“When we travel, I want to know we are having a positive impact, as well as an incredible adventure”
Sam Gough, Founder, Travel Differently
The Travel Differently Story
Why we were founded
Travel Differently was formed in 2020, when the planet ground to a halt. We promised ourselves that when things got back to “normal”, we wanted to do things differently. It was still important to discover the world, to interact with other cultures, and expand our minds, but it had to be done in harmony with local populations and their environment. We needed to reduce our carbon footprint, by flying less and traveling slower. To be more thoughtful about where and when we visit, to leave a positive impact behind, and ultimately to make the travel experience itself better than ever before. And so, founder Sam formed Travel Differently, combining years of experience in the industry with a recent Cambridge University CISL in business sustainability management. Sams passion for Latin America, long-held industry connections and desire to make travel a force for good, make him the perfect person to lead the company. A hand-picked team of experts who are equally passionate about doing things differently and designing more meaningful holidays, shape the team we see today. Read more about the Travel Differently team here
Our Evolution
Setting up an owner run, independent tour operator during a global pandemic had its challenges! Thankfully, a strong vision of what we wanted to create, combined with long-standing trusted relationships eased the process. With a focus on unique, exciting, responsible and experiential holidays, the clients soon came. First time guests became repeats who grew into word of mouth recommendations, which became 5* reviews, that produced more first time guests and so on. We were fortunate enough to be featured in The Times as one of the most exciting Tour Operators of 2023, as well as winning awards for innovation and sustainability with several online digital readerships. We have exhibited at several of the UK’s top travel shows; a perfect showcase for our particular brand of adventures and sustainably minded trips. We have launched new destinations, new travel styles and kept our expertise sharp. Our team has grown from one person, to a thriving team of 5, all of whom are passionate, experienced and have worked together for many years previously. Our new website has launched and we are looking forward to the future, striving to be industry leaders in what we do.
Future vision
We strongly believe that travel is a force for good if it is planned thoughtfully, mitigating environmental impacts, and ensuring that both local habitats and communities benefit from our visits. This is why we joined the campaigns Tourism Declares (a Climate Emergency) and Future of Tourism, are a founding signatory of the Glasgow Declaration, members of the Inspire Global Community, and created our founding pillars; to Travel Greener, Slower, Fairer and Better. In an industry filled with green-washing, we are more conscious than ever about delivering on what we set out to do. We want to hold ourselves, and our suppliers accountable when it comes to making sustainable decisions and ensuring every singe holiday leaves a positive impact. It is no longer enough to just adopt carbon offsetting, we need to evaluate everything we do. From only working with properties that adopt environmental practices that reduce waste and produce clean energy, to ensuring our transfer vehicles are energy and group size efficient, to ensuring we limit flights where a land transfer is workable. We are developing a full company wide Responsible Travel policy, which will shape the next 5 years for the company and while this is being finalised, you can read more about our founding pillars below.
Our Founding Principles
Travel Greener
Our love of travel is primarily inspired by nature, and yet modern tourism has done much to damage the very places that we venture so far to admire. However, it also has a unique potential to regenerate ecosystems, protect wildlife, and to inspire further action on sustainability.
This is why Travel Differently work only with destinations, properties and activities that seek to operate in harmony with their local environment, and why we Carbon Offset all trips at 150% of their calculated emissions with the aim of providing nett positive holidays.
Travel Slower
The idea of Slow Travel was an inspiration for the creation of the business. By travelling less often but in more depth, and by land rather than air wherever possible, we reduce emissions from flights, lessen the pressure on tourist hot spots, and spread the money from tourism across a wider sector of society in the countries we visit.
It also creates a deeper and more authentic travel experience, spending more time getting to know a destination, visiting lesser-known gems, and taking time to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Travel Fairer
We believe that engaging and supporting communities in the areas that we visit is not only the ethical thing to do, but that it also significantly improves the travel experience. As such we work exclusively with partners who hold this same commitment to sustainability and social development, and treat local communities as partners (rather than products.
Similarly we use carbon offset schemes that benefit people as well as the environment, by seeking to reduce poverty, inequality, and a reliance on fossil fuels.
Travel Better
We know that by travelling in a greener, fairer and slower way, your experience will be more enjoyable and rewarding. We also pride ourselves on providing a fully personalised service, arranging fully bespoke trips after getting to know you and your individual travel needs, rather than selling a readymade package.
As a 100% independent boutique tour operator, the quality of your trip is our only priority, and every booked guest will have direct contact with our founder to ensure the trip is perfected.
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
- We only work with trusted, hand-picked partners
- Every holiday is thoughtfully crafted to ensure a positive impact
- Our tours & experiences are unique, memorable & immersive
- We work with certified & respected local guides & drivers
- Judge us by the company we keep. Read more here
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to