Who are we?

Jim Louth – Director and founder of Undiscovered Destinations

Jim developed his passion for travel from a young age. Firstly, thanks to his father’s employment with British Rail and the concessions on offer, he explored Europe by train. After leaving school Jim began to travel further afield; Greyhound bus across America, an independent overland trip through Africa and the Trans-Siberian railway all by the time he was 20. A couple of years living and working in New York were followed by a two year stint teaching English in Brazil, plus plenty of travel in between. It was then time to settle down. Jim was delighted when his application to work for the UK’s leading independent travel agency Trailfinders was accepted. This meant a move to the north east of England, which he now considers to be very much home. After five years with Trailfinders it was time to take the plunge and to set up Undiscovered Destinations. Since then there’s been no looking back as Jim has developed his love for travel into a highly successful business. When asked what motivates him, Jim always gives the same answer ‘That’s easy. It’s the fact that I know we’re making a real difference, opening up countries to the potential of responsible tourism and the benefits that this can bring.’ When not travelling, Jim can be found with friends tucked away in one of Newcastle’s legendary pubs.

Jim O’Brien – Head of Operations and Customer Support

As Head of Operations and Customer Support, Jim’s role is a wide and varied one. With ten years of experience of working within the adventure travel industry, Jim started off as a tour leader, taking groups through the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The life of a tour leader was not to be forever though, as Jim met his wife in Morocco and after dragging out his travels as long as possible headed back to the UK, managing a large team based around the globe. With two young children now, Jim’s travels are not as frequent as he would like, but as he says ‘having children is a whole different adventure’! Jim’s particular passion is for Africa, a vast and enigmatic continent to which he is drawn back time and again. Recent travels include a five week trip through West Africa from the voodoo heartlands of Benin to the alluring Sahel of Burkina Faso, and much else in between, and a trip through the lesser visited central region of India, with its tribal communities and fantastic game reserves. His wife says that she only lets him go because he brings nice souvenirs back! When not travelling, Jim can be found at home either with his nose in yet another book about African history, or taking his children out for walks in the Suffolk countryside.