Transformation of Travel By Debika Sen

Transformation of Travel

By Debika Sen

The world of travel seems to be shifting. There was a time where one called their tour operator or travel agent to make their arrangements. Today’s fad is to be part of a small group of like minded “Women’s Tours,” “Spiritual Avatars,” and the latest “A Travel Coach.” One would take time away from home and work – just relax and enjoy a moment of getting re-acquainted with themselves. It was simple back then when our grandparents and parents decided to take time off from a hectic lifestyle. Today, it has become diversified – the experts are creating travel niches, thinking outside the box with a plethora of experiential local experiences. The new trend setters in travel are keener on learning and experiencing the varied heritage sites and cultural practices. It is the power of being in the “now moment” of travel – to be a part of a community and understanding how a country has been re-shaped by various invasions a fusion of many cultures, enriching the nation into who she is today.

 I have seen travel revolutionized every decade, since my tenure in this line of work. Each generation adding their formula to a more personalized hands-on travel experience. The collaboration between a tour operator and their prospective client is an interesting relationship – one that fosters education on both sides and for me, an exciting challenge in creating authentic and powerful collaborations between travelers, locals and sustenance of a dying art form to any destination. It is when the artist brings forth enriching experiences to their audience, transforming not only the traveler but also the destination they visit. The aspiration to present a simple but profound alliance between two nations, meeting of people from different parts of the world.

I once had a client whose simple request, to experience yoga in a unique setting in India. I adorned my magic hat and there came the idea - Taj Mahal in Agra! A local yoga instructor was hired and at the time of sunrise, the two set forth doing yoga not too far from this magnificent monument. Two souls, spiritually connected through yoga, in the background, a UNESCO monument built between 1631 and 1648 at the behest of Emperor Shah Jahan in memoriam to his favorite wife, Mumtaj Mahal. At sunset it was meditation. A monument built for love for one’s spouse and two simple experiences of yoga and meditation – loving one’s self through exercise and rekindling spiritual awareness. A unique way to immerse in the artistry of the Taj Mahal and the beautiful landscape. Luxury at its best, yet simple and pure.

It is these memorable moments in one’s journey, does one feel the soul of the destination, the heartbeat of the local people, a different form of viewing and appreciating monuments. Leading our guests gently on an unconventional path of discovery, an influential means in forging connections between travelers and communities, sustaining cultural conservations and reviving the lost form of the ancient art of wellness and spiritualism. The integration of culture, heritage sites, is the “new tourism” to owning a personal experience.

Currently, Debika is the Founder and President of A Classic Tours Collection, an immersive tour operator that takes tour participants across continents on unique tour experiences.

Website:  www.aclassictour.com

After entering the travel industry as a receptionist, Debika discovered a fascination for designing trips. As she began to understand the mechanisms of what makes a trip great, Debika embarked on designing trips that today focus on - and fulfill - a spiritual and emotional need for travelers. It was her passion for unique tours that culminated in the launch of A Classic Tours in 2008, based in Redondo Beach, CA. Over the past decade, Debika has grown her tour offerings, team and business, and has offered over 30 experiences across 20 countries.

Notably, Debika created the Women’s Empowerment Tour after being selected for - and participating in – The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. During this time, Debika developed the unique Women’s Empowerment Tour of India, which led to additional tours of historical importance, from Women Empowerment tours to Tahiti, Croatia and Japan, to her one-of-a-kind journey into Imperial Russia and The Occult.

In her downtime, Debika is an avid reader and writer, putting together articles about travel and insights gained through travel, and devouring a multitude of books on travel and history. She also enjoys seeing movies and of course, traveling!