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ILTM only invites the top luxury buyers and suppliers in the industry, consequently we are very proud to have such strong representation at the event this year
Agents Share Their Thoughts about ILTM as They Prepare to Convene at this Year’s Main Event for the Global Luxury Travel Community in Cannes, France
New York, NY (December 04, 2017) — Today, New York-based Tzell Travel Group announced that it will once again send a delegation of its leading luxury travel agent advisors to the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), held in Cannes, France, December 4-7. Exclusively invited to attend as luxury travel buyers, the distinguished Tzell delegation is led by President Gail Grimmett and will have the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in ultra-luxury travel from the best travel sellers. All of Tzell’s agent advisors are looking forward to the annual conference and some of them were eager to share their feedback about their expectations and experiences before attending this year’s event.
“ILTM only invites the top luxury buyers and suppliers in the industry, consequently we are very proud to have such strong representation at the event this year,” said Gail Grimmett, President of Tzell Travel Group. “Our best-in-class travel agent advisors will convene with the world’s travel elite – including cruise and culture, experiential adventurists, as well as boutique and global networks of luxury hotels – to further expand their knowledge of exclusive new luxury experiences, products, and services worldwide for our sophisticated travelers.”
Tzell Travel Group is being represented at ILTM by 21 luxury travel agents, three executives, and its president:
-Aharon Steinberg – Tzell Travel Group
-Catherine Ashurst – Travel Leaders UK
-Carlos Melia – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
-Carolyn Bernstein – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
-Chad Rodarme – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
-Deedy Clark – Tzell Travel Group
-Dianne Hagopian – Tzell Travel Group
-Fernando Gonzalez – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
-Gail Grimmett – President of Tzell Travel Group
-Gail Levy – Tzell Park Avenue/Travel Leaders Group
-Henley Vazquez – Passported, an Affiliate of Tzell
-Jody Bear – Bear & Bear Travel, an Affiliate of Tzell
-John Ríos – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
-Josh Kafka – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
-Karen Magee – Senior Director, Industry Relations, Tzell Travel Group
-Laura Chapman – Tzell Travel Group
-Marlene Singer – Lake Shore Travel, a Branch of Tzell
-Martha Rhodes – Brownell Travel, a Branch of Tzell
-Pierre-Alexandre Francin – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
-Rebecca Friedman – Director of Supplier Relations, Travel Leaders Group Hotel Division
-Robert Kunikoff – Tzell Travel Group
-Robin Leggett – The Travel Collaborative, a Branch of Tzell
-Tim Henningan – The Travel Collaborative, a Branch of Tzell
-Walter Leroy “Roy” Twiste – Tzell Park Avenue, a Branch of Tzell
-Wonnie Baik – First in Service, a Branch of Tzell
“I am looking forward to meeting new people that represent new destinations or destinations in which I would like to expand my knowledge, and broaden my knowledge on new horizons that the ILTM team brings together under one roof once a year” said Tzell luxury travel agent, Aharon Steinberg. “At the conference, I am provided with ideas on how to enhance my marketing for my clients with new and upgraded itineraries, and how to elevate the quality of my private tours. I wish I would have the opportunity to attend this conference on a yearly basis. It is hard work, but very rewarding.”
“This will be my 14th year attending ILTM in Cannes and each year I look forward to meeting with new exhibitors and re-establishing or improving on relationship with those I have met over the years,” shared luxury travel advisor Walter Leroy “Roy” Twiste. “My attending is a benefit to my clients, in that it enables me to answer most questions that they may have as to what is new and upcoming. I hope to learn about updates, what has transpired over the past year with renovations, and the opening of new properties. I am especially excited that my teammate, Gail Levy will attend with me for the first time, which will enable her to better understand what I do and how to help me in expanding our business.”
“It’s tough to say which part is best about the event. I always look forward to reconnecting with the hoteliers from destinations we work with the most, but ILTM is also a place to make new connections, and every year we emerge with new enthusiasm for the creative minds and spirits of our industry,” said Henley Vazquez, luxury travel agent and founder of Passported, an affiliate of Tzell. “Relationships are everything in this business. And no matter how much we correspond via email and phone with our suppliers, there is no replacement for the face-to-face meetings that occur in these settings. We select our clients and our suppliers carefully, and we match them up accordingly. We cannot make the magic happen for our clients without the relationships we have forged in conferences like these.”
“Finding those ‘gems’ that I did not know anything about before or getting to know suppliers that I should know better is perhaps the best part of ILTM,” said luxury travel agent Robin Leggett. “It brings immeasurable benefits for my clients because I am able to convey new information to them based on what I have learned with both, new and existing properties, destinations, and other suppliers to the industry. This is first-hand knowledge that I cannot get readily or easily. I am a firm believer in building relationships. ILTM gives me the opportunity to meet with suppliers that I’ve wanted to pursue a mutual relationship with and to build on those that I already know and enjoy working with. Those relationships translate into great mutual business.”
Luxury travel designer, Pierre-Alexandre Francin, mentioned: “I’m excited about spending time with all the suppliers, friends, and my colleagues. ILTM provides me with an immense opportunity to meet new products and suppliers as well as with managers of properties I have booked or at which I have future bookings. This will be my second time attending the conference; my previous experience was rich, busy, and tremendously interesting. I would recommend other luxury leisure agents to participate and take the chance to do a pre- and post-stay in France since there are so many educational opportunities. Why not enjoying the Cote d’Azur while working?”
“I am looking forward meeting new people and travel partners from around the world, and agents from different parts of the country,” said Deedy Clark, a Tzell luxury travel agent. “I am fortunate to take part in the pre -ILTM FAM in Nice and cannot wait to explore the Riviera before the conference. ILTM is a very well-organized conference. Everything runs smoothly and you are given the tools to have a successful experience. I find it very valuable. It is very busy and you have meetings and network opportunities around the clock, but that is why I am eager to go.”
Dianne Hagopian, a Tzell luxury travel agent, said: “The collaboration between buyers and suppliers and even between agents is something I am looking forward to. Luxury travel is fluid and always emerging. It is crucial to stay educated. I am always on the quest to find the perfect destination and resort for the right client. So, ILTM Cannes is one of the best platforms I could imagine to improve upon your knowledge and learn something new.”
Tzell prides itself in providing its clients with in-depth knowledge, experience and individualized client service with some of the most talented travel agents in the industry. Tzell’s first-class white-glove service and support is why Tzell – part of the larger Travel Leaders Group – is among the nation’s biggest and most successful travel management companies.
Agents interested in joining Tzell and providing the highest quality, most personalized and proactive customer service available should visit Tzell.com.
About Tzell Travel Group:
Tzell Travel Group – as part of Travel Leaders Group – is ranked first among the nation’s largest corporate travel management companies, according to a Business Travel News 2016 ranking. 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.
