Pelorus has launched 'Imagine This', an innovative family planning approach that places children centre-stage and turns their wildest dreams into reality.

As demand for multi-generational adventures continues to soar, Pelorus has unveiled "Imagine This", a family travel planning service that places children at the centre of trip design, transforming their imaginative ideas into extraordinary family experiences.

The B-Corp certified company, founded by former British Army captains Jimmy Carroll and Geordie Mackay-Lewis, developed the service after noting that 62% of their family trip planning in 2024 was significantly influenced by input from children. This shift prompted the creation of a more collaborative approach to adventure design.

"As we continue to broaden our offering with Generation Alpha in mind, we're beyond excited to launch 'Imagine This'," explains Mackay-Lewis. "At Pelorus, we're leaning into the unparalleled imagination of children to dream up phenomenal, family-friendly trips that are more inventive than ever. As demand for educational family trips booms, the service offers a brand-new, collaborative mode of planning that speaks directly to children."

The service builds upon Pelorus Junior, launched earlier in 2024, which provides dedicated Junior Adventure Hosts who create parallel itineraries specifically for younger travellers. "Imagine This" takes this concept further upstream in the planning process, engaging children from the earliest stages of trip design.

To maintain excitement as the departure date approaches, Pelorus incorporates personalised touchpoints, such as arranging pre-trip video calls between children and the scientists or historians who will accompany them, or sending customised gifts that preview their upcoming adventure.

Co-founder Jimmy Carroll recently demonstrated this approach by guiding a father-daughter duo through New Zealand on a helicopter-based expedition. The itinerary was heavily influenced by the 12-year-old daughter's passion for wildlife and outdoor adventure.

"We wanted to make it relevant to her and what she's learning at school and her interests," Carroll explains. "When she realised that she could edit and add value to it, then she began to open up a lot more. The key part was that this was a trip she and her father were doing together, so it wasn't going to be dictated to her by him but should be a mix of things that they both enjoy and have input into. And that really unlocked the doors."

Sample itineraries showcasing the approach include a Norwegian fjord and Svalbard yacht expedition where families can track polar bears, search for fossils, and explore abandoned mining towns with expert naturalists, and a Bahamas treasure hunt inspired by legendary pirate Jack Rackham, complete with shipwreck diving and encounters with the islands' famous swimming pigs.

The New Zealand helicopter adventure starts from £30,000 per person for a 12-day journey (excluding international flights), while the yacht-based itineraries are available upon request.

by Olivia Palamountain | GLOBETRENDER