News Summary
Alaina Appleman, a former marketing professional from Big Tech, has become an independent travel designer in Singapore after her layoff from Meta. Partnering with Blue Sky Escapes, she leverages her extensive travel expertise to curate personalized itineraries globally. In her first year, she planned numerous trips and has a promising outlook for future bookings. Appleman’s journey reflects a growing trend of professionals pivoting to entrepreneurial ventures in the travel industry, showcasing her passion and adaptability.
Singapore’s Alaina Appleman Transitions from Big Tech to Independent Travel Designer
Alaina Appleman, a former marketing professional with a background in Big Tech, has successfully transitioned to become an independent travel designer in Singapore after being laid off from Meta two years ago. This career shift has allowed her to leverage her passion for travel and extensive knowledge gained from visiting over 100 countries.
Initially launching her business in 2024, Appleman partnered with Blue Sky Escapes, a boutique agency in Singapore. This collaboration enables her to utilize the agency’s resources while running her own independent travel design business from home, thus minimizing startup costs. Within the first few months, she recorded sufficient bookings to fully recoup her initial investment.
In her inaugural year, Appleman planned 61 trips across 35 countries and has already secured 42 trips booked through 2026. Her itinerary design ranges from short luxury resort stays to detailed, adventurous three-week journeys in Africa. For her efforts, she typically earns commissions ranging from 10% to 20% on the trips she organizes.
The idea of becoming a travel designer was sparked after her time in corporate marketing roles, which included positions at National Geographic, Time Inc., and Meta. Appleman’s career began at National Geographic in Washington, DC, where she spent 11 years in various marketing capacities related to television and film. After obtaining her MBA from Georgetown University in 2015, she moved to Singapore for new professional opportunities, subsequently working for American multinationals in marketing.
Following her layoff, Appleman opted to remain in Singapore for its vibrant travel industry and a supportive environment for relationship building with suppliers. Working individually allows her to stay informed on current travel trends and offerings. She enjoys the flexibility that comes with her new role, often conducting business from diverse locations including safari lodges and historic buildings.
Appleman’s travel itineraries highlight unique experiences for her clients, including recent adventures like a zodiac boat tour into grotto caves in the Faroe Islands and private dining at a fisherman’s home arranged for older guests. She undertakes familiarization trips, most (but not all) funded by hotels and tour operators, while covering her personal flight expenses.
In her current role, Appleman’s daily responsibilities encompass communicating with local partners, curating customized experiences, managing accommodations, and addressing client inquiries, all of which require a blend of creativity and logistical expertise. Unlike her previous corporate lifestyle, her income varies based on the number of trips successfully completed, introducing an element of financial unpredictability into her career.
Though her journey into travel design was a significant shift from her prior corporate experience, Appleman emphasizes that new industry ventures do not necessitate previous related experience. Her story represents a growing trend of professionals entering the travel sector, combining personal passions with entrepreneurial spirit.
As Appleman’s client base rapidly expands and her schedule fills, her experiences embody the evolving landscape of the travel industry, highlighting the opportunities for those willing to pivot in response to career challenges. With international travel continuing to rebound, her business is positioned to flourish in the coming years.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Marine & Lawn Hotels Expands with Historic Acquisitions
Costa Navarino Named Europe’s Best Golf Resort
Gamble Sands Resort Announces New Golf Course Opening
Rhodes Plans Major Upgrade for Afantou Golf Course
Additional Resources
- Business Insider: Laid Off Big Tech to Luxury Travel Design
- Travel Weekly: Aman Plans Singapore Flag
- Luxury Travel Advisor: Marriott’s Luxury Collection in Singapore
- Luxury Travel Magazine: T-Squared Lab in Singapore
- Travel and Tour World: Hong Kong Golden Week and Luxury Travel
- Wikipedia: Travel Industry
- Google Search: Independent Travel Designer
- Google Scholar: Career Transition into Travel Design
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Travel Design
- Google News: Alaina Appleman
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
