Original Travel
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founders | Nick Newbury Tom Barber Alastair Poulain |
| Headquarters | , |
| Parent | Voyageurs du Monde |
| Website | www |
Original Travel is a British luxury tour operator based in London.[1][2][3]
History
Original Travel was founded in London in 2003 by Nick Newbury, Tom Barber, and Alastair Poulain.[2][4][5] Initially providing short, experience-focused holidays called Big Short Breaks, Original Travel later expanded into customised, long-haul itineraries.[6][2] In 2007, it received an award at the Guardian/Observer Travel Awards.[7]
In 2009, Original Travel acquired specialist operator Tim Best Travel and three years later, in 2012, acquired Simoon Travel.[2][4] During this period, Original Travel founded Original Diving, a specialised division for diving holidays.[8]
In 2013, Original Travel co-developed family holiday offerings with children's event planners Sharky and George.[9]
In 2016, Original Travel moved its head office to Putney, London.[10]
In 2017, French travel group Voyageurs du Monde acquired a 60 percent stake in Original Travel in order to expand its presence into English-speaking countries.[11][12][13] In the same year, Original Travel began absorbing all carbon emissions from client travel, including independently booked flights and car rentals, through reforestation projects.[14]
In 2020, Original Travel launched a European Equivalents programme with a reduced carbon footprint.[15]
In the late 2010s, Original Travel began operations in the United States. In 2022, it acquired a controlling stake in Extraordinary Journeys, a Washington, D.C.-based adventure and safari travel specialist.[16]
In 2024, Original Travel was included in Condé Nast Traveller's Readers' Choice Awards and was ranked fifth in the list.[17]
References
- ^ Bryan-Brown, Chlo? (May 29, 2007). "Great family destinations but are they exciting let alone Original?". The Times.
- ^ a b c d Features, James McKeigue published in (June 4, 2010). "Nick Newbury: how my travel idea paid off". Moneyweek.
- ^ "'Labour doesn't really seem to care about us'". Independent.co.uk. 13 October 2007.
- ^ a b "Travel Awards 2012 winners". The Guardian. September 29, 2012.
- ^ O'Connor, Joanne (January 26, 2003). "What's hot..." The Guardian.
- ^ "Original Travel's chief executive reveals how its services stand out in a sea of travel companies". City AM. January 23, 2017.
- ^ "The Guardian/Observer/Guardian Unlimited Travel Awards 2007 - Winners Announced". The Guardian. October 29, 2007.
- ^ "Ultimate island adventures". Independent.co.uk. September 18, 2013.
- ^ "How to survive a family holiday (and NOT shout!)". Tatler. July 5, 2013.
- ^ "About".
- ^ "Voyageurs du Monde acquires 60 percent strategic stake in Original Travel". Reuters. 2017-01-09. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
- ^ Bow, Michael (January 9, 2017). "London's Original Travel sells 60% stake to French giant". The Standard.
- ^ "Voyageurs du Monde eyes English-speaking market with 60 per cent stake in UK travel company Original Travel". City AM. January 9, 2017.
- ^ Leadbeater, Chris (October 15, 2019). "10 ways to reduce your carbon footprint when flying" – via Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Clatworthy, Ben (March 7, 2020). "This week in travel: the $100,000‑a‑night Las Vegas suite and a Silk Road private jet tour". The Times.
- ^ Eymery, Céline. "Voyageurs du Monde acquiert un spécialiste des voyages sur-mesure aux Etats-Unis". TourMaG.com, le média spécialiste du tourisme francophone.
- ^ Traveller, Condé Nast (November 16, 2020). "The best tour operators in the world: 2024 Readers' Choice Awards". CN Traveller.