Tzell – Internova Travel Group

NEXT Prepares Next Generation of Travel Agents for Successful Careers in Growing Industry.

New York, NY (July 31, 2014) — Today as part of a joint announcement by Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, the two luxury travel agencies unveiled NEXT – an initiative geared toward recruiting, reeducating and retaining young professionals. Among several components, the program includes an in-house training and placement initiative to recruit and train the next generation of luxury travel specialists. The innovative new program will provide its participants with customized training, a dedicated mentor, and placement within one of the two companies, ultimately serving as a launch pad for success. The first training session will begin in the fall of 2014.

“There are few professions that can offer the level of prestige, excitement and glamor to young professionals quite like the travel industry can. Within the travel agency segment, our message to Millennials is simple: ‘The world can be yours,’” explained Barry Liben, who serves as CEO for both Protravel and Tzell. “As the travel industry constantly evolves and grows, so do opportunities for tomorrow’s travel agents. Our NEXT program builds on the rock solid foundation and offers aspiring agents with the crucial next step to enter the exciting world of travel.”

NEXT will be under the direction of Marisa Costa, who not only has experience as a luxury travel specialist, but is also a Millennial herself. “Marisa Costa is an outstanding leader who can speak authoritatively with her peers and attract them to our industry,” Liben noted. “Marisa has already made a name for herself among Millennials in the travel industry through her involvement with Young Travel Professionals (YTP), where she serves as Business Development Manager on the Global Board.”

“Millennials are on their way to becoming the top consumer over the next few years, and the industry must evolve to change its perception among this new generation – ultimately, gaining credibility with Millennials so they want to book with a travel agent is contingent upon the industry recruiting and preparing agents they can relate to,” stated Costa. “NEXT intends to pave the way by fostering young, savvy, enthusiastic agents for these Millennial clients to work with.”

According to Liben, NEXT complements the Travel Leaders of Tomorrow’s training modules offered by the parent company of Protravel and Tzell. “This new initiative is specifically designed for anyone who wants to turn their passion for travel and high-end luxury into a rewarding profession,” Liben added.

“What sets NEXT apart from other programs is that all of our candidates will be trained specifically for placement in either Protravel or Tzell by learning extensively how the individual brand has distinguished itself in the realm of luxury travel,” noted Costa. “NEXT focuses on three main components: recruit, retain, and reeducate. The NEXT program will recruit employees and place them within Protravel or Tzell in a position that is the most appropriate fit for their talents, goals and objectives; reeducate Millennials about the travel industry, the evolved role of the travel agent and about Protravel and Tzell; and retain existing travel professionals and help them advance their careers.”

Costa indicated that equally as important as recruiting new talent is maintaining the extraordinary talent Protravel and Tzell already have. To that end, NEXT also serves as a network focusing on building relationships among other young agents within Protravel and Tzell, as well as their contemporaries within the industry. NEXT showcases its agents through the website, www.mytravelagentlife.com, where agents can share their stories of how they got involved in the industry, all the places they’ve traveled globally, and the glamorous life they lead. The goal is to demonstrate to the next generation how they too can enjoy a fruitful career in the exciting, modern world of travel.

With an award-winning reputation, Protravel International is a recognized leader in corporate and luxury travel. Protravel was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in New York City. With annual sales reaching over $870 million, it has grown into a network of 18 branch locations throughout the United States and London, plus a network of hosted agents throughout the U.S.

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 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, over 800 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:

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.

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

Tzell agents have the ability to distribute “The Hub” – an information-rich corporate travel newsletter – to their clients on a monthly basis.

New York, NY (August 28, 2014) — Today, Tzell Travel Group is pleased to introduce The Hub, Tzell’s new sophisticated corporate travel newsletter. The Hub will be available, on a monthly basis, via email, to Tzell agents. In addition, Tzell agents will have the ability to distribute the corporate newsletter to their clients as a personalized touch point. The Hub will provide consistent, compelling information on travel industry news, supplier updates, essential tips and inspiration for travel. The Hub adds to the already extensive suite of content, technology, programs and education Tzell Travel Group provides its agents to help strengthen their business.

“Tzell Travel Group is constantly evaluating different opportunities to create efficiencies for our agents and supply them with a means to stay connected to their clients on a regular basis,” stated Tzell President, J.D. O’Hara. “The Hub is unique because it not only provides a centralized location for global industry updates and information for our agents, but the content is also beneficial for all frequent travelers who want to be kept up-to-date on the latest in business travel.”

