Doug Barnard, a 29-year-old American entrepreneur, has successfully transitioned from a corporate career in New York City to establishing a thriving tourism business in Istanbul, Turkey. He earned his degree in 2018 and went to work for Walmart. A sudden, pandemic-induced layoff gave him the push to pursue his dream of traveling the world and promoting cultural exchange through international education.
Barnard’s artistic odyssey took a monumental turn in 2017, when he accompanied his mother on an extraordinary trip to India. This trip, as he tells it, was transformative, exposing him to a world that was radically different from his largely privileged upbringing in Connecticut. He went on to call it “an eye-opening experience,” which fueled his thirst to experience other cultures.
I think that another part of me was searching for what felt like deeper purpose in my work, Barnard reflected on this pivotal moment. Travel’s immersive quality soon evolved into a hallmark of his trips and experiences. He noted, “The most exciting part was talking to the people and seeing how things work. The immersion was what really got me.”
In 2020, Barnard continued to push the limits, hosting a visit to Saudi Arabia on his YouTube channel. Additionally, he largely grew this audience while still working at Walmart by taking advantage of that platform and sharing his travel journey. When the pandemic hit, he lost that job. By taking that risk, he took the opportunity to bet on himself.
In January 2021, Barnard landed in Serbia, marking the beginning of a two-year adventure through multiple countries. This time of research and discovery confirmed his dream of beginning an eco-tourism venture. As of 2023, he is based in Istanbul, a city that he has come to adopt as his home base.
On returning home Barnard started Doug Barnard Travel, where he steers clients on growth-inspiring tours by seeking immersive experiences that deliver travel with purpose. His business has prospered, operating five group tours in 2024, with $100,100 in new revenue. For instance, he highlighted how special his tours are to places not usually traversed by tourists.
“It is truly authentic travel. I mean it is as real as it gets,” he stated. Countries like Egypt and India are incredible places. Don’t get me wrong, but they have mass tourism industries and a place like Iraq is so fresh to tourism that you experience something completely authentic.
Barnard’s studio new life in Istanbul features a cozy duplex two-bedroom that he shares with his girlfriend, İlkay. They are currently paying 55,000 Turkish Lira monthly for the house they live (equivalent to USD 1,368.91). Much of this expense can be attributed to the city’s growing appeal to expatriates.
Barnard, on her experience so far “The more time I spend living in Istanbul, the more it feels like home. Meeting new people and improving my Turkish language skills makes it all the more special. His connection to the local culture has deepened through his interactions with residents, who often express excitement at meeting tourists.
The bad news is that most Americans are convinced that everyone in the world hates our guts. Based on my experience, it’s the other way around. As Pastor Hacoude mentioned in the above quote, showcasing the warmth of hospitality he’s experienced along his journey,
Barnard’s tale should be enough to inspire anyone thinking about making the leap into the unknown. He encourages others to explore the world beyond their geographical boundaries: “We’re isolated geographically in the western hemisphere over there, and there’s so much world to see.”