Last year, Alfie Watts went global, becoming the youngest ever winner of Race Across the World - the BBC show that does exactly what it says on the tin. Teams of two race to get from one part of the world to another with no air travel, no smartphones, no bank cards and a limited cash budget. After 50 days spent travelling by land and sea from Japan to Indonesia alongside his St Albans schoolfriend Owen Wood, it all came down to a foot race by a beach off the island of Lombok. The series four finale saw the pair pip mother and daughter duo Eugenie and Isabel by a mere eight minutes to take the title and£20,000 prize pot. It also saw Alfie catch the travel bug, sending him on his way to a new career as a travel guru and onlinecontent creator. As series five of the show gets underway on Wednesday, BBC News speaks to the 21-year-old about his new life on the road, advice for fellow travellers and tips for this year's contestants on how to win the show. "The whole experience [on the show] kind of opened my eyes to real travel," Watts tells us over a video call from Portugal, while taking a break from refereeing a football match. "I think there are definitely two different types of travel that we're used to in the UK; shallow travel, as I'd call it, where you go on holiday and you see what you want to see and you stay within your comfort zone or hotel. "And then I'd say there's real authentic travel whereby you see the world as it actually is. "And I've just learned that I actually much prefer the authenticity of places... rather than the weather." Watts's main advice for readers with a similar wanderlust is to consider travelling further afield. "Flights to Spain in the summer might be £300 return, but you are going to be paying extremely high prices for food, accommodation and things like that," he notes. "Whereas, actually, if you go a little bit further afield, if you try Malaysia, Thailand, even Brazil, for sure the flights might be £600-700 but when you're actually there, you're spending £20-25 a day maximum." He adds: "You're helping local people and you're trying something new." Since his big TV win, he's been to around 30 countries, including five in one day for a Europe-based online challenge. Another time he found and boarded the cheapest possible flights he could find online for seven days straight. And he also returned to Japan to pay a bill he felt he owed for some Kobe beef steaks that were kindly donated to him and Owen for free when they were worried about their budget, as fans of the show will remember. "That was a really nice moment," he says. Watts likes to travel solo as he enjoys his "own company" and doing things on his "own terms", while also meeting new people. He acknowledges that it's not for everyone, and that some people prefer to be away with friends and family, but he wants to encourage would-be travellers to "throw yourself in". "I don't do things that would put me in danger because I think I have a responsibility to the people that follow me," he says. He does admit though that he once ended up in a taxi with an armed government official in Venezuela - a country he travelled to against UK goverment guidance. "That was about as wacky as it got." His favourite place he has been on his travels so far is "without doubt" Angel Falls in Venezuela, while his favourite country would be a coin flip between Jordan and Malaysia. One thing he'd still like to tick off his bucket list is visiting the remote island of Tuvalu in the South Pacific Ocean, which sounds like a pitch for a new TV show in itself. "It's the least visited country in the world," he explains. "Only 1,500 people go there every year. It's very difficult to get to, very expensive to get to." As well as becoming far better travelled, the past year has also seen him expand his horizons in other ways, acting as an ambassador for Young Minds UK, a mental health charity for young people, and Winston's Wish, a children and young people's grief charity. One of the most heart-rending moments of series four was when it was revealed that Watts's mum had died of cancer when he was just a child. Speaking ofhis ambassadorial work, he says: "I love it and I'm so glad that I get to have the opportunity [to help]. "But internalising it, it can be quite challenging, listening to people's stories." Race Across the World resumes on Wednesday, witha new raft of contestantsheading this time from north eastern China to the southernmost tip of India. They include ex-spouses Gaz and Yin, and current couple Fin and Sioned, as well as sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, brothers Brian and Melvyn and mother and son duo Caroline and Tom. The rules, as usual, are no smart phones, no bank cards (just a small cash budget) and no air travel. Watts thinks it's going to be a "really tough route" and "a topsy turvey" series. "China is very easy to get around but very hard to communicate," he stresses from personal experience. "And a lot of China doesn't accept cash anymore." His "number one piece of advice" for anyone taking part is to learn from his mistakes and take a calculator and a whiteboard. "We had to borrow notebooks and God knows what else". He'd also suggest taking "little travel placards" with pictures of buses, trains and people on, for ease of communication. "I think now there's more and more series, people are watching it and starting to think, 'actually, this is where they're going wrong. This is how we can be creative around it'. "And I think we're probably going to see that this series, that people have been a lot more streetwise with how they've prepared." Is he worried about losing his title as the show's youngest winner? He replies, like a true international diplomat, that he just wants the pair who "nicely interact" with the others and "who genuinely appreciate the opportunity to travel" to win. "I think those are always the people that you want to do best, and if that happens to be the two 18-year-olds this time, then I'll be happy to hand my crown over." Series five ofRace Across the Worldbegins on BBC One at 21:00 BST on Wednesday 23 April.