O’Hara continued, “The newsletter distribution is managed by our Tzell headquarters team. However, when a client receives The Hub, it will appear as though the email has been sent directly from their agent. This type of offering is extremely beneficial for our agents, because we manage the content development and distribution, thus providing our agents time to create and nurture relationships with potential and existing clients.”

The Hub will include striking, recurring industry features such as Above It All, news on the airline industry; Hot Hotels – features on new and updated hotels; the Insider’s Guide – with updates on news and regulations that affect travelers; At Your Leisure, information about leisure travel services; and New At Tzell, which will provide clients with updates on Tzell Travel Group. In addition, The Hub will also provide quick links to: the U.S. Department of State, information on visas and passports, TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry and currency exchange information.

“For me, it’s about placing our clients at the center of everything we do,” stated Tzell agent Kim Reicherter-Specht of New York, NY. “The Hub is a great outlet to provide awareness on updates concerning the travel industry, specific destinations and locations, and all matters related to Tzell. The Hub is not only a benefit to me, but also for my clients.”

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About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

Four Tzell Agents Selected as the “Best in the Business” Based on Specific Areas of Expertise.

New York, NY (September 8, 2014) — Travel + Leisure – widely admired as one of the most influential consumer travel magazines – has recognized Tzell Travel Group agents Harlan DeBell, Kara Bebell, Ellen LeCompte and Doris White, including them on its distinguished 2014 List of Top Travel Advisors. Tzell, with its worldwide headquarters located in Manhattan, is represented on the Travel + Leisure 2014 A-List of Top Travel Advisors by these outstanding travel agents, who have received exclusive recommendations for their expertise on specific destinations and niche travel specialties. The 13th Annual A-List of Top Travel Advisors, selected by Travel + Leisure editors, showcases the best travel advisors in the business.

“To have a select group of our agents recognized by one of the most influential consumer travel magazines solidifies what we at Tzell already know to be true; Tzell travel agents provide exemplary service and go the extra mile to provide clients with high quality, unique and personalized travel experiences,” stated Tzell Travel Group President, J.D. O’Hara. “I’d like to congratulate Harlan, Kara, Ellen and Doris for being singled out by Travel + Leisure for this honor based on their exceptional abilities. They, along with all of Tzell’s travel agents, make remarkable things happen for their clients on a daily basis.”

With their deep relationships in the wedding industry across the globe – including florists, caterers, and confectioners – Travel + Leisure recognized brother-and-sister team, DeBell and Bebell for their expertise in “Weddings and Honeymoons.” “They are often on site at destination weddings, and have planned everything from an intimate party at La Pause hotel, outside Marrakesh, Morocco, to a 150-person, medieval-themed wedding at the Capella Pedregal, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico,” explains Travel + Leisure.

Noting her 23 years of as a travel agent, Travel + Leisure singles out LeCompte for her specialization in the “United Kingdom.” Travel + Leisure states: “LeCompte—who went to school in England and lives part-time in a 17th-century cottage in the Cotswolds—will satisfy even the most zealous Anglophile. She can book special tours of Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey is filmed, arrange tea with prominent members of the aristocracy, and secure box seats at Manchester United games.”

In selecting White for her expertise in “Adventure,” Travel + Leisure takes note of her 26 years as a travel agent and her ability to “pull off herculean feats on behalf of travelers.” Travel + Leisure further explained: “When clients lost their luggage before a multiday hike, she got shopkeepers in a remote Swiss village to stay open late so they could buy boots, socks, and poles (on an expense allowance approved by the insurance company, no less). For a group cycling in Burgundy, White planned breaks at private, family-owned vineyards during harvest season.”

In its introduction of the 2014 A-List of Top Travel Advisors, Travel + Leisure noted: Painting classes in an Italian artist’s studio. A sail down the Brazilian coast in a private yacht. An African safari led by a documentary filmmaker. A top travel advisor can help you turn your next vacation into the experience of a lifetime. In T+L’s 13th annual A-List, we showcase the best specialists in the business—those who can both book you into sold-out hotels and introduce you to the most keyed-in local guides. Here, they reveal their favorite new hotels, destinations on the rise, and tips for making travel better.

