Tzell – Internova Travel Group

The Industry’s Leading Luxury Travel Agencies Bring Together the Elite in Travel for Two Major Trade Shows Hosted at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 17 and the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Oct. 25

New York, NY (October 26, 2017) — Today, Travel Leaders Elite – a division of Travel Leaders Group comprised of Andrew Harper Travel, Colletts Travel, Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group – announced that its first combined travel trade shows were a great success, with more than 1,000 attendees. Both “Elevate the Journey” trade shows, held in Los Angeles and New York, were booked to capacity with a waiting list of suppliers.

Held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on October 17, the first of the two biggest trade shows in the combined history of the Elite division, brought together nearly 200 of the agencies’ best-in-class agents and employees and over 170 of the industry’s best representatives. The second trade show was hosted at the newly reopened Ziegfeld Ballroom a week later drawing over 420 agents to meet with 360 representatives of the world’s finest hotels, airlines, tourism boards and cruise lines.

“Both trade shows were such unique events held in spectacular venues that made each evening an unforgettable luxury travel experience for our agents and our supplier partners on the East and West Coast alike,” said Gail Grimmett, President of Travel Leaders Elite. “Each evening provided our best-in-class agents with the opportunity to meet with representatives of the industry’s top luxury travel providers who are eager to showcase what is new and upcoming in the world of luxury for their discriminating clientele.”

The Beverly Hills Hotel, a five-star hotel located in the center of Beverly Hills and surrounded by 12 acres of tropical gardens, opened its doors for Travel Leaders Elite’s travel agents and industry partners for an evening of cocktails and conversations about the latest trends in luxury travel. This was the first trade show on the West Coast organized by the elite agencies. On the East Coast, the perfect venue for “Elevate the Journey” proved to be the newly-reopened Ziegfeld Ballroom. Originally opened in 1969 as a single-screen movie theatre, the ballroom is “one of the most significant event properties in New York City.”

“Our agents pride themselves on being informed about the latest and greatest luxury experiences for our discerning clientele,” said Grimmett. “Having deep, working relationships with our supplier partners benefits Elite travelers seeking unique, customized experiences.”

Travel Leaders Elite’s high-touch luxury agencies serve VIP leisure, entertainment and corporate clientele.

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About Travel Leaders Elite

Travel Leaders Elite is comprised of Andrew Harper Travel, Colletts Travel, Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, four travel agencies within Travel Leaders Group that together provide white-glove concierge level care to their discerning, high-profile clients who span the worlds of entertainment, sports, and luxury leisure. The four agencies generate approximately $4 billion in annual sales volume through its more than 70 locations in the both the United States and the United Kingdom.

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Agents Share Their Thoughts about ILTM as They Prepare to Convene at this Year’s Main Event for the Global Luxury Travel Community in Cannes, France

New York, NY (December 04, 2017) — Today, New York-based Tzell Travel Group announced that it will once again send a delegation of its leading luxury travel agent advisors to the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), held in Cannes, France, December 4-7. Exclusively invited to attend as luxury travel buyers, the distinguished Tzell delegation is led by President Gail Grimmett and will have the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in ultra-luxury travel from the best travel sellers. All of Tzell’s agent advisors are looking forward to the annual conference and some of them were eager to share their feedback about their expectations and experiences before attending this year’s event.

“ILTM only invites the top luxury buyers and suppliers in the industry, consequently we are very proud to have such strong representation at the event this year,” said Gail Grimmett, President of Tzell Travel Group. “Our best-in-class travel agent advisors will convene with the world’s travel elite – including cruise and culture, experiential adventurists, as well as boutique and global networks of luxury hotels – to further expand their knowledge of exclusive new luxury experiences, products, and services worldwide for our sophisticated travelers.”

Tzell Travel Group is being represented at ILTM by 21 luxury travel agents, three executives, and its president:

Aharon Steinberg – Tzell Travel Group
Catherine Ashurst – Travel Leaders UK
Carlos Melia – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
Carolyn Bernstein – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
Chad Rodarme – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
Deedy Clark – Tzell Travel Group
Dianne Hagopian – Tzell Travel Group
Fernando Gonzalez – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
Gail Grimmett – President of Tzell Travel Group
Gail Levy – Tzell Park Avenue/Travel Leaders Group
Henley Vazquez – Passported, an Affiliate of Tzell
Jody Bear – Bear & Bear Travel, an Affiliate of Tzell
John Ríos – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
Josh Kafka – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
Karen Magee – Senior Director, Industry Relations, Tzell Travel Group
Laura Chapman – Tzell Travel Group
Marlene Singer – Lake Shore Travel, a Branch of Tzell
Martha Rhodes – Brownell Travel, a Branch of Tzell
Pierre-Alexandre Francin – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
Rebecca Friedman – Director of Supplier Relations, Travel Leaders Group Hotel Division
Robert Kunikoff – Tzell Travel Group
Robin Leggett – The Travel Collaborative, a Branch of Tzell
Tim Henningan – The Travel Collaborative, a Branch of Tzell
Walter Leroy “Roy” Twiste – Tzell Park Avenue, a Branch of Tzell
Wonnie Baik – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell

“I am looking forward to meeting new people that represent new destinations or destinations in which I would like to expand my knowledge, and broaden my knowledge on new horizons that the ILTM team brings together under one roof once a year” said Tzell luxury travel agent, Aharon Steinberg. “At the conference, I am provided with ideas on how to enhance my marketing for my clients with new and upgraded itineraries, and how to elevate the quality of my private tours. I wish I would have the opportunity to attend this conference on a yearly basis. It is hard work, but very rewarding.”

“This will be my 14^th year attending ILTM in Cannes and each year I look forward to meeting with new exhibitors and re-establishing or improving on relationship with those I have met over the years,” shared luxury travel advisor Walter Leroy “Roy” Twiste. “My attending is a benefit to my clients, in that it enables me to answer most questions that they may have as to what is new and upcoming. I hope to learn about updates, what has transpired over the past year with renovations, and the opening of new properties. I am especially excited that my teammate, Gail Levy will attend with me for the first time, which will enable her to better understand what I do and how to help me in expanding our business.”

“It’s tough to say which part is best about the event. I always look forward to reconnecting with the hoteliers from destinations we work with the most, but ILTM is also a place to make new connections, and every year we emerge with new enthusiasm for the creative minds and spirits of our industry,” said Henley Vazquez, luxury travel agent and founder of Passported, an affiliate of Tzell. “Relationships are everything in this business. And no matter how much we correspond via email and phone with our suppliers, there is no replacement for the face-to-face meetings that occur in these settings. We select our clients and our suppliers carefully, and we match them up accordingly. We cannot make the magic happen for our clients without the relationships we have forged in conferences like these.”

“Finding those ‘gems’ that I did not know anything about before or getting to know suppliers that I should know better is perhaps the best part of ILTM,” said luxury travel agent Robin Leggett. “It brings immeasurable benefits for my clients because I am able to convey new information to them based on what I have learned with both, new and existing properties, destinations, and other suppliers to the industry. This is first-hand knowledge that I cannot get readily or easily. I am a firm believer in building relationships. ILTM gives me the opportunity to meet with suppliers that I’ve wanted to pursue a mutual relationship with and to build on those that I already know and enjoy working with. Those relationships translate into great mutual business.”

Luxury travel designer, Pierre-Alexandre Francin, mentioned: “I’m excited about spending time with all the suppliers, friends, and my colleagues. ILTM provides me with an immense opportunity to meet new products and suppliers as well as with managers of properties I have booked or at which I have future bookings. This will be my second time attending the conference; my previous experience was rich, busy, and tremendously interesting. I would recommend other luxury leisure agents to participate and take the chance to do a pre- and post-stay in France since there are so many educational opportunities. Why not enjoying the Cote d’Azur while working?”

“I am looking forward meeting new people and travel partners from around the world, and agents from different parts of the country,” said Deedy Clark, a Tzell luxury travel agent. “I am fortunate to take part in the pre -ILTM FAM in Nice and cannot wait to explore the Riviera before the conference. ILTM is a very well-organized conference. Everything runs smoothly and you are given the tools to have a successful experience. I find it very valuable. It is very busy and you have meetings and network opportunities around the clock, but that is why I am eager to go.”

