It’s Our Time Now
In a wide ranging briefing in Toronto this week, top executives from the TL Network talked trends, marketing, technology, education, and a whole lot more, along with providing an update on what TL Network has planned for the coming year and beyond.
John Lovell, CTC, president of Travel Leaders Group, Roger E. Block, CTC, president of Travel Leaders Network, Christine James, vice president, Canada, TL Network, Stephen McGillivray, CTC, chief marketing officer, Travel Leaders Group and Cory Voss, vice president, product and solutions, Travel Leaders Group teamed up at the Toronto to offer insights and updates on the TL Network, making it abundantly clear that there are a lot of good things going on right now that position the group’s travel advisor members for success going forward.
Travel Leaders Group president, John Lovell observed at one point during the briefing that while it has been a long two years, travel advisors are now more important to consumers than ever. In fact, he added, there’s never been a better time in history to be a travel advisor.
As for Travel Leaders Network president, Roger Block, he made it clear that it is all about providing the group’s members with strong support, observing that through its programs and initiatives “we really do help owners retain clients and help advisors sell more product.”
Here in Canada, Christine James, vice president Canada for the TL Network, noted that that kind of support is attracting more agencies to join the group. In 2022, she said that 49 new members – representing $116 million in total sales – joined TL Network and so far in 2023, three new members – representing $1 million in total sales – have joined.
On the marketing side of things, Stephen McGillivray, CTC, chief marketing officer, Travel Leaders Group said that in the coming year, there will be an “energized focus” on communicating the importance of the travel advisor to consumers going forward and on helping those members improve their social media skills.
Cory Voss, vice president, product and solutions, Travel Leaders Group talked technology and the fact that in the next few weeks, a redesigned www.canadiantravelagents.ca will be launched.
Voss also revealed that the group was sunsetting CruisePro and through a partnership with Travelport a new cruise booking tool, called Cruise Complete, will be launched to the full network in the second quarter of 2023.
All in all, as Roger Block summarizes: “It’s a good time to be a travel advisor.”
Watch for more in the next issue of Travel Courier.
In the Photo
Seen here, from l to r, Roger Block and Christine James
