One-on-One With Avanti’s Harry Dalgaard

Avanti Destinations’ founder Harry Dalgaard has announced his retirement at the end of June.

Dalgaard started Avanti Destinations in the early 1980s in Portland, Oregon, when he saw an opportunity to streamline the booking of FIT travel and make it easier for travel agents to sell it as a product.

Today, Dalgaard leaves behind a booming business that sells independent travel in Europe, Central and South America and in Asia, its most recent endeavor.

TravelPulse caught up with him before his departure to find out what his plans are after he leaves the tour industry behind and how he sees travel transforming in the future.

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TravelPulse: Why did you decide to retire now?

Harry Dalgaard: I had my goals for starting Avanti and that was to promote FIT Travel and, at that time, travel to Europe. It was difficult for travel agents to book FIT then. Thanks to my contacts in technology, we were able to develop a robust product to both Europe and Latin America. And three years ago to Asia.

TP: What will you do after your retirement?

HD: I’m going to chill for awhile and enjoy family and the lack of stress. My grandkids now live in Portland.

I do have a couple of ideas for the future but I really just want to slow down and travel without having to inspect hotel rooms and services. And I am looking forward to that because I have a lot of associates who have become friends, and I want to touch base and see them.

TP: Will you remain active in the travel industry?

HD: Perhaps, but in a totally different role—maybe a little mentorship, maybe a little destination development—but nothing commercial. It's a full “Harrexit,” as we call it.

TP: How has travel changed since you started in this business?

HD: The biggest change is technology.

Before I started at Avanti, I remember taking calls in a reservation center and I had a typewriter. It took forever to make a reservation.

Agents can customize and personalize travel plans beyond belief nowadays. That’s the greatest thing.

TP: How has the tour market changed since you started Avanti?

I think the options available are a lot greater today. The market, especially the international market, was mostly escorted groups. Today, I think it’s diversified to FIT and river cruising and group travel.

One type of travel can be a catalyst for another and the American traveler is a lot more sophisticated and knowledgeable and they want choices.

For the travel agent, Avanti has given them a one-stop FIT planning tool, and they can meet the needs of clients with one call.

TP: Where do you see the FIT market heading in the future?

HD: Growing—only growing. New destinations have become accessible and places that were more conducive to group travel are now trending for FIT travel. China is a great example of this.

TP: Is there a single event or technological development that has transformed the industry the most?

HD: The Internet has transformed the traveler. Travelers are more knowledgeable now, and the Internet has opened up accessibility to the world. However, there’s so many choices and Internet transactions are faceless.

That’s why the travel agent will continue to grow and thrive—because they are an advocate for the traveler.

Travel agents know what travelers are looking for. They are destination specialists and advocates. This is why we are seeing a huge surge in millennials using such a traditional distribution system. They are going back to agents because they take very few vacations, they want travel done right and they have money and no time—they want an advocate.

TP: Where do you see the role of the travel agent going in the future?

HD: I feel very optimistic about the industry and the commitment to professionalism. I see a travel agent like any other service provider. They need to know what their customer’s needs are and deliver good service.

Americans take less vacation time than any other western traveler and they want to do it right. It’s not about price. Travel is a right for the American traveler but it’s also a precious commodity.

TP: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment at Avanti?

HD: In 1990, I arranged the one and only charter of a British Airways Concorde to Portland—it was a grand affair and a lot of fun. But that was just one time...so I'd actually have to say that I am proudest of the fact that Avanti truly pioneered the development of dynamic packaging on the web for multi-destination FIT itineraries around the world-first Europe, then Latin America, now Asia.