For This Agent and Chickasaw Tribe Member Business Is (Mostly) All in the Family
by Judy Jacobs /Ray Rowe, president of Ray’s Travel Service in Ada, Okla., is on a mission. He wants to convince Native American tribes to do business with him. If they do, they can save money – a lot of money, he says.
So how does he accomplish that?
Rowe said he obtains government rates for tribal members traveling on business. He currently does this for the Chickasaw, his own tribe who he serves as travel agent.
Travel agent roots
Although he’s one-eighth Chickasaw and a member of the tribe, Rowe grew up in Oklahoma and British Columbia.
His mother was a travel agent, and after trying other lines of work – the grocery and restaurant businesses, airlines and real estate – Rowe followed his heart and his Mom and opened Ray’s Travel Service in early 1980.
His agency is located in Ada, which serves as the capital of the Chickasaw Nation. The tribe has nearly 50,000 members; 20,000 of them live in Oklahoma.
The reservation stretches across more than 7,600 square miles and 13 counties from just south of Oklahoma City to the Texas border.
Number one client
Rowe’s agency does about 55% corporate business, 40% leisure and 5% groups. The Chickasaw Nation makes up 30% of his business. “They’re our No. 1 customer,” he said.
With more than 60 businesses including banking, a chocolate factory, casinos, hotels, information technology, manufacturing and healthcare, as well as tribal government, the Chickasaw Nation employs more than 10,000 people.
Business and official travel
Rowe’s agency handles much of the travel for these businesses, along with all of the tribe’s official travel.
His client’s include the Chickasaw Nation’s governor and its “royalty,” the princess and her court who represent the Nation at events across the U.S. including tribal pow wows, meetings and conventions, and official missions.
Rowe also handles travel for tribal children from across the country who attend 30 Chickasaw summer camps.
Native American specialist
Rowe believes he’s the only agent specializing in Native American travel. Although he’s done some work for other tribes, he doesn’t understand why more of them don’t bring him their business.
He can save them money, he said.
“Because the Chickasaw and other tribal nations are part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, they are entities of the U.S. government and qualify for federal government airfares,” Rowe said. “Most tribes don’t realize that.
“Because Native American travel is usually business travel, they get tickets discounted up to 70% off regular fares with no advance booking,” he said.
“Federal government tickets can be cancelled at any time with a full refund. If they’re on a trip and the meeting gets over or is extended they can change the ticket without penalty.”
All employees of the Chickasaw Nation qualify for this discount, whether they’re tribal members or not, Rowe said.