilma believes travel should do more than just show you places. It should help you to connect and give back. That’s why she works closely with communities in Pakistan and Indonesia to create meaningful experiences that empower people, preserve their traditions, give them a better income, and let travelers truly love everyday life

Our adventures reflect this perspective. On every trip, locals make wonderful homemade meals, and our tour guides are local specialists with extensive knowledge of the area, eager to take you to locations you've never heard of. The beautiful handicrafts you'll see are also handmade by skilled local women, and purchasing them directly helps them become independent.