26 Sep Travel Leaders Elite President Named One of Crain’s 2017 50 Most Powerful Women in New York

Gail Grimmett Rises to No. 33 on This Year’s List; Recognized for Leading the Travel Industry’s Premier Luxury Travel Agencies and for Her Civic Engagement                                                                                   

New York, NY (September 26, 2017) — Today, Travel Leaders Elite announced that its President, Gail Grimmett, has been named one of Crain’s 2017 50 Most Powerful Women in New York. Grimmett, who has earned this prestigious biennial honor for the third consecutive time, was acknowledged for her role as President of Travel Leaders Elite, a division of Travel Leaders Group comprised of Andrew Harper Travel, Colletts Travel, Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, as well as for other accomplishments, including her civic leadership within the travel industry. Grimmett joined fellow honorees at Crain New York Business’ celebratory luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street today.

“Gail’s accomplishments are far-reaching within the travel industry and throughout New York. In addition to her stellar service and leadership of Travel Leaders Elite, she serves on several prestigious business and charitable boards,” said Ninan Chacko, Chief Executive Officer of Travel Leaders Group. “Gail is not only a talented, hardworking, hands-on president, but she is also committed to improving the infrastructure in New York and leads by example by giving back to the community. I congratulate Gail on this well-deserved honor; she truly is one of the most powerful women in New York.”

Crain’s New York Business chooses New York’s top 50 female business leaders from more than 100 contenders identified through the outlet’s extensive network of industry sources. Grimmett, who came in at No. 33, rising one spot from No. 34 on the 2015 list and nine places from when she first made the list in 2013 at No. 41, is in great company. Some others on the list are IBM Chairman-CEO Virginia Rometty (2); fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg (4); Citibank N.A. CEO Barbara Desoer (25); New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray (34); A&E Networks CEO Nancy Dubuc (45); NASDAQ CEO Adena Friedman (48). The women are chosen based on their civic engagement, their job titles, chain of command and their organization’s revenues.

Grimmett serves as Governor Andrew Cuomo’s appointee on both the New York State Tourism Board and the New York City Regional Economic Development Council, as well as on the board of NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York. She also sits on the board of Covenant House, a charitable organization for homeless and trafficked youth.

Crain’s New York Business noted:

“Gail Grimmett helped transform Delta Air Lines into the city’s fastest-growing carrier when she was head of its operations in New York. Now she runs the luxury travel division of the $21 billion Travel Leaders Group, a role she has held since last year. Grimmett oversees five companies with more than 2,000 agents and staff members in more than 80 offices in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Her responsibilities grew in February as [Travel Leaders Group] expanded its luxury offerings, acquiring two divisions of travel company Andrew Harper LLC as well as Colletts Travel, a high-end British agency.”

The industry leaders honored this year “are building new neighborhoods and moving major corporations into them. They are all guiding New York to a brighter future,” according to Crain’s New York Business.

“I am honored to be in such illustrious company, but most importantly, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to give back to the city I love,” said Grimmett. “Working in the travel and tourism industry inspires me every day and I am proud to have a role in promoting tourism to New York.”

Travel Leaders Elite’s high-touch luxury agencies serve VIP leisure, entertainment and corporate clientele.

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About Travel Leaders Elite

Travel Leaders Elite is comprised of Andrew Harper Travel, Colletts Travel, Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, four travel agencies within Travel Leaders Group that together provide white-glove concierge level care to their discerning, high-profile clients who span the worlds of entertainment, sports, and luxury leisure. The four agencies generate approximately $4 billion in annual sales volume through its more than 70 locations in the both the United States and the United Kingdom.