Seasoned traveler

At 32, Angely Dub has been to 120 countries and she wants to give you the best ‘access’ to the world

Few people can claim to have traveled the world in their early 30s. But for Angely Dub, 32, she has already set foot in more than 120 countries, doing what she loves and simultaneously building a business from it. What sets her apart is not just her extensive travel experience, but her determination to share the world with others through “Access Travel.”

Angely began her entrepreneurial venture after graduating from a tourism degree at the College of St. Benilde. Currently based in Madrid, Spain, she leads the operations of her 12-year-old travel company remotely, overseeing a team in the Philippines. Alongside her business endeavors, Angely also hosts a podcast titled “Life in Progress.”

Access Travel distinguishes itself by focusing on “customized, personalized” travel itineraries. Unlike typical tour packages, Angely curates deeper and more experiential journeys, personally vetting each one. Her hands-on approach ensures a genuine connection to the culture, cuisine, and customs of each destination.

Starting young

Born and raised in the Philippines, Angely founded Access Travel straight out of college. It was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, as ever since she was young, she wanted to travel and see the world.

“When I was young, people would always ask me, ‘what do you want to do?’ People will always say they want to travel, but in one way or another, they couldn’t do it. So, when I said that I wanted to travel the world, I took it literally and did it, starting my own business, which is related to travel,” Angely said.

Starting as a conventional travel company, she soon realized the need for a more immersive travel experience after noticing that tour packages were just literally transporting people from one place to another, with no genuine connection to the place or the locals. Determined to be different, Angely transformed Access Travel into a provider of customized private trips for small groups of seven to 10 people.

“I decided that I need to do my own journey. The whole travel industry is one big pie – and I want to just take a slice of it. I studied what market is underserved and I discovered that there are people who yearn to travel in a much immersive and deeper way,” she said.  “I personally know what I’m selling, that’s why I’ve been to 120-plus countries; I don’t just Google the information or guess the itinerary since I’ve personally tested the entire stretch – from the start to the end of a trip.”

Angely said that she has just finished an Access Expedition to Iceland, where she led a group of seven people. “In that trip, we catered to the personal needs of each person, making sure that each one is fully experiencing the journey and destination – bonding with the locals, immersing in a new culture, tasting the best of their cuisine, even undergoing bucket-list-worthy adventures that can be cherished for a lifetime,” Angely said.

When Access Travel took this “tiny group” route, Angely revealed that there were challenges as the travel market was more accustomed to group promos and budget trips. “Up to now, it’s still a challenge. But what we have is an untapped market – people who may be tired of the usual itineraries and want a different experience, who view travel not as an expense, but an experience.”

Today, Access Travel has gained recognition for its bespoke tours, never canceling trips even for a small number of clients or when someone cancels at the last minute. Additional costs because of this are not shouldered by the rest of the group. This commitment to personalized experiences has set Angely’s company apart in an industry often focused on mass offerings.

Inspiration and mission

Surviving the pandemic, Access Travel remains active on social media, has e-commerce platforms, and provides 24/7 customer assistance. Angely takes pride in her hands-on approach to business, demonstrating consistency and dedication to her clients.

“When I say I will do it, I show up no matter how hard it is. I do my tasks. It is easy to wake up on good days but it’s doubly hard to wake up on bad days. But I still make sure I show up no matter what,” she said.

She also learned the value of being hands-on since she is the type who wants to grab opportunities that come her way. “I believe that life is about taking and making use of all the opportunities that are in front of you.”

Raised by a single mother, Angely credits her mom for instilling in her an independent spirit. Despite not coming from a privileged background, she appreciates the opportunities her mother provided. “I was raised by a single mom since my dad died when I was 13. I do not come from a privileged family, so I had to create my roadmap. But I am very grateful to my mom. She did her best. And I credit her for what I’ve become now.”

Now, Angely gives back to the community, partnering with Childhope Foundation to send street children to school.

With plans for a Philippine-itinerary based counterpart to Access Travel which she has named “Explora Ahora,” and continued advocacy for education, Angely remains connected to her roots while embracing the freedom Madrid offers her. “Madrid is my heart, but the Philippines is my soul.”

She also aims to inspire Filipinos to explore the world, emphasizing that travel is a reward earned after building one’s life.

“I want to let them know that traveling is a reward. Sometimes on social media, it seems like it’s a need. But what I’ve learned through my journey is that travel is a reward after building our lives. If you cannot travel at the moment, I understand that there will always be pressure. But what we need to understand is that there is a season for everything.”

Angely’s advice to the youth is straightforward: work, build a career or business, and travel becomes the reward. Dismissing the notion of dropping everything to travel, she advocates for building a foundation first. “Build your life first, then travel is the best reward you can get yourself.” — Johannes Chua

Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph