Image courtesy of Detroit Travel Co.
In December 2016, Detroit native Imani Elie launched what would eventually become The Detroit Travel Company (DTC) under Travelista Travel LLC in Virginia. What began as a boutique travel business has become a multifaceted enterprise renowned for luxury travel experiences, adventurous offerings, and retail achievements.
By 2017, Elie rebranded the company to reflect its essence and roots, officially adopting the name Detroit Travel Company. Today, DTC is a full-service hospitality firm that seamlessly blends travel, concierge services, event planning, and retail into one extraordinary package.
At the heart of DTC is Elie, an honorably discharged Navy veteran whose life journey has uniquely prepared her for entrepreneurial success. Elie served during Operation Enduring Freedom, honing skills in nursing, emergency medical treatment, radiology, and dental assisting. These experiences and the discipline and resilience gained from military service shaped her pragmatic and safety-conscious approach to travel.
“I started to see so many underrepresented faces in these different countries and people who could experience these cultures. Everyone was going to Miami and Vegas. You can do this too, but if you can spend money on a $500 trip, for example. You can spend the same money budgeting or paying down a trip until the day comes,” Ellie said.
“It’s the same amount of money you spend on your hair or outfits. So I wanted to allow the people who look just like me from Detroit or just from these urban backgrounds to know they can also touch these different parts of the world.”
After leaving the Navy, Elie further broadened her expertise by pursuing education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Hampton University in Virginia, and Career Technical Institute in Washington, D.C. She also gained invaluable experience during an internship with the Michigan House of Representatives, where she delved into event planning and hospitality management. Her diverse skill set and unwavering determination have propelled DTC into a league of its own.
Over the years, Elie has accumulated extensive industry experience, mastering everything from coordinating private boat charters to orchestrating large-scale destination events. As DTC’s CEO and head travel agent, she is deeply committed to delivering inclusive, affordable, and unforgettable experiences for her clients. Beyond travel services, DTC offers educational courses, financial resources for small businesses, and startup guides to foster entrepreneurship, particularly within Detroit.
Image courtesy of Detroit Travel Co.
Elie prioritizes inclusivity in all travel packages, ensuring they are always affordable for all travel budgets.
“Affordable to us would mean under $1,200 per person, always looking in advance to make sure we are giving people the opportunity to plan their budget throughout a certain amount of months or a year,” Elie said.
“Additionally, I make sure that my travel planning services represent the diverse cultures and people’s preferences.”
For Elie, DTC is more than just a business; it’s a love letter to her hometown. She describes Detroit as a “melting pot of diversity and opportunity” and sees the company as a way to showcase the city’s potential on a global stage.
Elie had to pivot during COVID-19, as traveling completely changed, but she created an easy and safer way to travel.
“I diverted and started doing more local boat and short-stay bookings. This was locally in, for example, Maryland, where more people were looking for things they could do safely. I started creating staycation packages here in Michigan and letting people know Michigan is pretty and a big state,” Elie said.
“There’s still a lot of adventures and things that you can do to enjoy yourself. It just affected me in the sense that I had to create a new way to accommodate my customers.”
Community engagement is another cornerstone of Elie’s vision. A staunch advocate for violence prevention and local causes, she dedicates her time to volunteer work while nurturing her passions as an animal lover, music enthusiast, and proud mother.
DTC has grown into a platform connecting people through travel, empowering communities, and fostering new opportunities. In 2025, DTC will expand with a new luggage and travel accessories line.
“It’ll feature three color options, green, orange, and black. Our Detroit Travel Co logo is on the luggage, along with the travel tags. They have TSA-approved locks embedded inside of them, including a 360-swivel. They’re silent wheels.”
Elie highlighted that she is excited about continuing her work with the Motor City Match and continuing the tracks to open a commercial space, a retail storefront, and an event space this new year.
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