Meet Ilja Chapman | Travel Agency Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ilja Chapman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ilja, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in the Netherlands and started travelling when I was 23 years old. Fresh out of college with a BA degree, I gave myself a year to explore the world. 

My travel bug started as a child when my dad would return from the Middle East and Asia with small soaps for me. They were from beautiful hotels where he stayed to do business selling Dutch flowers. He was my inspiration and taught me to always reach for the next step. 

Now 20 (30?) years later, I have only returned to my home country to visit. I have lived in Prague, Cypress, Ecuador, London, St Lucia, Spain, Grand Cayman and the US. My first stop in the US was New Hampshire but since 2013 I’ve lived in Key Largo.  

I consider myself to be a global citizen as I have learned to adapt in any country and any culture.  

Travel is my true passion and I have worked at hotels, resorts and on cruise ships for all these years. 

In 2014 — almost 10 years ago — I opened my own travel agency and have grown it to sell around US$1 million in travel each year. 

My business and my clients today benefit from my travel experiences and from my global view on life. With my team at Voyage Blue Travel, I curate tailor-made trips with each client’s interest, past travel experiences and budget in mind. 

In 2020 I started building a host travel agency alongside my existing business. Under the umbrella of Travel Resources Group, I now share my knowledge with other travel advisors. Many of them are new to the industry, so we provide coaching, tools and other resources to build and grow a successful travel agency. 

I bring a different view to customer service and leadership because I am born and raised in the Netherlands, but also because I have worked with so many different nationalities and cultures. I strongly believe that this adaptability is the key to my success, together with hard work and integrity. 

I am very proud to be Dutch! Each April, I bring clients to my home country to experience our hospitality and admire the tulip fields blooming that time of year. 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney 

I have lived my life loving what I do and always with a vision. As long as you have a vision you can make things happen. You have to believe! 

I am most proud of actually taking the leap and starting my business from scratch back in 2014. 

When I bought a travel planning franchise, I made the investment knowing nothing about running a business or running a travel agency. I had worked in several management capacities in hotels and resorts up to General Manager, but always had a head office providing guidelines and support.  

Being a solopreneur is different and there was so much to learn! 

Although the franchise provided training, tools and resources, I often felt I was in a dark room flipping all the switches to get the light on and trying to open doors. It was hard.

But I did it and grew my business steadily up to US$1 million in sales in 2019 and 2020 was looking even better. 

Then in 2020 …. well, we all know what happened! Travel came to a standstill. It was devastating and the financial loss almost drove me into a depression. But my love for my business kept me up. I had to pivot and I did. 

That year I left the franchise, rebranded and started the host travel agency with the support of two financial partners. 

Three years later, we now host 11 independent travel advisors under our umbrella. The goal is to have 25 advisors in the host agency by the end of 2024. 

Travel Resources Group and Voyage Blue Travel both have the human element as their core value. 

I learned to ask for help and build a team early on in my own process. Now I want to share my knowledge with travel advisors, to lead them out of that dark room, show them where the doors are and suggest which ones are best for them to open. Any starting business owner doesn’t know what they don’t know, I hope to help our team in finding that information sooner. The travel advisors we work with inspire me and I hope I inspire them. 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you visit Miami, I highly recommend you take the time to come down to the Florida Keys. The best way to plan it right is to work with a travel advisor like me! 

Key Largo has the 3rd largest barrier reef and many cute waterfront resorts and hotels fitting any budget. Book a snorkel or scuba trip to go see the Christ of the Abyss at the reef in 15 feet of water. There are nice restaurants for any occasion including food trucks, waterfront experiences, vegan options and of course the world-famous Key Lime Pie.  

Islamorada is a fishing paradise which also has waterfront resorts for families or couples in any price category.  Don’t miss the many local art galleries, the weekly Art Walk and live music venues! 

Then drive down to Marathon. You’ll cross the 7-mile bridge and stop along the way to feed the tarpons at Robbie’s and have lunch at Barnacle Barneys. 

Key West is a wonderful town to explore but try to avoid the weekend. (That is true for the entire stretch of the Florida Keys!) 

On your drive back, approximately 130 miles to the mainland,  you might want to schedule a stop in the Everglades National Park and learn about its importance for the eco system of the Florida Keys. Take an airboat ride if you dare! 

There’s so much to see and do in the Florida Keys, and I’m happy to help your audience plan! 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dad planted the travel bug and my mom was a successful solopreneur. They both inspired me. 

My husband is my biggest supporter and fan. 

And finally, my clients for trusting me with their travel plans! 

Website: https://voyagebluetravel.com and https://trghostservices.com/ and https://www.travelresourcesgroup.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagebluetravel/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilja-chapman-915459117/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelvoyageblue/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ33adaFvzvKpZwMI4BbqWg