It’s still Win, Win, Win as TTAND takes it up a notch
Win. Win. Win. That has been Flemming Friisdahl’s mantra since the day he launched The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) and he has stayed true to that mantra for now more than a decade.
It is also the sign off he’s used – [Editor’s note – yes, I checked] as his sign-off at TTAND’s annual VIP Supplier Event telling his audience (this year, about 75 of TTAND’s supplier partners) that a Win for TTAND’s travel advisor partners is a Win for TTAND’s supplier partners and that’s a Win for TTAND.
So, it’s no wonder, that Friisdahl and his team (which now numbers 73) continues to see consistently strong growth year after year, with Friisdahl telling Travel Press Today (TPT) that TTAND will hit the $530 million market in sales this year – that’s slight more than half a billion dollars – up from $465 million in 2024.
TTAND now has 1,689 advisor partners and by the end of 2026, it expects to have grown to 1,850 advisor partners.
Clearly, in Friisdahl’s words “a phenomenal year,” but it’s a success that he’s quick to attribute to the quality of TTAND’s travel advisor partners.
“We couldn’t do it without our agents,” Friisdahl said, observing that in 2025, TTAND saw solid numbers in January and February, with a slight softening in the March to June period, but still turning in double digit growth, and after that to the present, TTAND has seen its sales growing between 22% to 25%.
With that kind of performance, it’s not surprising when Friisdahl tells you that he’s “proud of being the number one host agency” for the group’s preferred and approved suppliers.
As for concerns, Friisdahl admits there are always concerns, but is quick to tell TPT that TTAND’s approach is to “stay ahead of the curve” and giving the group’s advisor all the tools they need to combat whatever comes their way.
And he adds, “you can’t worry about what you can’t control,” pointing out that TTAND will continue to change “to meet the needs of our agents and work with our supplier partners to make it happen.”
Certainly the 2025 VIP Supplier Partner at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto was a demonstration of that approach, with Friisdahl telling his audience that technology will be a major drive for TTAND going forward.
As an example, Friisdahl pointed to the group’s new ITC Booking Engine and the addition of a new itinerary program and a new group program to it.
Along with technology, the audience were also given insights into TTAND’s new agent development program; ways to connect with TTAND’s advisors through exclusive fam trips, its road shows and its annual conference (which is set for April 18 to 26, 2026 about Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette); marketing initiatives; and its charitable initiatives with Pencils for Kids.
And if that wasn’t enough, TTAND announced the launch of a new brand Luxe by the Travel Agent Next Door which sees the group moving into the luxury market in a big way.
TTAND’s Christine Ufniak explained that the group’s initiative was designed to “deliver the extraordinary” to its customers and was about personalization, exclusivity and authenticity.
“It’s not about excess,” Ufniak told the audience, “it’s about meaningful experiences.”
Luxe by the Travel Agent Next Door comes with a variety of pillars that include branding, supplier strategy, new marketing and website strategy, education and training – which includes the launch of Luxe Mastermind – and a whole lot more.
All in all an enjoyable evening and, it seems fair to say, it was a Win, Win, Win for all who were there …
