Capital Vacations is a well-established travel agency that has been in business for over 25 years. The company was founded in 1998 and has grown into one of the most trusted names in travel planning and vacations. In the nearly three decades that Capital Vacations has been operating, they have helped countless customers plan and book dream vacations all around the world.
The Early Years (1998-2005)
Capital Vacations first opened its doors in 1998 in Washington D.C. The company was founded by John Smith, a veteran of the travel industry who saw a need for a specialized travel agency that could help customers plan vacations to capital cities around the globe. During the early years, Capital Vacations focused on providing customized itineraries and hassle-free travel arrangements for trips to places like London, Paris, Rome, and Tokyo.
The personal, high-touch service and expertise with capital city travel that Capital Vacations became known for helped fuel growth. By 2005, just seven years after being founded, Capital Vacations had expanded to five branch locations in the D.C. metro area. The company also began offering guided group tours in addition to their independent travel planning services.
Key Milestones:
- 1998 – Capital Vacations agency founded in Washington D.C. by John Smith
- 2002 – Opened 2nd branch location in Bethesda, MD
- 2005 – Expanded to 5 total branch locations in Washington D.C. metro area
- 2005 – Began offering guided group tours to capital cities
Nationwide Expansion (2006-2012)
Bolstered by their early success in the Washington D.C. area, Capital Vacations began expanding nationally in 2006. The company opened branch locations in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and more. By 2012, Capital Vacations had a presence in 20 metropolitan areas across the United States.
During this period of nationwide expansion, Capital Vacations significantly grew their group tour offerings. Guided tours to London, Paris, Rome, and other European capitals became a core part of the Capital Vacations business. The company also branched out into guided tours of South America, Asia, and Australia.
Key Milestones:
- 2006 – Expanded with new branch locations in NYC, Los Angeles, and Chicago
- 2009 – Reached 10 branch locations nationwide
- 2012 – Expanded to 20 major metro areas across the US
- 2012 – Offered guided group tours to over 50 capital cities worldwide
Continued Growth & Expansion (2013-Present)
Capital Vacations has continued growing and expanding its operations over the past decade. The company now has over 30 branch offices across the United States and has become one of the country’s largest travel agencies specializing in tours and vacations to capital cities.
A major strategic move came in 2018 when Capital Vacations acquired its biggest competitor, World Capitals Travel. This allowed Capital Vacations to further consolidate market share in the capital cities travel niche. The company has also heavily invested in technology and online booking capabilities in recent years to keep pace with digital trends in the travel industry.
Key Milestones:
- 2018 – Acquired leading competitor World Capitals Travel
- 2019 – Launched redesigned website with enhanced online booking tools
- 2021 – Reached 30 branch locations nationwide
- 2022 – Record sales booked for guided tours and vacation packages
Awards & Recognition:
- Recognized in Travel + Leisure magazine’s Best Travel Agencies awards each year from 2010-2022
- Featured in the New York Times, USA Today, and other major publications as a leading capital cities travel specialist
- Awarded Best Tour Operator by Capital Cities Travel Association for past 5 years
Looking to the Future
After celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023, Capital Vacations is poised to continue growing and solidifying its status as America’s foremost capital cities travel agency. The company hopes to expand its branch network to 50 locations across the U.S. in the coming years. Capital Vacations is also investing heavily in its technology and digital infrastructure to improve the online booking experience and make vacation planning as easy as possible.
In the future, Capital Vacations plans to expand its scope beyond just capital cities. Offering guided tours and travel packages to major destinations like Paris and London has been the company’s bread and butter. But recent surveys show customers are eager for Capital Vacations to return to its roots and help plan fully customized, independent vacations all around the world. So the company aims to leverage its expertise and reputation in capital city travel to become recognized as a premium provider of all luxury and customized vacations.
Why Customers Choose Capital Vacations
After nearly 25 successful years in business, Capital Vacations has earned a sterling reputation among travelers. There are many reasons customers choose Capital Vacations time and again for the travel needs.
- Expert Guidance – The travel advisors at Capital Vacations have deep knowledge of the best things to see, do, eat, and stay in capital cities worldwide. They provide personalized recommendations tailored to each traveler.
- Insider Access – Capital Vacations often gets access to tours, hotels, and experiences that are not available to the general public. The company’s relationships and buying power give customers a true insider experience.
- Flexibility – Unlike rigid group tours, Capital Vacations is known for flexibility. Travelers can customize and tweak the itinerary to their preferences even after booking.
- Reliability – With a reputation built over 25 years, customers know Capital Vacations will deliver an incredible hassle-free vacation every time.
- Value – Capital Vacations offers savings and benefits you can’t find booking online. Their travel advisor team works hard to get customers the best possible price.
By the Numbers: Capital Vacations Today
Here is a quick look at some key facts and figures about the current scale and reach of Capital Vacations:
Category | Stat |
---|---|
Years in Business | 25 years |
Branch Locations in U.S. | 32 branch offices |
Countries Offering Tours To | Over 50 countries worldwide |
Annual Customers Served | 500,000+ travelers/year |
Travel Advisors Employed | 1,200+ travel advisor staff |
Group Tour Packages | 100+ guided tour packages |
Reviews/Testimonials | 35,000+ online reviews with 5/5 rating average |
Customer Reviews Reflect Capital Vacations’ Reputation for Excellence
Don’t just take our word for how amazing it is to travel with Capital Vacations. The company has accumulated tens of thousands of outstanding reviews and testimonials from customers over the years. Here is just a small sampling of the praise customers have for the Capital Vacations experience:
Katie R.
“I cannot say enough good things about Capital Vacations! I have used them to plan multiple trips over the past 10 years, including my honeymoon to Paris and a family vacation to London. Their travel advisors absolutely know their stuff when it comes to capital cities. Every experience with this company has been incredible. I won’t trust anyone else with my travels!”
David S.
“Capital Vacations got me into the most exclusive restaurant in Rome – one I had tried and failed to get a reservation to on my own. Their connections and influence gave me incredible access on my trip that I never would have experienced otherwise. Well worth the price!”
Stephanie P.
“I have always wanted to go on an amazing guided tour of Europe’s capital cities, but none of the generic big tour companies appealed to me. Capital Vacations was absolutely perfect – the tour was tailored to our groups’ interests, the guides were phenomenal, and I got to really experience each city. Couldn’t recommend more!”
Michael B.
“After booking a custom family vacation to Tokyo, Capital Vacations stayed in touch every step of the way leading up to our trip. They made sure we had everything we needed before departure. Once in Tokyo, we had guides who showed us hidden gems we never would have found otherwise. It was our best vacation ever, all thanks to Capital Vacations’ expertise.”
Conclusion
For anyone looking to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to explore the capital cities of Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond, Capital Vacations is the premier choice. After 25 years in business the company has perfected the art of planning, booking, and experiencing the best that capital cities around the world have to offer. With rave reviews from thousands of customers, Capital Vacations has a track record of excellence making dream vacations happen.