Dianne Hagopian, a Tzell luxury travel agent, said: “The collaboration between buyers and suppliers and even between agents is something I am looking forward to. Luxury travel is fluid and always emerging. It is crucial to stay educated. I am always on the quest to find the perfect destination and resort for the right client. So, ILTM Cannes is one of the best platforms I could imagine to improve upon your knowledge and learn something new.”

Tzell prides itself in providing its clients with in-depth knowledge, experience and individualized client service with some of the most talented travel agents in the industry. Tzell’s first-class white-glove service and support is why Tzell – part of the larger Travel Leaders Group – is among the nation’s biggest and most successful travel management companies.

Agents interested in joining Tzell and providing the highest quality, most personalized and proactive customer service available should visit Tzell.com.

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About Tzell Travel Group:

Tzell Travel Group – as part of Travel Leaders Group – is ranked first among the nation’s largest corporate travel management companies, according to a Business Travel News 2016 ranking. Tzell maintains its headquarters in New York City and has offices in 20 states.

In everything it does, Tzell Travel Group places the highest priority on both its clients and its agents. For the individual traveler, Tzell addresses value, convenience, comfort and safety, with its customized quality traveler services. For the corporation, Tzell offers a broad product line of cost containment, meeting services and comprehensive travel management programs.

Tzell focuses on the needs of its agents by providing the best work environment possible and the strongest leadership and support team. These elements combined with excellent air/hotel leisure programs create the “safe haven” which is a hallmark of the Tzell brand.

www.Tzell.com

The post Tzell Travel Group Delegation Invited to Attend 2017 International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Travel Leaders Group’s VP of Marketing Named to “50 Women You Need to Know in MarTech 2018” List

New York, NY (Dec. 29, 2017) — Travel Leaders Group’s Asmita Singh, Vice President of Marketing and Demand Analytics, has been named one of “50 Women You Need to Know in MarTech 2018” by MarTech Exec, the trade site for executives at the intersection of the Marketing and Technology fields.

In her role with Travel Leaders Group, Singh oversees all marketing activities for the award-winning luxury travel brands Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group. Singh is responsible for building digital marketing strategies as well as operations for driving revenue growth, and designing multi-channel buyer-centric demand generation programs.

“It’s no surprise that Asmita Singh has received this well-deserved recognition,” said Gail Grimmett, President of Travel Leaders Luxury Brands. “Asmita has brought innovative thinking to our team, helping our best-in-class travel agents amplify their stories to travelers. Her expertise in multi-channel marketing has been beneficial in taking our high-end luxury travel brands to the next level.”

At Travel Leaders Group, Singh has been instrumental in the launch of Vacation.com, a new content site launched to inspire, inform and guide travelers through their planning process, making every step—from researching a destination to connecting with the ideal travel expert—as rewarding as possible.

Singh has more than 12 years of marketing experience with a focus on technology, advanced analytics and optimization. Prior to joining Travel Leaders Group, she was Vice President of Digital Experience & Marketing Optimization for PR Newswire, where she managed the global digital experience, reporting and analytics, and marketing technology teams. She has also worked with S&P and Unilever.

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About Travel Leaders Group
Travel Leaders Group (www.travelleadersgroup.com) is transforming travel with a commitment to our vacation and business travel clients through our progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. Having already assisted millions of travelers, Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands. With over 7,000 agency locations, Travel Leaders Group ranks as one of the industry’s largest traditional travel agency companies.

About Protravel International LLC
Protravel International LLC is a Travel Leaders Group company. Founded in 1984, Protravel International LLC is a full-service, dynamic travel company with an award-winning reputation. Protravel is headquartered in New York City and supports 20 locations throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, plus a network of hosted agents in all corners of the U.S. Today, approximately 1,000 people make up the Protravel organization. Our expertise in destination, international faring and competitive products – coupled with our superior network of contacts in the airline, hotel, cruise and hospitality industry – makes Protravel one of the most powerful selling forces in the travel industry.
www.protravelinc.com

About Tzell Travel Group
Tzell Travel Group – as part of Travel Leaders Group – is currently ranked first among the nation’s largest corporate travel management companies, according to Business Travel News. Tzell maintains its headquarters in New York City and has offices in 20 states.
In everything it does, Tzell Travel Group places the highest priority on both its clients and its agents. For the individual traveler, Tzell addresses value, convenience, comfort and safety, with its customized quality traveler services. For the corporation, Tzell offers a broad product line of cost containment, meeting services and comprehensive travel management programs.
www.Tzell.com

The post Asmita Singh Recognized as a Leader in Digital Marketing appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Travel Leaders Luxury Brands agents share their stories of shoveling out clients this week.

New York, NY (Jan. 10, 2018) — The “bomb cyclone” stranded travelers at airports across the United States last week, but travel advisors with Travel Leaders Luxury Brands, Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group were in luck because their agents were on call to shovel them out.

Last week, airlines canceled 9,794 and delayed 46,487 flights with more bad weather on the way for much of the country. During the two days after the storm, Travel Leaders Group’s Airline Relations department handled more than 1,000 requests for assistance. Many of the requests resulted in successfully re-accommodating customers with the help of the agency’s deep relationships with airlines.

“Our agents provide best-in-class service to their clients, which means being on call day and night ready to help over the holidays or when bad weather, natural disasters or other emergencies strike,” said Gail Grimmett, President, Travel Leaders Luxury Brands. “That’s what sets apart a trip planned by our agents: They come with the reassurance that our clients have someone to call if things go wrong.”

Here are a few of their stories from rescues last week:

“I had a mother and daughter who were being treated to an exciting trip to Tahiti and Australia, booked long ago. They just happened to be leaving the day of the storm and had the first leg of each of their flights cancelled, twice. I arranged a connection at 5:30 a.m. from Providence (30 minutes before the storm was supposed to hit the Boston area), to Detroit where there was no weather issue, on to Phoenix and from there to LAX in time for them to make their flight to Bora Bora. They were thrilled and grateful and are now enjoying their overwater bungalow at the Four Seasons Bora Bora.” — Travel Advisor Marcella McGregor, Tzell Travel Group (New York, NY)

“My clients texted me at 10:30 p.m. the night before the storm to say Air China just cancelled their return home from Beijing the next day and did not rebook them on anything. I was able to get them on flights one day later on another carrier and booked them a night at the Peninsula Beijing. Then I contacted the sales person at the Peninsula to let her know they had a rough morning and she assured me she would VIP their stay. After that, I checked them in for the new flight and emailed the new boarding passes.” — Travel Advisor Laura Chapman, Tzell Travel Group (New York, NY)

“For a few days I’ve been monitoring a client’s itinerary. She was in Cancun and worried her return flight to Philadelphia would be canceled the day after the storm. We booked a backup flight for the following day, monitored her original flight and let her know when it was on its way to Cancun. We continued monitoring the flight and the traveler until we received a report that it was off the ground. At that point we canceled the backup. Our client was thrilled that we were able to assist and track her travel from start to finish.” — Travel Advisor Liz Tippit, Protravel International (Chicago, IL)

“I had a family of four scheduled to leave for the Bahamas the day after the storm. We knew their flight would be cancelled so I automatically booked them another flight one day later, and reserved them a backup flight in case the new flight was cancelled, too. They didn’t have travel insurance so their hotel could have charged them for the night they missed, but I called and arranged for a credit. I also rescheduled their airport transfer, dinner reservations and golf tee times. They didn’t have to lift a finger, or travel to the airport and wait around to rebook. So, aside from the trip starting a day later, my clients didn’t notice any other disruption to their plans.” — Travel Advisor Josh Alexander, Protravel International (New York, NY)

Agents from Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group and their support teams will be standing by to assist clients as needed.

Talk to an agent with Travel Leaders Luxury Brands to book your travel today.

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About Travel Leaders Group

The post Winter Weather Wonders: Grounded Travelers Got Liftoff Thanks to These Travel Agents appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Two Travel Leaders top executives to share insights on travel trends at the 15^th annual travel conference.

New York, NY (Jan. 18, 2018) — Top leadership from Travel Leaders Group will share their insights on the travel industry and its luxury segment at The New York Times Travel Show on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. The 15^th annual conference gathers the travel community for both industry benefit and the general public.

The Travel Industry Conference on Friday offers a comprehensive education program designed for travel professionals and features more than 20 Focus Conferences across diverse travel categories. The Focus Conferences’ all new content emphasizes one-of- a-kind experiences available for travel industry clients, and vital marketing strategies and best practices to drive revenue.

