Founded in 1938 and operating continuously since, Journey House Travel – an American Express Representative, is a full-service travel management company dedicated to serving the needs of clients by offering the best in service and value in travel-related services.
Can you tell us about how and why you started your business?
Journey House Travel was founded in 1938, and was later acquired by Riley and Mary Fitzhugh. Riley had over 35 years of tenure with American Airlines, developing quite a penchant for providing incredible client experiences in travel, which he carried into his ownership of Journey House Travel. This passion continues to fuel JHT’s growth as one of the largest travel agencies in Oklahoma.
What services do you provide within the film/music industry?
Journey House Travel is a full-service travel agency, booking air travel, transportation, hotel negotiations and accommodations, and VIP meet & greet services to the film and music industries through our multiple discount programs.
How has your company grown to meet the needs of Oklahoma’s film and/or music industry over the last 3-5 years?
Although Journey House has worked with legacy Oklahoma film companies for several years, we have now added a dedicated Account Manager to oversee and service the film and music industries, and have hired additional staff to meet the demand as it continues to make Oklahoma its new home. JHT has also enrolled in numerous film/music-specific programs associated with the entertainment industry to provide additional benefits to our accounts.
What are the benefits of basing your company’s operations in Oklahoma?
Journey House Travel is wholly owned by Riley and Mary Fitzhugh, of Oklahoma City, and has been continuously Oklahoma owned and operated since 1938. JHT’s headquarters remains in Oklahoma due to the incredible community support and resources.
What would you consider your businesses greatest accomplishment to date?
Journey House Travel is one of the largest travel agencies in Oklahoma and has recorded a profit every year for the past two decades, enabling us to power through unprecedented events such as 9/11 and the pandemic of 2020 despite the devastating effects they had on the travel industry.
Are there any recent successes your company would like to highlight related to work within the Oklahoma film and music industries?
Since 2020, Account Manager Kate Sebrant has on-boarded multiple large film companies who have relocated from Los Angeles to Oklahoma. Kate has since secured valuable negotiated contracts on behalf our film and music accounts, while also facilitating professional networking opportunities within the community and industry. Consequently, Kate’s role as a liaison between the film, music and travel industries is benefitting all three industries as a whole.
What are you working on now/next?
While we are working on several films currently in production and more in the pipeline, we continue to develop relationships with all players in the film and music industries, proving to be an invested ambassador for Oklahoma.
What is your goal/vision for the future of your company?
While continuing to provide the impeccable customer service that has led us to earn eight consecutive American Express Rep Excellence Awards, identifying the top 25 travel agencies within the American Express Representative Travel Network, we aspire to make Journey House Travel the go-to brick and mortar travel agency for the film industry in Oklahoma.
What advice do you have for others who are considering starting a film or music business in Oklahoma?
With Journey House Travel, you will enjoy the advantage of an independently owned, locally managed travel company with ties to the communities and offices based in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Dallas. You also will benefit from the extensive business travel resources of American Express, one of the most respected travel organizations in the world.
What opportunities do you believe await Oklahoma’s film/music industry in the future?
The sky is truly the limit. Oklahomans are ready to embrace the film and music industries, which will bring all players in the industry welcoming community support, competitive economic benefits and a slower pace of life while still having the benefits of a big city. We are so excited to be a part of it!