Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meika Cole. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Meika, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

As the world shows emerges from the COVID-19 Pandemic, travel is definitely on everyone’s agenda. With the start of a new travel season, our agency has seen a few travel trends emerging for 2023.

1. Sustainable Travel

Sustainability has been a growing trend in the travel industry for several years now, and it’s only going to become more important in 2023. Travelers are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment and support local communities. This might mean choosing eco-friendly accommodations, taking public transportation instead of renting a car, or participating in conservation efforts while on vacation.

2. Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations

As travelers become more adventurous, they are seeking out unique and lesser-known destinations. Places that were once considered off-the-beaten-path are now becoming more popular, as people look for new experiences and ways to escape the crowds. This trend is likely to continue in 2023, with travelers seeking out destinations that are off the radar of mainstream tourism.

3. Technology-Enabled Travel

Technology is changing the way we travel, and this trend is set to continue in 2023. From virtual reality tours to mobile apps that help us navigate unfamiliar places, technology is making travel more convenient and accessible. Travelers are also using technology to connect with locals, find hidden gems, and share their experiences with others.

4. Wellness Travel

Wellness travel has been growing in popularity in recent years, and it’s expected to continue in 2023. This trend involves traveling to improve one’s physical, mental, or emotional well-being. This might mean taking a yoga retreat, visiting a spa, or participating in a wellness program while on vacation.

5. Local Experiences

As travelers become more interested in sustainability and supporting local communities, they are seeking out authentic local experiences. This trend involves immersing oneself in the local culture, trying local cuisine, and participating in local traditions. Travelers are also seeking out accommodations that are run by locals, as well as tours and activities that support local businesses.

6. Slow Travel

Finally, slow travel is a trend that is set to continue in 2023. This trend involves taking the time to truly experience a destination, rather than rushing from one place to the next. Slow travel might involve staying in one place for an extended period of time, exploring a destination on foot or by bicycle, or taking a leisurely road trip.

7. Girlfriend Getaways

Women are ditching their mates and children to reconnect with their homegirls. Following the popularity of movies like Bachelorette and Girls Trip has sparked the interest of women who want to rediscover themselves.

8. Multi-generational Group Travel

As people are becoming more comfortable with travel, we have seen an increased interest in group trips. More people are looking at adding cruise destinations, theme park planning and getaways for the whole family to enjoy at any age. This kind of travel becoming more attractive as travelers want to provide experiences for younger and more senior family members.

As these trends become more popular, our agency is finding that costs for travel have increased. We are finding less promotions and deals to inspire last minute travel as hotel and airfare costs are up. In addition to this, many all-inclusive resorts are booked, and the airlines are still experiencing issues in destination.

Meika, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Meika Cole is a certified Travel Consultant and owner of Travel N Bags LLC in southeastern Michigan. Founded in 2020, Travel N Bags, an affiliate of KHM Travel Group, provides coordination and consultation services for both domestic and international travel. Meika Cole has been recognized as a top-producing agent and is specializes in all-inclusive, individual/group and multi-generational travel in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My journey to becoming a travel agent was birthed out of boredom due to the pandemic. By day, I am a government contractor and a single parent, so every waking moment for me was filled with school drop-offs, traffic, mandatory trainings for work, more traffic, after school activities and trying to balance home life. Then without notice, March 2020 came, and the world was being shut down due to COVID-19. People were losing jobs and were being mandated to do everything from home. Now suddenly, time was no longer an issue for me.

It was during this time that I recognized the significance of having multiple streams of income, as industries were shut down and the landscape of the workforce began changing. Although I hold a bachelor and master’s degree in communication from Oakland University, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I’ve always been gifted with planning and loved to travel, but due to my hectic schedule there was no room for creating a business or traveling.

Around November 2020, I began to see that most of my social media friends and family members seemed to have been experiencing cabin fever. I started seeing lots of posts asking for travel agents, specifically for 2021 travel planning. There was so much involved with COVID-19 travel procedures and it was overwhelming for many who didn’t have the time to research it all.

I saw the need and thought that this would be an easy business to start. Merging my love of communication, research, and the desire to travel is what inspired me to establish Travel N Bags in December 2020. I knew that once the restrictions were lifted, the travel hiatus would ramp up.

The first thing that I did was establish my business branding (website, chose a business name and structure). Next, I researched how to start a home-based travel agency and found a host agency, KHM Travel Group, based in Brunswick, OH, and I connected with them. I took the home-based travel agent classes that they offered. From there, I began taking supplier courses which included becoming certified in various destinations, attending familiarization trips, and webinars on resorts.
Because I wanted to be knowledgeable in the travel industry, I applied for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) certification course just to become more knowledgeable of the industry.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy that I’ve used for growing my clientele is detail, quality and customer service. I put myself in my client’s shoes. Sometimes these trips are a once in a lifetime trip for them. Because of this, I try to maximize and make their trips memorable. Because of these experiences, my clients always refer me to their friends and family.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.travelnbags.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/agent_travelnbags
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/travelnbagsllc
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@travelnbags
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TravelNBags