We had the good fortune of connecting with Alicia Kelly Stryker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alicia, what do you attribute your success to?
Travel is an immersive experience. In order to be successful as a travel agent, I believe you need to go out and experience as many destinations as you can. Anyone can read online reviews, but how do you know they are honest? I have been to 49 all inclusive resorts, Universal Orlando & Hollywood, 27 countries, Alaska, Hawaii, 9 cruise lines, Disneyland Paris, Disneyland California, and countless trips to Walt Disney World. While I love to travel, I also do it so I can find the right match for clients and give them a more personable and honest experience.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My job is to assist clients with travel from the planning and pricing stage through completion of their vacation (and sometimes beyond). Anyone can get a quote online or via a phone call. And the options are endless! Plus, every client is unique: different wants, needs, budgets. I try to guide my clients, make recommendations, be available to answer questions at any time, and customize it the best that I can.

I am completely reference based, so all my clients are via referrals. I have clients as far away as New Zealand! Being 100% referral based requires me giving my all to my clients and them willing to give me a shoutout to others. I genuinely appreciate every booking and every referral I receive.

One of the biggest challenges I face is educating potential clients on how my services work when they can simply book online. For instance, the price you see online already includes commission. That commission will either go to me (as the agent who processes the booking) or that money is kept by the supplier. The difference you get with me, however, is that I will remain available well after your trip is booked.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I have lived in Atlanta for 23 years and while much of it has changed, I love that some of my favorite destinations remain.

Nuevo Laredo Cantina on Chattahoochee Ave has long been a favorite of mine and I love going their there with friends (both local and out-of-town guests). I love that the owner, Chance Evans has kept it the same since the very beginning. And what could be better after dinner than Northside Tavern on Howell Mill Rd? Northside Tavern is a great blues club and a hole-in-the-wall gem.

I’m a Georgia Tech grad and worked for Tech for many years. I have a special fondness for a lot of the surrounding area: Trivia at Rocky Mountain Pizza Company, improv at Whole World Theater, Friday Jazz at the High Museum of Art, and lots of great restaurants close to campus (such as La Fonda Cantina, Tin Drum, and Antico Pizza Napoletana).

And if you are OTP (“outside the perimeter” for those that are outside of Georgia), head up to downtown Roswell, downtown Woodstock, or downtown Marietta. All three have lovely, historic downtown squares full of shops, bars, and restaurants. And if you go to Brookwood Grill, promise me you’ll get the smoked gouda mac-n-cheese.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Part of my job requires me to travel a lot. We have three children (and a needy Pug), so I am grateful for my husband (Joe Stryker) and my mom who help with the kids when I am gone and can’t take the family along. I couldn’t do this job without their support!

I also want to give a shoutout to Chris and Jana Miller. They were my first clients. It takes a leap of faith to give an agent their first booking! I am grateful they gave me the opportunity (and continue to support me).

Website: https://www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/alicia-stryker/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iplanvacations/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-s-b23b84151/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicalVacationPlannerbyAlicia

Other: a.stryker@magicalvacationplanner.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.