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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

Par Excellence Lifestyle latest step in European growth plans

LONDON, UK (November 13, 2014) – Travel Leaders UK has announced that bespoke travel specialist Par Excellence Lifestyle has joined its growing portfolio of concierge-style independent agents and agencies. Danny Akhtar, the founder of the new travel, event and lifestyle management company, has more than 20 years experience serving Blue Chip companies and high-net worth individuals. He joins Travel Leaders UK, whose core brands include Protravel and Tzell UK, from an independent travel management company where he headed the VIP travel team.

Akhtar is arguably one of the travel industry’s most complete professionals, having spent his career working for major companies in both the corporate and leisure travel sectors. His CV includes tenures with major intermediaries in the business and luxury leisure travel industries, in addition to senior roles with hotel representation companies and major firms including Unilever, Citi, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and British Telecom where he established bespoke travel services for senior executives.

Akhtar said: “Having dedicated my life to serving high-end customers at the pinnacle of the market and developing relationships with the world’s foremost hotel suppliers, I felt now was the right time to start working for myself. Travel Leaders UK, with its Protravel and Tzell UK brands, gives travel professionals such as myself the platform to grow a business, provide the highest standards of service and ultimately to be profitable.

“The Travel Leaders Group’s buying power globally means we as agencies can provide our clients with the most competitive rates and fares available in the marketplace. Making bookings is, of course, the simple part. Having the support of Travel Leaders UK allows us to focus on providing the white glove service that our customers have come to expect,” concluded Akhtar.

Travel Leaders UK, part of US-based Travel Leaders Group, opened European headquarters in London in May as part of its strategy to grow the business across the Continent. Barry Whittaker, the company’s Executive Director of Business Development and Acquisition, said the introduction of Par Excellence Lifestyle was another significant step towards establishing the brand in the UK and European marketplaces.

“Danny has not only arranged travel for some of the world’s most iconic celebrities and celebrated sports stars, he also has the rich knowledge that comes with working with leading corporate brands. The introduction of his new agency to Travel Leaders UK demonstrates our ability to attract the industry’s brightest minds. Our model gives agents with established client bases the opportunity to work for themselves and grow successful businesses.”

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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 via our progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. Having already assisted millions of travelers – through our beginnings as Carlson Leisure Group, a division of Carlson Companies, TraveLeaders and Tzell Travel Group and through the additions of Nexion, Protravel International and Vacation.com– Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands. With annual sales of approximately US $20 billion, Travel Leaders Group not only ranks as the #1 corporate travel management company by Business Travel News, but it is also among the top ten travel companies on the 2013 Travel Weekly Power List. In 2013, Entrepreneur ranked a Travel Leaders Franchise Brand #1 in the category of “Travel Agencies-Miscellaneous.”

Travel Leaders UK is made up of our two unique brands, Tzell UK and Protravel International.

With annual sales in the UK in excess of £30 million and throughout the group more than $2billion , Tzell Travel Group – as part of Travel Leaders Group – is currently ranked within the top 30 travel management companies (TMCs) in the UK, according to UK trade publication Buying Business Travel . Tzell maintains its headquarters in New York City and has offices in 20 states. Its UK & European headquarters is in London.

Tzell focuses on the needs of its agents by providing a stellar work environment an experienced leadership and industry leading support group. These elements combined with the industry’s most competitive air, hotel and leisure programmes, create the paramount that is Tzell Travel.

www.tzell.co.uk

Protravel’s diversity of products, size of annual sales and internationally 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.

www.protravelinternational.com

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:

www.Tzell.com

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.

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About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

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

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

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.

www.protravelinc.com

About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

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

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

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

One year after its launch, NEXT, the joint initiative by Protravel and Tzell continues to draw in young professionals by launching larger, more frequent classes

New York, NY (July 23, 2015) —NEXT – the innovative initiative jointly launched in 2014 by Tzell Travel Group and Protravel International – is celebrating its one year anniversary this week by launching a new class of eight candidates. On the heels of NEXT’s first completed class at Protravel followed by a second at Tzell, demand for the program continues to grow as the initiative has been highly successful in recruiting, reeducating and retaining new talent, particularly millennials, for both of the luxury-focused travel agencies. To meet the increased demand, NEXT has now added a trainer to the team and the program has moved into a permanent classroom, allowing NEXT to continue to expand and fulfill its plan of including regularly scheduled classes, beginning in 2016.

