Want a trip you’ll never forget? Forget travel agents, go to the experts

A destination management company (DMC) is a specialist travel operator that organises trips to include hotels, transport and travel experiences at a specific destination. Unlike travel agencies, which will usually sell many different tours and products around the world, DMCs specialise in a particular country or region or a certain genre of travel experience.

Specialist destination experts can help you create the perfect trip, whatever your interests.Credit: Getty Images

It might be travel in Japan, or German river cruises. While a travel agency is more likely to sell tour packages, a DMC specialises in one-off itineraries. Travel agents are a major client for DMCs. When they want to offer a tour in a particular country or region, the agent will usually contact a DMC, tell them what category of hotels they want to feature, the sights to include, their transport requirements and their budget.

DMCs also arrange conferences and major corporate events. A DMC has in-depth knowledge of their particular area, and they can offer more than basic tours. They can craft highly customised, immersive experiences that focus on local culture, heritage and natural surroundings. It might be a private wine-tasting session in Burgundy, a safari walk with Maasai herders in Kenya, a yacht charter in Thailand or just about anything your imagination can conjure up.

Most holidays do not require a DMC. If you want a couple of weeks of Asian sun or a flit around Europe, organise it yourself or get a travel agent on the case. But if you want something extra special – and you’re prepared to pay for it – there’s no reason why you might not take your holiday plans to a DMC and ask for their expertise. Apart from tour operators and corporate clients, they’re mainly dealing with high-end clients looking for unique, customised experiences. While they will provide full support and backup for an in-country trip, a DMC does not cover some of the bases that a travel agent would.

They won’t arrange flights from your home country, nor will they sell travel insurance. Nor are they likely to construct an itinerary that involves multiple countries. But if you’re thinking of a spectacular holiday for a small group, finding a DMC for your destination is easy. Just ask Google.