We believe that travel is more than the nuts and bolts: there is an intangible magic to it that goes beyond where you stay and what you do. Our holidays try to tap into this magic. It's hard to define, but we believe it's got something to do with...
TAKING PART
Really rewarding travel is a two-way street. Whether it's pulling up a stool in a bustling night market or spending time with a local family, we encourage our travellers to be active participants, rather than passive observers. Experiences that let you get 'stuck in' are not only great fun - but leave a positive impact on the destination you visit, too.
Time for discovery, time for yourself
Our holidays are privately guided, but we don't believe in rigidly planning every moment. You will always have plenty of your own space: to relax, unwind, and enjoy the destination at your own pace. Your trip can be as active as you like, as luxurious as you choose: it's all about finding a pace that's right for you.
Chance encounters
Seeing an elephant outside a national park, waking up to monkeys knocking on your window, finding the best food you’ve ever eaten at an understated stall… These chance encounters are often the moments that make a holiday. Naturally, we can't force these special, unplanned moments. However, by taking you to the right places with the best people, we can certainly facilitate them.
SERENDIPITY
If you drive past a village in which a local dumpling festival is in full swing, why not stop and join the fun? If, while walking through the paddy fields with your guide, a farmer invites you in for tea, perhaps take him up on it? We believe that part of the fun of any holiday is rolling with the random moments, getting swept up in serendipity. This is how destinations reveal their magic.
sharing a moment
Holidays are about sharing a special moment, whether it's a warm smile with a stranger at a market or infectious giggles with your family over dinner. Since our holidays are privately guided and all about immersing in the local culture, you'll always meet plenty of people to share conversation and laughs with along the way, too.
Getting out of your comfort zone
Moments that challenge us often turn into lifelong memories. Every traveller will have their own "comfort zone" and way to push it: for some, it might be going on a long mountain hike, for others, it might be trying a dish you’d normally steer clear from. We're not necessarily talking about an intrepid adventure; only doing something that takes you completely away from the everyday.
GETTING TRAVEL RIGHT
If you're like us, a huge part of your year will revolve around travel. Even beyond the holiday itself, the time spent in anticipation before every trip (and in reminiscence when you're back) is considerable. What's more, many of us would prefer to spend our money on experiences, rather than material things.
Trust us: we know how important it is to get travel right.
Every trip that we create is bespoke, meaning we design it from scratch for the individual traveller. At Experience Travel Group, there are four key areas that we focus on in order to design extraordinary holiday experiences. This is the stuff that makes travel more than "just a holiday" - and the reason why, with us, you are always in safe hands.
MAKE TRAVEL COUNT
We’re determined to be the kind of company that you’re proud to travel with - and that’s one reason why ETG is on a journey to become a B Corporation.
Our mission is to join this elite community of businesses that place the same importance on social and environmental goals as they do on profits. There’s no quick fix for this, and there are still many areas in which we are striving to do better. But we’re en route to reform, and it feels like the right way to go - for the company, the planet and, of course, for our clients.
For every ETG holiday, we contribute to three carbon-capture projects in Asia. Planting mangroves in Indonesia and Myanmar and preserving rainforest in Cambodia mitigates the carbon emissions generated by long haul air travel. However, we chose these projects because of their wider benefits too: regenerating ocean health, protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable tourism. We’re passionate about making travel a force for good, in ways that can only enhance your own experience.
ETG: Because travel matters
TIPPINGINCLUSIVE HOLIDAYS
Do you ever feel awkward about tipping when you’re on holiday? Do you worry that you’ll under-tip and cause offence to your excellent guide? Does the need to have the right cash to hand, and the desire to do the ‘right thing’, add a level of stress that you’d just rather avoid?
We have a simple solution. When you book a trip with ETG, the upfront cost will now include a tip to be split fairly between your guides before you travel. This way, you can relax; it’s another thing taken care of, and removes the tension of deciding who and how much to tip. It also paves the way for exchanges that are reciprocal, not transactional, meaning you can create deeper connections with your guides. We also wanted to do right by our wonderful guides, for whom tips are an important source of revenue. With a fair tip included, they can focus on doing their job without uncertainty hanging over the day or even the whole trip. Travelling the ‘ETG’ way should be a great experience for everyone.
ETG: BECAUSE TRAVEL CHANGES EVERYTHING
NO HARDSELL
Our Travel Team don’t earn commission. So, there’s no pressure on them to sell hard or fast, no incentive to push your holiday down a particular path. Instead, our focus is on getting to know you and providing you with all the inspiration and advice you want. We’re motivated by our passion for sharing remarkable experiences and confident that our in-depth consultation process is second-to-none. It’s certainly the key to ensuring we create the right holiday for you, one you won’t find anywhere else.
ETG: Because the planning should be part of the experience
TRAVEL WITHCONFIDENCE
You’re unique; so, shouldn’t your holiday be, too? At ETG, we don’t sell ‘off the peg’. Instead, we’ll work with you to design a bespoke itinerary that suits you and your values, right down to the ground. A holiday you can rely on: we’ll ensure you travel seamlessly, safely and responsibly, too. Add full financial protection and 24/7 support, and you can relax, secure in the knowledge that it’s not just your money that’s safeguarded.
ETG: TRAVEL YOU CAN TRUST
MAKING A NEXT STEP
But how does this all come to life? Our process is collaborative, supportive and puts you in the centre. Take a look at how we go about designing extraordinary holidays.
