What is a DMC?
In the travel world, DMCs refer to Destination Management Companies. DMCs are the companies I frequently partner with to build itineraries for my clients, especially when they are going abroad. They are the companies that have boots on the ground in the various countries and know the best accommodations, tour guides, drivers and restaurants in those countries. Frequently, they can even arrange extraordinary opportunities for my clients. After I speak with them, give them as much information about my clients as I can, they start to prepare a suggested itinerary. Sometimes the first itinerary is perfect but oftentimes we revise it until my clients are pleased.
My host company, Gifted Travel Network, as well as my Consortia, Virtuoso, have relationships with many DMCs in the world and through them, I equally have access to these companies. They are vetted and do a wonderful job for travelers and I feel very comfortable working with them to plan adventures for my clients.
Besides the advantages mentioned above, there are some other important reasons to use DMCs. First, if there is any issue while my clients are on their trips, they have 24/7 emergency numbers to call to get the issues resolved. This is so much better than my clients trying to contact me in the middle of the night to resolve an urgent matter. And if I need to reach someone during off hours, for an emergency, I can also use the emergency numbers and speak to an acutual human.
Also, these companies have all of the local connections so they are informed when a train disruption happens or if there are any other issues within the countries. I have had a few clients who were affected by train issues, and without missing a beat, they were rerouted onto other trains. This would have been much harder for me to do.
And they are there to provide useful information before my clients start their trip. I receive restaurant recommendations, theater information, tipping guides, and other helpful hints to better prepare my clients for their journeys. And if I have any pre-trip questions, I know they are the experts and will answer anything I can think of.
With all of this said, there are a variety of DMCs for me to choose from for most locations. It is my job, through discussion with my clients and knowledge of the DMCs to pick the one I think will work best to make my clients happy. On occasion I contact 2 different ones, just to see what they come up with, but for the most part I am able to perfectly match my client with the DMC that will prepare the best itinerary for them and help them through their entire trip.