Our Story

We are Matt and Sydney Gerard, owners of JoMar Travel, and we can’t wait to talk with you about your next vacation! We’ve been married for 3 years and are proud to call the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains our home alongside our pup, Maple. Outside of traveling and spending time with family, Matt plays the drums, is always up for a round of golf or pickleball, and loves to cook. Sydney enjoys dancing, discovering the perfect thrift find, reading, and loves coffee (maybe a little too much). We also find great joy in serving in our church’s student ministry together… we like to think that it will always keep us young!

Between the two of us, we have almost a decade of experience in the tourism industry and have seen firsthand the kind of impact vacations can have on families - the space they provide for people to connect with God and His creation, grow closer to loved ones, and make memories that last for generations. To put it simply, we believe vacations help us remember what is most important: God and family. Our love for planning these kinds of vacations is what led us to start this travel agency. We hope to have the pleasure of planning your next one, where your faith and family explore together!

Matthew 28:19-20

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. “

A young couple dressed formally, smiling and posing together at a decorated event venue with string lights and tables in the background.
Couple posing in front of a mountain landscape with greenery and trees, clear blue sky.
Adorable puppy sitting on a soft gray blanket in a car.
Elderly couple smiling, standing on a stone bridge over a river, with scenic view of buildings, hills, and clouds in the background.

Why our name?

We decided on the name “JoMar” to carry out the legacy of our grandparents John and Marta Gerard: (Jo)hn (Mar)ta. They paved the way as successful entrepreneurs and business owners in our family. Decades ago, they first started JoMar Travel but prayerfully walked away as God called them to other business endeavors. We are proud to give life to this business once again and carry it out with the same values that they started it with by demonstrating the love of Jesus to the world. They have helped us to see that it’s more than just a business; it’s a mission.

Mission-Driven

Matthew 28:16-20 outlines the Great Commission: to go out and make disciples of all nations. While we go out and explore the beautiful nations God has blessed us with, we understand that many around the world are not as fortunate. That is why as we travel, a predetermined portion of our profits is donated to nonprofits who provide lifesaving care and, even more importantly, the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. These companies include Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision.