Industry duo join forces to launch tailor-made operator OffTheGrid

Two friends who met while working for Oliver’s Travels have set up their own tailor-made tour operating business, called OffTheGrid Travel.

 

London-based Matt Hollings and Dean Franks met in 2017 while working in the product team at Oliver’s Travels.

 

“There was an instant connection and we quickly realised that we made a great team,” Hollings said.

 

“We formed a friendship outside of work and at the start of 2026, we went for dinner and started talking about the idea of creating our own business.

 

“By the end of the evening, we had come up with the business name and much of the initial business model.”

 

Hollings has 15 years of experience in travel and hospitality, including working as a sustainability consultant, almost six years with Travel Matters and three years with Oliver’s Travels.

Franks has 14 years of travel and tourism experience, with roles at Kuoni, Oliver’s Travels, Jules Verne, CV Villas, Viator and Mandarin Oriental.

 

“Dean and I were hungry to explore creating holidays in the way that we enjoy travelling ourselves,” said Hollings, pointing to factors such as the scenic beauty of a destination, activities and holistic practices.

 

“We have both worked in hospitality and travel for many years, so OffTheGrid Travel felt like a natural next step for us.”

 

Initially they are selling direct to clients but Hollings noted: “We can certainly see an agent-collaboration model becoming part of our future.

 

“We would love to work with like-minded travel professionals who share our approach to service and bespoke travel.”

They joined the Travel Trust Association, part of The Travel Network Group, as they wanted “guidance and support from an organisation that we know is respected within the travel industry”.

 

“Not only does TTA provide our clients with financial protection, but they have also supplied us with a range of business set-up tools and resources that have helped us establish and grow the operation in a relatively short period of time,” said Hollings.

 

“For a new business, having that combination of credibility, protection and practical support has been invaluable.”

 

Their aim is to “showcase beautiful properties in less saturated parts of the world” and bookings already made include an eight-day itinerary in Sri Lanka and a seven-night safari in Tanzania.

 

They offer a tailor-made proposition called Renew which allows guests to create a personalised holiday experience with activities from three core categories; Fitness, Recovery and Mindfulness.

 

“Our biggest differentiator is our service. We want clients to feel that there is a real person who knows their holiday, understands what they want to achieve from it and is there to help at every stage,” said Hollings.

 

“We’re often dealing with client queries at the weekend and liaising directly with our partners and suppliers via WhatsApp at all hours, when something needs to be resolved.”

They are currently focusing on the UK and US markets, using lead generators who they call “pioneers” and who contact prospective clients.

 

“We’ve also recently started working with a London gym group, so we’re really excited to explore opportunities around corporate stays with them,” he added.

 

Furthermore, the pair have a “genuine and vested interest” in sustainability and encourage slow travel and longer stays, and work with partners who share their values.

 

“Bruce Poon Tip, the founder of G Adventures, has been a big inspiration to us,” said Hollings, who was also mentored by Karen Simmonds, founder of Travel Matters.

 

“She is one of the UK’s leading voices in travel sustainability and has received numerous industry accolades and awards for her commitment,” he commented.

 

“We continue to develop our combined knowledge through our executive association with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), which helps us stay informed as sustainability practices, expectations and legislation continue to evolve.

 

“We’re also proud to partner with Trees for Cities and Only A Pavement Away, two charities that we have enormous respect for.

 

“We plant a tree for every booking made with OffTheGrid Travel [and] recently helped raise more than £1,500 for Only A Pavement Away, one of the UK’s most inspiring charities. Their mission is to support people who have experienced homelessness by helping them find stability and a route into employment within the hospitality sector.”

 

As well as word-of-mouth recommendations, the pair will invest in their online strategies because being “fully digitally discoverable has become an absolute necessity”.

 

Asked about long-term goals, Hollings said: “As business owners, we feel we have a responsibility to contribute to job creation market.

 

“Being in a position to employ people, create opportunities and build a team around OffTheGrid Travel would genuinely be the cherry on the cake.”

 

Stephanie Slark, TTNG chief operating officer, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Matt and Dean to our membership. Their combined expertise across luxury travel, hospitality, and wellness, together with their passion for creating meaningful travel experiences, brings a fresh and distinctive perspective to our community.

 

“Their focus on wellness-led travel and lesser-explored destinations reflects the evolving needs of today’s travellers, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth and success.”