In the world of travel, there are visionaries who transform ordinary journeys into extraordinary experiences. Dricks Everette is a longtime entrepreneur known for his role as the founder and CEO of luxury travel company, Dipaways. Everette’s award-winning experiences are redefining the way people travel and experience the world.
If you’re tired of waiting for your friends to travel with then consider adventuring with a group. Everette’s upcoming group trips to various destinations, like Japan, Seychelles, Tuscany and Thailand. The trips are sure to wow any traveler looking to journey abroad without the hassle of planning.
Travel Noire sat down with Everette to unearth what’s next for Dipaways.
Travel Noire: What inspired you to start a luxury group travel company?
Dricks Everette: Before starting Dipaways, I spent years traveling the world solo, waking up in dreamy places like Bali and the Amalfi Coast. While these places were undeniably beautiful, a true sense of community and connection with others seemed elusive.
As a Black traveler, I often found myself in places where I was one of the few of people who looked like me. As a Black male traveler, the lack of representation was even more glaring. That’s when it struck me that there was space for a different kind of travel experience. I grew inspired to grow a lively community of travelers who were seeking culture, adventure and connection.
I see Dipaways as more than a luxurious travel company. It’s a global space where people from different lives can come, explore the world together and build lasting friendships. As the company grows and evolves, I’ve noticed that our inspiration evolves too. Dipaways was born out of a genuine desire to bring people together for a truly unparalleled travel experience. Doing our part to bridge the gap in representation in luxury travel is the cherry on top.
TN: What sets your luxury group travel experiences apart from traditional travel options?
DE: We love to approach travel differently at Dipaways. We fuse heart-driven exploration with tech innovation. Your getaway begins at booking and culminates in an exceptionally refined cultural getaway. They’re designed so you see, feel and taste 5-star elegance from arrival to departure.
You’ll feel a sense of love and appreciation throughout. Not to mention, our experiences include everything, plus some. Each dip is filled with a beautiful personally selected 5-star stay, delicious taste-tested meals, truly exclusive cultural activities, a Dipaways Trip Host, private executive drivers, stunning photo & video content, premium designer gifts and so much more. Our travelers really appreciate the flexible terms and payments options too. It’s part of our effort to creating less barriers for people to see the world.
TN: Can you share an example of a particularly memorable group travel experience your company has organized?
DE: Picking just one is tough. Seriously, each and every group experience with Dipaways has been personally memorable. The people really make them special. Our group getaway to the Amalfi Coast in Italy is really popular, so I’ll share a memory from there.
One activity on that experience is a stunning sunset hike overlooking the entire coast. The views are unreal on this guided, easy to medium 3-hour hike. The hike can be challenging, but everyone always finishes safe and feeling accomplished. The sheer amount of playful dramatics while “on the mountain.” One traveler jokingly looked at me while out of breath and said “I read my travel insurance terms and they can send a helicopter to rescue me in emergency evacuation situations. This is that.” The group busted out laughing, and we finished about 20 minutes later. Those special moments can’t be duplicated, and we’ll remember them forever.
TN: How do you ensure that your group travel experiences remain sustainable and responsible?
DE: Travelers at Dipaways aren’t the ones to benefit from our getaways. Since forever, each trip tangibly helps underserved communities and promotes local sustainability long after we depart. We match our higher standards with responsible values. By simply booking a vacation, our travelers have helped revitalized a youth center in the heart of Havana, used dance to keep impoverished children off the streets in Cape Town, rescued “helpless” animals from the streets in the Dominican Republic and provided children in rural Bali with life changing access to technology. Ultimately, traveling with Dipaways makes you a global philanthropist creating real change while on a luxury vacation.
TN: What advice do you have for travelers who are considering joining a luxury group travel experience for the first time?
DE: Sit with yourself for a moment to feel what your soul needs from a vacation. Simply pick a destination that’ll bring you the most excitement. Then, find a responsible travel company that speaks to that. At Dipaways, you can expect a top-tier experience no matter where you choose. Our group getaways were created for solo travelers, friends or relatives looking for an ultra-luxe cultural experience with about 15 others. One of the best feelings in the world is bringing together incredible strangers that get you and seeing them form real connections. It happens every single time.
TN: How do you see the future of luxury group travel evolving?
DE: People crave authenticity. People crave connection. We all love feeling pampered. These will always be the case. Dipaways is already looking ahead with a deeper focus on authentic cultural immersion beyond the lens of social media, increasing trip personalization and integrating new travel-friendly technologies to enhance our experiences. Wellness travel is also continuing to grow as a priority for our travelers. Last year, we did our first transformative getaway in California’s Mojave Desert, marking our debut North American experience. It was full of wellness, personal growth and connection. We’re also seeing space tourism become part of the luxury travel landscape. Dipaways will stick to getaways on Earth for now.
TN:What are some upcoming destinations and experiences that your company is planning for travelers?
DE: Dipaways releases experiences in collections and the latest takes our travelers to the eclectic heart of Tokyo, the breathtakingly refreshing hills of Tuscany, the East African paradise of Seychelles during their carnival and more tropical paradise for a special New Years getaway in Thailand. I can’t help, but smile just thinking about these new experiences. They’re all so beautiful.
This article has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
