From Boutique Beginnings to Hospitality Powerhouse: How Detroit Travel Co is Redefining Luxury and Adventure

Image courtesy of Detroit Travel Co. In December 2016, Detroit native Imani Elie launched what would eventually become The Detroit Travel Company (DTC) under Travelista Travel LLC in Virginia. What began as a boutique travel business has become a multifaceted enterprise renowned for luxury travel experiences, adventurous offerings, and retail achievements. By 2017, Elie rebranded the company to reflect its essence and roots, officially adopting the name Detroit Travel Company. Today, DTC is a full-service hospitality firm that seamlessly blends travel, concierge services, event planning, and retail into one extraordinary package. At the heart of DTC is Elie, an honorably discharged Navy veteran whose life journey has uniquely prepared her for entrepreneurial success. Elie served during Operation Enduring Freedom, honing skills in nursing, emergency medical treatment, radiology, and dental assisting. These experiences and the discipline and resilience gained from military service shaped her pragmatic and safety-conscious approach to travel. “I started to see so many underrepresented faces in these different countries and people who could experience these cultures. Everyone was going to Miami and Vegas. You can do this too, but if you can spend money on a $500 trip, for example. You can spend the same money budgeting or...