“The incredible success of the NEXT initiative has allowed us to move ahead quickly in our expansion of the program, recruiting more talented individuals, and providing all the necessary tools to allow more young professionals to start on the path to a very successful career in the travel industry,” said Barry Liben, CEO of both Protravel and Tzell. “It’s wonderful to help young professionals gain experience and firsthand knowledge about the exciting and, many times, glamorous world of luxury travel. Our NEXT participants also gain a deep appreciation for the industry through hands-on training and being paired with an experienced agent mentor.”

“We set out to attract young professionals to join the world of luxury travel and found an enormous pool of talent. While the interest was certainly there, the issue was training – these talented individuals could not get a foot in the door without previous experience or formal hands-on training,” said Marisa Costa, Director of NEXT. “The success of our first two sessions highlights the immense need in the industry for a robust program training and fostering new talent. Thanks to the recognition of NEXT’s success within both Protravel and Tzell, we’re thrilled that their commitment is allowing us to accommodate larger, more frequent classes of eager young professionals.”

The expansion of the NEXT program will feature a permanent classroom space located at Tzell Travel’s headquarters in Manhattan. Bringing 15 years of industry training experience to the team, the addition of Tzell Travel Group Training Manager Marat Shkandin will allow for the program to operate on a set schedule in 2016. Those interested in applying for a highly-coveted spot in the program will be able to apply in advance for a specific start date beginning next year. Classes combine students for both Protravel and Tzell, with plans for candidates to be placed equally between the two companies upon successful completion of the program.

“Hiring a professional who completed the NEXT program has exceeded all my expectations,” said Eric Hrubant, President of CIRE Travel, a division of Tzell Travel Group. “I expected there to be a learning curve when they showed up for their first day of work, as there is with all new hires. However, their depth of knowledge and understanding of the luxury travel industry, specific partnerships and brands truly blew me away. I couldn’t be happier to have hired someone who completed the NEXT program.”

In addition to the exciting growth of the core training program, NEXT will also be launching a two week industry professional transition program. This program will target and cater to travel industry professionals who want to transition into becoming a successful travel agent.

“We regularly receive inquiries from travel professionals who are looking to leverage their industry knowledge to become a travel agent,” continued Costa. “The travel industry is filled with talented professionals who have valuable experience and don’t need to start from square one to build a successful travel business. By creating an accelerated program, we will be able to utilize their experience and provide top-notch talent for our companies.”

Individuals interested in learning more about the NEXT program can visit www.mytravelagentlife.com.

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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.

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.

Luxury leisure, corporate and entertainment travel agent advisors from both Protravel and Tzell will comprise the two integral constituencies of the new Elite Travel Division

New York, NY (April 25, 2016) – Today, Travel Leaders Group is announcing the appointment of longtime airline industry leader Gail Grimmett as President of its newly-created Elite Travel Division, effective May 16. Comprised of its two predominant travel agency brands – Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group – the new Elite Travel Division represents nearly $4 billion in annual sales volume, making it the unparalleled seller of luxury travel among travel agencies. After 19 years in key executive roles within Delta Air Lines, Grimmett will lead the senior leadership teams from both Protravel and Tzell; she will report directly to Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko. Additionally, the company is announcing that in support of Grimmett, Barry Liben will now step up to assume the role of Chairman of Protravel and Tzell after most recently serving as Tzell’s CEO.

“Ultimately, our strategy is to further strengthen the already enviable position our award-winning travel agents from both Protravel and Tzell maintain within the industry, whether they are focused on luxury leisure, corporate or entertainment. It is incumbent upon us to equip them not only with the most compelling travel experiences they can offer their clients, but also with the industry’s most dynamic visionary leadership capable of delivering on those objectives,” explained Chacko. “Through her lengthy tenure with Delta Air Lines, Gail Grimmett has continually been recognized for her innovative achievements and credited with contributing to the airline’s place as the premier U.S. carrier in today’s marketplace. She is well-respected by both industry peers and travel agents, as well as by the larger business community in New York City and State.”

Most recently, since November 2008, Grimmett served as Delta’s Senior Vice President, Global New York, where she had full financial and commercial responsibility for the airline’s domestic and international performance in New York. During this time, she delivered over $6 billion of revenue to the company annually. As a champion for New York, she was asked to serve as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s appointee on both the New York State Tourism Board and the New York City Regional Economic Development Council. She also serves on several other boards, including Covenant House International in New York City, the New York Building Congress, the Business Council of New York State, and NYC & Company. Those roles and achievements led to her being named among the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in New York by Crain’s Business.

