I love things to be a bit unconventional. In fact, that's what first attracted me to the travel industry. After completing an MBA in finance, my journey in travel began over 20 years ago in Brisbane when I joined Flight Centre Travel Group. Now, I lead Discova – a DMC with a reputation for originality. I am incredibly proud of our people, the industry-leading service we provide, and our shared values that reflect a commitment to build a sustainable future for travel and the communities we work with.
After nearly 10 years in professional services across the UK and Australia, I joined Flight Centre in 2018 where the travel bug got me. I moved to Discova full time from 2020 as CFO and eventually into my role as CCO. What keeps me energised is the amazing talent we have across different countries and cultures, and the variety that comes with working in a dynamic travel industry across so many destinations – no two days are the same (even in finance!)
My name is Peter Christiansen. I grew up in a small rural village in Denmark, a carpenter by trade until the call of travel tempted me away. Today, I live and work in Bali, overseeing Discova operations across Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Laos. I still enjoy working with my hands, which is why I have been so involved with our local community projects here on the island. I often think how strange for a kid from rural Denmark to end up here, but my journey with Discova is far from over, and our future is looking very bright
I’m passionate about using travel as a force for good and lead the organisation’s sustainability, community development, and ethical sourcing agenda, working closely with teams and partners across Asia to deliver positive social and environmental outcomes. I’ve been part of the Discova team for seven years, previously serving as Global People & Culture Leader and as Peopleworks Global Research, Design, and Implementation Specialist. With a background in leadership, education, and organisational development, I’m driven by the belief that responsible tourism can protect culture, empower communities, and create lasting impact — bringing together two of my greatest passions: travel and sustainability.
I left my homeland of South Africa 28 years ago to travel the world. Five continents and over 65 countries later, and I feel like I'm achieving my goal. Naturally, I gravitated towards the travel business, where I've been lucky to draw experience from across the industry. I've worked as a tour leader, travel agent, product manager, operations manager and now, as EMEA Sales Manager for Discova – helping our partners achieve their business goals.
I'm Australian and currently call Melbourne a home. I fell in love with travel getting lost around Thailand and driving around Europe as a teenager. When I visit a new city, I am all about finding the best spot for morning coffee and the perfect place to enjoy an ice-cold afternoon beer. I'm naturally drawn to beaches too, as I feel at home by the ocean. Although, on the weekend, you might also find me on the golf course or hiking through a new trail in L.A.
I caught the travel bug after my graduation in Sweden and ended up in New Zealand in 2000 on a quest to explore the world. It's here that I first started working in the travel industry, which I found to be a challenging, fast-paced, encouraging, fun and giving environment. In 2018, I moved with my family to Laos to join Buffalo Tours (now Discova) as an HR Project Lead, and today, I work as a Global Peopleworks Leader. I wake up every day excited about our industry, driven in my work, and passionate about our people and the fantastic experiences they provide for our customers. I am also very proud of the work that we do in our local communities, our dedication to Responsible tourism, and our support of equal opportunities regardless of race, culture, religion, age, or gender.
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