Travel Leaders CEO Ninan Chacko, CTC, leads one of North America’s largest travel companies comprised of more than a dozen brands, representing more than 40,000 travel agents and more than 7,000 travel agency locations.

Gail Grimmett is the President of Travel Leaders Luxury Brands, a collection of high-touch luxury agencies serving VIP leisure, entertainment and corporate clientele. Travel Leaders Luxury Brands are part of Travel Leaders Group and include Andrew Harper Travel, Colletts Travel, Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group.

Mr. Chacko will speak on the Keynote Address: State of the Industry panel and Mrs. Grimmett will be a part of the “Focus on Luxury” panel. Details below.

Focus on Luxury

Friday, January 26
9–10:30 a.m.

Hear unique perspectives on the ever-evolving luxury niche including trends and effective marketing tools in selling one of the most lucrative travel market segments.

Moderator: James Shillinglaw, Veteran Travel Journalist and Editor in Chief, Insider Travel Report
Panelists: Gail Grimmett, President, Travel Leaders Luxury Brands, Travel Leaders Group
Ignacio Maza, Executive Vice President, Signature Travel Network
Navin Sawhney, CEO, Americas, Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions
Ted Sykes, President & COO, ‎American Queen Steamboat Company

Keynote Address: State of the Industry

Friday, January 26
12:45–1:55 p.m.

Bringing together top leaders of the travel and tourism industry to present their perspectives on solutions that will drive growth in the industry and increase satisfaction for travelers.

Moderator: James Shillinglaw, Veteran Travel Journalist and Editor in Chief, Insider Travel Report
Panelists: Ninan Chacko, Chief Executive Officer, Travel Leaders Group
Alejandro Zozaya, Chief Executive Officer, Apple Leisure Group® (ALG)
Andrew Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line
Guy Young, Global Brand Engagement Officer, The Travel Corporation
Jennifer Tombaugh, President, Tauck

The second two days of the conference, Saturday, Jan. 27, and Sunday, Jan. 28, will be open to the public and feature global cuisine tastings, cultural performances, travel book signings, one-on-one conversations with travel experts and special discounts and offers for consumers of all ages from over 500 exhibitors.

Media can sign up for credentials to attend the conference at nyttravelshow.com/press/.

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About Travel Leaders Group

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Couples looking to add spice to their Valentine’s Day celebrations can heed these destination tips from luxury travel agents within Travel Leaders Group.

New York, NY (February 13, 2018) – Given Valentine’s Day is synonymous with romance, luxury travel experts with Travel Leaders Group offer five destination tips for loving couples seeking an intimate getaway that can add spice to their life, regardless of when they travel.

“Giving chocolates or flowers to your Valentine is an age-old tradition, but what many couples truly desire is the opportunity to get away for some alone time,” says Gail Grimmett, President of Travel Leaders Luxury Brands. “While there is an increase in the number of couples inquiring about vacations in the days surrounding Valentine’s, a romantic getaway can occur anytime and is a welcome supplement to a bouquet of roses.”

In fact, a recent survey by Princess Cruises found that 26 percent of adults said that a vacation is their ideal Valentine’s Day, ranking twice as popular as receiving flowers (13 percent). The majority of respondents, 55 percent, said their ultimate romantic vacation is a Caribbean cruise.

Cruises: Multiple Destinations, Unpack Once. “Cruises have always had a romantic vibe,” says Michelle Weller, a Houston, Texas-based luxury travel advisor with Travel Leaders. “There is something magical about climbing aboard a huge vessel and toasting champagne as the ship sails out to sea. From the intimate morning hours drinking coffee while gazing at the ocean, to enjoying a slow dance under the stars on deck at night, there is plenty of time aboard a cruise ship to enjoy a little amour.” Weller adds, “It is also very relaxing because you can just unpack your bags and settle in while the ship moves from port to port. More time for strolling hand in hand instead of rushing from airport to airport.”

Whether it’s a cruise on the turquoise Caribbean Sea, Europe’s most famous rivers, Alaska’s magnificent Prince William Sound or the romantic Mediterranean, Travel Leaders travel agents can provide clients with exclusive Distinctive Voyages amenities or an onboard ship credit for many sailings.

Some couples, however, desire a more private land-based travel option as a way to gain the most meaningful connection with their mate. Experts with Travel Leaders Group offer a number of suggestions:

Costa Rica: An Adults-only Option. “Nayara Springs in Costa Rica, an adults-only property, is a fabulous destination for couples,” says Laura Hanaford, a travel advisor at Trip Trotter with Tzell Travel, who experienced the property firsthand last fall. “It’s very private and the rooms are set up like villas, while the outdoor space, snuggled by the rainforest of the Arenal Volcano National Park, is truly special. Each villa has a large patio with a day bed, hammock and its own private hot springs plunge pool – with jets! And all of the patios are surrounded by over 1,000 flowers. Bathing suits are optional,” Hanaford adds.

Madagascar: Off-The-Beaten Track. The world’s fourth largest island, with picturesque mountains, dense rain forests, unspoiled tropical beaches and abundance of wildlife, is an off-the-beaten track romantic option, not overcrowded with tourists, advises Katy Bendel, Travel Advisor, Protravel International in San Diego, Calif.

“Anakao Ocean & Beach Resort in Madagascar is the most relaxing and welcoming place in the world,” says Bendel. “The arrival is by boat and the porters come through the water to grab your luggage and carry it above their heads to the lobby. Guests jump into the shallow water and walk into shore. You abandon all concerns when you realize you need to take off your shoes and hike up pants or skirt — or just get wet. It sets the tone for a really special stay.”

Historical Romance: Scotland and Ireland. Many cities in Europe sing romance, but Scotland and Ireland are great options for land-based travel or a cruise, Travel Leaders’ Weller adds. “Romantic rolling green hills will remind you of famous love stories from the movies ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Highlander.’ Stroll through old castles, ancient churches and beautiful gardens. And, when on a cruise ship, you can look out at the beautiful coastlines of Scotland and Ireland while the ship literally circles the entire British Isles.”

Simply Spend Time Together. Regardless of the destination, what makes a vacation romantic is the time a couple spends together, advises Samantha Hartman, a Travel Advisor with Protravel International in Roseland, New Jersey, who specializes in planning luxury vacations to remote locations. “A romantic vacation combines a little bit of relaxation and trying new things together. Whatever your idea of adventure is – tasting local delicacies on a street food tour, gazing at wild animals from your safari vehicle, or skiing down a mountain – sharing these experiences with those you love is what’s important!”

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About Travel Leaders Group
Travel Leaders Group (www.travelleadersgroup.com) is transforming travel with a commitment to our vacation and business travel clients through our progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. Having already assisted millions of travelers, Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands, including All Aboard Travel, ALTOUR, Andrew Harper Travel, Colletts Travel, CruCon, Cruise Specialists, Nexion, Protravel International, SinglesCruise.com, Travel Leaders Corporate, Travel Leaders Network and Tzell Travel Group. With over 7,000 agency locations, Travel Leaders Group ranks as one of the industry’s largest traditional travel agency companies.

2018: Year of the Travel Agent
Travel Leaders Group has named 2018 Year of the Travel Agent. Over the last decade, the travel agency industry has flourished through technology, the growth of travel options and personalized service. Travel Leaders Group represents approximately 40,000 travel agents with unmatched expertise in 135,000 destinations and 53,000 areas of interest. Travelers and suppliers have rediscovered the value a professional travel advisor delivers to the travel experience. Travel agents help to move people around the world, and keep our economy growing.

The post Romantic Luxury Experiences for Travel Lovers appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Agents from Travel Leaders Luxury Brands rank VIP tours, private cars and custom culinary experiences among most sought-after in travel trends survey

New York, N.Y. (April 19, 2018) — A recent survey conducted by Travel Leaders Group reveals that luxury travelers are most interested in exclusive access and experiences, particularly VIP tours, private cars and drivers, and customized culinary experiences. These findings were taken from the annual Travel Trends Survey conducted by Travel Leaders Group, one of North America’s largest travel agency companies, encompassing thousands of travel agents across the continent including luxury travel advisors from Protravel International and Tzell Travel, part of Travel Leaders Luxury Brands.

