Introducing our latest member, Original Travel

Original Travel’s ethos is that 'Life is in the Detail' – that it’s the small touches that can make a holiday, whether it's knowing the spot for sleeping under the stars in the Namibian desert or where to find the most secluded coves on a Greek island. The company's 50-strong team has unparalleled destination knowledge and expertise, offering guests thoughtful touches such as destination-specific reading lists and playlists, a 24-hour helpline, an app to access live updates to your itinerary and a network of concierges on the ground who can offer local insight. 

Learn a little more about our latest addition to the Walpole membership in our interview with Original Travel's Co-Founder, Tom Barber...

Walpole: Tell us about the history of your brand…

Tom Barber: Original Travel was established in 2003 by three entrepreneurs from Fleet Street, the City and the Army. They spotted a gap in the market: the 'Big Short Break', aimed at cash-rich, time-poor professionals who wanted to maximise their precious time off. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength and is one of the UK’s fastest growing bespoke tour operators offering truly tailor-made holidays to 77 countries worldwide from Anguilla to Zimbabwe.

From new launches, such as its first family holiday portfolio in 2007 and Original Diving (still the UK's only luxury dive operator) in 2020, to acquisitions such as well-respected Africa, Latin America and India specialists, Tim Best Travel, and Middle Eastern specialists, Simoon Travel, Original Travel has continued to diversify and build. Following 15 years of uninterrupted growth in the UK, Original Travel caught the eye of Paris-based Voyageurs du Monde, the leading specialist in bespoke, high-end travel in France. Voyageurs du Monde, established in 1979, acquired a strategic stake in Original Travel in early 2017, further enhancing Original Travel's already excellent customer service with its range of high-touch client services.

What is your brand best known for?

Being the tour operator to those-in-the-know. We are a well-kept secret for HNW clients, but we want to let the secret out. We're also known for getting to know our clients extremely well, enabling us to offer extremely thoughtful, personalised touches to their trips. Last but by no means least, we are best known for Steam Ship Sudan. The historic paddlesteamer which plies the Nile and was the inspiration for Death on the Nile - Agatha Christie herself travelled onboard - is bookable exclusively thought us in the UK.

What has been a significant achievement in your company’s timeline?

The year that 14 of our consultants were listed as Condé Nast Traveler specialists - more than any other tour operator has ever had. Something we have continued to maintain year after year.

Why do you love the brand?

Because I love travel and this is travel done the very best way. It's authentic travel that benefits both the visitor and the host. Its travel as a force for good.

Why does your brand represent the very best in British luxury?

It's highly personalised travel that is designed entirely around a client's wants and desires – even better, we can predict the wants and desires they may not even know they have.

What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member?

Very good feedback from a couple of other members – James Amos at Boodles, particularly!

If you could collaborate with another Walpole member, which one would you choose?

Leica to do so some sort of photography and trip tie-up.

Tell us about an exciting development or new launch for your brand in the coming months?

We’re going to launch a PR campaign called Above & Beyond to highlight the extraordinary lengths the team go to making Original Travel clients’ trips unforgettable, from the rabbits pulled from hats by the unsung heroes of the flights team to the thoughtful gifts and services provided by the clued-up local concierges in every destination, and of course the expert itineraries suggested by the destination expert consultants who create truly tailor-made trips for our clients.

> Visit Original Travel's member profile