Race Across the World winner on 'authentic travel' and how to do it
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Race Across the World Winner Alfie Watts Discusses Authentic Travel and Contestant Advice"
Bbc News
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Alfie Watts, the youngest winner of the BBC show Race Across the World, reflects on his transformative journey of authentic travel following his victory. The show, which challenges contestants to race from one part of the world to another without using air travel, smartphones, or bank cards, saw Watts and his schoolfriend Owen Wood triumph after 50 days of travel from Japan to Indonesia. Their win was marked by a nail-biting foot race on the beaches of Lombok, where they narrowly beat a mother-daughter duo by just eight minutes. This experience ignited Watts's passion for travel, propelling him into a new career as a travel guru and content creator. As he prepares for the fifth series of the show, he shares his insights on what constitutes genuine travel, emphasizing the difference between superficial trips and immersive experiences where travelers engage with local cultures and communities. He encourages others to explore destinations that may seem further afield but offer richer experiences at a lower cost once there, citing examples like Malaysia and Thailand as affordable alternatives to popular European holiday spots.
In addition to his advice for travelers, Watts reflects on his own adventures, having visited around 30 countries since his win. He enjoys solo travel for the freedom it provides, although he acknowledges that this style is not for everyone. He shares a memorable experience in Venezuela, where he found himself in an unexpected situation with an armed government official, highlighting both the thrill and risks of adventurous travel. His favorite locations include Angel Falls in Venezuela and the countries of Jordan and Malaysia, while he dreams of visiting the remote island of Tuvalu. Beyond travel, Watts has taken on roles as an ambassador for mental health and grief charities, drawing from his personal experiences, including the loss of his mother at a young age. As Race Across the World returns with a new season featuring diverse contestants, Watts offers practical tips for participants, emphasizing the importance of preparation and creativity in overcoming the show's challenges. He remains optimistic about the new contestants and hopes that those who truly appreciate the travel experience will emerge victorious.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents an intriguing perspective on travel through the eyes of Alfie Watts, the youngest winner of the BBC show Race Across the World. His experiences highlight a distinction between superficial travel and deeper, more authentic journeys. This narrative carries implications for how travel is perceived and approached by audiences, particularly in the context of today's global travel landscape.
Intent Behind the Publication
By featuring Alfie’s insights, the article aims to inspire readers to rethink their travel habits. It promotes the idea that authentic travel provides a richer experience compared to traditional tourism, which often prioritizes convenience and comfort over genuine cultural immersion. This shift in mindset could encourage individuals to explore destinations that may seem less accessible but offer profound experiences.
Public Perception Goals
The piece seeks to cultivate a perception of travel that values authenticity and cultural engagement. By contrasting "shallow travel" with "real authentic travel," it encourages readers to challenge conventional vacation practices and embrace a more adventurous approach. This narrative aligns with a growing trend among younger travelers who prioritize meaningful experiences over luxury.
Potential Omissions
While the article celebrates the joys of authentic travel, it may downplay the challenges and risks associated with such journeys. Issues such as safety, language barriers, and cultural misunderstandings are not addressed, which could lead to a romanticized view of travel that overlooks its complexities.
Manipulative Elements
The article’s persuasive tone might suggest a degree of manipulation, particularly in how it frames the benefits of traveling further afield. By emphasizing cost-effectiveness and rewarding experiences in destinations like Malaysia or Thailand compared to Spain, it could be seen as steering readers toward specific travel choices without fully addressing potential downsides.
Reliability of the Information
The reliability of the article appears strong, as it draws from the experiences of a credible individual who has engaged in a unique travel competition. However, the promotion of a singular perspective on travel may not fully represent the diverse experiences of all travelers.
Societal Impact
This narrative could influence societal attitudes toward travel, potentially encouraging more adventurous and immersive travel practices. Economically, if more individuals choose to travel to less conventional destinations, this could shift tourism patterns, benefiting emerging markets while challenging established tourist destinations.
Target Audience
The article is likely to resonate with younger audiences, particularly those interested in travel and adventure. It appeals to a community that values experiences over material comforts and seeks deeper connections with cultures around the world.
Market Influence
In terms of economic impact, the discussion around alternative travel destinations might affect airlines and travel companies that cater to specific routes. Stocks tied to tourism industries may experience fluctuations based on changing consumer preferences highlighted in such articles.
Geopolitical Context
While the article does not directly address geopolitical issues, the encouragement of travel to diverse regions could subtly influence perceptions of those areas, promoting them as viable tourist destinations. This aligns with current discussions surrounding sustainable and responsible tourism.
Use of AI in the Article
There is no clear indication that AI was utilized in the writing of this article. However, if it were, language models could have been employed to enhance the persuasive elements or structure of the narrative. The smooth flow and engaging tone suggest a polished editorial process, which could have benefited from AI-assisted drafting or editing.
The article conveys a compelling argument for authentic travel, while also subtly guiding readers towards specific travel philosophies and destinations. Despite its strengths, the potential for manipulation through selective narrative choices should be considered when assessing its overall impact.