“Luxury travel today is all about access and experiences and our agents excel in providing clients with individually tailored once-in-a-lifetime experiences made possible through relationships they have built all over the world,” said Gail Grimmett, President of Travel Leaders Luxury Brands. “The survey results confirm that this high level of service, expertise and personalization is exactly what consumers are seeking.”

Examples of private, VIP-level experiences Travel Leaders Luxury Brands advisors have provided to clients include:

“In London, I like to send clients to a behind-the-scenes experience with the Queen’s Guard while they prepare to take their posts at Buckingham Palace before the Changing of the Guard. It’s a way to experience British pomp and circumstance up close.” – Josh Alexander, Protravel International
“In Florence, I planned an exclusive guided tour of the Vasari Corridor at the top of the famous Ponte Vecchio, the closed-to-the-public corridor used by the Medici family to travel from the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace.” – Ann St. Hilare, Protravel International
“I arranged for a private audience with one of the last remaining Samurai swordsmiths in Japan for a family who arranged their whole trip around his availability. There are not many Samurai swordsmiths left so it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to learn about this ancient art firsthand.” – Leslie Tillem, Tzell Travel Group
“In Morocco, I arranged for clients to take an Arabic calligraphy lesson in the home of an artist in Essaouira, a hike through the Atlas Mountains and then eat with a local Berber family in their home.” – Henley Vazquez, Passported, a Tzell Travel affiliate
“In Canyon Point, Utah I arranged for my clients to take a sunrise helicopter ride to the top of Tower Butte. An experienced yoga specialist guided a private yoga and meditation session, one my clients will truly never forget, and afterwards the helicopter took them on a scenic flight back with views of Lake Powell and the vast landscape of the Utah desert.” – Jonny Drubel, Protravel International
“I’ve arranged for clients to experience life as a Viking in Roskilde, one of the oldest towns in Denmark. They got a private tour of the Viking Ship Museum then boarded a replica Viking ship for a private sail on the Bay of Roskilde where they were able to assist the crew and feel how hard it was to sail in that era.” – Jody Bear, Bear & Bear Travel, a Tzell affiliate

Private villa or home stays and private beach or island bookings also ranked in the top five most sought-after experiences by clients in the survey of Travel Leaders Luxury Brands travel advisors.

The 2018 ranking of Top Luxury Experiences in order:

Exclusive (VIP) Tour – 66%
Private Car and Driver – 51%
Custom Culinary Experiences – 46%
Private Villas or Homes – 39%
Private Beach or Island – 25%

The survey also found the top three international destinations among luxury travelers to be European (river) cruising, Caribbean cruising, and Italy, with European/Mediterranean cruising and Mexico rounding out the top five.

“River cruising continues to grow in popularity among our luxury travelers,” said Grimmett, “and we’re seeing the cruise industry rapidly expanding this year with new ships, routes and more family and singles-friendly options, to meet the demand of these high-end travelers. There is truly a ship for every type of luxury traveler, but seeking the advice of a travel advisor is essential in choosing the right company and ship, as they each have distinct personalities.”

Here are the top 10 international destinations from Travel Leaders Group’s 2018 survey:

Top International Destinations for 2018

European (River) Cruise
Caribbean Cruise
Italy
Europe (Mediterranean) Cruise
Mexico
Dominican Republic
Jamaica
Australia
Europe (Baltic) Cruise
France
Ireland
Costa Rica
Aruba
Bahamas
Iceland
South Africa
England
St. Lucia
Australia/New Zealand Cruise
Panama Canal Cruise

More than 1,300 travel agency owners, managers and frontline travel agents from Travel Leaders Network, All Aboard Travel, CruCon Cruise Outlet, Cruise Specialists, Nexion, Protravel International, SinglesCruise.com, Travel Leaders Corporate, and Tzell Travel Group units participated in the annual Travel Trends Survey, which provides an authoritative barometer for what consumers from across North America are booking most frequently.

Travel Leaders Group, one of North America’s largest travel companies, is a leader in both the retail travel agency space and corporate travel and consistently ranks as one of the top travel companies nationwide.

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About Travel Leaders Group

2018: Year of the Travel Agent

Travel Leaders Group has named 2018 Year of the Travel Agent. Over the last decade, the travel agency industry has flourished through technology, the growth of travel options and personalized service. Travel Leaders Group represents more than 52,000 travel agents worldwide with unmatched expertise in 135,000 destinations and 53,000 areas of interest. Travelers and suppliers have rediscovered the value a professional travel advisor delivers to the travel experience. Travel agents help to move people around the world, and keep our economy growing.

Contact: Carrie Culpepper cculpepper@travelleaders.com

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Industry veterans will continue to lead Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group with departure of Gail Grimmett

New York, NY (April 26, 2018) – The leadership of Travel Leaders Group’s luxury brands, Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, will transition to long-time industry veterans with the announced departure of Gail Grimmett, who has served as President of the brands for the past two years. Grimmett today announced her intention to leave Travel Leaders Group later in May.

Becky Powell will continue to lead Protravel International, now serving as President. Cindy Schlansky and Monty Swaney will continue their senior leadership roles at Tzell Travel Group, now serving as Co-Presidents. All three leaders will take on additional responsibilities for strategic direction of the brands working with Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko, CTC.

“Gail further developed a highly-seasoned team of executives at each of our luxury brands who will continue our focus on leading the industry in the luxury sector,” said Chacko. “We are grateful to Gail for her work in integrating our luxury acquisitions, expanding our UK presence and strengthening a great executive team of outstanding professionals,” said Chacko. A long-time airline industry executive with Delta Air Lines, Grimmett joined Travel Leaders Group in May 2016.

While leading Travel Leaders Group’s luxury brands, Grimmett successfully created and helped implement a strategic plan which focused on increasing agent profitability and growing their business. She also oversaw historical highs in recruitment of independent contractors to the Tzell and Protravel brands and expanded the number of Tzell Travel branches.

Grimmett worked to create synergies between the brands which include Protravel, Tzell, Andrew Harper Travel, R. Crusoe, Colletts Travel and All Star Travel Group. She also oversaw the growth of Travel Leaders UK and introduced new marketing initiatives including Protravel’s sponsorship of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and the New York Wine & Food Festival.

Powell joined Travel Leaders Group as Senior Vice President at Andrew Harper Travel and became General Manager and COO of Protravel in January of this year. Schlansky has served in various leadership roles at Tzell since 2000 overseeing branch acquisitions, projects, process and change management, while Swaney, who joined Tzell in 2009 handles relationship management, leads independent contractor support, oversees sales efforts and coordinates UK operations.

Travel Leaders Group is a leader in both consumer retail travel and global corporate travel with more than 52,000 travel agents under its umbrella within the U.S., Canada and internationally.

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About Travel Leaders Group

Travel Leaders Group (www.travelleadersgroup.com) is transforming travel with a commitment to our vacation and business travel clients through our progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. Having already assisted millions of travelers, Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands, including All Aboard Travel, ALTOUR, Andrew Harper Travel, Colletts Travel, CruCon, Cruise Specialists, Nexion, Protravel International, SinglesCruise.com, Travel Leaders Corporate, Travel Leaders Network and Tzell Travel Group. With over 7,000 agency locations, Travel Leaders Group ranks as one of the industry’s largest retail travel agency companies.

2018: Year of the Travel Agent

The post Leadership Transition at Travel Leaders Luxury Brands appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Protravel, Tzell Travel, Andrew Harper and ALTOUR feted at A&K 100 Club dinner

New York, N.Y. (May 15, 2018) — Travel Leaders luxury brands Protravel International, Tzell Travel Group, ALTOUR and Andrew Harper Travel were recognized by luxury travel

Travel Leaders Group team members show off their awards at the A&K 100 Club banquet.

company Abercrombie & Kent as “the best of the best” at A&K’s 100 Club Meeting, a biennial, by-invitation-only gathering of the top luxury leisure travel advisors in North America.

At this year’s awards dinner, Protravel International was awarded Top Multi-Branch Agency Producer; Tzell Travel received the Top Individual Producer, Luxury Tailor Made Journeys recognition; Andrew Harper Travel was named Top Individual Agency Producer and ALTOUR received the Top Producer, Luxury Small Journeys award.

“This recognition is further proof that our luxury travel agents are best-in-class and provide their clients with not only the best insight, but also unparalleled access and service. Access to unique supplier benefits are earned from a history of supporting quality brands like A&K,” said Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko.

The 100 Club agencies receive priority waitlist clearance for clients, specialized training and other benefits.

