Voyages Jules Verne

What Voyages Jules Verne does

Voyages Jules Verne (legal entity Jules Verne Ltd) is a London-headquartered specialist tour operator founded in 1978 by Philip Morrell, operating small-group escorted tours and curated cruise holidays across five continents for mature travellers, primarily aged 50 and over. The company was acquired by Kuoni Travel in 1998 and has been a subsidiary of REWE Group's tourism division DER Touristik (now DERTOUR) since 2015, operating as an independent brand within the German conglomerate. The portfolio is organised around small group sizes averaging 10-16 travellers per departure, with sub-brands including In Style premium tours, Classic Tours, Unpack & Explore single-centre holidays, Grand Tours, Short Breaks, Solo Group Tours, and No Single Supplement tours, alongside Barge, Coastal, Expedition, and River Cruises.

The business sells complete holiday packages — accommodation, guided sightseeing, some meals, and inter-destination transport — with per-person pricing ranging from approximately £955 (budget short breaks) to £4,125+ (luxury/long-duration such as the Royal Steamer Nile Cruise), plus optional excursions, extra nights, and ancillary add-ons. Solo traveller products specifically address the single-supplement penalty of mainstream escorted tours. As of March 2026, international flights were unbundled from headline tour prices, allowing customers to book flights through Jules Verne for ATOL protection or independently. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the vjv.com website, telephone sales, video appointments, and a dedicated travel-agent referral channel, supplemented by physical travel exhibitions and a growing slate of virtual events. There is no proprietary technology platform; the company's differentiation rests on 45+ years of curated destination expertise (including numerous 'firsts' such as the first UK operator permitted in China in 1979), hand-picked accommodation, expert local guides, and a loyal repeat-traveller community in the 50+ segment.

Commercial protections underpinning the customer proposition include ABTA bonding (100% financial protection), ATOL coverage for flight-inclusive bookings, IATA accreditation, and an independently verified Feefo rating of 4.8/5 with 92% of travellers awarding 5-star service. The company has accumulated consistent third-party validation, including Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards (12th in 2022; 8th in 2024 and 2025), consecutive Times and Sunday Times 'Best Specialist Tour Operator' wins through 2020, Silver Marketing Association Best Direct Mail Campaign 2025, and Ethy Verified Badges 2026 for sustainability. Strategic priorities visible in the data include deepening the solo-traveller product line, expanding into less-visited geographies (Albania, Central Asia, North Africa, expedition cruising), and broadening digital channels while preserving the high-touch human-led sales model that defines the brand.

Name

Voyages Jules Verne

Legal name

Jules Verne Ltd

Website

https://vjv.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Voyages Jules Verne is a London-based specialist tour operator, founded 1978 and owned by REWE Group's DER Touristik, running small-group escorted tours (average 10-16 travellers) and curated cruises across five continents for mature travellers aged 50+.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Escorted Tour Operator Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Escorted Coach & Bus Package Tour Operators (THAKADAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cruise & Land Tour (Cruisetour) Package Operators (THAKADAO)

Keywords

• Escorted tour packages
• Small group tours
• Cultural travel tours
• River cruise holidays
• Sol

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Escorted Tour Packages: The primary revenue stream comes from selling escorted tour packages that include accommodation, guided sightseeing, some meals, and transportation between destinations. Tours are sold as complete holiday packages with various duration options ranging from short breaks (4 nights) to grand tours (28+ nights). Pricing is per person based on double occupancy, with solo traveller options and single supplements available.
2. Optional Excursions and Add-ons: Additional revenue generated through optional excursions (such as the Panarea and Stromboli Cruise at £91pp), extra night stays at tour hotels, airport transfers, and travel extras including airport parking, hotels, transfers, lounge access, travel insurance, and visa agencies.
3. Flight Booking Services: As of March 2026, international flights are no longer included in tour prices. Customers can book flights through Jules Verne for ATOL protection and coordination, or book independently. This allows the company to offer flight-only services with associated fees.
4. Cruise Holidays: Revenue from cruise-only or cruise-inclusive packages including barge cruises, coastal cruises, expedition cruises, and river cruises across various global destinations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Voyages Jules Verne is a specialist tour operator that designs and sells small-group escorted tours and cruise holidays to mature travellers (typically aged 50+). Its portfolio includes themed tour categories (In Style premium tours, Classic Tours, Unpack & Explore single-centre holidays, Grand Tours, Short Breaks), dedicated solo-traveller product lines, and cruise experiences (barge, coastal, expedition, and river cruises), covering more than 80 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Packages bundle accommodation, guided sightseeing, some meals, transportation between destinations, and the services of expert local guides.