Prior to her last leadership role with Delta, Grimmett served in several other distinguished capacities with the airline, including nearly four years as Senior Vice President of Pricing and Yield Management, more than three and a half years as Managing Director of Investor Relations, over one year as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, and more than three years as Delta’s Chief Economist – Corporate Forecasting. Grimmett began her career as a Senior Regulatory Economist with the U.S. Department of Labor.

“Among all the various segments that have contributed to Travel Leaders Group’s remarkable growth over the past eight years, none have been more intrinsic to its success than luxury and other high-touch travel,” Grimmett noted. “After years of working with both Protravel and Tzell from the supplier side and recognizing how each of them have earned their places as the agencies of choice for the most discerning and elite travelers, it’s an incredible honor to be joining these two distinguished teams as we work together to take us, our agents and our valued customers to new heights.”

“We simply can’t rest on our laurels when it comes to luxury leisure, corporate and entertainment travel. The establishment of a dedicated Elite Travel Division will yield tremendous results for all our agents within Protravel and Tzell,” Barry Liben added. “Our Protravel and Tzell agents deserve continued innovation and forward-thinking leadership that can secure our preeminent position for years to come. I’m confident that Gail Grimmett is exactly the right leader to build on our strong foundation of historic success and achievements.”

With annual sales approaching $21 billion Travel Leaders Group is the largest traditional travel agency company in North America, comprised of approximately 30% of all travel agencies in North America that are wholly-owned, franchised, or member agencies. It’s 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

Travel Leaders Group (www.travelleadersgroup.com) is transforming travel with a commitment to our vacation and business travel clients via our progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. Having already assisted millions of travelers – through our beginnings as Carlson Leisure Group, a division of Carlson Companies, TraveLeaders and Tzell Travel Group and through the additions of Nexion, Vacation.com and Protravel International – Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands. With annual sales of approximately $20 billion through over 6,500 locations, Travel Leaders Group ranks as one of the industry’s largest traditional travel agency companies.

Since 2009, Tzell has coordinated 46 trips, in 27 different countries throughout the world

New York, NY (April 29, 2016) — New York-based Tzell Travel Group, founded in 1966, has been home to the top luxury travel agent advisors for 50 years, and their expertise comes from direct experience with the top luxury brands around the globe. Since 2009, Tzell has coordinated 46 different familiarization trips for its travel advisors around the globe, spanning 27 different countries. The largest trips average 125 Tzell travel agents, whereas the most exclusive have hosted as few as five. The high-end educational journeys are made possible because of Tzell’s reputation among the world’s premier suppliers, which understand the value of gaining access to the top travel agent advisors in the world.

“The best way to provide the unique, concierge-style service our high-end clients require is through firsthand experience. You can’t truly learn about a destination – with all of its facets and cultural mysteries – by sitting behind a computer,” said Barry Liben, Chairman of Tzell. “On these trips, Tzell’s travel agent advisors are fêted by the leading luxury suppliers and destinations in the world, giving them unparalleled insights so they in turn can provide their clients with the best travel experience imaginable. I’m proud that hundreds of Tzell agents have been able to take advantage of these exclusive opportunities to further their knowledge of luxury travel.”

Last year alone, Tzell developed 13 individual familiarization – or FAM – trips, sending its travel advisors to four different continents, partnering with the top suppliers in the luxury travel world. One prime example was the Tzell India trip hosted by Peirce & Leslie Luxury Travel Experts and Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces. The exclusive educational sojourn took five Tzell travel agents on a custom 10-day itinerary through the cities of Delhi, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi. Along the route the group explored Humayun’s Tomb, the 300 year old Chandni Chowk Market and several world heritage sites, including a visit to the Taj Mahal under a full moon – a very rare event for most visitors. Participants were offered access via exclusive, “behind the rope” tours of several Taj luxury properties, including the Taj Lake Palace, which was built over three centuries and is a series of four interconnecting palaces. To experience the entire journey as their clients might, the trip included business class international airfares, private local ground and air transportation, 5-star accommodations and dining, in addition to the extraordinary sights with expert local hosts and guides.

