TL Network Celebrates A Year of Milestones
TL Network – the unified brand of Vacation.com, Travel Leaders and Results! Travel – is marking its first anniversary this month and celebrating what has proved to be a very successful year.
TL Network executives dropped by Toronto yesterday (Jan. 17) to update the trade on all that’s been accomplished over the past year, including expanded global and supplier partnerships, enhanced educational offerings and significantly expanded marketing programs.
John Lovell, president, Travel Leaders Network and Leisure Group, said 2017 proved to be a “very, very good year” and while it’s too early for exact numbers, he said the company turned the year in really good shape. He also added that supplier partners are reporting that business is strong across the board.
“Consumer confidence is extremely high and that spend is working its way through the system,” he said. “We’re very encouraged.”
Roger E. Block, president of Travel Leaders Network, noted that “joining together under the TL Network banner benefited our members in a number of ways, providing them opportunities to grow their business, earn more and offer unique travel benefits to their customers. This is evidenced, in part, by the more than 47% year-over-year increase in qualified leads delivered to our members utilizing our award-winning Agent Profiler-powered web site, CanadianTravelAgents.ca, which uses a multi-faceted approach to lead generation.”
Lovell added, “the merging of our operations certainly made us more efficient as a business and enabled us, as a best-in-class organization, to provide improved opportunities to our agency members and supplier partners. We delivered upon our operating goals while meeting their expectations, and even exceeding them in some key areas.”
Block said the transition was accepted incredibly well from membership.
“It’s a win-win for everyone,” he said.
Through marketing partnerships, education and value-added programs, TL Network heightened its partnerships with suppliers and destinations during 2017, including exclusive offers and special amenity programs for cruise and hotel. This resulted in continued enhancements to the Distinctive Voyages cruise program and Select Hotels & Resorts program.
“Our power as one network enhances our relationship with our suppliers in both the leisure and corporate travel areas,” said Block.
Speaking on travel trends for 2018, Lovell said Bleisure (extended corporate travel), Sproup – a word coined by TL Network – and meaning special access, special perks for groups, and adventure travel are all expected to do well. Also trending are sustainable, socially responsible travel and “Last Chance” tourism (people wanting to see it before it changes, such as the Big 5 in Africa).
TL Network is comprised of nearly 6,800 locations in both the United States and Canada. During 2017, 51 locations were added in Canada bringing the total to 700.
Pictured above in Toronto are Block, Christine James, vice-president, Canada, TL Network, and Lovell.
