Former Travel Leaders Group CEO is among distinguished list of only 40 leading travel industry leaders to receive the coveted award.
New York, NY (December 16, 2016) – On Thursday evening, Barry Liben – the Chairman of New York City-based travel agency giants Tzell Travel Group and Protravel International – was one of just two travel industry leaders honored with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Travel Weekly, North America’s foremost trade publication that serves as the travel industry’s trusted voice. Liben was recognized not only for his lengthy tenure with Tzell of more than 40 years, but also for his contributions to the overall travel industry through his role as the previous Chief Executive Officer for Travel Leaders Group, which during his seven years grew more than 300% into North America’s largest traditional travel agency company with nearly $21 billion in annual sales volume.
“Last evening, Barry Liben earned a truly impressive honor from America’s leading travel trade publication, Travel Weekly,” stated Ninan Chacko, CTC, Travel Leaders Group Chief Executive Officer. “On behalf of everyone at Travel Leaders Group, I am proud to congratulate Barry on this very well-deserved recognition for his enormous contributions to our company and industry.”
“I don’t believe that something in travel on the level that I do or that I did for 40 years can change the world. But what we can do is change the world that we exist in, the circle of life that we exist in,” noted Liben in his acceptance speech. “No matter how small or big your business is, take care of your people. Treat your people right. Treat your people with respect and make sure that they can support their families. Make sure the hundreds of people who work for you can have a decent life, and then you’ll have a rewarding life, I promise you.”
Liben and the other recipient, Nicki Grossman (former President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau), were carefully selected by Arnie Weissmann, Travel Weekly Editor-in-Chief, and Bob Sullivan, President of the Travel Group at Northstar Travel Media, based on their experience and observations.
“A Travel Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose efforts led to extraordinary results not just for his or her own enterprise, but who has also made significant contributions to the industry as a whole,” Weissmann noted. “Barry Liben is a worthy recipient. He has provided a model of vision and accomplishment that inspires tomorrow’s leaders.”
Prior to last night’s event at the Conrad New York, only 38 other travel industry leaders have had this major industry honor bestowed upon them.
“Past recipients include several individuals without whose contributions, we would not be the company we are today,” explained Chacko, citing Priscilla Alexander, former CEO of Protravel; Richard Knodt, former President of Vacation.com; Marilyn Carlson Nelson, former CEO and Chair of Carlson Companies; and Kathryn Sudeikis, Vacation.com member and former ASTA President. “So it is only fitting that Barry Liben is joining their ranks.”
Travel Leaders Group is one of North America’s largest travel companies – encompassing nearly one-third of all travel agents – and generated gross travel sales of approximately $21 billion in 2015. Travel Leaders Group is a leader in both the retail travel agency space and corporate travel, and it 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 approaching $21 billion through over 7,000 locations, Travel Leaders Group ranks as one of the industry’s largest traditional travel agency companies.
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