“Familiarization trips are incredibly valuable to my business and my clients. The in-depth experience each trip provides is unique,” noted Tzell travel agent Alan Orloff. “Being able to gain firsthand insights and build relationships with the top luxury companies around the world allow me to uniquely tailor every itinerary to meet my clients’ specific needs and preferences. These trips are part of what make Tzell agents the best in the world. The company goes to great lengths to provide us with comprehensive activities so we can create the most unique and personalized experiences for our clients.”

To find a Tzell travel agent advisor to create the high-end, sophisticated journey of one’s dreams, visit tzell.com/agent-showcase.

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About Tzell Travel Group:

www.Tzell.com

tzell-pro-foundation-logo

This year’s drive raised funds for three charities: East Side House Settlement, CaringKind and Wounded Warriors Family Support

New York, NY (May 13, 2016) — Today, The Tzell and Protravel Foundation announced that its annual charity drive raised more than $113,100, surpassing the monetary donations collected a year ago. This year’s annual effort – which began on December 2, 2015, and concluded on April 1, 2016 – provided an opportunity for travel agent advisors from both Tzell Travel Group and Protravel International to join with employees and the greater community in collecting donations for select organizations. This year’s charities include: East Side House Settlement, CaringKind (formerly the Alzheimer’s Association NYC chapter) and Wounded Warriors Family Support.

“I am incredibly proud and humbled that every year, our people have selflessly come together in support of our philanthropic endeavors that have touched so many lives. I personally want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has participated for their incredible generosity. None of this would have been possible without the leadership of Suzanne Halama, whose passion and tireless efforts have been the driving force behind our foundation’s growth,” stated Tzell and Protravel Chairman Barry Liben. “Supporting our community is something vital to who we are. I couldn’t be more proud to partner with East Side House Settlement, Wounded Warriors Family Support and CaringKind. Each of these organizations has a direct and impactful mission that aids those who need it most, and I know the money we raised for them will be put to very good use.”

A portion of the charitable donations from this year will go towards enriching, supplementing and enhancing New York City’s public school system to place college within reach of motivated students. East Side Settlement house provides services that enable family members to pursue their educational goals. Through technology and career readiness training, they enable students to improve their economic status and lead more fulfilling lives.

CaringKind will also benefit from The Tzell and Protravel Foundation donations this year. CaringKind’s goal is to help create, deliver and promote comprehensive and compassionate care and support services for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research.

“I am deeply grateful to Tzell and Protravel International for including CaringKind in their Foundation’s annual giving campaign,” said Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and CEO of CaringKind. “This generous donation will help us continue to develop and implement innovative, creative and leading-edge caregiving initiatives for the more than 500,000 individuals and families affected by an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in New York City. It is only with the generosity of the community and support from businesses like Tzell and Protravel International that CaringKind is able to provide a unique and an unprecedented platform of programs and services, free for all who need them.”

Finally, Wounded Warriors Family Support will receive a portion of the proceeds raised during this year’s charity drive. Wounded Warriors Family Support’s mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. The families of servicemen and woman suffer in many ways, some financially and some psychologically.

The Tzell and Protravel Foundation – originally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2012 and called the Tzell Travel Group Foundation – is a nonprofit foundation and all donations made are tax-deductible. Those interested in learning more about The Tzell and Protravel Foundation can go to www.tzellfoundation.com.

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About Tzell Travel Group:

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

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 close to $1 billion, 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

Executives from Tzell attended the gala event, which was held in Kohler, Wisconsin

New York, NY (June 2, 2016) — New York City-based Tzell Travel Group, founded in 1966, was recently recognized at Abercrombie & Kent’s biennial 100 Club Gala as the “Top Sales Producer – Private Jet Journeys.” The same honor was bestowed upon Tzell in 2014. The 100 Club Gala brings together Abercrombie & Kent’s (A&K) top producing travel agents and its country directors, or representatives of its 50-plus destination management companies around the world. This year, 100 Club members were treated to a two-day event at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin.

“To be recognized by Abercrombie & Kent, a leader in offering discerning travelers the best in luxury and experiential travel opportunities, is truly an honor,” stated Gail Grimmett, President of Tzell Travel Group. “Being A&K’s top producer of private jet journeys demonstrates, once again, that Tzell is one of the foremost luxury travel agencies in the world. I want to congratulate all of our Tzell travel agents for their commitment to providing their clients with remarkable, experiential travel opportunities. It’s made possible by their hard work, on behalf of their clients, and in concert with our longtime partner A&K.”

