Published 11th Feb. 2026
Written by Tom Barber
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At Original Travel, we believe life is in the detail, and that applies as much to your peace of mind as it does to the perfect restaurant reservation.
Booking your own travel might feel simple, but the real question is: who is looking after you when the unexpected happens? As a UK tour operator, we carry a legal duty of care for every client – a duty we take seriously, and then go well beyond (if we do say so ourselves). Whether it’s a flight cancellation, a volcanic ash cloud or something far more personal, we don’t just step in, we step up. Read on to discover more about why you should use a tour operator…
It’s no secret that we eat, sleep and breathe travel, but the privilege of travelling can sometimes be overshadowed by unforeseen situations. In the last few months alone, we’ve had clients left stranded by Air Canada air crew strikes; this constituted a 'major change' to their booking, so despite this being an issue entirely beyond our control, we swooped in to offer an alternative (at no extra cost), a postponement or a total refund, totally at the client's discretion.
Then, a couple of weeks later, disaster struck again when the safety status of all domestic airlines in an African destination was downgraded. As a result, we suddenly had to amend, alter and rearrange several trips before they left the UK or while they were in destination. Again, our duty and responsibility to our clients ensured they still had a seamless, safe and enjoyable trip, without any panic-induced Googling to try and sort these issues out themselves.
Image by Getty Images/Westend61.
Then there’s financial protection. UK regulations are designed in your favour, meaning your money is secure under our ATOL and ABTA licenses.
Add to that the clout of being part of the Voyageurs du Monde group (the leading tailor-made travel company in France, no less) and our commitment to absorbing the carbon emissions from every client flight, and you’ll have certainty and peace of mind from the moment you step foot off your flight to the final sun-downer of your trip.
Image by Dameli Zhantas/Unsplash.
And, finally, there’s Original Thinking, the catch-all term to describe our unique take on travel. From the imagination of our travel specialists and contacts in the UK to our Original Services and concierge-level detail, our tailor-made travel philosophy turns a trip into a memory you’ll tell stories about for years.
At Original Travel, we believe travel should reconnect, not stress. And, ultimately, that’s what we’re here for – to take the risk away and add the magic back in.
Image by Martin Lopez / Pexels.
Header image by Ippei Naoi/Getty Images.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
When’s the best time to book a holiday for maximum happiness? We’re glad you asked. New behavioural science research conducted by Professor Paul Dolan (nicknamed the ‘Professor of Happiness’) and Alina Velias of the London School of Economics suggests the sweet spot is roughly four months before you travel. This supports our long-held concept of ‘Anticication’ – the idea that simply looking forward to a holiday can be a significant contributor to wellbeing.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