Product overview

Jules Verne is a specialist tour operator offering small-group escorted tours and cruises spanning five continents. The portfolio includes tour types (In Style premium tours, Classic tours, Unpack & Explore single-centre holidays, Grand Tours, Short Breaks), solo traveller products (Solo Group Tours, No Single Supplement options), and cruise experiences (Barge Cruises, Coastal Cruises, Expedition Cruises, River Cruises). The company positions itself around small-group travel averaging 10-16 travellers, expert local guides, and carefully curated itineraries with destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, Middle East, and The Americas. Tours are distinguished by 'Signature Moments' experiences and range from budget-conscious classic tours to luxury In Style experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Small Group Escorted Tours The company's core product: guided small-group escorted tours averaging 10-16 travellers with expert local guides and curated itineraries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Designed for mature travellers (typically 50+) seeking authentic cultural immersion, with bundled accommodation, guided sightseeing, some meals, and inter-destination transportation.
• In Style Tours Premium small-group tours offering five-star accommodations, immersive itineraries, and exclusive stays in unique and memorable settings for travellers seeking comfort and luxury.
• Classic Tours Well-crafted touring routes revealing landmark sights and deeper stories, offering comprehensive exploration with expert guidance at a balanced price point.
• Unpack & Explore Tours Single-centre holiday experiences allowing travellers to unpack once and explore a destination in depth, reducing travel time for more relaxation and exploration.
• Grand Tours Extended multi-destination journeys designed to reveal the breadth and character of multiple countries over extended periods, guided by experts who provide context to every stage.
• Short Breaks Compact itineraries in destinations including North Africa and the Mediterranean designed for travellers seeking meaningful experiences in limited time frames.
• Solo Group Tours Small-group tours designed specifically for solo travellers with departures tailored for individuals, often with no single supplement options, offering private rooms and the chance to travel with up to 16 fellow solo travellers.
• No Single Supplement Tours Tours and holidays offering solo travellers private rooms without paying extra single-occupancy supplements, maximising value for single travellers.
• Barge Cruises Slow, immersive travel experiences on European canals aboard Jules Verne barges, ideal for solo travellers and couples seeking intimate group experiences.
• Coastal Cruises Cruise holidays through picturesque bays and island towns with optional shore excursions, offering relaxing coastal scenery and island-hopping experiences.
• Expedition Cruises Adventure cruises to unique ports of call, remote sites, and natural environments including Northern Lights, Arctic, Antarctic, and exotic South American destinations.
• River Cruises Handpicked river cruise experiences including Egypt, Portugal, Austria, and India river journeys carefully curated for unforgettable trips.
• Sicily Grand Tour: Temples, Towns & the Aeolian Islands A 14-night 'grand tour' of Sicily combining coastal highlights, inland destinations, and Aeolian Islands visits including nine UNESCO Heritage sites, with accommodations in Palermo, Marsala, Agrigento, Noto, Castelmola, and Lipari.
• Italy's Lake Garda Solo Tour: Northern Italy Escape A 7-night solo traveller tour based in Torbole featuring group wine-tasting, scenic boat trips, guided excursions to medieval lakeside towns, and free days to explore Lake Garda independently.
• Sardinia for Solo Travellers: Nature & Culture Escape An 8-night solo traveller tour showcasing Sardinia's beach-studded coast, castle-topped towns, Bronze-Age ruins, UNESCO sites, and luxury accommodations with group excursions and independent exploration time.
• Italy's Lake Garda Escape: Wine, Scenery & Culture A 7-night Lake Garda tour combining unhurried exploration of the lake's highlights including Isola del Garda, Limone, Malcesine, Verona, and Mantua with ample leisure time.
• Highlights of Sicily & the Aeolian Islands A 7-night journey through Sicily's hidden gems including Aeolian Islands, Baroque towns, Inspector Montalbano film locations, UNESCO sites, and volcanic landscapes.
• Royal Steamer Nile Cruise A week-long cruise aboard the SS Misr, the former floating palace of King Farouk, sailing between Luxor and Aswan to visit major Egyptian sites and highlights.
• Royal Barge Cruise on the Douro A Portugal river journey aboard a Royal Barge traversing baroque castles, medieval ruins, wine estate valleys, and mountain scenery from Portugal to Spain.
• Croatia Coastal Cruise A 7-night cruise aboard the MV Admiral small ship exploring the Croatian coast's islands, historic sites, and natural scenery with daily port visits.
