Philip Eichkorn

How traveling and the Orient conquered my heart

My enthusiasm for traveling and especially for the Arab world did not arise during travels, but long before – through the tales from 1001 Nights that were read to me as a child. That first magic has remained to this day. Initially, I was drawn towards Islamic studies, but my path eventually led me into the travel industry: from travel agency to a DMC to my own tour operator. In 2014, Stefan Ullsperger and I set up the first tents in the Wahiba Desert by ourselves – completely without a team, without fixed structures, at a time when the term "Glamping" hardly existed. This is how Take Memories Travel Design came to be.

The Middle East has been my professional home to this day. I have explored the region intensively, including touristically overlooked and often misunderstood countries like Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, and I have also waited for years for a visa for Saudi Arabia to uncover undiscovered places for our guests as one of the first. With TheOmanExpedition , we are the first company to have independently crossed the Rub al Khali – the largest sand desert in the world – by car. For me, it is always about the authentic, unadulterated experience, far from beaten paths: I develop our offerings myself from scratch and test them thoroughly before they are available to our guests. What continually inspires me is the original hospitality of the Arab culture. I also share my experiences as a guest on tourism podcasts and as a lecturer at the CBS International Business School in Cologne – unless I am standing on the sidelines as a soccer coach. Through my team, which has grown over the past years, I also enjoy being inspired by new destinations worldwide and have since eagerly traveled to places in Africa, Northern Europe, and Asia.

Places that particularly inspire me

Oman

With Oman, I hardly know where to begin. Here I started my business, moved into the outback with a tent and without any mobile reception, and from there catered to our first guests. Oman was the first country I instantly fell in love with, and this love has remained to this day. It is the people with their sincerity and warmth, and the diversity between oases, mountains, and endless deserts that fascinates me time and again. There are still places in the country where there is simply nothing but nature and a few locals – and that is precisely what makes Oman so special for me to this day. Those who have not been there yet should make up for it as soon as possible.

Jeddah

Jeddah was the first city in Saudi Arabia that I visited, and I quickly understood where the saying "Jeddah ghair" comes from – Jeddah is different. Due to its location by the sea and its centuries-long role as a gateway to Mecca, a mix of cultures and people has developed here that cannot be found in any other place in Saudi Arabia. What impressed me the most was the openness, warmth, and curiosity of the people there – this has inspired me from the very beginning and further fueled my enthusiasm for the country.

Lebanon

Lebanon surprises me on so many levels that I never finish discovering it. I am particularly impressed by how the people there keep rising again despite numerous crises they have endured. Beirut is a modern, cosmopolitan city with great bars and clubs, and the people radiated a joy of life that remained undeterred by the circumstances in the country – even in difficult times. Landscapes in Lebanon show incredible versatility, but I was most impressed by the Temple of Baalbek – one of the best-preserved ancient sites I know. And the wineries, which you wouldn't expect in this region.

Jordan

Jordan remains one of my favorite countries in the Orient – you just have to know which regions are best suited for which season. Petra, visited before the large tour groups arrive, still holds a special appeal for me. I appreciate Amman for its authentic, unpretentious, and vibrant sense of life. And the diversity is enormous: from Wadi Rum to Petra to the Red Sea, where many locals spend their vacation on weekends, creating a completely own, relaxed atmosphere.

Egypt

Egypt has completely won me over, and the country is currently the big trend within the Arab world. I consider the new Grand Egyptian Museum to be the most impressive museum I have ever seen. A cruise on one of the new wooden Dahabiyas built in the traditional style on the Nile is for me the most beautiful way of traveling – the life along the Nile simply passes by. And there are still numerous insider tips beyond the known routes, such as Fayoum or the Siwa Oasis. What touches me the most in Egypt is the warmth of the people, who show their joy in living at any time of day and night despite often difficult life circumstances.

Mentions

I have published contributions in various renowned publications and have been mentioned, including in FAZ, Leadersnet, Kölner Wissenschaftsrunde, Spiegel, DUP Magazin, Touristik Aktuell, TIP Online, Travelnews, CBS, Golfregional, and Vogue:

• FOCUS "Superstar producer Avicii and Oman"
• Frankfurter Allgemeine (FAZ) "Starting a business in Oman"
• Leadersnet (Luxury News) "Philip Eichkorn in interview"
• SPIEGEL "Oman travel during Corona pandemic"
• Vogue Germany "Yoga in the desert of Oman"