Keith Baron, president of Abercrombie & Kent USA, emphasized the role of travel advisors in the company’s success. “The tremendous growth in international luxury and adventure travel is only possible because of our long-standing relationships with the country’s top travel advisors – like those at Protravel, Tzell Travel, ALTOUR and Andrew Harper – who bring a rare blend of professionalism and knowledge to their passion for travel.”

At the meeting, on-the-ground reports from A&K experts covered how luxury travel is evolving and previewed new trends and experiences. The summit provided travel advisors with first-hand reports on new hotels and experiences in more than 30 destinations worldwide.

Pictured above, from left: Protravel’s Senior Director of Industry Partnerships and Leisure Operations, Jeffrey Sirota; Tzell Travel’s Senior Director of Industry Partnerships and Leisure Operations Karen Magee; and Brett Cumberland Managing Director of R. Crusoe & Son and Andrew Harper Travel.

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About Travel Leaders Group

2018: Year of the Travel Agent

The post Travel Leaders Group Luxury Brands Awarded Top Honors in Luxury Sales by Abercrombie & Kent appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Travel Leaders Group promotes former VP sales to run several businesses in growing UK operations.

New York, NY (June 4, 2018) — Travel Leaders Group announced today that Jason Oshiokpekhai has been appointed Managing Director of Protravel International U.K., Tzell Travel Group U.K., Colletts Travel and Scotia Travel. Based in London, Oshiokpekhai will oversee daily operations for the brands which serve luxury leisure, corporate and entertainment clients in the United Kingdom. The four brands are part of U.S.-based Travel Leaders Group, one of North America’s largest travel agency companies with more than 7,000 locations.

Prior to his appointment, Oshiokpekhai worked as Director of Sales and Account Management for Travel Leaders Luxury Brands where he built the first-ever Sales & Account management team overseeing three of Travel Leaders Luxury Brands and helped to streamline sales operations. Oshiokpekhai has been instrumental in building corporate travel business for the U.K. market.

“Jason has proven to be an invaluable leader for our growing U.K. enterprises,” said Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko, CTC. “His keen expertise across sales, operations and technology has made him an indispensable member of our team and the ideal person to head up our expansion of Protravel, Tzell, Colletts and Scotia Travel in the U.K. market.”

“We plan to accelerate the growth of our U.K. operations in the coming year,” said Chacko. “We are looking to recruit new independent contractors and are focused on providing maximum support to our agents in winning and retaining corporate accounts and are working on additional ways to help them increase their profitability.”

Prior to joining Travel Leaders Group in 2016, Oshiokpekhai worked in the corporate sales divisions of Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.

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About Travel Leaders Group

2018: Year of the Travel Agent

Travel Leaders Group has named 2018 Year of the Travel Agent. Over the last decade, the travel agency industry has flourished through technology, the growth of travel options and personalized service. Travel Leaders Group represents more than 52,000 travel agents with unmatched expertise in 135,000 destinations and 53,000 areas of interest. Travelers and suppliers have rediscovered the value a professional travel advisor delivers to the travel experience. Travel agents help to move people around the world, and keep our economy growing.

The post Jason Oshiokpekhai Appointed Managing Director of Protravel UK, Tzell UK, Colletts and Scotia Travel appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Luxury travel agents from Tzell Travel share their tips for unforgettable experiences for families around the world

New York, NY (June 29, 2018) — Experiential travel is hot and it’s not just for grownups. Travel Leaders Group’s recent Travel Trends survey revealed that luxury travelers are most interested in experiential travel and that’s no different for families, according to Tzell Travel Group Co-President Cindy Schlansky.

“At Tzell Travel, we’re finding our clients increasingly looking for culturally enriching experiences to share together as a family that will educate and enlighten both children and parents,” said Schlansky.

Families make up the largest segment of the Millennial generation, and millennial families intend to spend 15 percent more on vacations this year ($4,577 household average) than last year ($4,099 household average), according to MMGY Global’s recent survey, Portrait of American Travelers 2018-2019.

Tzell’s luxury travel agents see that trend in their client’s inquiries and bookings, including an increase in more exotic and educational family destinations where children can experience new cultures firsthand.

“Travel is great way to expose children to different cultures, lifestyles, careers and to reinforce some of the things they’re learning in school, as well as your own personal values,” said Schlansky.

Tzell agents offered the following Family Travel Tips for successful cultural trips with children:

Involve children in the choice of destination and planning of activities. This will engage them in the experience on a deeper level. Even young children can make choices about an activity they would enjoy.
Tie trip destinations and excursions to what children are learning in school such as a rail trip through the southern U.S. to tie into the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
Schedule down time. When traveling to a location that involves a lot of sightseeing, book a hotel with a pool. Sightseeing in the morning with an afternoon break at the pool helps keep children interested and not overloaded.
Consider a “voluntourism” activity to more deeply connect to the culture or issues surrounding the destination.
Work in some independence for both kids and adults. Adding a simple activity kids will enjoy, such as watching turtles hatch in Costa Rica, while parents spend some time together brings great value to everyone.
Strike a balance between education and hands-on experiences for kids. Cooking classes, such as learning how to make dumplings in Asia, or gelato in Italy are always a big hit and great on any budget.
Be sure to expose your children to different cultures and foods in the U.S. before your trip to get them accustomed to the different tastes and cuisines they will experience on their journey. This will go a long way to appeasing even your pickiest eater when they are away from home.

Tzell agents offered the following suggestions of unexpected educational vacations for families to take that go beyond the predictable beach destination:

Bali

“Bali offers ancient temples, royal palaces, art galleries, incredible topography and spectacular beaches. May to July is the best time to be there. The island’s West Coast is still considered ‘off the beaten path’ and perfect for families looking for more of a cultural emersion.” – Leslie Tillem of Tzell Travel

Ibiza

“People think Ibiza is just a party island, but that’s far from the truth. It’s an incredible spot for family vacations. There are gorgeous, tiny secluded beaches and the water is incredibly clear and calm. There are endless coves to explore and Spain is generally family friendly, so children are welcome and included everywhere you go.” – Henley Vazquez of Passported, a Tzell Travel affiliate

Singapore

“Singapore is very family-friendly with attractions for both kids and adults. I planned a multi-generational family trip to Singapore for five days then a ferry ride to the nearby Indonesian island of Bintan to stay in the fabulous child-friendly property, which was a nice pairing of city and beach that kept the whole family engaged.” – Grace Giso of Tzell Travel New England

Israel

“For families with teens looking to contextualize current events, I’ve arranged meetings with a decorated war veteran and Colonel & Tank Battalion Commander in the IDF Armored Corps or a drive to one of the highest mountains on the Golan Heights to have a talk with a high-ranking intelligence officer and scholar of Middle Eastern studies for an in-depth explanation and insight into the complex situation in Syria.” – Jody Bear of Bear & Bear, a Tzell Travel affiliate

The Azores

“The volcanic islands west of the Portuguese mainland are little-known and offer a variety of activities perfect for adventurous families. Families with older kids can take a short boat ride from Vila Franca do Campo to swim in a volcanic crater in the ocean or hike into Algar do Carvão, one of only three dormant volcanoes in the world accessible to hikers. One of the most memorable experiences I found while visiting with my son was a visit to hot geothermal springs called Furnas then eating the food that local chefs cook with a special technique in those springs. We also visited the UNESCO World Heritage town of Angra do Heroismo and ate amazing Portuguese food.” – Christy Danforth of The Artful Traveler, a Tzell Travel affiliate

For more family travel inspiration from Tzell advisors visit: blog.tzell.com/

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About Tzell Travel Group:

Tzell Travel Group, part of Travel Leaders Group, is currently ranked first among the nation’s largest corporate travel management companies, according to Business Travel News. Tzell maintains its headquarters in New York City and has offices in 20 states. In everything it does, Tzell Travel Group places the highest priority on both its clients and its agents. For the individual traveler, Tzell addresses value, convenience, comfort and safety, with its customized quality traveler services. For the corporation, Tzell offers a broad product line of cost containment, meeting services and comprehensive travel management programs.

About Travel Leaders Group

Travel Leaders Group is transforming travel with a commitment to our vacation and business travel clients through our progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. Having already assisted millions of travelers, Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands. With over 7,000 agency locations, Travel Leaders Group ranks as one of the industry’s largest traditional travel agency companies.

