Why I Became a Travel Agent: My Journey into the World of Wanderlust
My first real desire to travel sparked long before I even knew what a travel agent was. It all started with a certain boy wizard and a castle called Hogwarts. As a child watching Harry Potter, I was captivated—not just by the magic, but by the idea that somewhere out there, places like this could actually exist. I dreamed of walking through a real-life castle, maybe even that castle, in England. Spoiler alert: I made it happen in 2013 when I got to walk down the Great Hall at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London!
That dream of stepping into new worlds stayed with me. Then, around the age of 13, I met my cousin’s wife, who worked in the travel industry. She told me stories about being invited to explore stunning hotels and exotic destinations so she could recommend them to her clients. I remember thinking, Wait—you can get paid to travel? That sounded like the ultimate job.
But beyond the perks, what really stuck with me was how she made travel easier and better for her clients, thanks to her firsthand experience.
That moment planted the seed. Throughout high school, I knew I wanted to work in tourism—but I wasn’t exactly sure where I’d fit in. At one point, I dreamed of being a presenter on Getaway (who hasn’t?), but the thought of getting a journalism degree didn’t appeal to me—especially since I struggled with English at school.
Eventually, I pursued a Bachelor of Business, majoring in International Tourism and Hospitality. University opened my eyes to the different sides of the industry, and I fell even more in love with the idea of helping others experience the world. But there was one big catch: I had never actually been overseas.
That changed when a friend and I signed up for a J1 Visa program in the US—a three-month working holiday over the Christmas break. We booked flights to New York City, planned a Contiki tour, secured a short-term apartment, and found jobs—all while navigating international travel for the very first time. It was a crash course in real-world tourism, and I was hooked.
After that trip, I couldn’t get enough. I finished my degree while planning more adventures: a Contiki tour through New Zealand in August, and a celebratory trip to Thailand with my uni friends after we graduated.
Those experiences confirmed that I was on the right path. The stories I’d seen on TV and heard from others—I was now living them.
Shortly after graduating, I landed my first job as a retail travel agent with Flight Centre Travel Group. It was everything I imagined—and yes, that included the challenges. Over nearly 12 years with Flight Centre (including a role with Topdeck Travel in the UK), I wore many hats and collected countless memories. I made lifelong friends and was fortunate enough to live out that dream from when I was 13—being invited to visit hotels and destinations to help sell them with firsthand experience.
Then, COVID hit.
Everything changed. I was lucky to keep my job as an internal travel agent, but the industry was in survival mode. My role shifted to handling refunds, navigating cancellations, and supporting clients through uncertainty—all while taking a pay cut. It was emotionally and mentally exhausting. For a while, I lost my love of travel altogether. I couldn’t even bring myself to plan a trip.
I decided to step away and try a different industry. It was fine—but I didn’t love it. Then, during a much-needed break, a friend and I spent three weeks exploring South Korea and Japan. That trip reignited something in me. Shortly after, I booked my flights to Hong Kong with a group of friends. I knew then that my heart still belonged in travel.
I briefly returned to retail travel, but with encouragement from friends, I took the leap and started working for myself. Thanks to Mobile Travel Agents (MTA) and the incredible support from my loved ones, I now get to do what I love on my own terms—sharing my passion, experience, and knowledge with fellow travellers and helping them make unforgettable memories. Every trip I design is personal. It’s about understanding someone’s ‘why’—why they’re travelling, what they hope to feel or take away from their adventure, and not just simply where they want to go.
Travel has truly shaped who I am. It’s made me more confident, open, curious, and humble. Helping others fall in love with the wonder of exploring—just as I did—is why I became a travel agent, and why I still believe it’s the best job in the world.
One quote that has always stayed with me is: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” The more I’ve travelled, the more truth I’ve found in it. Every destination adds a new chapter, every journey expands the story. And now, I get to help others turn their own pages—discovering new cultures, places, and perspectives along the way.
And the best part? The adventure isn’t over. I can’t wait to see where the next chapter leads—and to help you write your own travel story along the way. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of seeing somewhere magical—or simply want a smoother travel experience—I’d love to help you make it real.