01 Sep Two Iconic Luxury Travel Brands Unite as One Organization
Leadership of Protravel International & Tzell Travel Group Unveil Vision for the Future
New York, NY (Sept. 1, 2020) — At a virtual meeting of more than 1,000 Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group independent advisors today titled “The Art of Coming Together,” the leadership of Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group shared a vision for the merged organization, including a new advisor support and leadership structure, along with an enhanced value proposition.
– Angie Licea, President of Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group
“Over these past few months, we’ve been busy crafting our new vision for the combined organization with significant input from our independent advisors,” said Angie Licea, President of Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group. “The merging of these iconic brands will bring together a group of world-class travel advisors and industry executives who will lead the charge in reshaping high-service travel.”
The vision for the newly-combined organization is as follows: To be the most respected premier travel services company known for providing the greatest earning power and support for our advisors, growth opportunities for our employees and the best supplier partnerships in the marketplace.
The iconic Protravel and Tzell Travel brand names will continue, and advisors will use whichever name best suits their business needs, Licea said.
In May, Internova Travel Group CEO J.D. O’Hara announced a major reorganization at the company, formerly known as Travel Leaders Group, including the creation of a single division focused on bringing together its high-service premium and luxury travel brands including Protravel, Tzell Travel, Andrew Harper, In the Know Experiences and All Star Travel Group. A new parent company name for this division will be announced by Oct. 1, Licea said.
Single Consortia Partner
At the meeting, Becky Powell, Chief Strategy Officer for Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, announced the selection of Virtuoso as the single consortia partner for the new united organization. “It was a tough decision,” Powell said. “Signature Travel Network, Tzell’s legacy consortium, has been an outstanding partner and we have a tremendous amount of respect for the Signature leadership and staff.”
Powell said Virtuoso had an edge because of its global reach and its ability to service the London operation, which includes Protravel, Tzell Travel, as well as luxury leisure agency, Colletts Travel.
New Advisor Support and Leadership Structure
Creating a responsive, forward-looking structure focused on supporting advisors to help grow their businesses is at the heart of the redesign of the organization, Licea said. This included merging support teams, programs and supplier relations functions, she added.
The new organization will be headed by the highly experienced leaders from the Protravel and Tzell Travel organizations:
- Michele Capaccio, Chief Operating Officer, will be charged with delivering advisor support and operational services.
- Don Jones, Chief Marketing Officer, will manage a newly-created Marketing Department, as well as oversee branch management for the Western Region.
- Jason Oshiokpekhai, Managing Director UK, is responsible for UK operations.
- Becky Powell, Chief Strategy Officer, will lead supplier and advisor engagement, including growing relationships with the most valued partners in the industry.
- Cindy Schlansky, Chief Development Officer, will be responsible for boot-camp programs, on-going education, advisor recruitment and onboarding, as well as the Tzell affiliate branch network which will remain largely unchanged.
- Monty Swaney, Chief Business Officer, will oversee Eastern regional branches, as well as account management focused helping advisors grow their corporate business.
New Benefit for Independent Advisors
During the meeting, Licea announced that every advisor would receive digital access to the Andrew Harper Hideaway Report at no cost, a $250 annual value. The Hideaway Report is one of the industry’s most respected sources of unbiased and trusted expert reviews and insights.
“Our advisors see real advantages to having access to this insider information which is highly-valued by affluent and sophisticated travelers around the globe,” said Licea. In addition, the organization will continue to invest in and grow its SELECT Hotels and Resorts program.
The enhanced value proposition including a robust advisor support system, leading supplier partnerships and top talent is now in place, Licea said. “While our decision to bring these two powerhouse companies together was not related to the pandemic, with the new structure, we will be well prepared to respond to the changing travel landscape,” she said. “We’ve set our sights on building the most dynamic and innovative agency in the travel and tourism sector. We’ve laid the foundation to return to a bigger and better world of travel and we can’t wait to move ahead.”
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About Protravel International, LLC
Protravel International, LLC is an Internova Travel Group company. Founded in 1984, Protravel International, LLC is a full-service, dynamic travel agency with an award-winning reputation. Protravel is headquartered in New York City and supports 24 locations throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, plus a network of hosted advisors in all corners of the U.S. Protravel’s expertise in destination, international faring and competitive products – coupled with its superior network of contacts in the airline, hotel, cruise and hospitality industry – makes Protravel one of the most powerful selling forces in the travel industry.
About Tzell Travel Group
Since 1966, Tzell Travel Group, headquartered in New York City, has been providing its clients with the highest quality, most personalized travel experience integrated with today’s technology – whether it be corporate, entertainment or leisure travel. In everything it does, Tzell Travel Group places the highest priority on both its clients and its advisors. For the individual traveler, Tzell addresses value, convenience, comfort and safety, with its customized quality traveler services. For the corporation, Tzell offers a broad product line of cost containment, meeting services and comprehensive travel management programs. Tzell focuses on the needs of its advisors by providing the best work environment possible and the strongest leadership and support team.