As a member of A&K’s 100 Club, Tzell is part of an exclusive, invitation-only network of travel specialists who have earned their place based on their knowledge of luxury travel, A&K and their commitment to selling A&K travel itineraries. In addition to the awards gala, executives from Tzell participated in a two-day business meeting, in which they were able to network with A&K’s various country directors and managers from around the world.

This year, Tzell is celebrating its 50th anniversary, culminating in an October 27 black-tie gala on historic Ellis Island. 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:

With annual sales of nearly $3 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

LONDON, UK – Monday, 4 July, 2016 – Travel Leaders UK, comprised of Protravel International UK and Tzell UK, is today formally announcing the appointment of longtime airline industry leader Gail Grimmett as its new President. Additionally, industry veteran Ade Taiwo has been named Financial Controller for Travel Leaders UK. Worldwide, Protravel and Tzell have together grown to an annual turnover of more than £2.8 billion, largely through its expert travel focus on the entertainment industry, other high-touch corporate clientele and the luxury leisure sector.

Last month, Grimmett was introduced to the respective Protravel UK and Tzell UK teams during a visit to the London offices to meet with Travel Leaders UK’s Managing Director Tina Rose and Executive Director of Business Development and Acquisitions Barry Whittaker.

“Among all the various segments that have contributed to the remarkable growth of Travel Leaders Group, along with Protravel UK and Tzell UK in particular, none have been more intrinsic to their success than serving the vast and varying high-touch travel needs of the entertainment industry, followed closely by providing luxury leisure expertise to discerning clientele,” Grimmett noted. “I am thrilled to be leading the growing operation here in the United Kingdom, which has risen to number 24 among the Top 50 Leading TMCs in the UK and is poised for further accelerated increases.”

In May, after 19 years in key executive roles within Delta Air Lines, Grimmett was named as the new President of the combined US operations for Protravel and Tzell. She is now leading the senior leadership teams from both Protravel and Tzell on both sides of the Atlantic.

“After years of working with both Protravel and Tzell from the supplier side and recognizing how each of them have earned their places as the agencies of choice for the most discerning and elite clientele, it’s an incredible honour to be joining these two distinguished teams both in the United Kingdom and the United States,” stated Grimmett. “We look forward to working together to take Travel Leaders UK, our agents and our valued customers to new heights.”

Before joining Protravel and Tzell, Grimmett served as Delta’s Senior Vice President, Global New York, where she had full financial and commercial responsibility for the airline’s domestic and international performance in New York. During this time, she delivered over US $6 billion of revenue to the company annually. As a champion for New York, her many volunteer roles and professional achievements led to her being named among the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in New York by Crain’s Business.

Prior to her last leadership role with Delta, Grimmett served in several other distinguished capacities with the airline, and she began career as a Senior Regulatory Economist with the U.S. Department of Labor.

During her visit to London’s Travel Leaders UK offices in Covent Garden, Grimmett formally introduced Ade Taiwo as the operation’s Financial Controller. With more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, including his experience working in “The Appointment Group,” Taiwo’s intimate knowledge of the travel industry, accounting and finance make him a “perfect fit” for his new role, according to Grimmett.

Protravel Executive Travel and Tzell UK are among the UK’s leading travel companies that employ independent agents and agencies. Combined, the two brands are ranked number 24 within the top 50 travel management companies in the UK. They each manage high-end corporate customers. In addition Pro Executive Travel operates a vibrant leisure and cruise business, Scotia Travel based in Glasgow, and is also one of the largest – and sole representative – members of luxury travel consortium Virtuoso. Both Pro Executive Travel and Tzell UK are members of UK and Ireland travel agency consortium the Advantage Travel Partnership and are also leading members of the Focus Group Partnership.

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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 close to US$1 billion, Protravel is headquartered in New York City and supports 20 locations throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Today, approximately 1,000 people make up the Protravel organisation. 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 recognised 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.

www.protravelinc.com

About Tzell Travel Group:

With annual sales of nearly US$3 billion, Tzell Travel Group – as part of Travel Leaders Group – is currently ranked first among the America’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 and the United Kingdom.

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

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 programmes create the “safe haven” which is a hallmark of the Tzell brand.

www.Tzell.com

Based on five decades of experience as travel agents to A-listers, Tzell travel agents can make any client feel like a celebrity through unique access, privacy and incredible amenities.

