TORONTO — When Pierre Couture says clients should be “ready for the journey of a lifetime” with his newest venture Pathways of the World, he means it.
Pathways of the World is experiential travel with a capital E, something that Couture is passionate about.
Pierre Couture’s travel companies emphasize connection with local cultures
Now with a dozen successful years running Sentiers du Monde in Quebec for French-speaking travellers, he’s branching out to English-speakers with Pathways of the World. Both companies emphasize connection with local cultures, in small groups.
“Our mission is to offer original vacations tailored to a client’s desires, so they can experience a destination through an active and meaningful engagement with its history, people, culture, food and environment,” says Couture in an interview with Travelweek.
After a debut roadshow in 2019 under the Sentiers du Monde banner, Couture and his team celebrated a second roadshow series this year, one that included seven Quebec dates for Sentiers du Monde, and two Ontario dates for Pathways of the World. The 2024 gatherings were a big success, with more no doubt planned for next year.
Travelweek connected with Couture in the days following the roadshow to find out more.
Travelweek: The success of Sentiers du Monde led to the recent launch of Pathways of the World. Can you share how Sentiers du Monde got its start?
Couture: “Sentiers du Monde was established in 2012, as a solution for French-speaking clients who want to ‘slow travel’ all around the world with small groups or privately. Now with the Pathways of the World, we’re bringing the same experience to English-speaking clients.
“Pathways of the World, it’s an evocative brand that brings to mind dreams of setting off on a voyage of discovery. We visit each destination in-depth, rubbing shoulders with the people and letting ourselves be touched by their culture. We work directly with them in their country, we consider them as a part of the family.
“We offer trips that will give travellers an authentic experience. We’re passionate about nature, culture and discovery. Our mission is to offer original vacations tailored to a client’s desires, so they can experience a destination through an active and meaningful engagement with its history, people, culture, food and environment.
“At Pathways of the World, we also work with our international partners to offer eco-responsible travel. We see ourselves as your trusted guide to experiential travel: authentic, immersive, sensational, emotional and exciting.
“We offer a wide range of well-known destinations, plus we include new destinations every year. We also have self-drive tours in a lot of countries, and experiences that ensure clients can spend several days with the locals in certain destinations.”
Travelweek: Why is the timing right to expand into the English-speaking side of the industry with Pathways of the World?
Couture: “After 12 years of experience, we think that we are ready to expand on the English Canadian side. In the wake of the pandemic the demand for small group or private travel has been really high.
“We are specialists in this type of tailor-made travel and have been for 12 years, since the beginning of Sentiers du Monde.
“We also offer countries that are not well known in the broader Canadian market, destinations that may be more associated with the French market. We have a lot to offer when it comes to experiential and immersive travel.”
Travelweek: For travel advisors who are unfamiliar with the company, what does Pathways of the World offer?
Couture: “We offer experiences for all types of travel: from beginners to seasoned adventurers, from coastal lovers to mountain enthusiasts, from staycations to itinerant tours.
“All of these possibilities are available at a harmonious pace, to fully experience the destination in all its facets and return with hearts and heads filled with adventures, encounters and memories.
Travelweek: In any industry, there’s competition, and the travel industry is no exception, What can Pathways of the World offer that its competitors can’t?
Couture: “Customer satisfaction is our top priority. We have a customer-centric corporate culture based on outstanding service and commitment at every level of the organization. We are committed to excellence in everything we do, and in our dealings with customers, suppliers, colleagues and partners.
“With us, you can travel in private from two to 10 persons. We respect and we act with integrity and ethics at all times to earn and maintain the trust and respect of customers, suppliers, colleagues and partners.
“We also ensure respect for the land, the environment and our heritage. We want the travellers of tomorrow to be able to rediscover the authenticity of these territories.”
Travelweek: Where can travel advisors find more information about Pathways of the World?
Couture: “We just launched our English-language website, it’s not 100% full yet but we will get all of our catalogue posted for September (https://pathwaysoftheworld.ca/).”
Travelweek: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Couture: “We are motivated people, passionately devoted to the success of your travel projects. Passion is what drives us to surpass ourselves and take on new challenges. Our passion for travel is contagious … and inspires others.”
For more information about Pathways of the World see https://pathwaysoftheworld.ca/.
