Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamiel Dawson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Absolutely. Inforno Travel Group really began long before it became a formal business. Back in 2007, a small circle of us—friends, family, and other urban professionals—shared a dream of seeing the world together. We were young, curious, and hungry for more than just vacations. We wanted connection, culture, and purpose.
What started as a simple desire to travel as a group evolved into something much bigger. Every destination we visited challenged us to think beyond ourselves. As we explored the Caribbean, trekked the rainforests of Central America, sailed the European seas, and island-hopped through the Greek Isles, we realized something important: our trips were transforming people. They weren’t just vacations—they were meaningful experiences that combined fun, fellowship, adventure, and community service.
So we built a model around that. We called it “Cruising with a Purpose.”
Whether we were hosting a prayer power hour at sunrise, volunteering in a local community, or throwing a yacht party at sunset, every moment became part of a larger story—one focused on connection, impact, and memories that would truly last a lifetime.
Over nearly two decades, Inforno Travel Group has grown into a trusted leader in group travel experiences. We’ve earned a reputation for delivering what our guests call the ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE—where fun, relaxation, culture, and meaningful moments all come together seamlessly.
We host an annual group event, and every year our community grows—not because of marketing, but because people feel the energy, the joy, and the intentionality we bring to our experiences. They come back year after year because they feel part of a family, part of a movement.
At the core, Inforno Travel Group is simply good people coming together to create something unforgettable. Whether it’s pool parties, yacht parties, talent showcases, Caribbean dinners, or service activities in underserved communities, we curate spaces where adults can escape, reset, and reconnect with themselves and each other.
And now, as we approach our 20-year anniversary, we’re proud to look back at what started as a dream and grew into a legacy. For us it’s never been “just a cruise” or “just a trip.”
It’s an Experience™—a lifestyle, a community, and a commitment to creating lifelong memories for every single person who travels with us.
That’s our story. And honestly, we feel like we’re just getting started.
Inforno Travel Group is proudly owned and operated by Michelle Dawson and Jamiel Dawson.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and honestly, I don’t think any business that lasts this long has a perfect journey. Inforno Travel Group has had its share of challenges, but each one strengthened us and helped define the company we are today.
One of the biggest hurdles we faced was the COVID-19 pandemic. Overnight, global travel came to a complete stop. Cruises were halted, flights were grounded, and the world was navigating something none of us had ever seen. For a group-travel-focused company like ours, it was a major blow. We had to work through cancellations, shifting regulations, refunds, and a whole lot of uncertainty—while still supporting our community and maintaining the relationships we built over the years.
But as travel slowly returned, our guests came back stronger than ever. People were craving connection and experiences again, and that energy helped fuel our revival.
Another challenge has been staying ahead of the constant changes in the travel industry. Policies, suppliers, global conditions, and technology shift fast. Keeping up with cruise protocols, airline rules, international entry requirements, and regional safety updates requires constant learning, adapting, and adjusting. As a full-service travel company, we take pride in being informed and reliable, so we put in the work to stay on top of every change—even when the industry moves at lightning speed.
We also faced struggles internally as the travel landscape shifted. Over the years, some team members branched off to start their own travel companies or joined multi-level-marketing (MLM) travel structures. And that’s fine—there’s room in this industry for everyone. But we made a conscious decision not to go in that direction. MLM travel doesn’t align with our values or our mission.
Inforno Travel Group is, and always will be, a full-service professional travel company—not a recruiting platform, not a volume-based model. We’re here to provide real expertise, real service, and real experiences.
Every challenge—from global crises to industry disruptions—taught us two things:
Purpose matters.
Community matters even more.
Those lessons are why we’re still here, approaching 20 years strong, and why our guests continue to travel with us year after year.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Inforno Travel Group, we create unforgettable group travel experiences built on connection, culture, celebration, and purpose. We’re a full-service travel company specializing in large group events, group cruises, international cultural trips, and curated travel planning for clients who want a high-touch, expertly guided experience.
We’re best known for our annual group travel event, where hundreds of guests come together for a week filled with themed parties, cultural exploration, relaxation, and lifelong memories. Over the years, these events have taken people across the Caribbean, Europe, Central America, and the Greek Isles—and with every trip, our community grows stronger.
