Sense Of Travel

What Sense Of Travel does

Sense Of Travel is a Zürich-based boutique Swiss tour operator (Reiseveranstalter) operating under TS Travel Smart GmbH, selling tailor-made individual travel and small-group departures to destinations across Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East, Africa, Central and East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Americas, and Oceania. The company positions itself as 'ein kleiner, feiner Reiseveranstalter' (a small, refined tour operator), serving predominantly German-speaking Swiss travelers who seek authentic, emotionally resonant experiences rather than standardized package holidays. The offering is delivered through a personalized advisory model: customers contact the Zürich office by phone (+41 44 521 00 99), email, or in-person appointment, and receive individually curated itineraries rather than self-serve online bookings. The product portfolio spans bespoke private trips, self-drive tours (e.g., Sicily, Kyushu), guided group departures with named tour leaders (e.g., Petra Bertola, Ornella & Francesco, Fabio Bolognese), and specialty experiences such as Georgian Qvevri wine-making with Inavarde Wines. Sub-brands include Sense of Japan (Japan-focused tours) and Meraki Travel.

The business runs on a traditional, non-software operating model: a content-marketing website organized by destination, Google Analytics for web measurement, email/phone sales motion, and physical office in Zürich's Gertrudstrasse 46 quarter. There is no proprietary technology platform, no mobile app, no public API, and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. Revenue is generated from the sale of complete travel packages (flights, accommodation, guided services, ground transport), commission on intermediated flight-only and ancillary bookings, processing and visa fees per the published AGB, and affiliate commissions on travel insurance products. Pricing is quote-based for individual trips and fixed in CHF for group departures (CHF 800–CHF 8,000 per person), with a 30% deposit on booking and balance due 45 days before departure. Distribution is exclusively direct (phone, email, office) plus third-party operator reselling; customer trust is reinforced by membership in the Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche. The firm has 1–10 employees, no external funding, and no disclosed revenue.

Name

Sense Of Travel

Legal name

Sense of Travel by TS Travel Smart GmbH

Website

https://senseoftravel.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sense Of Travel is a Zürich-based boutique Swiss tour operator (TS Travel Smart GmbH) offering tailor-made individual and small-group travel packages worldwide to affluent German-speaking Swiss travelers seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences via a phone/email advisory model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel Agency Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Travel Agencies (561510)

akta.pro primary industry

Bespoke Multi-Day Itinerary Planning & Custom Tour Design (THAJALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group & Small-Group Custom Itinerary Planning (THAKAOAF), Luxury Travel Agencies (THAKAFAA), Luxury Multi-Day Tour Operators (THAKADAE)

Keywords

• Bespoke travel packages
• Group travel tours
• Travel advisory services
• Curated travel itineraries
• Boutique tour operator

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Package Tour Sales: Sense of Travel acts as a tour operator (Reiseveranstalter), selling both group tours and individually customized travel packages. Revenue is generated through the sale of complete travel arrangements including flights, accommodations, guided activities, and ground services. The company also acts as an intermediary (Vermittler) for flight-only bookings (Nur-Flug-Arrangements) and individual services from third-party providers, earning commissions on those vermittelte Leistungen.
2. Booking and Processing Fees: The company charges processing fees (Auftragspauschale) for reservations and handling, as well as fees for visa procurement, quote preparation, and other services per their General Terms and Conditions.
3. Travel Insurance Distribution: Sense of Travel recommends and facilitates the purchase of travel insurance products (annullierungskostenversicherung, reisegepäck-versicherung, reiseunfall- und reisekrankenversicherung), earning commissions on insurance products sold through their booking process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sense of Travel is a Swiss boutique tour operator that designs and sells tailor-made individual and group travel packages to destinations worldwide. The company provides personalized travel consulting, itinerary design, and booking services for flights, accommodations, guided activities, and ground transportation, alongside organized small-group tours with named tour leaders in destinations such as Japan, Georgia, South Korea, and South America. Revenue is captured through package tour sales, processing/booking fees, commissions on flight intermediation, and travel insurance referrals.

Product overview

Sense of Travel is a Swiss travel agency (by TS Travel Smart GmbH) offering a portfolio of curated travel experiences worldwide. The core offering is travel consultation and booking services, supplemented by branded group tours and self-drive travel packages. Key products include Japan-focused group tours (Matcha Mochi Manga, Surprise Japan, Kyushu self-drive, Japan for Families), European destinations (Sicily), adventure travel (Puna & Atacama), and specialty experiences (Georgian wine-making). Products are sold as distinct branded tour packages with fixed itineraries, pricing, and travel dates, rather than a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sense of Japan: Specialized Japan travel brand offering group and individual Japan tours including destinations like Kyoto, Tokyo, Kagoshima, and Kyushu.
• Meraki Travel

