BIOGRAPHY

Amar Latif is a blind traveller, entrepreneur and TV personality with an astonishing track record of facing up to major challenges. Due to an incurable eye condition, Amar lost 95% of his sight by the age of 18. Through sheer determination, he has managed to turn an unpromising tale of loss, into one of truly inspirational achievement.

Amar became known to millions through the groundbreaking BBC2 reality series, Beyond Boundaries (series 1), a jungle endurance expedition across Central America. Screened worldwide, this was a gruelling 220-mile trek on foot across the rugged interior of Nicaragua, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. Amar had to ford swollen rivers, cut through dense jungle, cross waterfalls, climb a 5,000 ft. active volcano and navigate the second largest lake in Latin America.

In 2004, Amar founded Traveleyes, the world’s first commercial tour operator to specialise in holidays for blind as well as sighted travellers. Traveleyes has opened the holiday travel industry to millions of blind and partially sighted people around the world, giving them the opportunity to walk with lions in Africa, sail the Ionian Sea and ski down Europe’s highest mountains. Amar continues to lead many of these group explorations himself; uncovering the countless wonders that world travel offers the senses.

For his entrepreneurial achievements, Amar received The Outstanding Young Person of the World accolade (Business / Entrepreneurial category) from the Chamber of Commerce International (JCI) and the prestigious Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur Award, presented by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

Amar Latif has brought his fearless attitude and infectious sense of humour to a wide range of TV ventures, both as a presenter and actor, as well as behind the camera as a director.

His work includes travel documentaries like 'Travelling Blind' (BBC), 'River Walks: the Nidd' (BBC) and 'The Last Leg Down Under', where he led Channel 4 presenters Adam Hills and The Last Leg team on a 3000-mile journey through Australia’s rugged outback, complete with croc hunting, opal mining, and flying a plane over Uluru. Amar has also explored themes of faith and spirituality in 'Pilgrimage: The Road to Istanbul' (BBC) and showcased his culinary skills as the first-ever blind contestant on the UK series 'Celebrity MasterChef" (BBC).

In addition to these, Amar has presented shows like 'How to Get Fit Fast' alongside Anna Richardson, which debunked exercise myths, and 'Thrifty Ways to… Summer Holiday!' with Katie Piper, focusing on budget-friendly travel tips. His work as a director includes documentary films for Channel 4, such as 'Sightseeing Blind' which was featured at the British Film Institute.

Amar being helped over a mudder hill surrounded by runners all taking part in Tough Mudder

Amar’s inspirational public speaking engagements for major organisations and charities have included key speeches to: The United Nations (Ethiopia), German University of Technology (Oman), The Arabian Travel Market (Dubai), The NHS, HSBC, The Royal College of Art and The Royal National Institute for the Blind (London). His talks cover a variety of themes: entrepreneurial, motivational, inclusive design, world travel, equality and diversity.

Amar is very rarely in one place for long, but when he isn’t travelling, he is often giving his time to charity. Amar is a patron for SeeAbility, an ambassador for Leonard Cheshire Disability, and has been the face of appeals for many more – such as the BBC Lifeline appeal for Retina UK. He is also a regular fundraiser/supporter of other blind-related charities including Sightsavers and the RNIB.

Amar was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to the visually impaired and entrepreneurship.

Through Traveleyes, Amar has created an innovative partnership with international schools around the world. Sighted students join on Traveleyes adventures to act as sighted guides for the blind travellers, building their communication, leadership and teamwork skills, and helping them to increase their awareness of disability.