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.
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.