Travel Central has been serving people in the greater New Orleans area for 35 years by curating travel around the world.
Beginning in 1988 as a 4-person shop, above a law office in the back of a 2-story building, the agency has grown by changing and adapting to challenges inside and outside of the travel industry. In the late 80’s travel was dominated by corporate travel; leisure was focused on Orlando, New York, London, Paris, Las Vegas, Mexico, and the Caribbean with only a few cruise lines. Myanmar was still Burma and Cuba was sanctioned to the point that tourism was non-existent. Travel at that time was one of the few businesses with its own intranet, with access to schedules and fares for most worldwide airlines, doing bookings by phone and hand delivering paper airline tickets. The fax machine was a tremendous NEW time saving device.
Travel Central has embraced all new technologies to enhance a travelers' experience.... the world wide web in '91, email in ’93, electronic airline tickets in 2000, electronic cruise documents in ’10! And today travelers can access a complimentary mobile app, with their full itinerary, vouchers, and destination guides all on a smartphone!
Travel Central survived travel industry upheavals like airlines cutting travel agent pay in ’95, the aftermath of 9/11 which completely halted travel, to the Great Recession, where agencies across the world saw business drop by 50%. In 2005, after Katrina, we spent months obtaining refunds or rebooking our clients. And, of course, 2020 brought its challenges with the pandemic shutting down the world.
Travel Central is now celebrating 35 years in business, growing from a staff of 4 in 1988 to over 20 full time and independent travel experts: from 1988's $500,00 annual sales to over $13 million in 2022, while embracing technology and designing dream vacations around the world, including Cuba and Myanmar!
People ask – are travel agents still around? The answer is YES, and better than ever! The name says it all... we are passionate about travel! Travel Central appreciates WHY it is celebrating over 35 years... it is the continued trust of our many clients in the Travel Central professionals that keeps the agency growing!
Services also include the Travel Advisor's blogs where you can experience favorite destinations...maybe one will become yours soon! Also, complimentary Travel Talks get clients in touch with experts who share tips about exploring dreams and possibilities, ensuring a custom vacation!
At Travel Central, you meet with Travel Experts, who plan dream escapes every day...and love it!
Click on options below to learn how you can join a vacation hosted by one of our expert travel advisors.