What truly sets us apart is the purpose behind what we do. We didn’t just want to see the world; we wanted to make an impact everywhere we went. That passion led us to create our own 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Urban Life Feed, Inc., one of the accomplishments I am most proud of. Through Urban Life Feed, we’ve been able to:
Donate school supplies and resources to schools in underserved Caribbean communities
Mentor students around the world
Volunteer at hospitals and clinics
Donate medical supplies and support local health initiatives
Serve families and youth in meaningful, hands-on ways
Our guests don’t just travel—they travel with purpose and heart. And that experience has shaped people in ways none of us could have predicted.
From a service standpoint, we take pride in being true experts in group travel. We recommend destinations, resorts, and cruises that we’ve either personally experienced or hold direct knowledge of. We don’t guess—we guide with confidence. Our guests trust us because they know we prioritize quality, safety, comfort, and unforgettable experiences.
But the part of our work that moves us the most? Seeing the lives changed along the way.
Inforno Travel Group has become the setting for some of the most important moments in people’s lives. Guests have met their best friends on our trips. Some met their future spouses. We’ve had couples who met on our cruises, got married, and now travel with their children. We’ve seen careers launched, families formed, friendships strengthened, and personal transformations happen right in front of us.
After almost 20 years, that’s what we’re most proud of—the community, the memories, and the legacy. We don’t just create vacations.
We create experiences that change lives, build families, and last a lifetime.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The travel industry is going through one of the biggest evolutions we’ve seen in decades, and the next 5–10 years are going to reshape the entire landscape. What excites me is that group travel is not only coming back strong—it’s becoming more meaningful, more personalized, and more technology-driven than ever before.
Here are a few major shifts we see coming:
1. Technology & A.I. Will Redefine the Travel Experience
AI is already transforming how travelers research, plan, and navigate their trips—and this is just the beginning.
We’re going to see:
AI-powered personalization for trip recommendations
Real-time travel updates and safety alerts tailored to each destination
Smarter itinerary building that adapts to weather, crowds, and schedule changes
AI-driven customer service support 24/7
Virtual and augmented reality previews of cruises, resorts, and excursions
At Inforno Travel Group, staying ahead of these innovations is a priority. Our goal is to use AI to enhance—not replace—the personal touch we’ve built our brand on. We plan to use emerging technologies to better serve our guests, streamline their planning experience, and keep them informed and inspired every step of the way.
2. Group Travel Will Surge Beyond Pre-COVID Levels
After the pandemic, people realized the value of connection. Now travel is less about checking destinations off a list and more about community, shared experiences, and purpose.
Group travel offers all of that.
I believe the next decade will bring:
More large group celebrations (milestones, birthdays, reunions)
More destination-based communities that return year after year
A demand for curated experiences instead of one-size-fits-all itineraries
Inforno Travel Group has been doing this for almost 20 years, and we’re positioned to continue leading in this space.
3. Purpose-Driven Travel Will Continue to Grow
Travelers—especially millennials and Gen Z—want their trips to mean something. They care about culture, impact, and giving back.
We’ve been ahead of this curve since day one with Cruising With a Purpose and the creation of our nonprofit Urban Life Feed, Inc.
Over the next decade, you’ll see:
More travel tied to community service
Partnerships with local schools and organizations
Philanthropy integrated into group itineraries
Greater focus on authentic cultural exchange
This aligns perfectly with our mission and will continue to be a big part of who we are.
4. The Cruise Industry Will Explode With New Ships & Concepts
Cruise lines are in a major growth period. Expect:
More adult-only ships
New private island experiences
Eco-friendly technology
More theme-focused cruises
Expansion into Asia, Africa, and new Caribbean ports
As specialists in group cruise experiences, we’re ready to take advantage of these new options and elevate our annual event even further.
5. Travelers Want Expertise—Not Just Booking Engines
With so many options online, people are actually more overwhelmed than ever.
They want professionals who can say:
“We’ve been there. We know this ship. We’ve stayed at this resort. Here’s exactly what to expect.”
That’s what sets us apart. We personally experience the places we recommend. We are full-service travel experts, not an MLM, not an automated booking site, and not a company selling travel as a side hustle.
The future belongs to companies that offer authentic knowledge, community, personalization, and trust.
Final Thought
The next decade in travel will be defined by innovation, technology, and meaningful experiences.
And at Inforno Travel Group, we plan to stay at the forefront of all of it—combining the latest advancements with the same energy, joy, and purpose that have carried us through the past 20 years
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.infornotravel.com/
- Instagram: @InfornoTravel
- Facebook: Inforno Travel
