After spending almost two years travelling overland to Australia and back, then three years with Trailfinders in London, Jerry Bridge founded Bridge the World in 1989. Long before online booking, budget airlines and smartphones, he set out to build a travel company inspired by his father’s belief that travel could change lives.
Over the next fifteen years, Bridge the World grew from a tiny office in Camden Town into one of Britain’s leading long-haul travel specialists, with five offices, 150 staff and annual sales of more than £50 million. It was a journey shaped by calculated risks, fierce competition and an industry that never stood still, where success depended as much on trust and relationships as commercial instinct.
Travelman is Jerry’s story behind that journey. It’s a memoir about adventure, entrepreneurship, and family; about building something from nothing; the sacrifices that success demands; and a lifelong love of travel that shaped every major decision along the way.
The name ‘Bridge’ has a long history of travel behind it, which started with Jerry’s father, Walter Bridge. You may have seen the link on the home page of this website that describes how he became a successful businessman. The video is informative and of cultural interest. Likewise, if you’re intrigued about how start-up travel businesses get off the ground, click through to Jerry’s two award-winning companies, Bridge the World and Bridge & Wickers
Jerry now lives in New Zealand and embraces all things ‘Kiwi’. He likes the laid-back pace of life, the stunning scenery, the buzz of Wellington (where he lives 9 months of the year) and the great coffee.