New York, NY (July14, 2016) — Today, New York-based Tzell Travel Group, is pulling back the curtain on celebrity travel and opening the velvet rope by sharing insights on how they assist all their clients travel like A-listers when away from home. The keys to emulating celebrity travel include: attention to detail, heightened privacy and discretion, exclusively-tailored to meet all needs, hassle free, and knowing that key relationships are everything. For these seamless travel experiences, no detail is overlooked and all requests, no matter how unique, are handled with extreme care, unmatched expertise and long-standing industry relationships.

“Tzell’s luxury travel agents have long-embraced the concierge mindset when it comes to their clients’ travel, thus enabling each customer to enjoy a VIP experience anywhere in the world,” stated Gail Grimmett, President of Tzell Travel Group. “Whether it’s planning a private jet journey around the globe or securing a reservation at that impossible-to-book Michelin-star restaurant, Tzell travel agents, through their meticulously developed relationships, make it happen. Regardless of whether travelers are looking to relax on a beach in St. Barts or charter a private yacht, they can expect to receive the same level of service and attention as our celebrity and A-list clients.”

In order to “travel like a celebrity,” here are key insights on the most important aspects:

Attention to Detail:

“Celebrity and A-list clients, above all else, expect their travel to be seamless and to have any and all requests met without delay,” said Martin Gould, Vice President of Leisure Travel at The Travel Business, a division of Tzell. “They spend so much time in the limelight, that when they travel, anonymity is of utmost importance.”
Gould added: “Ensuring the suppliers you work with can be trusted to handle clients with the utmost discretion is paramount. From when the car picks them up, to having an escort at the airport and a private check-in at their accommodations, guaranteeing there are no lines and that celebrity clients receive priority treatment, is something that can’t be overlooked. Attention to detail, above all else, is key to exceeding expectations for all clients, but has a particular importance for A-listers.”

Privacy and Discretion:

“My celebrity and professional athlete clients have a wide array of preferences when they travel, some want complete anonymity and others want to be seen,” said Michelle Clausi, corporate and leisure specialist with Tzell Travel Group. “Knowledge of who to contact at what property to meet those preferences is something that can’t be taught, it’s earned through dedication and hard work that leads to a trusting relationship with suppliers that you have full confidence will meet your clients’ needs.”
“It’s also becoming more common for younger celebrities, especially athletes to offer to do appearances while traveling,” continued Clausi. “Understanding the nuances of what each client’s needs are and having the foresight to handle them is a key part of planning celebrity and A-list travel.”

Tailored to Meet Their Needs:

“All of my VIP clients, including A-list celebrities, have unique needs when they travel,” said Tzell travel agent Jody Bear, owner of Bear & Bear Travel. “Many of our celebrity clients maintain strict diets, so to meet those needs when they travel, they bring along their personal chefs.”
“We have clients who also bring specific meat and produce when they travel. It’s important to ensure this all happens seamlessly, and the chef and their products need to arrive on time, without any hassle at customs,” Bear added. “Coordinating client needs, such as this, comes from knowing the right people to talk to and taking care of all the minute details to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.”

Easy and Hassle Free:

“Many of my clients are musicians who frequently tour, so I get the pleasure of coordinating the travel for their concerts around the world as well as some of their leisure travel,” said Debra Copelan, entertainment travel agent with Tzell Travel Group in Los Angeles.
“With their hectic travel schedule for touring, many of my musician clients want to stay closer to home when they travel for leisure,” explained Copelan. “Frequently this means going to events that interest them, like SXSW in Austin, Texas, or a close family getaway. It’s vital that these plans be as easy as possible for the musician as well as their family and friends they bring along on the trip.”

Relationships Are Everything:

“My Broadway star clients love to combine travel for their shows and leisure travel,” said Andi Henig, owner of A Team Tours, a division of Tzell Travel Group. “My clients travel the world for their Broadway shows. If they’re performing in London, they might take a short trip to Tuscany when they have a few days off.”
Henig added: “These decisions often happen at the spur of the moment, so knowing who’s who in the world of travel is crucial to making their requests a reality. It’s also important to be able to coordinate friends and family travel with the same level of customer service and care that the celebrity client receives. Relationships are everything.”

To find a Tzell travel agent advisor to create the high-end, sophisticated journey of one’s dreams, visit tzell.com/agent-showcase.

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About Tzell Travel Group:

With annual sales of $3 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.

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