2018: Year of the Travel Agent

Travel Leaders Group has named 2018 Year of the Travel Agent. Over the last decade, the travel agency industry has flourished through technology, the growth of travel options and personalized service. Travel Leaders Group represents more than 52,000 travel agents with unmatched expertise in 135,000 destinations and 53,000 areas of interest. Travelers and suppliers have rediscovered the value a professional travel advisor delivers to the travel experience. Travel agents help to move people around the world, and keep our economy growing.

The post Beyond the Beach: Unexpected Travel Destinations for Families with Fun and Learning in Mind appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Tzell’s 17^th Annual Anniversary Gala Took Place at The New York Palace Hotel

New York, NY (November 21, 2014) — New York-based Tzell Travel Group is pleased to announce that it recently recognized and celebrated the organization’s independent travel agents and headquarters staff at its 17^th annual anniversary gala. Tzell Travel Group Chief Executive Officer Barry Liben personally presented and introduced all 53 prestigious Anniversary Awards and honored those individuals celebrating five-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and 30-year anniversaries. Over 150 invited guests attended Tzell’s annual gala, which took place on November 14, at one of New York City’s most renowned, legendary properties – The New York Palace Hotel.

As part of the celebration, Tzell agents Martin Gould and Phyllis Kohut received the Tzell Anniversary Award for each of their 30 years of dedication and excellence with Tzell Travel Group; in addition, Miriam Cohen and Franzi Bier were each honored for 25 years of exemplary efforts in providing unparalleled service and expertise to their clients.

“Tzell Travel Group’s roots are deep, and this exceptional annual event reminds all of us just how extraordinary Tzell is in the realm of luxury travel, as well as the vast role it has played throughout so many people’s lives,” stated Tzell President J.D. O’Hara. “Tzell could not have achieved its prominent position with today’s luxury travel marketplace without our agents and staff. They are the cornerstone and the strength behind all that we do.”

O’Hara continued: “To publicly recognize those who have dedicated decades of their lives to Tzell is something I am very humbled to be part of. On behalf of the entire Tzell organization, my heartfelt congratulations go to Martin, Phyllis, Miriam and Franzi for all that they have accomplished throughout their careers with a single-minded focus on extraordinary service to their clients. We are all truly grateful to be immersed among such talented and passionate individuals.”

“When I started at Tzell 30 years ago, there were only three employees. Over the decades, I have been able to watch Tzell grow into the empire it is today,” stated Gould. “It’s a huge honor for me to celebrate this 30 year milestone and share the Anniversary Award with my esteemed colleague who recently passed, Rina Anoussi. My future aspirations are to continue Rina’s legacy and build on the excellence we worked so hard over the years to create. The team at Tzell has really become my alternate family and to receive this award in front of them is a huge honor.”

“When I first walked into Tzell, I didn’t realize I would be here for a quarter of a century, but I had a good sense that this was the best place to work, and I was right. Tzell has become my home away from home and is such a huge part of my life,” said Cohen. “At Tzell, you are surrounded by good people and we all want the best for each other – you feel like you are part of one big family. I am very passionate about my work, I feel blessed and honored to be where I am in my career.”

Tzell prides itself in providing its clients with in-depth knowledge, experience and individualized client service with some of the most talented travel agents in the industry. Tzell’s first-class, white-glove service and support is why the organization – part of the larger Travel Leaders Group – is among the nation’s biggest and most successful travel management companies. Bringing its high-end clients top-tier service is only possible by affiliating with such industry-leading brands.

Agents interested in joining Tzell and providing the highest quality, most personalized and proactive customer service available should visit Tzell.com.

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About Tzell Travel Group:

With annual sales of $2 billion, Tzell Travel Group – as part of Travel Leaders Group – is currently ranked first among the nation’s largest corporate travel management companies, according to Business Travel News. Tzell maintains its headquarters in New York City and has offices in 20 states.

www.Tzell.com

The post Tzell Honors its Highly Acclaimed Agents with its Prestigious Anniversary Awards appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

For the third consecutive year, Tzell travel agents to attend one of the
travel industry’s preeminent luxury forums.

New York, NY (November 25, 2014) — Today, Tzell Travel Group is pleased to announce that a highly select group of its top luxury travel agents and executives will be representing Tzell at the upcoming International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) event taking place in Cannes, France, December 1-4, 2015. This is the third consecutive year that Tzell Travel Group will have a delegation in attendance at the prominent luxury forum. According to ILTM, the upcoming event in Cannes is luxury travel’s flagship event, where the world’s very best travel agents and advisors meet the world’s very best luxury travel experiences.

“I am incredibly pleased that Tzell is so highly revered in the industry that we are able to send many of our preeminent luxury travel agents to experience, firsthand, the emerging trends in the luxury marketplace,” stated Tzell Travel Group President J.D. O’Hara. “Our travel agents are known for their superior expertise and 24/7 concierge service in the luxury and ultra-luxury travel arenas. By attending the upcoming ILTM event in Cannes, we reaffirm the commitment to our clients of providing the very highest quality and the ultimate in personalized travel experiences.”

Tzell Travel Group travel agents Kathryn Anschutz, Jody Bear, Jayne Bliss, Miriam Cohen, Eric Hrubant, Jeffrey Kane, Kim Specht and Roy Twiste are part of the select group of attendees at this year’s ILTM event in Cannes. In addition, Vice President, Leisure Sales for Tzell Travel Group, Gina Gabbard; Vice President, Hotel Programs & Development, Christina Gambini; and Senior Vice President, Operations for Tzell Travel Group, Monty Swaney will be in attendance as part of Tzell’s delegation. Sydney Rosen,
Manager of Travel Leaders Group’s Select Hotels & Resorts Program is also an invited guest among the Tzell participants hosted by ILTM. Each member of Tzell’s delegation is from New York City.

In conjunction with the event, Tzell Travel Group attendees will have the opportunity to experience the legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. While the prominent five-star hotel is “closed for the season,” this renowned property will open its doors exclusively to the entire contingent from Travel Leaders Group, Tzell’s parent company. This private event will allow guests to experience incomparable ambience and views while enjoying an exquisite dinner.

According to its website, International Luxury Travel Market is a portfolio of global, regional and specialist luxury travel events. Event attendees in Cannes are invited to choose up to 52 one-one-one appointments from a select community of 3,000 luxury buyers and suppliers.

Since 1966, Tzell Travel Group has been providing its clients with the highest quality, most personalized travel experience integrated with today’s technology – whether it be corporate, entertainment or leisure travel. Tzell offers comprehensive travel management programs that blend the vast resources it is able to deliver as a travel powerhouse with the personalized dedication and emphasis on quality.

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About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

The post Tzell Travel Group Among Elite Attending Upcoming International Luxury Travel Market Event in Cannes, France appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

The Tzell Travel Foundation has selected 4 Paws for Ability, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Gary Sinise Foundation as this year’s recipients.

New York, NY (December 15, 2014) — Today, the Tzell Travel Foundation publicly announced that its annual charity drive is underway and will continue through February 1, 2015. The Tzell Travel Foundation’s charity drive provides the opportunity for Tzell agents, employees and the community to raise money for exceptional charitable organizations. The charities for 2015 were chosen by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and include 4 Paws for Ability, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® and the Gary Sinise Foundation.

“Our Foundation’s annual charity drive creates an extraordinary opportunity within our community to give back to nonprofit organizations that so many of us hold close to our heart,” stated Tzell Travel Group President J.D. O’Hara. “While our formal Tzell Travel Foundation is relatively new, the annual charity drive was established over 13 years ago by our CEO Barry Liben to enormous successes. This year we’re partnering three outstanding organizations – 4 Paws for Ability, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Gary Sinise Foundation. Because of the energy and excitement surrounding our annual charity drive, I’m confident we will, again, raise significant money and awareness for these charitable entities.”

The Tzell Travel Foundation is a nonprofit organization and all donations made are tax-deductible. Since recordkeeping began in 2001, Tzell Travel Group has donated three quarters of a million dollars to a variety of worthy charities.

Here is additional information about this year’s charity drive recipients:

4 Paws for Ability:

4 Paws for Ability enriches the lives of children with disabilities by training and placing quality, task-trained service dogs. This provides increased independence for the children and assistance to their families. 4 Paws for Ability also works with veterans from recent conflicts who’ve lost the use of their limbs or their hearing while in active combat. Service dogs are trained in seizure alert/response, autism assistance, mobility assistance, diabetic alert, hearing ear/signal work and multipurpose assistance.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:

The mission of St. Jude is to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of their founder, Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.

