Travel Experts, Inc. Increases Sales, Welcomes More Agents, and Celebrates Anniversaries, Industry Awards and Team Recognition

RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Experts, a top Virtuoso agency, is celebrating increased sales, more agents and more industry recognition and as it heads into Virtuoso's Travel Week.  The company is also helping several of its Independent Contractors recognize important milestones with their annual Diamond Awards.

"We are heading into Travel Week with 66 travel consultants attending, more than any time previously, and many private supplier functions have been created exclusively for them," said Susan Ferrell, president of Travel Experts, Inc. "We continue to set the standard for excellence for host agencies and the travel industry is taking notice by giving our consultants prestigious awards.  We are also thrilled to be celebrating the tenth anniversary of 11 of our Independent Contractors."

Sales and Travel Consultant Increases
Travel Experts has had a great 2012 and 2013 looks to be continuing that trend.  In year-over-year growth sales have increased by 31%.  Also on the increase for Travel Experts is the number of Independent Contractors who are now calling Travel Experts their home.  There has been a 13% increase in the number of consultants in eight months for 2013 alone.

Diamond Awards
Travel Experts is continuing its tradition of annual Diamond Awards.  These awards are given to agents who have been with the company for 10 years or more.  This year there are 11 consultants who have achieved that milestone. 

"With the awards this year we now have close to 50 people who have been with us for 10 years or more," adds Ms. Ferrell.  "We have some who have been with us for 19 years."

Industry Accolades
In addition to Travel Experts' own awards, their travel consultants are also being noticed and awarded by prestigious travel industry publications.

Recently Conde Nast Traveler recognized three agents as top in their specialties including:

• Becky Veith for the Caribbean
• Adamarie King for Mexico and Sicily
• Katey Hartwell for England

Plus, Travel & Leisure recently announced that Maureen Smith will be listed among their A-list agents for her expertise in spas, wellness travel and action and adventure.

Industry Board Representation
Travel Experts continues to be highly sought after by the travel industry for their input and expertise.  This year Travel Experts' management team members hold board positions on the following:

• Ritz Carlton Travel Industry Inner Circle Roundtable
• Medjet TAAP, Travel Agency Advisory Panel
• Virtuoso Air, Space, Specialty Products Committee
• Virtuoso Lead Generation Innovation Team
• Starwood Luxury Advisory Board
• Virtuoso Technology Committee

About Travel Experts 
Travel Experts, Inc. was established in 1989 as a pioneering host agency, designed to support and promote the businesses of independent travel consultants around the country. Their independents represent some of the most experienced, most productive, most highly motivated movers and shakers in the business. Travel Experts is also a proud member of Virtuoso, giving their travel consultants access to exclusive, added-value arrangements with top travel providers, including the world's finest luxury hotels and resorts, cruise lines, tour operators and ground operators. Travel Experts is also perennially represented on the Travel Weekly "Power List" of the Largest Agencies in the Country.  For more information, call 800-274-2544 or contact Travel Experts via email at [email protected].  Further details about Travel Experts are also available on the web at http://www.travel-xperts.com/.

SOURCE Travel Experts