TRAVEL AGENT PROFILE

DAVID MOODY: OWNER OF DAVID’S CRUISE VACATIONS IN TEANECK, NJ
BY VICTORIA HEAD

Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before…That’s David Moody’s motto.  He is truly a travel agency owner with a passion for his work, and it’s his desire that his passion for travel extends to all he services.

Moody started his agency in 2001, in Teaneck New Jersey, his hometown.  After having done outside agency work with other companies, while working a nine to five for about 15 years, Moody found himself in a dilemma.  He began experiencing health challenges and subsequently needed to retire early.  As the travel agency he was currently working for was going out of business, Moody prayed, meditated and got his answer; to begin selling travel on his own.

Amazingly, the transition was not as difficult as he would have thought.  He had a group of great colleagues and friends that walked him through that period step by step.  Moody had lots of questions.  His colleagues recommended that he go to trade shows and read various related publications.  Moody also took an entrepreneurial course that helped him come up with a good business plan.  To this day, he believes that continually educating oneself is the primary key to a successful business.  “These days” Moody says, “people are so computer savvy and can now do a lot of their own travel arrangements on line, so it’s up to those in the travel industry to offer knowledge on new technologies, first hand experience travel information to various locations and keep up to date with all homeland security and terrorism issues.”

Through networking and referrals, Moody got David’s Cruise Vacations successfully off the ground.  When times got tough, it was his colleagues and the passion he has for the business that pulled him through.  “I’ve always loved travel, history, geography and people,” Moody says, as he remembers back when he was a child.  “I would wait desperately for the summer time when I could get away from the city and take trips with my camp.” He would read National Geographic’s and see himself visiting those exotic destinations someday.

Moody was amazed when he met kindred spirits at Travel Professionals of Color (TPOC).  A few years ago, he walked into his first TPOC conference and said, “This is Great!…being in an environment where other people of color are as passionate about the business and promoting the industry as I am”.  Moody felt that the camaraderie and the shared desire they all had to see one another thrive in their businesses as entrepreneurs was wonderful to be a part of.

David Moody is now the president of the New Jersey Chapter of TPOC.  Moody finds this privilege both rewarding and challenging.  His main objective as New Jersey Chapter president is to keep all members focused on the aspirations of TPOC.  TPOC desires to continue growing the organization, to keep all members well informed, skilled and up to date as it pertains to the ever-changing travel market.  TPOC also wants African-Americans, Native-Americans, Asian-Americans and Hispanic-Americans to know that they understand and share the feelings of wanting to return and learn of your place of beginnings and other cultures beginnings.

As a travel agency owner, Moody has seen the increasing desire of African-Americans wanting to travel to Africa and the Caribbean.  Additionally, as their disposable income continues to increase, African-Americans are looking for more interesting places to go.  Asia, The Mediterranean, Australia and South Africa are becoming popular traveling sites for people of color and Moody feels that cruising to these destinations is the way to go.

Moody states that “Cruising offers a good value for your money, and on cruises, they, as I, enjoy catering to their customers and making the experience richer than they could have expected.”   Cruising offers the same amenities as a land resort, however. When the doors are opened, you can find yourself at a new port – a new destination to be explored.  Moody says, “there’s something for everyone on a Cruise; some enjoy long cruises and enjoy their time on the ship and sea; others prefer shorter cruises, spending less time on the water and more time at different ports.

If you’d like to inquire of David’s Travel Vacations and are seeking an agency that is friendly, professional and well informed, you won’t be disappointed.  David Moody is passionate about cruises and travel and can be reached at the following: (800) 503-7021, david@davidscruisevacations.com or www.davidscruisevacations.com.