About Us
Established in 1987
We bought the property of our original location in 1978. It was 100 years old, large Victorian home owned by the well-known Parker family. After using it as a home for a number of years the business took over. Lets fast forward to 2021 where we bought a large corner stone building (only 3 blocks away from our original location) in the heart of historic downtown Benson. It was here that we added the Travel Store and Gift Shop as a means to help our clients, and the public with hard to find and often costly vacation items.
Our new location has been a home to two hardware store, a dime store (Popes), a family jewelry store (of which our owner bought his wife wedding ring 27 years ago from) and most recently a western wear store. Many original items have been kept in our complete restoration of the building. Including a 1914 elevator that has been restored and relocated to the retail floor, savaging of all the bead boards used as walls upstairs from boarding rooms, the hardwood floors and ceiling, along with much more.
Small World Travel & Tours, LLC has been in business for over 37 years. We are among the largest and oldest family own and operated Travel Agencies in North Carolina. We pride ourselves on offering the best service & value you will find anywhere.
Honors and Awards:
- Benson Area Chamber of Commerce Member: 1989 -- Present, Board of Directors: 2003-2007, 2010-2013, 2017-2019, Co-Chair "Downtown" Committee 2010-2012, Director Chair 2018.
- Coats Chamber of Commerce Member: 2005 -Present.
- Dunn Chamber of Commerce Member: 2022 -- Present.
- Carnival Cruise Line 1995-2003 Winner Circle Award.
- Royal Caribbean 2004 - Present Sales Achievement Award.
- GoGo Worldwide Vacations Top Account Award: 2007 -- Present.
- Cruise Lines International Association, INC. Member: 1987 - Present.
- ACC - Accredited Cruise Counsellor
- Johnston County Visitors Bureau: 2008-2010, 2019-2023, Board of Directors: 2010--2014, 2021-2023 Executive Board.
- Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises Certificate of Achievement.
Paul Boucher, Owner of Small World Travel & Tours, LLC 1990-Present
I grew up in our family travel business that we've owned for over 37 years, and "if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." I don't feel like it's work, it's just something I enjoy and over the years. I've sailed on over 60 ships and visited countless travel destinations with more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry.
Also graduated from the University of Margaritaville with a Masters in Tailgating and a Ph.D. in FUN.
“I love living my life in flip-flops, I met a guy in the islands a while ago [who] told me he hadn’t worn a pair of shoes in three years! I thought, ‘Man, that’s the life!’” - Kenny Chesney
Fred Boucher: Co-Owner 1993-2021, Supportive of the company from the start, Fred continued to work as a Contractor until which time the business had grown so much we needed him here full time. Known for his love of leading group trips from NY to the Caribbean, he worked right up until months before his death from a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
"Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.”
- Jimmy Buffett
Maria Boucher: Founding Partner/Owner 1987-Present
Maria started Small World Travel and Tours in 1987 in the living room of her and Fred's (Husband/and later Business Partner) home on Hill St. Over the years the company gradually took over the home. Slowly changing bedrooms, the living room and Dining room into offices. What was a Kitchen became an office break room, and over time we all moved out of the home to make room for the Business.
Later Maria also left the business for the only thing she loved more, the love of her family. First her daughter, Melissa Boucher who had a number of major health and neurological issues including a very severe case of Tourette's Syndrome and later Fred's long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Recently, Maria has continued to enjoy not only Traveling, but also, she still helps plan vacations for family, friends and clients.
Amy Norris - Office Manager
Amy has worked with us for a number of years. Not only does she handle the day-to-day operations of our company, but she has traveled to many of the latest hot stops such as Nashville and Las Vegas for vacations and honeymoons. She has been awarded the Universal Resorts Certification, Viking Cruises expert, Oceana Cruises expert and a master of the Caribbean! She specializes in creating unforgettable memories. Let her plan your next escape and make it truly extraordinary!
-Oh, The Places You'll Go!- Dr. Seuss
Reagan Byrd
Reagan is a travel consultant who is willing to help you plan your dream vacation!
