Celebrating a Decade of Exploration: My Journey to Becoming a Travel Advisor

Hobbiton

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Matt Travel, and often when I explain what I do, people are surprised to learn that Travel Advisors are far from extinct! Curious minds typically ask how I ventured into this exhilarating field. Well, it all began with my partner Jason, who was already dabbling in travel advising. He received an invitation to a travel seminar aboard the Carnival Imagination, and I decided to tag along. Not only was it my very first cruise, but it was also the catalyst for my career as a Travel Advisor. Don’t tell anyone, but initially I secretly used Jason’s credentials to book trips for clients—definitely not recommended! It wasn’t long before I officially entered the field, and the rest, as they say, is history. Four years into my newfound passion, I bid farewell to my traditional job and embraced guiding people through their travel adventures full-time.

The realization that working in travel was my calling happened quite swiftly. My first journey abroad was immediately after college during a period of intense self-questioning about my future. The typical 9-to-5 office job just didn't appeal to me. After exploring various paths with my father, I felt a strong pull towards the Peace Corps—it just clicked mentally. Soon after, I found myself living in Bulgaria for two years, where the travel bug firmly took hold.

Returning home with a fierce determination to integrate travel into my career, I scoured the internet for travel-related jobs. Despite considering roles from flight attendant to travel blogger, none resonated with me. At one point, I even secured a job managing a boutique hotel in Rome, but the visa limitations made it impractical. Several years later, it was Jason’s connection to a travel agency that opened the door to the world of travel advising. Joining the agency felt as right as joining the Peace Corps had years before.
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Now, a decade later, I can’t envision myself in any other industry. Travel advising is not just what I do—it's a crucial part of who I am. Here at Matt Travel, we don't just plan trips; we create gateways to global discovery and lifelong memories.

Matt Wahlgren

Advisor / Agency Owner

​I work with both new and experienced travelers in order to provide them with an unforgettable experience

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