by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 2:25 PM ET, Fri May 29, 2026
At this year’s TravelPulse Canada Readers’ Choice Awards, attendees were eager to honour Lindsay Pearlman as one of two inductees into the Canadian Travel Hall of Fame.
Pearlman is a familiar face to many in the travel industry, both in his role as president of Travel Leaders Network (TLN) and as a friend.
Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, gave Pearlman a warm introduction at the gala awards show, and anyone who didn’t already know the executive quickly felt like they did. Part of the friendliness Pearlman is known for can actually be traced to before he joined the travel industry — back to his university days waiting tables. “There is no better way to learn about people than by serving them dinner!” he joked.
During his acceptance speech, Pearlman reflected on his career, saying with a smile that while the award feels like it should come at the end of his career, he is still going strong.
“When I think about how many deserving people there are in the travel industry, I am deeply humbled by becoming a member of the Hall of Fame,” Pearlman told TravelPulse Canada. Before his role at TLN, Pearlman held senior leadership positions with Ensemble Travel Group and American Express Global Travel Services. He has also served on advisory boards for Starwood Hotels and the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors. “Once I started in this business, it just got into my blood,” Pearlman said. “I am so lucky to have found my way to the travel industry, and I have never wanted to leave.”
Pearlman stated that the award would not be possible without four very important groups of people. First, he mentioned his family, “who keep me grounded and remind me of what is truly important in life,” followed by his mentors, “who have helped shape me and taught me what leadership means.” He also credits the staff at TLN, of whom he said, “My motto is to surround yourself with smart experts, and I credit them with our success.” Finally, he cited all the travel advisors and managers he has worked with over the years as the reason for his award. “I am fortunate to work in an industry I genuinely love, with great people,” he said. “There aren’t many who can say that.”
Pearlman said he finds it especially satisfying to support travel agency owners in making their businesses more profitable and cheering on their success, adding that there’s no better feeling than knowing he had a small part in making an agency or advisor even better. “It is my great honour to stand shoulder to shoulder with these people,” he said.
When asked what he would like to share with travel advisors, Pearlman was encouraging. Noting that although AI, pandemics and commission cuts may be stumbling blocks, Pearlman posited that the industry continues to prove its worth to clients every day. “What we do is important,” he said. “There is no better way to sell our product than through travel advisors.” No matter what, there’s one thing the 2026 Canadian Travel Hall of Fame inductee is certain about. “Travel isn’t going anywhere, and neither are travel advisors,” Pearlman said.
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