Social media duo The Inspired Unemployed have officially launched ARRIVAL, a curated travel brand offering immersive small-group adventures that span surfing in Fiji to motorbiking in Kyrgyzstan.
Co-founders Jack Steele and Matt Ford, known for their five-million-strong following and beer brand Better Beer, say ARRIVAL is for travellers who want more than resorts and sightseeing. The brand features more than 50 immediately bookable multi-day experiences in destinations such as Italy, Tanzania, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, with prices starting from AUD $999.
Who are The Inspired Unemployed?
Steele and Ford rose to prominence through their comedy skits on Instagram and TikTok. Their content, which pokes fun at millennial life, mateship and Aussie culture, has earned them a loyal audience of more than five million followers across platforms. Since launching in 2019, the pair have expanded into live shows, a TV series, and the fast-growing beer label Better Beer, which is now Australia’s second largest independently owned beer brand.
ARRIVAL marks their first formal entry into the travel space, leveraging their audience and brand authenticity to launch a platform that aims to rethink the traditional group tour.
What is ARRIVAL?
ARRIVAL is positioned as an experience-led alternative to luxury tours or budget backpacking. The curated trips combine adventure, culture, wellness, snow, surf, music, and events. Packages include surf camps in Costa Rica, yoga takeovers in Indonesia, and Kilimanjaro treks in Tanzania. Travel lengths range from three days to over two weeks.
ARRIVAL’s launch portfolio includes:
- The Sri Lanka Tuk Tuk Challenge: $3,999
- Everest Base Camp Takeover, Nepal: $3,499
- Amalfi Yacht and Rock Climb, Italy: $2,999
- Kyrgyzstan Motorcycle Tour: $5,399
- Surf & Yoga Escape, Costa Rica: $999
- Iceland Vanlife: $3,499
A brand born from personal frustration
ARRIVAL began as a personal project after Steele and Ford struggled to book a group holiday.
“I feel like I’m always the friend organising trips,” said Steele.
“I just thought, wouldn’t it be great if there was a travel app where your mates could put in their preferences and dates and it would package it up and tell you what to book.”
Since then, the pair have tested many of the experiences themselves, including skiing in Hakuba, desert camping in Morocco and surfing in the Mentawais.
“What we’ve created isn’t just another booking platform,” said Ford. “It’s about those moments that make your heart race and collecting a few stories to bring home.”
Travel industry backing
To bring ARRIVAL to market, the founders enlisted travel and events veteran Quentin Nolan as co-founder and CEO. Nolan owns the Snow Machine global festival brand and sends more than 20,000 travellers on ski adventures each year through his company MountainWatch.
“I started selling ski trips on MySpace over 20 years ago, so there’s something full circle about working with the boys,” said Nolan.
“We’re not trying to compete with traditional travel agencies. ARRIVAL is about providing curated, experience-first trips for travellers who want something different.”
General Manager Trent Ellen, whose resume includes Luxury Escapes and TripADeal, is also joining the leadership team. His appointment brings further travel sector expertise to a business that is as much about industry credibility as it is creator-led brand building.
ARRIVAL’s audience and distribution
ARRIVAL targets millennials and Gen Zs seeking authentic experiences, with a focus on social connection and local immersion. Experiences are designed and delivered with local partners and guides, giving the trips both operational scalability and cultural credibility.
Packages are sold via ARRIVAL’s new platform, www.arrival.com.au, with marketing delivered through the Inspired Unemployed’s own channels as well as paid and organic social.
KARRYON UNPACKS: ARRIVAL signals growing demand for experience-led, small-group travel among Gen Z and millennial travellers. For agents, it highlights the value of offering curated, culturally immersive product with strong storytelling appeal. While ARRIVAL is currently D2C, its model and market could evolve to create retail or referral opportunities, particularly for agents specialising in adventure, events, or youth travel.
