“The past year was another tremendous period of progress and achievement for Travel Leaders Network,” said John Lovell, President – Leisure Travel, Supplier Relations and Networks, for Travel Leaders Group, the parent organization of Travel Leaders Network. “We continue to innovate and ultimately provide best in class service to our travel agency members which, in turn, is driving our continued growth.”

Technology

On the technology front, as of January 2019, the company’s Agent Profiler online lead generation tool experienced 12 percent year-over-over growth in leads channeled to participating travel advisors resulting in 140,000 leads delivered. Advisors taking advantage of enhanced features now built into Agent Profiler 2.0 that enable the highlighting of specialties and certifications, along with consumer ratings and reviews, are receiving three times more leads than those using the previous generation of the tool. Additionally, organic search traffic driving consumers to TravelLeaders.com increased 47% year-over-year.

New products were also introduced for corporate agencies. Text&Go is a new technology feature that was rolled out to Travel Leaders Network agency members and their corporate clients during the past year. The SMS-based tool provides automated real-time alerts when flight delays or cancellations occur and features a text-based live chat option for immediate assistance 24 hours a day. A recently introduced WorldWatch duty of care platform provides global travel safety alerts and risk advisories, along with a mobile app so travelers can share their location and status. Travel advisors receive automated reports via email on travelers impacted by an event.

Education and training

For 2019, Travel Leaders Network is introducing a new advisor education and training philosophy focused on learning pathways customized to an advisor’s personal achievement and career advancement goals. The company’s Learning Management System now includes 358 individual courses with nearly 11,000 new users joining the system in 2018. Popular specialist programs include Group Travel, Luxury Travel, Active and Adventure Travel, and Honeymoon and Destination Weddings. Nearly a dozen sales expos and regional events scheduled for 2019 will provide additional networking and learning opportunities.

Marketing

On the marketing front, the company’s Distinctive Voyages program has grown to over 4,200 departures worldwide and 18 cruise line partners. Hosted voyages offered through the program, which include a private welcome reception, private upgraded shore event and a private car and driver on select sailings, now number more than 300. Some 119 voyages within the program’s Culinary Collection are being offered in 2019, as well.

The organization’s marketing engagement  program has grown to more than 65 partners and during the past year resulted in more than 350 direct mail and email campaigns and over 130 million partner funded pieces.

A highlight of 2018 was the roll-out of Travel Leaders Network’s collaboration with American Express®, which features The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group, a selection of travel offers and discounts off the lowest available price available at no additional cost to holders of select American Express® cards.

“I am extremely proud of the energy, drive and accomplishments of our team during the past year in rolling out new and enhanced programs to support and create even greater benefit to our travel advisors,” said Roger E. Block, CTC, President of Travel Leaders Network. “We are constantly innovating to drive more consumer leads to our members, along with providing the tools and technology they need to make their jobs easier. We look forward to even bigger and better things to come in 2019.”

Travel agencies interested in learning more about the award-winning programs and diverse offerings that Travel Leaders Network provides to agencies in leisure and luxury travel, business travel, honeymoon and destination weddings – as well as active and adventure travel – can visit TravelLeadersNetwork.com.

About Travel Leaders Network

Travel Leaders Network (www.TravelLeaders.com), assists millions of leisure and business travelers annually, and is one of the largest sellers of luxury travel, cruises and tours in the travel agency industry. Representing approximately 6,000 travel agency locations across the United States and Canada. Travel Leaders Network’s award-winning Agent Profiler agent locator, marketing, technology, supplier partnerships and educational programs empower member agencies to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, grow their business and lead the industry. Travelers also have access to The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group, a selection of travel offers and discounts available at no additional cost to holders of select American Express® cards. For more information visit TheTravelCollection.com. Travel Leaders Network is a Travel Leaders Group LLC company.