Lydia Brocklehurst - Disney Vacation Specialist
For me, the love of Walt Disney World started in 1975. From early vacations at the original Polynesian Village with my parents and introducing the parks to my husband on our honeymoon, to making new memories with my children and now experiencing it all again through the eyes of my grandchildren. Disney has been there for my family and has supplied all of us with memories of a lifetime! With over 40 visits to ‘the World’ and 3 Disney Cruise Line vacations, Disney is certainly the #1 destination choice for us!
Watching the Disney travel industry grow and change over the years has been amazing. Yet there is still a LOT to be explored! How do YOU want to discover it all? Disney has something for everyone! Together, let’s plan YOUR next Disney adventure!
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” - Walt Disney
Ronnie Correia is a full time firefighter. He has a wife and two kids ages 15 and 8. He has a passion for sports and is really looking to make sports based travel a larger genre than it is. He just finished up his Masters degree in Adventure from Royal Caribbean university as well. He enjoys helping people put together trips that not only make memories for a life time but maximize your hard earned money!
Hi Mouseketeers! We are Shannon and Ashlynn, a mother/daughter team specializing in Disney destinations. Combined, we have vacationed at Walt Disney World and Disneyland 36 times and counting! Our family has visited on a shoestring budget, and on an occasional “splurge”, so let us help plan a magical vacation suited for your budget. Our goal is for your Disney destination to be stress free from the planning process until you get home. Are you ready to create memories that will last a lifetime? Let’s start planning today!
Danny Lucas, proud father of three children, Daimon, Laken, and Sarah. A law enforcement officer full-time and an outside travel agent with Small World Travel in Benson.
| Stacie Poste, Dream Vacation Planner
Hi! I’m Stacie Poste. I am a travel agent (specializing in Disney vacations) and a substitute teacher. My husband and I, along with our dog Max, live in Selma NC. I’ve always been enchanted with Disney, but my love of planning Disney Vacations started with a family vacation in 2005 and since then, I have been addicted. I love visiting Walt Disney World and cruising with Disney Cruise Line. I understand the tremendous amount of time (and occasionally stress) that goes into planning a magical vacation to Disney Destinations for your family. From staying up to date on the most recent Disney Destinations news, making resort reservations, dining reservations and itinerary planning, I can plan a Magical Vacation for your family and make the most of your Disney dollars. In addition to being a Specialist in Disney Destinations, I am an Accredited Cruise Counselor from the Cruise Line Industry Association, a graduate of the Carnival Cruise Line University, a graduate of the Royal Caribbean University of WOW and a AM Resorts Master Agent. Contact me to help you plan a magical vacation for your family. |
Byron Johnson Outside Sales Agent Studied at Campbell University (Class of 1992) Byron has grown up in the area, very connected to the Dunn and Coats communities. He has a love for helping people and community. Very down to earth, friendly, and ready to help you will all your vacation needs.
Hi! I’m Candler Thornton. I am a travel consultant (specializing in cruises, all-inclusive destinations and Disney Vacations) and a Fire Investigator. I currently live in Wendell, NC and have been traveling extensively my whole life. I’ve always been fascinated with cruising since I took my first cruise (Disney Cruise Line) in 1999.
I am a Disney Magical Travel Specialist, an Accredited Cruise Counselor from the Cruise Line Industry Association, a Graduate of the Carnival Cruise Line University and a Graduate of the Royal Caribbean University of WOW. Contact me to help you plan a magical vacation for your family and friends. I can be reached directly by e-mail (candler@swtandt.com) or by phone (919-795-8002)
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Hi, I’m Krista Fulkerson! I am a Disney vacation specialist travel agent. I am a stay at home mom after working in Accounting for a large corporation for 10 years. My husband, Stephen, son Carter, our dogs Hines and Maggie and I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. I took my first trip to Walt Disney World when I was 11 years old in 1989 and I have been to Disney over 35 times since. I am passionate about Walt Disney World and Disneyland and keep up to date with all the Disney travel news and happenings.I am excited to be a recent graduate of the Disney Travel Professionals College of Knowledge and look forward to continuing my travel industry knowledge in the future. I have helped others plan their Disney vacations, and friends have consistently given my contact information to others so I can share my tips! I have been to Walt Disney World and Disneyland in almost every situation imaginable – as a child with my parents, on my honeymoon, several times as an adult without children, pregnant, and more than a dozen times with an infant through 7 years old. I love planning Disney and keeping up with all new and exciting Disney changes and expansions.To me there is nothing better than sitting down with a blank sheet of paper and mapping out dates of travel, researching the resorts, making advanced dining reservations and booking Fastpass Plus experiences. I love all of the little (yes, even the admittedly sometimes frustrating) details of Disney travel planning. I would love to help you plan your magical Disney vacation, whether it’s your first trip or if you’ve been as many times as I! |
Dianne Hertiage - Outside Sales Agent
Dianne has been with us for more then 25 years, she has a gift at handling groups and managing all the details, Honeymoons and Weddingmoons are no problem for this Agent.
