A Leap of Faith That Paid Off: James Turner Reflects on the Success of 360 Private Travel

Starting 360 Private Travel seemed like a leap of faith, but for James Turner , the founder and CEO, there was never any doubt it would succeed. As we sit down with James to discuss the early days of his company, his confidence and vision are evident.

"I'd had a long and varied career behind me, working all over the world," James begins, reflecting on his journey. "But I started to realise that what I enjoyed – what felt worthwhile – was a business where communication was direct and personal with the client."

With extensive experience in tour operations and airlines, James recognised a significant gap in the existing business models. "They didn't really know their clients at all," he explains. "Often, they would vanish after a single transaction. I sensed that if you built a rapport with them and looked after them, they'd want to come back again and again. You had to create a high-touch concierge ‘club’ they could be a part of for both parties to enjoy the benefits of a long relationship."

James founded 360 Private Travel in June 2012. Initially, he collaborated with two independent 'Travel Designers', Lisa and Nicole, who are still integral to the company today. "They nurtured their own client lists while I oversaw the Head Office functions, providing all the systems, guidance, licensing, and financial backup they needed to thrive," James recounts.

The early days were challenging but rewarding. "With a few extra people joining us, and swimming against the mainstream of the luxury travel industry, it took four years to design and properly refine how we operated," James says. This involved creating their own technology from scratch, a process that was both expensive and difficult. "By 2016, we had it worked out and stress-tested, and we could start to attract what we called '360 Partners' to grow their businesses with us."

From that point on, 360 Private Travel has seen exponential growth. "Especially post-pandemic, we haven't looked back," James notes. The company has doubled in size on average every two years, with new offices opening in Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland Europe, and now the USA, Japan, and UAE. There are exciting plans ahead on many fronts that will continue to drive the company's growth.

"I will admit that it's not for everybody," James adds candidly. "Our way suits certain kinds of people; you need an entrepreneurial spirit together with an utter passion for servicing and retaining your clients. That extra, direct effort for your clients is absolutely key. Because this, really, is where all our focus is directed."

In return, 360 Private Travel ensures that its Partners are anything but alone in the travel industry. "We give you every opportunity to network and share in our huge resources of group experience and assets," James emphasises. "I just love seeing the potential in people who think like me, and then helping them succeed."

It's clear that James Turner's leap of faith was grounded in a solid vision and unwavering dedication. His journey with 360 Private Travel serves as an inspiring example of how passion and innovation can redefine an industry.