Ian Callen: Redefining supported travel
Ian Callen, Founder of Go Beyond Holidays, is redefining supported travel through empathy, adventure, and belonging.
◦ 5 min readRedefining supported travel through empathy, adventure, and belonging
Ian, can you tell us where the idea for Go Beyond Holidays first began?
Absolutely. I started creating supported holidays for neurodiverse people with my good friend Neil Manser, back in 2009, under the name Go Provence. I’d been living in Provence since 2007, after moving there with my wife Anna and our young family to teach at an international school that supported neurodiverse pupils. When the school sadly closed in 2009 – a casualty of the global financial crash, it gave me the unexpected space to try an idea that had been floating around in my mind for years: creating travel and holiday opportunities for neurodiverse people.
What inspired you to start where you did – in the south of France?
We were surrounded by beauty: the Gorges du Verdon in Provence. I thought, what better place to begin than right here? So Go Provence was born. For the first five years Neil and I, plus our families and friends, poured our hearts and souls into shaping the philosophy and mission. We made friends, built a community, and created stories that still inspire us today.
When did the wider industry begin to notice what you were doing?
By 2019, Go Provence was being recognised not only in the UK’s social-care sector but within mainstream tourism, which was beginning to realise there was a market gap for supported travel. Around then, we partnered with 360 Private Travel, a visionary global luxury tour operator run by James Turner. That partnership gave us the infrastructure, financial protection, and global reach we needed to establish ourselves as the UK’s leading supported-tour operator.
And that’s when Go Provence became Go Beyond Holidays?
Exactly. In 2020 we changed the name to Go Beyond Holidays. It reflects not only our destinations but our philosophy – going beyond expectations, beyond stereotypes, and beyond what people imagine is possible when they need support to travel.
Traditionally, supported holidays meant a week at the seaside, a theme park, or maybe a studio tour. But our guests wanted more: cultural depth, adventure, new landscapes. So we designed trips anyone would want to take—Northern Lights tours, Sahara Desert expeditions, Alpine skiing adventures—all accessible to travellers who simply need a little extra help.
That sounds transformative. What kinds of trips do you offer now?
In the past year alone, our guests have kayaked in Finland, hiked Madeira’s forests, explored Auschwitz, biked along Brittany’s canals, toured Dracula’s castle in Transylvania, island-hopped in Greece on a Mamma Mia! – themed itinerary, and taken ski lessons in Bulgaria. Inspiring, meaningful travel has become our standard.
You still lead the trips yourself, right?
Yes. I’m on every trip leading the support team. It’s personal; that’s what keeps our family feel alive even as we’ve grown administratively. My wife Anna and our three children—Joseph, Jasmine, and Poppy, have grown up with Go Beyond and now join the support team too. Neil’s brother Darren, has helped us massively with our brochure, helped out behind the scenes and has volunteered for us in our support team. It’s truly a family venture built on shared empathy and adventure.
How has the travel industry responded to this inclusive approach?
The response has been humbling. We were shortlisted for Inclusivity Champion of the Year by both the Aspire Awards (2024) and Travel for Everybody (2025). I was invited to speak at the Icons of Inclusion event, discussing the challenges of accessible travel. We’ve also been profiled in The Times, Far Out Magazine, and Autism Eye.
Each recognition helps validate supported travel as a serious, vibrant part of the global tourism conversation.
How do you define “inclusive travel” today?
It’s about equality of experience. Inclusion isn’t simply making something possible; it’s ensuring that every guest can participate with dignity and joy. Whether someone’s neurodiverse, has a hidden disability, or just needs reassurance and structure, travel should be as thrilling and fulfilling for them as for anyone else.
Go Beyond has become known for its humanity as much as its logistics. What drives that?
Our guests aren’t just customers, they’re co-explorers. When we remove physical or social barriers, we open space for connection, laughter, and confidence. Every journey reminds me why supported travel isn’t a niche; it’s the purest form of hospitality.
What’s next for Go Beyond Holidays?
We’ll keep growing carefully, expanding our destination network while maintaining the personal touch that defines us. More partnerships, more training for support staff, and continuing to lead by example in accessible tourism. The future of inspiring supported travel really is in safe hands—our team’s, our guests’, and hopefully, the industries too.
TILT Notes
- Favourite place in Provence: “The Gorges du Verdon – it’s where everything began.”
- Most underrated luxury: “Time. For guests who’ve been rushed through life, slowing down together is transformational.”
- Go-to travel ritual: “A sunrise coffee before anyone wakes up. It’s when I feel gratitude most strongly.”
Closing Reflection
“For me,” Ian says, “supported travel is the purest form of inclusion – it’s where empathy meets adventure. When someone realises, they can go beyond what they thought possible, that’s the real journey.”
To find out more, visit www.gobeyondholidays.com
All photos taken by Ian Callen on Go Beyond’s supported holidays.