The Pulse: Protravel, Tzell Unveil NEXT to Attract Young Professionals to the Industry
Why it Rates: One of the industry's most formidable challenges is attracting younger people to the travel agency segment. The NEXT program will go a long way in remedying the situation. - Claudette Covey, TravelPulse travel agents editor
Today as part of a joint announcement by Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, the two luxury travel agencies unveiled NEXT - an initiative geared toward recruiting, reeducating and retaining young professionals. Among several components, the program includes an in-house training and placement initiative to recruit and train the next generation of luxury travel specialists.
The innovative new program will provide its participants with customized training, a dedicated mentor, and placement within one of the two companies, ultimately serving as a launch pad for success. The first training session will begin in the fall of 2014.
"There are few professions that can offer the level of prestige, excitement and glamor to young professionals quite like the travel industry can. Within the travel agency segment, our message to Millennials is simple: 'The world can be yours,'" explained Barry Liben, who serves as CEO for both Protravel and Tzell. "As the travel industry constantly evolves and grows, so do opportunities for tomorrow's travel agents. Our NEXT program builds on the rock solid foundation and offers aspiring agents with the crucial next step to enter the exciting world of travel."
NEXT will be under the direction of Marisa Costa, who not only has experience as a luxury travel specialist, but is also a Millennial herself. "Marisa Costa is an outstanding leader who can speak authoritatively with her peers and attract them to our industry," Liben noted. "Marisa has already made a name for herself among Millennials in the travel industry through her involvement with Young Travel Professionals (YTP), where she serves as Business Development Manager on the Global Board."
"Millennials are on their way to becoming the top consumer over the next few years, and the industry must evolve to change its perception among this new generation - ultimately, gaining credibility with Millennials so they want to book with a travel agent is contingent upon the industry recruiting and preparing agents they can relate to," stated Costa. "NEXT intends to pave the way by fostering young, savvy, enthusiastic agents for these Millennial clients to work with."
According to Liben, NEXT complements the Travel Leaders of Tomorrow's training modules offered by the parent company of Protravel and Tzell. "This new initiative is specifically designed for anyone who wants to turn their passion for travel and high-end luxury into a rewarding profession," Liben added.
"What sets NEXT apart from other programs is that all of our candidates will be trained specifically for placement in either Protravel or Tzell by learning extensively how the individual brand has distinguished itself in the realm of luxury travel," noted Costa.
"NEXT focuses on three main components: recruit, retain, and reeducate. The NEXT program will recruit employees and place them within Protravel or Tzell in a position that is the most appropriate fit for their talents, goals and objects; reeducateMillennials about the travel industry, the evolved role of the travel agent and about Protravel and Tzell; and retain existing travel professionals and help them advance their careers."
Costa indicated that equally as important as recruiting new talent is maintaining the extraordinary talent Protravel and Tzell already have. To that end, NEXT also serves as a network focusing on building relationships among other young agents within Protravel and Tzell, as well as their contemporaries within the industry.
NEXT showcases its agents through the website, www.mytravelagentlife.com, where agents can share their stories of how they got involved in the industry, all the places they've traveled globally, and the glamorous life they lead. The goal is to demonstrate to the next generation how they too can enjoy a fruitful career in the exciting, modern world of travel.
SOURCE: Protravel press release
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
