Odyssey Travel opens new office in Viera | News

BREVARD COUNTY — Traveling can be a great experience that opens people’s minds to different cultures, new cuisine and cherished memories.

Whether you’re traveling domestic or international, a seasoned traveler or preparing for your first trip, travel advisors can help make booking flights, cruises, hotel stays and excursions smoother than if doing it alone.

Since 1985, Odyssey Travel has been facilitating thousands of trips across the globe in 107 countries. Originally based in Ormond Beach, the travel company has since expanded offices in Jacksonville and now, Viera.

Odyssey Travel will host its grand opening on Monday, Jan. 13 with a ribbon cutting at noon. Light snacks and a limited number of exclusive travel deals will be offered to those joining in the festivities.

The new office is located at 5525 Parada Drive, Suite 102, Viera, and is between the Viera Dunkin’ Donuts and Crest Cleaners.

Odyssey Travel is a member of Virtuoso, an exclusive travel network that can offer clients special amenities that wouldn’t normally be offered when people book trips by themselves.

“We have cruise lines that are part of our network, and as part of those cruise lines we have Virtuoso Voyages where we will have a hosted voyage,” said John Upchurch, president and CEO of Odyssey Travel. “An advisor will go on the cruise and help individuals, and there will be a private tour just for the people that have booked through Virtuoso.”

An exciting new cruise that will be sailing in April includes Virgin Voyages, an adults-only luxury cruise that takes away mass dining for a unique experience in 20 dining facilities. Virgin Voyages sails out of Miami, and in 2021 will offer Mediterranean cruises and on Aug. 7, Odyssey Travel will offer a hosted cruise by Join the Fun. A limited number of seats will be open for transportation to the Miami port on the hosted cruise.

From private travel guides that can pick clients up from airports to private experiences such as cooking classes and meals in residential homes, Odyssey Travel can prepare an amazing itinerary to fit any budget.

“One of the reasons that we’re part of Virtuoso is not only for all of the suppliers, but for the organization,” Mr. Upchurch said. “They understand what we’re selling so that they can then market what our clients are looking for.”

Odyssey Travel clients are also privy to receiving special catalogues with travel tips and ideas.

The successful travel company started with Karen Upchurch, a woman who has a passion for travel and enjoys mentoring agents new to the travel industry. As she discovered a preference for working out front with clients, Mrs. Upchurch brought her son, John, to handle the business-side of Odyssey Travel.

Mr. Upchurch comes from a former profession as an eminent domain attorney and was the head of his own practice for 17 years. With a passion for travel himself, Mr. Upchurch said when his mother was contemplating retirement, it was time to make the switch out of a high-stress job.

With an undergraduate business degree, Mr. Upchurch has helped contribute to the exponential growth of Odyssey Travel, opening offices in two new locations.

Odyssey Travel employs 13 advisors and 27 independent contractors. Join the Fun, a travel group that offers tours with residents 50 and older, will be joining Odyssey Travel in its new Viera office. Join the Fun offers day trips to motor coach tours and group cruises with bus transportation to the ports.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Upchurch is free to do what she loves – travel, explore new destinations and look for that distinctive vacation spot her clients might enjoy visiting next.

Mrs. Upchurch was recently recognized as the Luxury Travel Advisor of the Year for 2019, and Odyssey Travel has been honored with other titles, such as Hometown News’ Readers Choice Award, Odyssey Travel Best Luxury Cruise Operator in Florida, and an Odyssey Travel agent was recognized as the Ponte Vedra Travel Advisor of the Year.

For more information, visit www.odysseytravel.com.