Reading time: 7-8 minutes 🕐
When someone trusts your vegan travel company before you’ve even run a tour, it’s a big deal.
Despite initial doubts about booking with a tour company she’d never heard of, Jean did just that. Now she’s not only booked on the October 2025 Thailand tour; she’s a supportive voice, a trusted sounding board, and an unofficial ambassador for GoVegan Travel.
The lightbulb moment 💡
Sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures that hit the hardest. For us, it came in the form of a message from Jean.
She was planning to visit the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) Vegan Summerfest, AKA VegFest in Pittsburgh, something she’s been doing for years. However, this time, and completely unprompted, she reached out and asked if I would mind if she took along some promotional cards and maybe take the chance to talk about GoVegan Travel’s vegan tours with others.
I was both surprised and humbled that this lady from the other side of the world, who I hadn’t even met yet, would have enough belief and trust in me and our business to talk to others about it.
That kind of support? You can’t plan it. And you definitely can’t buy it. You just feel quietly grateful and humbled when it happens.
Jean then talked me into offering a 10% discount on all our tours for the duration of Vegan Summerfest and beyond until the end of September. So if you take us up on that offer, you have Jean to thank 😃
Booking Without reviews or history: Jean’s Leap of Faith
Jean holds a special place in the GoVegan Travel story.
She didn’t find us through a friend or a glowing review. We weren’t even on page one of Google for a vegan tours search. She just found the idea of vegan travel compelling enough to ask for a chat with me. We arranged a video call. Two strangers on different sides of the world. Jean asked questions, a lot of questions. Something we really encourage, so anyone booking to travel with us is 100% sure we’re the right tour operator for them.
Once Jean had assured herself that we were serious and that my own history and experience running small group tours to Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and beyond, were as lengthy as I claimed, she proceeded to book herself on our October 2025 Thailand Vegan Tour. All this before we’d run even a single trip.
She’s stayed in regular touch since, not just as a customer, but as someone who gives sharp, honest feedback. These days, we run nearly all our ideas past her. Not because we have to, but because she actually helps – a lot.
And of course then came that question about helping out at Vegfest.
Vegan Travel feelgood factor
Jean hasn’t been on a tour yet, but she’s already a friend, a confidant and our most vocal supporter. That alone speaks volumes about the plant-based travel community and why experiencing a vegan tour with like-minded people only makes the experience better and more memorable for the right reasons
Jean Meets Dr. Greger: A Quick Photo, A Big Connection
The Vegan Summerfest itself is always a hub of incredible energy and connection, bringing together passionate people from across the plant-based community. But Jean’s experience there took an extra special turn. Absolutely nothing to do with vegan tours or vegan travel, but really exciting nonthelesss. She had an unforgettable chance encounter with the incredible Dr. Michael Greger, founder of NutritionFacts.org!
Let’s be honest, this was a quick “Hi, can I get a photo please?” moment at a busy VegFest, not a deep-dive nutrition session. But come on – this was Dr. Michael Greger, the man behind How Not to Die and NutritionFacts.org – a name that’s shaped how a lot of us think about evidence-based health, food and a plant-based lifestyle. As we’re all aware of, you don’t know… “until you put it to the test”
As someone who’s followed Dr Greger for years, I’ll admit I was just a tiny bit jealous. But mostly, I was really chuffed that Jean not only got to meet the great man, but also thought to send us the pics. Thinking of others first, as usual! It felt like a small, weirdly motivating confirmation that we’re part of something bigger, a community of people with shared values and interests.
Why We Do It: Making Vegan Travel Easier for Vegans and Plant-Based Travelers
Jean’s experience, and her unexpected meeting, underscore the heart of what we do
If you’ve ever travelled in a mixed group as a vegan, or even eaten out as the only vegan, you already know what I mean – You’re not trying to be awkward. You just don’t want hidden fish or oyster sauce in your noodles or to have to explain, again, why chicken broth doesn’t count as vegan just because it’s clear and doesn’t have ‘any chicken’ in it – common awkward vegan travel moments we eliminate.
