Charting the Extraordinary: BlackTomato’s Vision of Soul-Stirring, World-Crafted Journeys Inspired by a Single Question: How Do You Want to Feel?, Guided by Visionary Leadership

Since its inception in 2005 by Tom Marchant, James Cole, and Matt Smallwood, BlackTomato has been renowned for redefining custom travel with an ethos of experiential depth and emotional resonance. The trio envisioned journeys that would dismantle conventional tourism molds trips not measured by checklists but by the feelings they evoke. It is under the guidance of Tom Marchant, in particular, that BlackTomato has matured into an award-winning agency, blending adventurous spirit with meticulous planning. Driven by a philosophy of curiosity, thoughtfulness, and humility, each journey is engineered to balance a sense of wonder with logistical precision. Today, BlackTomato operates globally, curating bespoke trips that range from trekking with indigenous tribes in Borneo to learning artisanal crafts in Morocco, transporting clients into immersive worlds and forging deep cultural connections. For the ambitious traveler in search of more than sightseeing, BlackTomato has become a beacon a testament to leadership with vision, where every detail is infused with personal meaning and profound impact. This issue 5 Most Inspiring Leaders to Watch 2025 recognizes not only BlackTomato’s extraordinary travel experiences but also the leader whose innovative spirit continues to inspire wanderlust for generations.

Founding Philosophy: A Triumvirate of Visionaries

Empathy and ingenuity were instilled from the outset, when the founders encountered the enigmatic black tomato during travels in Eastern Europe an encounter that became emblematic of the rare and remarkable experiences they aimed to recreate. Under the influence of legendary travel writer Bruce Chatwin, Tom Marchant absorbed the value of “restlessness” as a catalyst for discovery. It is this restless curiosity, combined with humility and organizational prowess that has guided BlackTomato from concept to global acclaim. Leadership pursued an unwavering belief: travel should transform both traveler and world, an ethos which remains the cornerstone of every itinerary.

Experiential Architecture: Merging Emotion with Precision

BlackTomato is structured so that emotional resonance is prioritized at every phase of trip design. From initial consultations, clients are invited to articulate how they wish to feel whether it be awe, reflection, or exhilaration. Under Marchant’s leadership, this emotional compass is translated into tangible experiences: sunrise rituals in the Amazon, artisanal exchanges in remote villages, or bespoke survival treks in polar landscapes. Every logistical element is concurrently calibrated, ensuring that even the most unconventional journey operates with exacting standards seamless, safe, and supremely curated.

Regenerative Travel: Stewardship through Leadership

Inspired by the founders’ deep respect for people and planet, BlackTomato has embedded sustainability in its operations. Community-led projects like preserving Moroccan tanning traditions or aiding eco-conscious tribes in Borneo are facilitated under Marchant’s stewardship. Regenerative travel is not a slogan but a promise: that each journey leaves a positive footprint, fortifies local economies, and fosters respect for cultural heritage. It is a leadership posture that resonates with environmentally conscious, socially aware travelers seeking depth alongside discovery.

Global Scale, Personal Touch

Despite operating across all seven continents, BlackTomato has avoided impersonalization by maintaining small, highly trained teams’ cultural insiders who are both meticulous behind the scenes and empathetic in person. Under Marchant’s vision, staff is selected not only for logistical expertise but for their sensitivity to nuance: the interpretation of a silent desert wind, the reading of a subtle cultural gesture, the recognition of a client’s unspoken mood. Each journey is thus personalized on an emotional level as much as on a logistical one, creating connections that linger long after the return flight.

Innovation at the Heart of Adventure

Innovation has been pursued across both creative and operational domains. From launching the “Feelings Engine” a tool designed to tailor itineraries to emotional outcomes to incorporating virtual reality previews for highly custom journeys, BlackTomato under Marchant is consistently ahead of the curve. Rather than rely on off-the-shelf packages, the company engineers each adventure from scratch, even scripting alternative narratives mid-trip, pivoting with client feedback in real time. In this agility, leadership has maintained relevance during global uncertainties and shifting traveler expectations.

The Tom Marchant Effect: Leadership through Resonance

If BlackTomato’s reputation resonates deeply with ambitious, top-tier travelers, much of that is owed to Tom Marchant’s influence. His capacity to dream without constraint, balanced by operational discipline, set the compass for the firm’s culture. Marchant is described by colleagues as calmly confident under pressure, always humbled by the complexity of culture and the vulnerability of exploration. His belief that “how do you want to feel?” is the singular question that unlocks all others, has become BlackTomato’s North Star.

A Destination beyond Travel

Under Marchant’s forward-looking stewardship, BlackTomato now frames itself not merely as a travel company, but as a transformative force a curator of feelings and a custodian of cultures. By designing journeys that are deeply personal, morally conscious, and operationally fearless, the company transcends the ordinary. It delivers experiences that inform worldviews, foster empathy, and provoke enduring reflection.

Looking Ahead: Continued Leadership at the Helm

As 2025 unfolds, BlackTomato is poised to expand its emotional architecture even further. Marchant’s vision includes launching documentary collaborations, fellowship programs for emerging local guides, and bespoke retreats focused on personal and planetary healing. Leadership appears undimmed, ambition remains intact, and the company continues to elevate what is possible in travel. For the discerning traveler and the ambitious leader who believes in the power of emotional resonance BlackTomato offers more than journeys. It offers a legacy.

Tom Marchant, Co-Founder

"We don’t plan trips. We engineer emotion every detail fine-tuned to how you want to feel."