Investment Demonstrates Confidence in Viability of the Travel Agency Distribution Channel

New York (Dec. 20, 2018) – In a strong vote of confidence in the future of the travel agency business, Travel Leaders Group, one of the largest retail travel companies in North America and the largest seller of luxury travel in the U.S., moved its global headquarters this month to luxurious new offices in Midtown Manhattan.

The New York Post called the 16.5-year lease one of the city’s biggest new leases when it was originally signed in 2017. The 106,000-square-foot contiguous space, which was extensively renovated and modernized, is located on the 35th and 36th floors of Paramount Plaza, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

One of the fastest-growing travel industry firms in North America with nearly 20 acquisitions in the last two years, Travel Leaders Group, employs more than 4,200 travel professionals globally and counts more than 52,000 in its community of travel advisors around the globe. Led by CEO Ninan Chacko, the company’s vision is to transform the travel experience one traveler at a time by offering high touch personalized service and premium value to its customers. Ten years ago, Travel Leaders was a single brand, today it is a company of more than 20 unique brands responsible for moving $20 billion in sales.

“In a new era of travel agents working at the top of their profession, earning significant incomes, and driving billions in global travel sales, Travel Leaders Group is poised to continue its aggressive growth through acquisition and by providing a host of travel agency services that makes our advisors the most successful in the business,” said Chacko.

The Travel Leaders Group CEO said the new headquarters sets the company apart from its competitors. “Our new offices represent the concierge level service that our independent advisors provide to their clients, many of whom are celebrities, CEOs, entertainers and political figures,” said Chacko. “This new environment provides our independent advisors with an ideal space where they meet daily with our supplier partners and work in an atmosphere that is conducive to their identity as best in class travel consultants,” Chacko noted.

The space accommodates more than 500 company staff and associated luxury travel advisors. Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group are now located in the new office. Those brands, together with sister company ALTOUR—located a short distance away—form the largest luxury retail sales force in the industry. The new location is also the headquarters of Travel Leaders Corporate, a large corporate travel management firm.

Earlier this year, the company announced a relationship with American Express that allows Travel Leaders Group advisors to assist their clients in using Membership Rewards points to pay for their travel. Travel Leaders Group advisors can now offer discounts and value-added programs to Gold Card members through The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group. Others pay a fee to access these special deals, but Gold Card and Platinum Card Members get free access to the program, which features airlines, cruise lines, tour companies and hotel properties.

“As more consumers seek assistance sorting through the plethora of choices and travel information online, Travel Leaders Group sees a bright future for the travel agency business,” said Chacko. “No other agency firm is making the kind of investment we are in both physical space and acquisitions.”

With more than 6,000 locations, Travel Leaders Group assists millions of travelers through its leisure, business and network travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands, including All Aboard Travel, Andrew Harper Travel, Colletts Travel, Corporate Travel Services, CruCon Cruise Outlet, Cruise Specialists, Nexion Travel Group, Protravel International, SinglesCruise.com, Travel Leaders Corporate, Travel Leaders Network and Tzell Travel Group, and its merger with ALTOUR.

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, Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands. Travel Leaders Group ranks as one of the industry’s largest retail travel agency companies.

Travelers also have access to The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group, a portfolio of select travel offers including discounts on international and domestic flights, value-added benefits at lodging establishments, shipboard credits on cruises and savings on escorted and vacation packages. Membership to The Travel Collection is offered at no additional cost to U.S. American Express Gold Card, Business Gold Rewards Card, Platinum Card® and Business Platinum Card® Members. For more information visit www.TheTravelCollection.com.