A conversation on travel and stories at market with Zahirah Marty

UNDER the sweltering midday heat at Colombo’s Pettah market, Dubai-based presenter and travel journalist Zahirah Marty, visiting Sri Lanka to film an episode of her show My Travel Diary, was in her element, discovering stories in every corner with Director Buddy Gaylard. Daily FT joined her as she explored the market, curating moments and capturing the spirit of the city in its vibrant chaos.

- BY DIVYA THOTAWATTE

As we wandered through the maze-like grids of the market, looking at lacy floral fabric designs and trying out local street food, she told us about her long journey to get to her current renowned position in the TV and travel industry.

Marty’s career in media and presenting had begun almost by accident, she recalled. Her journey had begun 19 years ago in South Africa, her home country, when, unbeknownst to her, a friend had submitted an application to a presenter search competition by one of the country’s leading lifestyle shows. She had then made it to its top 12, bringing a once impossible dream closer to her reach.

Though she had not won the competition, the exposure had opened the doors to the presenting world, where she had been later invited to present for South Africa’s iconic Top Billing, a show she said she had always dreamed of working on. From there, she was cast in the spinoff show, Top Travel. However, soon, imposter syndrome hit her. “I presented a few episodes of the travel show and panicked. I had no experience and it was very much a hit the ground running kind of show.”

Craving growth and experience, she had moved to Dubai at the age of 22 where she began a career in marketing. Where her true passion lied in travel, people and food, she had quickly found her rhythm working with restaurants and nightclubs, experiencing and building a home in the pulse of the country. She had worked in the marketing and public relations industry until 2022, when she had gotten a call from Gaylard to host a travel show for an American network. That call marked her return to travel journalism.

Leaning into her background in PR and media, she had also turned her PR agency into a destination marketing consultancy. “Now everything I do is centred around travel. If I’m not shooting, I’m consulting. If I'm not consulting, I’m speaking at travel workshops around the world.”

Chaos and colours for the cameras