Gloria "Sue" Frey
Sue has been planning Vacations, Honeymoons and Cruise with us for 25 years. She has been on countless cruises, is a wealth of knowledge.
Pam Smith
Hello! My name is Pam Smith and I'm so excited to helping you plan your next vacation!
Me, my husband, and my daughter are all Disney World Lovers! We've been every year since 2012 and each year become more excited. My husband, Ricky and I have been married for 34 years and my Daughter Michelle, who is 25, is my Travel Side kick.
I'm so excited to help plan lots of great vacations for so many great families!
Awards, Accreditations, and Testimonials
Benson Area Chamber of Commerce
Member: 1989 -- Present 2024 Silver Level Chamber Champion
Board of Directors 1997-2000, 2003-2007, 2012-2014, 2016-2018
Co-Chair "Downtown" Committee 2010-2013
Chairmen of the Board 2017 Benson Family of the Year 2013
Coats Chamber of Commerce
Member: 2005 -- Present
Dunn Chamber of Commerce
Member: 2022 -- Present
Carnival Cruise Line
1995--2003 Winner Circle Award
2004-- Present Top Account
Royal Caribbean International
2007 -- Present Sales Achievement Award
GoGo Worldwide Vacations
Top Account Award 2007 -- Present
Cruise Lines International Association, INC.
Member: 1987 - Present
ACC - Accredited Cruise Counsellor
Johnston County Visitors Bureau
2007-2010 Board of Directors
2010-2013 Special projects Chairmen 2019-2023 Board of Directors 2021-2023 Marketing Chairperson
Celebrity Cruises
Azamara Cruises and Celebrity Cruises Certificate of Achievement 2009
Holland America Line
Master of the Art of Cruising (4 Awards)
Walt Disney World
Disney Specialist, Disney College of Knowledge
Authorized Vacation Planner
Vacation Express
Presidents Club -- Top account:
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Earmarked
Top Sales Performer:
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Remember: When you call us you'll always be in direct contact with a knowledgeable expert. We enjoy what we do and it shows. Just look at what our clients have to say about us...
"I have just returned from an awesome cruise with 15 other women! Small World Travel & Tours of Benson, NC was very helpful in booking this trip." T. Massey - Selma, NC
"In Oct 2010 My non-profit organization Hopes N Dreams INC took 57 people who are intellectually challenged, disabled children, adults and family on a 5 Day Cruise to the Bahamas. Working with Small World Travel & Tours in setting this trip up was GREAT." Dale Bender - Clayton, NC
"Thanks for putting up with us and for all of the added little extras that you did for us!"
Chris Hall - Fayetteville, NC
"For our honeymoon, my husband and I decided to go through a travel agent instead of booking it ourselves on the internet. We were referred to Small World Travel by some friends of ours, and it was definitely the right choice." D. Peterson - Dunn, NC
"You took care of all the details so we could relax and enjoy our trip."
William & Tammy Kenyon - Clayton, NC
"You will have all of my future travel business, and any referrals I can send you. Thanks for your patience and service."
Chip Johnson, Gray Inc. - Raleigh, NC
"Thanks so much for recommending and booking our Ireland tour. We had a great time!!"
Larry & Sue Frey - Fayetteville, NC
"Your thoughtfulness, thoroughness, organization, and expertise made everything so easy and fun."
Kevin Hendren - Richmond, VA
"Thanks to your upgrading efforts, we ended up with an Ocean Front balcony room instead of a garden window view."
Mark O'Brien - Chicago, IL
Want to see more... here's a link to more of our reviews on Google and Yelp.
Small World Travels & Tours, LLC
The Cruise Outlet
Hours
Travel Agency Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Travel Store Open Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM