Custom Itineraries
Creativity and consideration go into the crafting of original itineraries based on where you want to go and what you want to do.
Welcome to the new and improved Forward Travel website. We're currently putting the finishing touches on the site, so you may notice that some features or pages are still being updated or are temporarily unavailable. We appreciate your patience as we complete the final stages of development. If you notice any issues while browsing the website, we'd greatly appreciate you letting us know so we can address them as quickly as possible. To report an issue, please contact us on +61 401 812 219 or drop us a message at thekitchen@forwardtravel.com.au. Thank you for helping us make the Forward Travel experience even better. Get in Touch
Forward Travel
Tailor-Made Itineraries
Small-Group Tours & Tailor-made Itineraries 2026, 2027 & 2028
David's introduction
David Smyth
Founder · Forward Travel
Forward Travel is a boutique tour operator and travel concierge crafting tours with both custom and fixed itineraries for solo travellers and small groups of discerning explorers across the globe. We create personalised itineraries for more than 85 destinations, including obscure ones, on all 7 continents, informed by first-hand expertise and a world-class network of local connections. Plan a trip with us.
Want to plan a trip?





Compare how Forward Travel stacks up against traditional travel agents and large tour operators.
| Feature | Forward Travel | Travel Agents | Tour Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personalised itineraries built around your interests | |||
| Direct access to a dedicated travel expert (David) |
Curated journeys
Few people are aware of these countries. Fewer people have set foot in them. Be the exception. While the rest of the world crowds the familiar, step into the lesser-known and the least-visited places of this big, beautiful world. Contact us.
The Forward Travel difference
With over 12 years of experience and more than 1,000 satisfied clients, Forward Travel creates personalised journeys for sophisticated globetrotters.
Creativity and consideration go into the crafting of original itineraries based on where you want to go and what you want to do.
People who are intimately familiar with the land will accompany and enlighten you about their culture, history, and wildlife.
Stories from the road
Real journeys, real words — hear from explorers who've travelled the world with Forward Travel.
“David crafted a once-in-a-lifetime safari for us. Every detail, from the lodges to the guides, was flawless.”
Emma & James Wilson
Australia→Kenya
September 2024
You may also want to check out our process.
You choose your travelling companions (minimum 2 people). Forward Travel designs the trip around your destinations, dates, pace, and interests and appoints a local guide exclusive to your group. This format is ideal for families, friends, and workmates who want something customisable with the flexibility to adjust sightseeing and downtime along the way.
You join one of our special departures as part of a group of 15 like-minded travellers led by a Forward Travel escort plus local guides. This option is for those who like a set itinerary, fixed dates, and the opportunity to mix and mingle.
David Smyth is a respected commentator on trends and practices in the travel & tourism industry.
Stories, tips, and experiences to inform and inspire your next trip.
The year is 2026, and the travel agent of the past, a person behind a desk surrounded by glossy brochures has undergone a digital metamorphosis. In their place stands a Large Language Model (LLM). Whether it is ChatGPT, Gemini, or a specialised travel integration, AI is no longer just suggesting flight paths; it is building […]
Nowadays, the question is no longer whether we can visit the Louvre from our living rooms, but whether the digital vision of the Mona Lisa will ever satisfy the soul as much as a look with strained eyes and a craned neck on crowded afternoon in Paris. As the virtual tourism market surges toward a […]
For decades, the global traveller's map was a collection of singular points; Paris, London, Tokyo, New York. These primary cities, often national capitals or global financial hubs, served as the undisputed gateways to their respective countries. However, a seismic shift is occurring in how we define a destination. Welcome to the era of the secondary […]
Before the advent of GPS and smartphones, travel was an act of surrender. You stepped off a train or a boat with a folded paper map that was likely out of date, a few phrases of the local language, and a genuine possibility that you might end up somewhere entirely unintended. In 2026, getting lost […]
Noctourism is the 2026 travel trend prioritising nighttime exploration. Driven by climate adaptation and a desire to escape light pollution, travellers are seeking astro-tourism in Namibia, night safaris in Tanzania, and bioluminescent treks in Costa Rica. It’s a sustainable, cooler, and more mysterious way to experience the planet. For decades, the tourism industry has been […]
For generations, travel was a journey into the unknown. It was the thrill of a paper map, the gamble of a local recommendation, and the satisfaction of a horizon that belonged only to you. But now, the nature of exploration has shifted. We are living in the era of the FOMO Itinerary. Fuelled by a relentless cycle of social comparison, our travel choices are increasingly dictated by a \”Fear Of Missing Out\” on the exact experiences we see on our feeds. While technology has made the world more accessible, it has also made it smaller. By chasing the \”viral\” and
Forward Travel designs small-group tours and tailor-made itineraries for some of the world’s most remote and remarkable destinations, from Antarctica and the Arctic to Patagonia, India, and beyond. We help experienced travellers move past the ordinary and into deeper, more meaningful travel experiences in places that many will only ever see on a map. Want to join a small group tour or plan a custom itinerary? We’re here to help you go beyond the expected and experience the world differently.
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
David Smyth has spent a lifetime travelling the world and has made it his life’s mission to help eager explorers like you access experiences you wouldn’t find on your own or with commodity tour package providers.
Bring your dreams, ideas, and wish lists to David and let him crystallise your vision into an inimitable itinerary.

| Handpicked local guides in every destination |
| Flexible dates, pace, and on-trip adjustments |
| Transparent, ethical pricing with no hidden margins |
| 24/7 in-destination support |
| Exclusive small-group experiences (max 15) |
| Responsible travel & community give-back |
Travel should be considerate. Give back to local communities, economies, and ecosystems when you do it with us.
More than 1,000 happy customers, accreditation from ATIA & CATO, plus membership in ATTA, LATA, WATO, Safe Travels & Traveller’s Choice.
You’re the independent type who knows where you want to go, when you want to go, and what you want to do. Leave the planning to us. We will work with you to prepare a one-person itinerary that covers your interests and helps you create lifelong memories.
Australia’s Travel Hotlist Revealed: Where We’re Heading In 2026
15+
Years of experience
85+
Destinations worldwide
All
Group sizes
"Move past the ordinary into deeper, more meaningful travel."
Plan your journey
Tell us where, what and when — we'll match you with curated tours and tailor-made itineraries. Or Build your own itinerary.