With the spring and summer vacation season approaching, Alexis Doerfler of The Destination Designer brings a distinctive philosophy and a fresh perspective to the bespoke travel industry.
The Destination Designer, founded by Doerfler in 2016, is the culmination of years of travel industry experience and a growing frustration with travel providers purporting to be experts but often failing to deliver authentic and unique travel experiences. As an account manager for one of the world’s largest travel conglomerates, Doerfler saw a gap in the industry. “It felt soulless,” she recounted. Unfulfilled and frustrated sitting behind a desk, Doerfler, the daughter of a flight attendant with wanderlust in her blood, left the corporate world and relocated to Italy.
Inspired by her passion for travel, she enrolled in a language program in Puglia and became fluent in Italian. Settling in Rome, Doerfler began exploring Europe extensively. Influenced by the cultures she encountered and the locations she visited, Doerfler was driven to redefine how we explore the world. Simultaneously, the scandal of false and misleading reviews on popular online sites erupted, impacting travelers like herself, who could no longer rely on many of their go-to resources. Travelers now faced the overwhelming endeavor of sorting through a sea of misinformation, and “employing a traditional travel agent does not solve this problem. They often recommend destinations they have never been to and depend on the same unreliable information.” According to Doerfler, “our approach is going to change that.”
With a commitment to providing real expertise and transparency, The Destination Designer was born. The foundation of their service is delivering customized travel rooted in personal and firsthand knowledge. Doerfler asserted, “What makes us different: the Destination Designer scouts each location we serve, vetting everything from hotels, restaurants and excursions before referring or recommending them to our clients.”
“We deliver specialized, immersive and rich experiences accessible at all price points,” she continued. “You do not need an unlimited budget to go on a family vacation or a fun girls trip. A luxury vacation does not necessarily mean the most expensive. Rather, luxury is defined by the values of each individual client. To get started, all it takes is a phone call.”
“The most vital part of creating an individualized experience is listening and appreciating each traveler’s needs and wants. A clear understanding of expectations allows the team to bring a perfectly curated itinerary to life.” Doerfler points to a recent multi-generational trip for sixteen. “We worked tirelessly to ensure there was something for everyone. The grandfather was an avid golfer, the group’s interests varied from history to wine and the kids were picky eaters. Our team made certain everyone was heard, and their needs met.” Another example is a couple celebrating their anniversary. “They first came to us after a disappointing experience with another agency that over-promised and under-delivered. We took on the task of reworking their itinerary, saving them precious time, avoiding doubling back on their route and incorporating more immersive activities they were initially looking for.”
The Destination Designer provides a comprehensive, full-service travel experience from logistical planning, airline and hotel bookings and dining reservations. Best-available or preferred rates are guaranteed and an array of exclusive amenities such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and welcome gifts are available. Through the individual relationships and professional partnerships that Doerfler has forged, her clients have exclusive access to an ever-expanding network of delicious dining options, reliable drivers and boat captains, expert guides, sommeliers, chefs and more. Most importantly, clients have complete visibility and control over where their budget is allocated. That means there are never any behind-the-scene mark-ups, fees or price adjustments that traditional travel agents or hotel concierges count on.
Not to mention, Doerfler is an expert at credit card point and mileage utilization, helping her clients save significant and valuable funds to apply toward more meaningful adventures. “We love using points for flight and hotel stays, which allows the savings to be used for more exciting activities, such as a private boat charter, wine tasting or upgrading their accommodations.”
With a personalized approach, clients can access their travel specialist far beyond the finalization of their itinerary, including 24-hour concierge assistance throughout their trip. “If a driver is late or a dinner reservation is missing, do not worry. Just reach out. Unsure of what to bring? We will help,” stated Doerfler. She even describes visiting the home of a nervous client to help her pack.
The Destination Designer is also a family-run business, setting it apart from the larger agencies. After pandemic restrictions were lifted, there was an unprecedented demand for travel. In fact, the term “revenge travel” was coined. As a result, The Destination Designer experienced an explosion of inquiries. Overwhelmed, Doerfler recognized that expansion was necessary to continue providing exceptional service to her clients. Often traveling with her aunt and close friend, Doerfler knew it would be a perfect partnership. An attorney by trade, Elizabeth Doerfler, a sophisticated traveler with an eye for detail, had left her fifteen-plus-year legal career and shifted to a more creative space in event and floral design. While on a rooftop in Capri, enjoying an aperitivo, they decided that The Destination Designer could be even better together. “It is our mission to offer our clients the same priceless and memorable experiences that we enjoy when we travel, and we work diligently to ensure that each aspect of our client’s trip exceeds their expectations,” said Alexis Doerfler. “Ours is not a corporate experience, we are there for our clients from beginning to end, and we love and take pride in what we do.”
The Destination Designer’s mission is to transform how people travel by making exclusive, luxurious and authentic travel attainable for all. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to travel. Alexis Doerfler and her team’s dedication to providing real, insider knowledge, a commitment to transparency and their individualized approach are refreshing concepts that are transforming travel.
For more information, visit
thedestinationdesigner.com
Follow on Instagram
@thedestinationdesigner
