The place where someone is born and raised traditionally holds special meaning for that person. In the case of Louie Dajani, founder and CEO of Travel With Friends, the significance was amplified by the fact that his hometown, Jerusalem, holds special meaning not only for him, but also for millions of people of faith around the globe.
Decades ago, Dajani began turning that love for his hometown into a career, first as a tour guide and eventually as a tour operator welcoming groups to this prominent faith destination. He started the company to meet a need, according to Mia Story, executive assistant at Travel With Friends and the primary NTA contact for the company.
“He wanted to serve others and offer a platform for all-inclusive, efficient group travel that would take the pressure off clients to plan, organize, and make hard decisions related to their trips,” she says.
For over 30 years, Travel With Friends, now based in Little Rock, Arkansas, has done exactly that: working to meeting the needs of those who want to deepen their faith through travel. But as Story explains, their travelers aren’t just clients, they’re also friends.
“We have worked hard to embody our core value of being a friend and serving others in all that we do,” she says. “Like any good friend, we’re here to help! Our travelers can relax knowing that our experienced agents handle every aspect of their trip: flights, lodging, ground transportation, activities, tours, and more.”
Of course, with the company’s origin in Jerusalem, its flagship tour is focused on the Holy Land. During this tour, Story says they bring unique experiences and opportunities to their clients.
“For years, we have helped bring scripture to life for our travelers by allowing them to walk where Jesus walked, standing where He stood, touching waters that He touched, and seeing the land where His miracles were performed,” Story says. “These experiences help the traveler gain a deeper appreciation for what they know to be true. We believe that reimagining scripture through the eyes of the culture in which it is written strengthens the faith and encourages the spirit. It contextualizes the history of faith in an unforgettable way.”
