Meet Evan McElligott: From Airport to Agency

After studying travel at college in his native Ireland, Evan McElligott spent years learning the minutiae of the travel business at Dublin Airport.

He moved around the facility, working in positions across check-in desks, reservation desks and other operational positions.

“It was constant moving and ghosting,” he said of his time in operations and customer service at the airport.

After years of interacting with travelers and helping to solve their travel woes, his interest in the travel agency business was piqued. A podcast detailing the world of the home-based travel agent also spurred his interest.

Evan McElligott

McElligott decided to open an agency in the U.S. with the goal of sending travelers on bespoke group tours to Ireland. In 2006 he launched Longer Vacations in Portland, Maine.

Life-changing vacations
“I want my clients to experience something different every day,” said McElligott, who partnered with the Irish American Association of Maine to find potential clients.

He also puts together trips to his other favorite international destinations: New Zealand, Australia and Southeast Asia.

McElligott’s group tours include golf trips, walking tours, photography tours and other small group programs. He relishes bringing Americans to small Irish communities and having the two groups interact in authentic ways.

“There’s a huge jump between a great vacation and a life-changing vacation,” said McElligott. “For me, it is all about experiencing the local culture.”

American ambassadors
As an Irishman residing in the U.S., McElligott wants to help bridge the divide between the different cultures of America and Ireland.

“It’s important for Americans to be ambassadors to Ireland, and vice versa,” said McElligott.

He is also passionate about encouraging college students to study and travel abroad after experiencing the wider world in his own travels.

“I want to get the message out there about the gap-year concept,” said McElligott. “I approach colleges and college fairs to encourage students to go abroad.”

ASTA fan
McElligott is an active board member of ASTA’s Young Professionals Society and helped plan the group’s latest retreat to Costa Rica, working with G Adventures to facilitate the trip.

“To be honest, if it wasn’t for ASTA and YPS I don’t think I could have stayed an agent,” said McElligott. “Being home-based is kind of isolating and being part of a group with like-minded ideas is key.”

Special interests
By focusing on areas that interest him – from Ireland to activities like photography – McEligott is able to leverage his personal passion for his clients.

“Where agents are getting really interesting is in specializing,” said McElligott. “The business is shifting and the level of expertise now is really about putting trips together [and not just booking].”

His Ireland groups account for about 60% of his business. About 80% of his business comes from referrals.

Talking to potential clients is the most valuable tool for determining if one of his tours is a good fit for them, said McElligott

“It’s important to take fam trips and talk to people, meeting people who are traveling and finding out what they are after.”

Sustainability
Sustainable tourism is also a major concern for McElligott.

He takes issue with the type of vacation that benefits big corporations and harms local communities or the environment.

“The responsibility is in the hands of the modern agent to make sure we are moving people around in a way that is sustainable,” said McElligott. “A lot still needs to change in the travel world for us to travel effectively.”