03 Jan Barry Liben, Chairman and Former CEO of Tzell Travel Group, Passes Away
Industry Leader and True Champion of Travel Advisors Founded Luxury Travel Business
New York, NY (January 3, 2020) — Barry Liben, chairman of Tzell Travel Group, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2020 after a long year of health battles at the age of 67. Liben had served as Chairman of Tzell Travel Group since 2016. Prior to that he was the organization’s President and CEO for nearly 40 years. He additionally had served as CEO of Travel Leaders Group and was a current member of the company’s Board of Directors.
– Travel Leaders Group Chairman Mike Batt
“It is with profound sadness that we share the news that Barry Liben, our friend, boss, mentor and true mensch, passed away last night,” said Cindy Schlansky and Monty Swaney, Co-Presidents of Tzell Travel Group. “He was an icon in the travel industry, a loyal and honest friend, a generous philanthropist, rabid NY Giants fan, a man who loved a good laugh, and above all, a man who adored his family, loved his wife without bounds and found immense joy and pride in his children and seven grandchildren.”
Liben’s strong business acumen, management savvy and leadership skills charted the company’s path to growth and success and, today, Tzell Travel Group is a highly recognized and award-winning travel agency organization specializing in luxury leisure, corporate and entertainment travel with offices in the U.S. and U.K.
At the time of his initial investment in 1977, Tzell Travel Group employed three people. Liben grew Tzell Travel Group to become one of in the industry’s largest luxury travel agencies with over 700 agents, staff and management. Liben’s successful business philosophy—”create an environment conducive to initiative and hard work, encourage a sense of fun, then let people do their best and recognize it”—was transformational in the industry and continues as Tzell’s legacy today.
In 2008, Tzell Travel Group merged with Travel Leaders Group, and from that time until 2015, Liben served as CEO for Travel Leaders Group. He worked in partnership with Chairman Michael Batt to grow the enterprise from $7 billion in annual sales volume to nearly $20 billion. During his tenure, Travel Leaders Group acquired Protravel International, Vacation.com and Nexion, while expanding internationally beyond the U.S. and U.K. into Canada, Australia, Ireland and Greece.
“Barry will be remembered as a kind and generous leader who was driven to succeed through determination and hard work,” said Chairman Batt. “He was one of our travel industry’s biggest champions and will be missed by all.”
“In Tzell, Barry created a travel company with a big heart that brought joy, not only to our customers, but to everyone who worked there,” said Awilda Gonzalez, Senior Vice President, Operations and Engagement at Tzell Travel Group.
In addition to establishing the Protravel and Tzell Foundation in the wake of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, Liben’s philanthropic work included serving on a number of high-profile association and community organization boards including the Israel Community Development Foundation and the National Stuttering Association.
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About Travel Leaders Group
Travel Leaders Group (www.TravelLeadersGroup.com) is transforming travel with a commitment to our vacation and business travel clients through our progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. Having already assisted millions of travelers, Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands. With over 6,000 agency locations, Travel Leaders Group ranks as one of the industry’s largest travel agency companies. Travelers also have access to The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group, a portfolio of select travel offers including discounts on international and domestic flights, value-added benefits at lodging establishments, shipboard credits on cruises and savings on escorted and vacation packages. Membership to The Travel Collection is offered at no additional cost to U.S. American Express Gold Card, Business Gold Rewards Card, Platinum Card® and Business Platinum Card® Members. For more information visit www.TheTravelCollection.com.