Ready to take Dream Vacations? Jennifer Wahl can help

COSHOCTON − Even in the modern era with so much available online, Jennifer Wahl finds many people still need and want help in planning travel.

Dream Vacations recently opened at 48000 U.S. 36, behind J&R Door. The travel firm is affiliated with World Travel Holdings, the largest vacation retailer in the U.S. Wahl said because of this, she can offer a lot of different savings and special fares one might not have access to themselves. This spans from free spa services to vacation credits and more.

Wahl said people come to her for everything from honeymoons and family reunions to getaways for friends and just a relaxing trip away. Her focus is to create custom itineraries that are hassle free for clients.

Currently, she's focusing on all inclusive resorts and cruise packages. She wants to expand to group trips and is planning a group cruise to Alaska for next summer. She also wants to do a group river cruise of Europe in 2026. Wahl said having an office will allow her to have events to preview such group trips. It also allows clients to meet with vendors via Zoom.

"The booking part is just one little piece of it. I want (clients) to think of me as the service I'm providing for them. I'm not just a booking engine," Wahl said.

Wahl became an agent for Dream Vacations in September 2022 and worked from home part time. She still works as a nurse full time for Genesis HealthCare System as a case manager. Her husband, Ron Wahl, co-owns J&R Door, leading to the space being available to her.

Wahl said many travel agents work from home since the COVID-19 pandemic, but she saw the value in a brick and mortar storefront. She found herself meeting with people often for coffee to discuss travel matters.

"I think a lot of people miss that physical interaction with people, being able to come in and talk with them," Wahl said. "My passion is really with travel and helping people make those memories. It's not just about booking a trip. That's just one step of it. I like to guide them and answer questions. I think it's helpful meeting face to face."

While Wahl knows many people today often do their own travel accommodations online, the guidance and accountability she offers is important. Wahl said if something goes wrong on a trip, you can call her directly and not have to fight with customer service of an online booking website.

Amy Crown, director of the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce, has used Wahl several times for personal travel and said her help was indispensable.

"She can do airline dates and times you can't find on your own. She puts together an online itinerary. When we went out of the country it was so nice to have all that information in one location on your phone. It also told us if our flight was going to be delayed and gate changes," Crown said.

Find Dream Vacations on Facebook, call 740-502-2744 or email jwahl@dreamvacations.com.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Dream Vacations travel agency opens on U.S. 36 in Coshocton