Given the recent trouble experienced by the likes of Thomas Cook and a host of once household name airlines, the travel industry has taken something of a bruising over recent years.

Yet for many it remains a compelling sector upon which they are prepared to stake their reputation. The key, it seems, is to go niche.

Which is where Jamie Revell is hoping to cash in.

His Revells Travel in Headcorn has only been up and running for a little over a year, yet has already been crowned the One to Watch at the inaugural Aspire Awards 2019 by Aspire Luxury Travel Club – a prize presented in front of 300 of his peers in the travel industry.

With a focus firmly on the luxury end of the market, he offers a bespoke service for those wanting a little more than a weekend in Paris via the Eurostar.

“People still love to stay in the best hotels, but making the memories is all about the experiences,” he explains, “and having those contacts who can set those up makes a really big difference. Whether it’s a cooking class with a famous chef, or afternoon tea in a prestigious restaurant.”

Having spent 13 years in the industry - much of it with DialAFlight - he was determined to go it alone and set up his own company and seen his business start to flourish - despite the boom in online sites offering the consumer previously unheard of power to cherry pick their own trips. such as Expedia.

“Ultimately, the holidays I tend to arrange are much more bespoke than anything you can arrange online; safaris, road trips around the US and luxury trains. You can probably go online and find them, but you’d find it hard to book them with the service levels we include.

“And, personally, if you’re spending £15-16,000 on a holiday, having an expert to arrange that and get all the details confirmed makes a huge difference.”

But with high profile casualties littering the travel landscape, he’s aware of just how important consumer confidence is.

As a result, he’s joined the Travel Trust Association which provides both him and his customers with increased financial protection.

“It puts all of my customers’ funds into a bank account which you have dual control with the association and requires both sides to sign off,” he says.

“It makes sure clients’ money is always protected and gives customers a 100% guarantee.

“Obviously being ATOL protected as well provides additional protection.”

As for the most popular locations his customers are looking to book?

Well its safaris in Botswana, the Golden Triangle tour of India, and a boom in luxurious train and cruise journeys in the likes of Canada and to remote locations such as the Galapagos Islands.

Raised in Maidstone, he is hoping to become a countywide brand within the coming years.

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