"We've all made it. We're on the other side of this pandemic. We're going to move on."
Those are the words of Travel Leaders Group president John Lovell, speaking at a video press conference from the agency network's first live and in-person conference since 2019, held at Universal Orlando Resort.
"It's been a long, long ride but we are seeing improvements. Ships are in the water, planes are in the air," Lovell added.
But for anyone who thinks a switch will be flipped and things will return to normal, Lovell says patience will still be required.
"We think we'll return to true full strength sometime in 2023. 2023 could be a stellar year for all of us."
Travel Leaders represents approximately 5,700 travel agency locations across the U.S. and Canada, including more than 700 on our side of the border. That makes the network, now owned by Internova Travel Group -- one of the world's largest travel services companies -- a major seller of luxury travel, cruises and tours.
Roger Block, president of Travel Leaders Network (TLN) , says many of its advisor members took time during the pandemic shutdown to enhance their skills. The company offers extensive education opportunities, enabling members to become specialists in areas including groups, luxury travel, leisure travel, honeymoons and destination weddings and more.
"We've had more people than ever signed up for our specialist programs, and the largest number of graduates ever in 2021. Close to 19,000 of our 55,000 members are involved in one of these courses," Block said. "We're preaching the value of becoming an absolute expert."
Block says education for travel advisors is more important than ever. "Travel is incredibly complex now, and consumers are actively seeking a travel professional who can make sure their trips go off without a hitch."
While its members have been sharpening their skills, Travel Leaders staff have been working to enhance programs designed to ensure that when consumers want advice from a travel professional, a Travel Leaders member advisor will be front and centre for their consideration.
The 'Agent Profiler' lead generation program, found in Canada at canadiantravelagents.ca, helps link advisors to clients seeking expertise.
During the pandemic pause, Travel Leaders has added several features to the tool, including a video appointment booker and more information on an advisor's level of experience. Advisor profiles will also now feature a badge for those who have completed TLN's 'Book With Confidence' program, to let users know they are experts in travelling safely in the COVID era.
For independent advisors, Agent Profiler will now display the agency name on search results, along with their host agency, allowing agents to continue to build their own brand. As well, for the first time ever, Travel Leaders Network is allowing Agent Profiler advisors to turn off leads temporarily. This allows the advisor to take time off without having to worry about a backlog of leads.
"Agent Profiler is one of the flagship tools we offer our members," said Block. "It is a powerful way of generating leads, and we are thrilled to offer these enhancements to our advisors." Block added that Agent Profiler has delivered over 150,000 leads in 2021.
Travel Leaders Network's Distinctive Voyages hosted cruise program also has some new additions. Distinctive Voyages sailings features complimentary added amenities, including the expertise of a Distinctive Voyage Host on board each sailing and an exclusive shore excursion.
Stephen McGillivray, Chief Marketing Officer for TLN, says Distinctive Voyages is the "crown jewel" the network's cruise program. With cruising in its restart phase, there are 15 hosted sailings scheduled for the rest of the year, but close to 600 in 2022-2023.
As well as those sailings, more than 5,500 voyages on 17 different preferred cruise lines will offer free amenities to travellers booking with a TLN advisor. These can include shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities and other perks.
Block says that despite the trials and tribulations of the past 20 months, TLN has added US$400 million in agency sales through new members. "We are growing, which is amazing in this environment," he said.
Christine James, Vice-President, Canada for TLN, was also part of the press conference, fresh off the news that host network The Travel Agent Next Door - with its 900 advisor members - has affiliated with Travel Leaders Network.
"That was a huge win," James said.
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