Despite the internet, travel vloggers, and influencers giving people the ability to envision and plan a trip to nearly every inhabitable place on Earth, travel agencies remain sought after for their guidance and expertise. In fact, travel agency bookings rose 28% in 2023. These five small businesses are maintaining their competitive edge with exclusive offerings, tailored experiences, and proactive problem-solving.
Red Letter Travel
Synonymous with memorable or unforgettable, a red-letter day is particularly important or joyful. The saying is derived from the custom of marking calendar holidays in red ink. Aptly named, Red Letter Travel aims to plan travel experiences impossible to forget.
Mother-daughter duo Debbie and Wallis Fairvalley are the co-owners of Red Letter Travel, planning romantic getaways for honeymooners and multigenerational vacations the whole family can enjoy. With over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, Debbie specializes in family travel and small ship cruising, while Wallis focuses on adventures and groups.
Red Letter Travel is based in Atlanta and is an affiliate of Brownell Travel, a luxury agency and industry leader that dates back to the late 1800s. The small business is also a Virtuoso member, making it part of an elite network of the top 1% of travel agencies worldwide. These affiliations give Red Letter Travel insider access to exclusive perks and opportunities often unavailable to the general public.
Salt & Wind Travel
Salt & Wind Travel is a California-based travel agency that specializes in planning vacations with cuisine at the center of everything. Founder Aida Mollenkamp, a food lover herself, is a cookbook author, chef, and Food Network personality. Her small business has been sending clients to cooking classes and wine tastings across the globe for a decade.
Although Salt & Wind can plan travel anywhere, its team of advisers focus on a few specific places. To offer the best foodie travel experiences, concentration is placed on California, Mexico, Switzerland, France, Hawaii, Spain, and Italy. The small team of women who curate these fare-centric trips has spent extended periods of time in several of these regions, giving them even more credibility and experience for potential customers.
As a full-service custom travel planner, Salt & Wind will discuss a client’s ideal vacation with them, assign the appropriate adviser, help with bookings, and tailor the entire experience. Everything is compiled in an app to keep the itinerary and reservations organized in one place.
I love planning travel, talking about travel, and traveling. It feeds my soul!Lynn Farrell, Owner of Windy City Travel
Sharon Carr Travel
In the early 1970s, Sharon Carr became friends with local disc jockey and now Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster Ron Chapman. Chapman, who is known for outrageous on-air stunts and big giveaways, gave Carr a unique platform to send listeners all over the globe. She has been making waves with her company Sharon Carr Travel ever since.
Following in Sharon’s footsteps, her daughter Kirsten and son Casey also work for the small business as the group travel manager and vice president, respectively. Casey Carr has traversed every continent several times over as a curious traveler and a film producer. The team of experts at Sharon Carr Travel possesses a variety of travel styles to cater to a diverse demographic.
Based in Dallas, Sharon Carr Travel has expanded to include partner offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Still working with the local radio station KLUV and CBS Radio, this small but mighty agency has sent thousands of people to all seven continents.
Windy City Travel
Situated in Old Town Chicago, Windy City Travel has helped locals plan corporate and leisure travel since 1981. Committed to top-tier service, two-thirds of the small business’s clientele are returning or referred customers.
“I love planning travel, talking about travel, and traveling. It feeds my soul!” Owner Lynn Farrell said.
With over a dozen travel advisers on staff, Windy City Travel has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with prospective vacationers. Each adviser specializes in a particular region or a handful of countries, whether they’ve spent considerable time there or return to the same places time and time again.
Leveraging local media like Chicago’s The U (WCIU-TV), Windy City Travel hosts trip giveaways to destinations such as the Caribbean. The independent agency also periodically features special deals in partnership with its travel providers.
Nashville Luxury Travel
Leslie Horn and Jen Martin joined forces in 2018 to maximize their shared expertise and passion for travel. Nashville Luxury Travel is an affiliate of Avenue Two Travel, a Virtuoso member that has been in business for over three decades. Horn and Martin, who have over 40 years of experience in the travel industry, have assembled a team of devoted consultants who have traveled and lived all over the world.
Located in Brentwood, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville, this boutique travel agency can take its clients to every corner of the Earth, including Antarctica. NLT, a preferred partner with companies like the Four Seasons, Belmond, and Hilton Impresario, offers special benefits and the ultimate VIP treatment to travelers seeking opulent stays wherever they go.
On its website, NLT also provides links and resources for global entry, travel insurance, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, and packing guidelines.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
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