The Gary Sinise Foundation:

The mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation is to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. They do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.

In the past, Tzell has donated to organizations such as: Fisher House Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Make a Wish Foundation, Pancreatic Cancer Research and Toys for Tots.

Those interested in contributing to the Tzell Travel Foundation annual charity drive may donate via www.tzellfoundation.com.

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About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

The post Tzell Travel Foundation’s Annual Charity Drive in Full Swing appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Tzell aligns new website with its mission, exemplified through refreshed logo and new marketing tagline: “Beyond Your Destination”

New York, NY (January 9, 2015) — Today, Tzell Travel Group is formally revealing its completely revamped business consumer website, www.tzell.com, which better reflects its business philosophy embodied within its new tagline, “Beyond Your Destination.” As the travel industry vanguard in providing sophisticated and superior service to its corporate and entertainment travel clients, Tzell is using its more user-friendly website and new tagline to showcase its commitment to excellence. The newly unveiled website incorporates more robust, updated content with a further refined look and feel, as well as linking directly to its new luxury leisure website.

“Tzell is unique in the fact that our VIP clients enjoy the power of a mega agency, but with the high-touch attention to detail of a boutique travel agency,” stated Tzell Travel Group President J.D. O’Hara. “As Tzell continues to grow its global presence and service offerings, the alignment between our brand identity and our website has never been more critical to our success. The incorporation of our new tagline ‘Beyond Your Destination’ perfectly characterizes our award-winning travel advisors’ knowledge and expertise as they continually exceed their clients’ expectations and execute their travel plans, flawlessly.”

The added enhancements to www.tzell.com include emphasis on Tzell’s three key differentiators: global power, personalized services & flawless execution. Newly added to the website is a section dedicated to service with information on the company’s exceptional hotel partners and their exclusive value-added amenities for Tzell’s clients. Information is also provided on the array of white-glove services offered by Tzell, including private jet procurement, passports & visas assistance, and a variety of executive services geared specifically to the C-Level, thus ensuring appropriate and discreet VIP treatment. Valuable VIP services include: private transportation, coveted restaurant reservations, international mobile phone arrangements and luggage handling.

With Tzell’s newly refined logo, the revamped site also features updated content surrounding Tzell’s award winning corporate business travel & entertainment travel management programs:

Corporate Business Travel: “Tzell Travel has built its reputation on providing its clients with unmatched service, pricing and customization. Tzell’s comprehensive travel management programs utilize the negotiating power of a travel industry powerhouse and the personalized dedication of award winning Travel Advisors to provide a flawless execution.”

Entertainment Travel Management: “Tzell Travel Group is proud to be one of the largest and most successful entertainment travel management companies in the world. With decades of experience and an unmatched network of contacts in the travel industry, Tzell Travel Advisors are simply the best in the business.”

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About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

The post Tzell Travel Group Proudly Reveals Enhanced Website Showcasing its Comprehensive Travel Management Programs appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

NEXT Joint Initiative by Protravel and Tzell Places Each Inaugural Participant;

Second Session Slated to Begin in February

New York, NY (January 16, 2015) — After placing each of its entire first generation of NEXT candidates into full-time travel agency positions, NEXT – the innovative, new initiative jointly launched last year by Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group – today unveiled plans for its second session to begin in February. The initiative, geared toward recruiting, reeducating and retaining young travel professionals, is heavily focused on attracting new talent, particularly Millennials, into both of the luxury-focused travel agencies. The initiative includes a customized training and placement program from which all inaugural participants were placed within Protravel, Tzell will host the second group of NEXT candidates next month.

“Our first NEXT training session within Protravel was a tremendous success and exceeded our expectations,” explained Barry Liben, CEO of both Protravel and Tzell. “This ‘NEXT generation’ gained firsthand knowledge and experience in the glamorous world of luxury travel and understand just how imperative it is to receive hands-on training from the experienced agents who serve as their mentors. We’re thrilled to retain them as part of our team.”

“Momentum is clearly building within the travel industry for catering to the distinctive needs of Millennials, making it incumbent upon us to also attract this key demographic into our ranks,” stated Patrick Fragale, President of Protravel. “Our inaugural NEXT participants were in high demand and were matched with seasoned agents within Protravel who will act as their mentors going forward.”

“Tzell is so committed to fostering a welcoming environment for the NEXT generation of travel agents, that we’ll host the second group of candidates at our offices next month,” noted J.D. O’Hara, President of Tzell. “This in turn will enable many of our leading Tzell agents to directly and personally engage with each prospect and lead to what we hope are many partnership opportunities.”

“NEXT succeeded in its first goal of recruitment,” explained Marisa Costa, Director of NEXT. “By finding enthusiastic, talented individuals, putting them through tailored in-house training and placing them in positions that are the most appropriate fit for their talents, interests, and goals, we believe we’ve found a great home for our inaugural candidates. However, recruiting and training new talent is only the tip of the iceberg. Equally important is retaining the next generation of travel professionals by helping them advance in their careers, and to ensure their successful futures by reeducating Millennials about why they should work with a travel agent.”

Taking note of Millennials’ social media acumen and their desire to make connections, Costa indicated that NEXT also serves as a network focusing on building relationships among other Millennial agents within Protravel and Tzell, as well as their contemporaries throughout the industry. The joint initiative’s dedicated site, MyTravelAgentLife.com is also enabling NEXT to further build its own database of potential candidates for the training program and other available positions within the two companies.

“During their training, our NEXT candidates also learned the importance of networking,” Costa noted. “They attended many industry functions and met with key players in travel. They gained insight into just how exciting the world of travel is, especially in luxury travel agencies like Protravel and Tzell.”

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About Protravel International LLC:

Protravel International LLC is a Travel Leaders Group company. Founded in 1984, Protravel International LLC is a full-service, dynamic travel company with an award-winning reputation. With annual sales reaching over $870 million, Protravel is headquartered in New York City and supports a network of 18 branch locations throughout the United States and London, plus a network of hosted agents in all corners of the U.S. Today, approximately 1,000 people make up the Protravel organization. Our expertise in destination, international faring and competitive products – coupled with our superior network of contacts in the airline, hotel, cruise and hospitality industry – makes Protravel one of the most powerful selling forces in the travel industry.

Protravel’s diversity of products, size of annual sales and nationally recognized stature permits them to leverage these strengths to bring the most competitive pricing and aggressive negotiations for our highly diverse client base. It is a company-wide commitment to search for the best possible travel options for our customers. Travel arrangements are personally tailored to take optimum advantage of the most up to the minute changes in the industry.

For many years, a dedicated team has guided Protravel with innovative ideas and skills. By incorporating the latest technologies and carefully monitoring industry developments, the finest products and highest levels of service are maintained. The continued success of Protravel is a testament to our sound operation and well-planned development.

www.protravelinc.com

About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

The post NEXT Initiative Succeeds in Moving to the Next Level appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Vacationsbytzell.com features extensive resources and insightful information on upscale land vacations, cruises, resorts and villas, along with its signature concierge services and LGBT travel.

New York, NY (February 4, 2015) — Today, Tzell Travel Group is formally unveiling its luxury leisure travel website, Vacationsbytzell.com. In addition to its sleek and compelling look and feel, Tzell’s contemporary leisure travel website offers discerning travelers enhanced, proprietary content on a variety of travel subjects of particular interest to the agency’s sophisticated and upscale clientele, along with improved usability and intuitive navigation tools and resources. Complementing its recently launched business travel-focused site at Tzell.com, Vacationsbytzell.com mirrors Tzell Travel Group’s commitment toward providing unparalleled travel information, matching its industry-leading travel expertise delivered directly to its clientele.

“It’s important for Tzell to have its own dedicated leisure travel site and offer a unique user experience for the leisure traveler, as their wants and needs are much different than that of a corporate business traveler. The new Vacationsbytzell.com aligns perfectly with our strategic vision of providing our clients with the most sophisticated offers and resources to answer all their travel-related questions with ease,” said Tzell Travel Group President, J.D. O’Hara. “One of the many reasons why Tzell continues to flourish and remain at the forefront of the luxury marketplace is because we fuel passion and desire for travel. With thoughtfully crafted content and a more refreshing look and feel, we’ve elevated our client-facing website to achieve a more optimal and intriguing experience for our customers.”