Products and services

• Sense of Travel Reisevermittlung (Bespoke Travel Consulting) Full-service travel agency specializing in authentic and unique worldwide travel experiences, offering both individual and group travel packages to destinations across Europe, Asia, Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Includes personalized itinerary design, flight bookings, accommodations, guided activities, and ground services for individual Swiss travelers.
• Matcha, Mochi & Manga in Japan 14-day guided group tour through Japan from Fukuoka to Tokyo, covering Kyushu, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo, led by travel guides Ornella & Francesco. Priced from CHF 3,950 per person (hostel/multi-bed).
• Überraschendes Japan – Klassische & verborgene Entdeckungen (Surprise Japan) 17-day guided group tour from Kyoto through Shikoku to Tokyo, led by Petra Bertola, exploring both famous highlights and hidden gems of Japan. Priced from CHF 8,000 per person (double room).
• Mietwagen-Tour: Kyushu – Japans Süden ganz nah 12-day self-drive individual tour through Kyushu island, Japan, including visits to Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Takachiho, Kurokawa Onsen, and Beppu.
• Kultur mit Spass: Japan für Familien 16-day family-friendly tour of Japan covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and the Nakasendo trail, designed for families with children. Priced from CHF 5,950 per adult (2 travelers).
• Vielseitiges Sizilien: Zwischen Antike und Antipasti 12-day self-drive tour of Sicily, Italy, covering Palermo, Scopello, Selinunt, Agrigento, Ragusa, Siracusa, and Catania. Priced from CHF 1,480 per person.
• Faszination Puna & Atacama 10-day 4x4 jeep expedition through the Puna plateau in Argentina and Chile, including visits to Salta, San Pedro de Atacama, Tolar Grande, and the Atacama Desert. Priced from CHF 5,400 per person (2 people) / CHF 4,300 per person (4 people).
• Atemberaubendes Georgien (Breathtaking Georgia) 17-day private tour of Georgia with German-speaking guide and driver, covering Tbilisi, Kachetien wine region, the Greater Caucasus, and Svanetia.
• Einmal Winzer sein (Be a Winemaker for a Day) 10-day wine-making experience tour in Georgia's Kakheti wine region, staying in Eniseli village and learning traditional Qvevri wine production with Fabio Bolognese of Inavarde Wines. Priced from CHF 800 per person (double room).
• Kimchi, Tempelaufenthalt und Inseltour (South Korea) 13-day private tour of South Korea from Seoul to Jeju Island, including temple stays, kimchi workshop, hiking in Seoraksan, and cycling on Jeju. Priced from CHF 3,550 per person (2 people) / CHF 2,650 per person (4 people).

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Local Accommodation Providers WorldwidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSense of Travel works with a network of 'lokale geführte Unterkünfte' (locally-run accommodations), local guides, and locally-owned companies at destinations worldwide. These partnerships are central to the company's value proposition of authentic, locally-immersive travel experiences.
• Inavarde Wines (Fabio Bolognese)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss expatriate Fabio Bolognese runs Inavarde Wines in Eniseli, Georgia's Kachetien wine region. He leads Sense of Travel's 'Einmal Winzer sein' (Be a Winemaker for a Day) group trip, hosting guests for grape picking, wine production using the Qvevri method, and wine tastings. The partnership combines Sense of Travel's customer base with Inavarde's vineyard and hospitality operations.
• Garantiefonds der Schweizer ReisebranchecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSense of Travel is a participant in the Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Guarantee Fund of the Swiss Travel Industry), which secures customer payments for package holidays. This provides consumer protection and trust assurance for Swiss customers booking through Sense of Travel.
• Airlines and Flight CarriersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSense of Travel arranges flights as part of its travel packages and also acts as an intermediary (Vermittler) for flight-only bookings ('Nur-Flug-Arrangements'). They work with airlines including Swiss, Edelweiss, KLM, Aerolineas Argentinas, and others for ticketing and seat reservations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Studiosus Reisen: Established German tour operator running escorted group tours with named tour leaders and curated cultural itineraries globally. Overlaps with Sense of Travel's escorted group tour model with named leaders (e.g., Petra Bertola, Fabio Bolognese) but at materially larger scale.
• Hotelplan Suisse: Major Swiss tour operator offering package tours, individual travel, and cruises from a Zürich/Miège headquarters. Direct competitor in the Swiss outbound market but with significantly larger portfolio, scale, and broader mass-market orientation.
• DER Touristik (Dertour): Large European tour operator group including Dertour, Kuoni, and ITS brands serving the German-speaking market. Competes in the same addressable customer base but operates at dramatically larger scale and breadth than the Sense of Travel boutique model.
• Gebeco Reisen: German tour operator offering escorted group tours and individual travel worldwide, owned by DER Touristik. Comparable to Sense of Travel in escorted cultural tours but operates at much larger scale with broader destination coverage.

Regional players

• Helvetic Tours: Swiss tour operator offering package tours and individual travel from Switzerland. Comparable Swiss-based outbound tour operator but more focused on mainstream European and beach destinations rather than Sense of Travel's authentic, niche-led portfolio.

Direct peers

• Lernidee Erlebnisreisen: German boutique tour operator specializing in authentic, off-the-beaten-path group and individual tours with expert guides to global destinations. Closely comparable to Sense of Travel in terms of small-scale, high-touch, expertise-led positioning in the German-speaking market.
• Kontiki Reisen: Swiss tour operator offering curated group and individual travel worldwide from a Zürich base. Comparable business model and target market to Sense of Travel, with similar boutique positioning in German-speaking Switzerland.
• Windrose Finest Travel: Swiss boutique outbound tour operator offering personalized, individual luxury travel with hand-picked partners worldwide. Closely mirrors Sense of Travel's small-team, bespoke itinerary positioning in the German-speaking Swiss market.

Emerging players

• Velo & Vent: German boutique tour operator offering curated small-group and individual travel to selected destinations. Comparable to Sense of Travel in scale, philosophy, and dependency on personal tour leaders, though more focused on a subset of destinations.
• Reiseveranstalter Tourasia: German tour operator specializing in authentic Asia travel including Japan and Southeast Asia. Comparable niche destination focus and small-operator feel, particularly relevant to Sense of Travel's Japan/South Korea portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/senseoftravel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Sense Of Travel