Even with nice, well-intentioned people, it gets tiring. At best, you feel like the odd one out. At worst, you’re quietly resented for “making things difficult”, and that’s the last thing you want on your long awaited holiday/vacation.
That’s why we keep it simple. Everyone on one of our vegan tours is plant-based. No need to double-check menus or feel like a burden. You just get to eat, explore, and enjoy yourself without overthinking every interaction, ensuring a truly stress-free vegan holiday.
Our tours are 100% plant-based. Everyone gets it. No explanations needed, no justifying your lifestyle or hoping the menu has something for you. Just good food, good company, and no quiet resentment from strangers because you’re “making things difficult for them.”
We believe that curated vegan experiences genuinely help people travel with less stress, removing common anxieties about food and culture, allowing them to truly relax and enjoy every moment of their experience. Our goal is for every traveler to return home refreshed, inspired, and connected.
So, what Makes a GoVegan Trip… actually Vegan? 🌱
- Every meal is planned with plant-based travelers in mind
- Accommodations are selected for comfort, quality, and flexibility
- Evening dinners are arranged, but always optional – join the group or do your own thing
- Everyone you travel with is plant-based
- No more being “the difficult one” in the group
- Just people who live and travel like you do.
Travel Tips for Vegan Travelers
Before your next trip, jot down a short list of your food or travel “non-negotiables.” Anything that makes your vegan tour experience better, or that would diminish your enjoyment if you didn’t have it. It could be a certain tea or coffee, a favourite snack or a gadget like a Kindle. Then check the list before you leave to make sure you take it with you.
Better still, if travelling with GoVegan Travel, reach out and ask us if it’s available in your destination. If it is, we can get it for you. If not, then you know to bring it with you. Sometimes small things make the biggest difference.
Why Jean’s Story is important
We haven’t met Jean in person, yet. That’ll happen in October on the Thailand Vegan Tour. But she’s already shaped how we approach things, from the look of our website to which elements the trip will prioritise
She’s not a hired rep. She’s someone who trusted us early on, stayed in touch, and volunteered to help whenever she can because she believes what we’re building is worthwhile.
No drama. No hype. Just a person who saw something she liked but wasn’t totally convinced, she asked the right questions, got the right answers, and decided to help us build it better.
Join Our Community: Share Your Experience! 👨👩👧👦
Jean’s story is just one example of the incredible connections and experiences possible within the plant-based community. We’re passionate about making travel accessible and enjoyable for everyone embracing a plant-based lifestyle, and providing the opportunity to meet and travel with an incredible group of people. We like to think that Vegan Tours offer this opportunity to everyone.
What About You?
Who has inspired you most on your plant-based journey?
And how do you think truly vegan-focused tours help you travel with less stress and enjoy the experience more?
Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below!
FAQs – For the Curious and the Cautious ⁉️
Is it wise to book a tour before I’ve seen loads of reviews?
A fair question and one that Jean asked up front. Honestly every business has to start somewhere and GoVegan Travel is no exception. We’re a UK registered company and Martin has over 25 years experience planning and running groups tours all over the world with some very reputable tour companies. You couldn’t be in better hands. We are committed to being a reliable vegan tour operator you can trust from day one.
But to show our trust in you, if you prefer to pay the balance of your trip (minus deposit) on arrival to your tour, we’re good with that. Trust is a two-way street.
I’m plant-based for health, not ethics. Will I still fit in
Absolutely. Many of our guests are plant-based for health reasons, and there’s no agenda. Just good food, good company in a great country.
What if I don’t want to eat every meal with the group?
It’s your vegan tour and your vegan choices – We arrange evening all meals as an option, not a requirement.
Will I have to explain myself on the tour?
Nope. Everyone’s vegan or WFPB. No lectures, no interrogations.
