Adventure Travel with Elodie Courzadet - Vivu Journeys

Area/TopicSoutheast Asia, Vietnam, Myanmar, ThailandElodie CourzadetSenior Business Development ManagerVivu Journeys part of TMGHi ! My name is Elodie. I was born and raised in France, got a BA in foreign applied languages and a Master’s degree in tourism management.Having difficulties finding a job in the tourism industry right after uni, I decided to look for something in Asia and left a few months later (I did an internship in Thailand prior to that so I thought this could be a pretty decent place to live in!).I dedicated myself to Destination Management Companies (DMC) and spent many years in Asia working for several companies in Thailand and in Myanmar. I started in the leisure side of the business for the French market before moving into the corporate side. I specialized myself into incentives’ spaces for different markets such as the Australian one. After nearly 10 years in Asia, I took a break to explore the world for most of 2019. Far away from Asia, I discovered Mexico, Belize and Guatemala for the last piece of the trip and this was just extraordinary. I returned to France with a job in hand and happily started working for Vivu Journeys DMC, part of TMG group, in a purely commercial role.Initially, I was responsible for business development for the French-speaking markets for Vivu Journeys. Today, I am not only working on the DMC part of TMG but I also support all the assets of the group such as hotels, cruises just to name a few.https://tmgroup.vn/SummaryElodie Courzadet, a travel industry professional, shares her experiences working for Vivo Journeys, a Destination Management Company (DMC) in Asia. She discusses the role of DMCs in the travel industry and the importance of building relationships with tour operators and travel agents. Elodie also reflects on her personal journey and connection with Asia, as well as the challenges and cultural differences she encountered while working abroad. She emphasizes the need for trust, connection, and collaboration in the workplace, and highlights the desire of French travelers for unique and local experiences. Elodie concludes by discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry and the future of travel in Asia.TakeawaysDestination Management Companies (DMCs) play a crucial role in the travel industry, working with tour operators and travel agents to create unique and tailored experiences for travelers.Building trust, connection, and collaboration are essential in the workplace, especially when working with local teams and tour operators in different countries.French travelers have a strong desire for unique and local experiences, and value immersion in the local culture and interaction with locals.The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the travel industry, but there is optimism for the future as travel gradually resumes and safety measures are implemented.The need for connection and interaction has become even more important in a post-pandemic world, and travelers are seeking meaningful experiences and connections with locals. Big World Made Small guest features are invitation-only and selected based on story, experience, and fit with the show. Guest support helps make the episode possible, but it does not determine who is featured. This helps keep the show free of third-party ads and interruptions while keeping the focus on real, story-driven conversations.Learn more about the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast and join our private community to get episode updates & special access to our guests.Are you a tourism expert with a story to share? Let's connect.