• Northern India Highlights A tour covering northern India's iconic destinations from the Taj Mahal in Agra to lakeside palaces in Udaipur, the Blue City of Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Ranthambore National Park.
• Silk Road Adventure: Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara & Samarkand A 10-night Uzbekistan tour covering Silk Road cities from metropolitan Tashkent to Old Khiva's towers, across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara and Samarkand.
• Classical Greece Journey A tour of classical Greece covering Athens, Delphi, Olympia, the rock monasteries of Meteora, and dramatic Peloponnese scenery with temples, museums, and theatres.
• Bosnia & Herzegovina Highlights A tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina featuring emerald mountain peaks, Ottoman-era cities, medieval fortresses, and lake-studded landscapes.
• Costa Rica Wildlife & Rainforest Experience A wildlife-focused tour of Costa Rica's eco-ethos, biodiversity, untamed wilderness of jungles, rivers, rainforests, and natural tranquility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Independence verified 4.8/5 rating with 92% of travellers awarding 5-star service rating
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ABTAcoreOthersAll Jules Verne tours and cruises are ABTA bonded, providing 100% financial protection for customers. This membership ensures secure bookings and money protection, serving as a fundamental trust signal for the travel operator.
• ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licence)coreOthersCustomers booking flights with Jules Verne receive full ATOL protection, covering the entire holiday package including flights, accommodation, and additional services. This provides complete financial protection should any unexpected issues arise.
• IATA (International Air Transport Association)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIATA-accredited operator enabling the company to book and arrange flights for customers through official airline booking systems, providing access to global flight inventory and professional airline booking services.
• Silver Marketing AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership provides access to a trusted network of like-minded companies and individuals with shared interest in reaching and influencing the mature market. Enables collaborative marketing and collective voice in engaging the 50+ demographic.
• FeefocoreOthersIndependent review platform verified by Feefo, providing customer review collection and display. The company maintains a 4.8/5 rating with 92% giving 5-star service rating through Feefo verification.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Riviera Travel: UK tour operator with a strong portfolio of escorted tours and river cruises, directly overlapping with Jules Verne's Classic Tours, Grand Tours and river cruise product lines.
• Tauck: Premium escorted tour and cruise operator with small-group itineraries and an In Style/luxury positioning that closely matches Jules Verne's In Style and expedition cruise offerings.
• Audley Travel: UK-based specialist tour operator designing bespoke and small-group escorted journeys worldwide, with a similar country-house style, expert-led model and similar customer demographic to Jules Verne.
• Titan Travel: UK escorted tour operator with a similar 50+ customer focus, comparable tour durations and bundled-fly package structure, making it one of the closest direct competitors to Jules Verne.
• Intrepid Travel: Global small-group tour operator with comparable group sizes, expert-led itineraries and a wide destination footprint, operating as a broader-scale analogue to Jules Verne's escorted tour model.
• Wild Frontiers: Specialist off-the-beaten-path tour operator focused on lesser-visited destinations such as Central Asia, the Caucasus and Iran, mirroring Jules Verne's content-led positioning in niche geographies.
• Explore Worldwide: UK-based small-group adventure tour operator offering escorted tours across multiple continents, directly comparable to Jules Verne's small-group escorted tour model and global reach.
• Saga Travel: UK travel brand explicitly targeting the over-50s with escorted tours and cruises, directly comparable to Jules Verne's mature solo and couples traveller positioning.

Emerging players

• Scott Dunn: UK luxury tour operator offering bespoke and curated escorted journeys, partially overlapping with Jules Verne's In Style and cruise segments while focusing more on tailor-made rather than scheduled departures.

Broad incumbents

• Kuoni / DERTOUR: European tour operating brand under the same DER Touristik/REWE Group parent as Jules Verne, offering a wider portfolio of escorted and luxury tours that overlaps with Jules Verne's product set.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@julesvernetravels
• Facebookfacebook.com/VJulesVerne
• Instagraminstagram.com/julesvernetravels
• Pinterestuk.pinterest.com/julesvernetravels
• Xx.com/vjulesverne

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Voyages Jules Verne