Among the added features to Vacationsbytzell.com are the following sections:

Celebration Travel: In addition to destination weddings and honeymoons, major life events – such as anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, retirements, reunions, and even expecting a child – are perfect opportunities to celebrate via travel. A vacation is the most unforgettable way to celebrate the special moments of one’s life and Tzell Travel can make one’s milestone that much more memorable by planning a trip of a lifetime.

Concierge Services: Tzell is dedicated to meeting the personal interests, expectations and needs of all of its clients. To experience the truly exceptional, Tzell Travel advisors provide concierge services. Using its vast resources, Tzell travel agents plan personalized experiences, arrange transportation to and from the airport, and secure tickets for theatre, sporting events and concerts.

Hotels, Resorts and Villas: Tzell Travel offers its clients a collection of the world’s most desirable and distinguished luxury and premium properties, which provide amenities that may include complimentary breakfast for two, early check-in/late checkout, parking, gym access, upgrades and more. In addition, the website has a section dedicated to villa rentals for the truly discerning client.

LGBT Travel: Tzell is proud to have travel advisors who are extremely knowledgeable in LGBT travel, with firsthand experiences about welcoming hotels, top hotspots, gay cruises and more. Tzell’s travel agents specializing in LGBT travel assist clients in planning destination weddings, honeymoons, family vacations and/or adventure travel, all while keeping each client’s connections to the LGBT community in mind.

The luxury leisure travel site also includes Tzell Travel Group career opportunities, information on the NEXT program – an initiative geared toward recruiting, reeducating and retaining young professionals – and will feature a partner of the month, a captivating blog, recurring offers and contests.

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About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

The post Tzell Travel Group Launches New Luxury Leisure Travel Website for Sophisticated, Discerning Travelers appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

Longtime Tzell agent Nancy Mieses recognized for her foster care advocacy.

New York, NY (February 18, 2015) — Today, Tzell Travel Group is pleased to publicly announce that it bestowed its second annual Tzell Humanitarian Award upon longtime Tzell agent Nancy Mieses. As an ambassador for the public foster care system within the New York Tri-State Area, Mieses has devoted her personal life to caring for children in need. Mieses has been a Tzell travel agent since 1999, and as part of its recognition for her efforts, Tzell has made a donation to honor her.

After Mieses’ three children left home to attend college, she had a desire to open her home to young people in need of a safe and stable environment. As a foster parent, she has cared for a number of children who were abused, neglected, or at risk for potential abuse. After months of caring for a newborn baby girl, Mieses and her husband developed such a strong and loving bond that they took the necessary steps to formally adopt her. In addition, Mieses and her husband currently care for an eight year-old foster child, as well as Mieses’ handicapped sister who lives with her family.

“Nancy is the perfect person to receive Tzell’s second annual Humanitarian Award. Her heart of gold radiates throughout Tzell headquarters. Whether Nancy knows it or not, she constantly encourages me and others to be better persons,” said Tzell CEO Barry Liben. “Nancy is incredibly giving of her time, energy and affection and is very well-respected among her peers. It’s a privilege and an honor to know her, and we would like to thank Nancy and honor her for all that she does in her community.”

“My mother is the one who taught me what it means to be a humanitarian. I believe it’s good to be good, and that’s a lesson I teach to my children,” said Mieses. “Helping kids is a true passion of mine. Children in the foster care system go through so much; helping these children and bringing them into my home is very much second nature for me. I feel so humbled to have received the Tzell Humanitarian Award and lucky to be part of the Tzell family – a group that supports me in everything I do.”

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About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

The post Tzell Travel Group Honors Agent Nancy Mieses with its Annual Tzell Humanitarian Award appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.

New York, NY (April 1, 2015) – A branch of Tzell Travel Group, New York-based First in Service Travel (F1S) – known for its high profile clientele in finance, fashion, entertainment, media, and technology – has officially opened its Miami office on 1110 Brickell Ave. The move is the first step in forging the agency’s major expansion plans into Latin America, as well as Spain, over the next three years.

F1S CEO and co-founder Fernando Gonzalez explains, “When we founded F1S 24 years ago, our first clients were corporations doing business throughout Latin America and Spain. As the agency grew, the global corporate interest in Latin America has also exploded. Today we’re the leading New York-based corporate travel specialists to the Latin market. Establishing roots in Miami puts an indelible stamp on our commitment.”

The Miami office is run by Gary Oakley, a local veteran with more than 17 years of experience in the travel industry.

Gonzalez adds, “Our obsession with service is paying off. By constantly looking for ways to better serve our clients – like offering VIP perks and expanding in key markets – we gain trust and loyalty. These have always been essential ingredients to our company’s success.”

ABOUT FIRST IN SERVICE TRAVEL:

New York City-based First in Service (F1S) – a branch of Tzell Travel Group – is a leading design house of travel, with a discerning clientele in finance, fashion, entertainment, media, and technology. Sister and brother entrepreneurs Erika Reategui and Fernando Gonzalez founded First in Service in 1991 from a family work ethic: service first. Since then, the company has built an award-winning team in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London and Bogota. The company has dedicated corporate, luxury leisure, entertainment and events divisions. For more information, please visit www.firstinservice.com. Follow us on Twitter @1stinService or visit on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FirstinServiceTravel.

ABOUT TZELL TRAVEL GROUP:

With annual sales exceeding $2 billion, Tzell Travel Group – as part of Travel Leaders Group – is currently ranked first among the nation’s largest corporate travel management companies, according to Business Travel News. Tzell maintains its headquarters in New York City and has offices in 20 states. In everything it does, Tzell Travel Group places the highest priority on both its clients and its agents. www.Tzell.com

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In partnership with the United States Customs and Border Protection, Tzell Travel Group is making it easier for travelers to complete their Global Entry application process.

New York, NY (June 2, 2015) — New York-based Tzell Travel Group, in partnership with the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will provide travelers with convenient access to complete their enrollment in Global Entry. On June 12 and August 13, 2015, Tzell and the USCBP will expedite the process by allowing travelers to complete their Global Entry interview process at Tzell’s Manhattan office located at 119 West 40th Street, 14th floor. Global Entry is a program that offers frequent travelers expedited customs security clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers; typically participants are required to travel to a participating airport – such as JFK or Newark – to complete the interview process.

“Simplifying the travel experience is a big part of what Tzell does for its clients,” said Barry Liben, CEO of Tzell Travel Group. “Our unique partnership with the USCBP allowed many more Tzell clients to participate in our first Global Entry event of the year in April without having to go to Newark, JFK or LaGuardia airports. Due to the overwhelming response from this and previous events in past years, and to accommodate the significant demand for such personalized service, Tzell will be conducting two additional Global Entry events for clients who previously signed up to participate in the program.”

“Global Entry allows U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers to focus more on law enforcement and less on administrative tasks which provides better security and more efficient entry for citizens and visitors,” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. “Global Entry provides seamless entry for our trusted travelers, which is something CBP values as a high priority.”

Travelers who have been accepted into the Global Entry program, re-enter the U.S. by simply using automated kiosks at 46 major airports across the United States, Aruba, Canada and Ireland, rather than completing customs forms on the airplane and waiting in line for customs approval. According to CBP, travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program and they must complete an online application, pay the $100 non-refundable application fee, undergo a rigorous background check, and complete an in-person interview before enrollment.

“Tzell clients truly appreciate the expedited customs process that Global Entry provides, but making a special trip to the airport to complete the interview process can be cumbersome,” added Liben. “Through Tzell’s initiative, our clients simply come to our Manhattan office to complete the brief but required interview for the Global Entry program. Once approved, they can also take advantage of the TSA Precheck, which will expedite their airport security screening each time they travel in the United States.”

For more information on the June 12 and August 13 Global Entry events at Tzell Travel Group’s headquarters, call 212-944-2121.

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About Tzell Travel Group: With annual sales of $2 billion, Tzell Travel Group – as part of Travel Leaders Group – is currently ranked first among the nation’s largest corporate travel management companies, according to Business Travel News. Tzell maintains its headquarters in New York City and has offices in 20 states.

www.Tzell.com

The post Tzell Travel Group Brings Global Entry Program to Manhattan; Clients No Longer Need to Trek to Airports to Complete the Process appeared first on Travel Leaders Group.