Travel Leaders Group's focus on luxury is paying big dividends, according to Ninan Chacko, CEO, speaking on a panel of TLG executives during the company's Elevate the Journey luxury trade show held in New York this week.
With multiple of its agent networks focusing on luxury, said Chacko, TLG now is a dominant player in that segment. He said that the network's advisors would represent 9 percent of buyers at the International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes later this year, including 20 percent of buyers from the U.S. All told, TLG has 7,000 agency locations.
The Elevate trade show, said Chacko, comprised 275 suppliers selling to about 360 travel advisors. He said luxury travelers spend six times more than other travelers and that all signs point to an increasing strengthening of the market. Showing its commitment to its future, said Chacko, TLG recently opened "fabulous new office space" in New York - 106,000 square feet in midtown to house administrators and advisors.
Peter Vlitas, senior vice president, Travel Leaders airline relations, discussed how flying has become more complex with the emergence of ancillary fees, new technologies for security, widely different in-flight experiences and more. And Mike Heflin, senior vice president, Travel Leaders hotel division, said travel specialists might go so far as to match clients with the color of a hotel room. He said the choice of a hotel "should be curated around multiple customer touch points."
Chacko also discussed a major new collaboration between TLG and American Express as part of that company's relaunch of its Gold Card. TLG clients who use a number of Amex cards enjoy access to The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group, a portfolio of offers including discounts on flights, value-added benefits at hotels, shipboard credits on cruises and savings on tour packages. Membership in The Travel Collection is offered at no additional cost to cardholders.
Also announced at the session was the enhancement of TLG's SELECT Hotels program, which features more than 1,000 properties worldwide, all vetted for quality and services, as well as a commitment to partnering with professional travel advisors. New brand-integrated SELECT hotels websites have been created for TLG brands Protravel International, Tzell Travel Group and Altour. The customizable sites allow each brand to define their key focus areas, top destinations and experiences for their customers. Also, the print and digital versions of the SELECT magazine directory have been revised and expanded, while SELECT Desk is a new service team dedicated to supporting advisors booking through the program.
Benefits to consumers who book through the hotel program include early check-in and late checkout when, available, room upgrade based on availability, an amenity worth up to $100, daily breakfast for two and free in-room Wi-Fi.
Looking ahead, Chacko said the increasing complexity of travel will mean more business for professional travel advisors. He cited a recent TLG survey showing that trips are getting longer, which usually means consumers will use a travel agent. He said that there is strong growth in the niche and specialty travel categories. Active and adventure trips topped the survey results, followed by honeymoon and destination weddings, culinary and wine, reunions and wellness. Coming in at number 6 was women-only journeys. All of these, said Chacko, provide rich opportunities for travel advisors.
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