Travel Leaders Network, in partnership with its sister company Travel Leaders Corporate has embarked on a large-scale international expansion programme that it says will enhance services for corporate customers.
To date, the network consists of 40 agencies from Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, with more expected to join in the coming months. Combined, the network has agency representation in nearly 50 countries.
The network says Travel Leaders Group, inclusive of Corporate Travel Services (CTS), will play a “significant” role in the expansion plans.
Roger E Block, CTC, president of Travel Leaders Network, said: “We are creating a network of agencies that will serve as connective tissue enabling us to respond to larger opportunities both regionally and internationally. These agencies, now backed by the scale, technology and tools available through Travel Leaders, are positioned to provide an even more customised, personalised and superior level of service to existing and new clients within their respective geographies.
“Our plan is to sign one exclusive Travel Leaders representative in key countries around the globe. We are engaging partners who can offer a full portfolio of corporate, leisure and events services and are recognised in their country and by their peers as service-oriented, successful agencies.”
Agencies joining as members will have access to Travel Leaders’ suite of resources, including online booking tools, marketing programmes, a hotel programme, international destination management company (DMC) network and access to education and training resources.
Additionally, members will be able to support international accounts and local customers through the network’s technology suite, which provides profile management, online trip authorisation, data consolidation and analytics, meetings technology and customer reporting tools.
Gabe Rizzi, president of Travel Leaders Corporate, commented: “This expansion programme is transforming both Travel Leaders Network and Travel Leaders Corporate into more robust international players with strong abilities and reach enabling true multi-national account management based upon a highly personalised service model on an international scale.
“Clients will be serviced by local agencies who are leaders in their markets, providing premium corporate travel services supported by a vast array of technology. These innovative agencies are now backed by one of the largest travel agency networks in the world. We’re not a call centre operation and neither are they. That’s our sweet spot and our competitive difference.
“We have hired regional professionals in the areas of sales, operations, technology and account management to create a more localised support structure to best serve the needs of our international members.”
The expansion efforts are being led by Angeles Yugdar, senior vice president of international markets for Travel Leaders Group, who will also oversee new regional team members. Kevin Brown, VP of international sales for Travel Leaders Corporate, will also serve in a key role.
New team members include Carina Fernandez Grenno, regional partner management director, Latin America; Susan Lancaster, regional partner management director, EMEA; and Pat Siow, regional partner management director, Asia Pacific.
travelleaders.com; travelleadersgroup.com