Travel Leaders Network Debuts "Insider" Trips

Curated fam trips allow travel advisors to get firsthand experience in new travel landscape

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Oct 15, 2020, 11:52 ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Leaders Network is offerings its advisors several opportunities to travel the globe, via exclusive "Insider" trips the company arranged to give its members a first look at traveling during the changing travel environment.

In the first phase of the project, 150 travel advisors will travel on a series of 18 familiarization trips to seven destinations across Mexico and the Caribbean over the next 60 days.

Travel Leaders travel advisors are embarking on a series of familiarization trips to several destinations to gain firsthand knowledge about the health and safety protocols in place at airlines, airports, hotels and resorts. More than 150 travel advisors will visit across Mexico and the Caribbean. The pictured group went to Dubai.

Travel Leaders launched the program after operating three highly successful fam trips to Dubai, Mexico and Disney World. The first set of "Insider" fams are being sponsored by Palace Resorts, Iberostar Resorts and Sandals & Beaches Resorts.

"We've learned from other recent fam trips that enabling our advisors to travel and get firsthand experience is one of the best tools we have to build confidence among our agents and their customers about booking a particular destination," said Roger E. Block, President of Travel Leaders Network. "Upon completing their trips, our advisors can speak with authority about the measures airlines, resorts and destinations have taken to address health and safety concerns and what it's really like on the ground."

These destination visits go beyond the traditional fam trips, as they are designed to educate advisors not only in the property and destination, but to give them a deep dive into the precautions they are taking in the pandemic. All destinations are those that are currently accepting visits from American passport holders.

"Travel advisors are the original consumer influencers in the travel world," said Block. "We know from experience that their clients pay careful attention to the advice and guidance their advisors share."

For that reason, travel advisors chosen to attend will be encouraged to share their experiences on social media and with their network colleagues. "Insider" participants will take part in:

Pre-travel training webinar outlining expectations and requirements around social media exposure and content gathering
On-trip social media posts and live updates monitored by Travel Leaders Network's social media team
Post-travel trip recap reports, photos and videos to be shared on Agent Universe, the extranet for Travel Leaders Network member agencies

"Beyond providing valuable information for travel advisors, the 'Insider' trips are designed to show that these destinations are open and ready to safely welcome visitors," said Stephen McGillivray, Chief Marketing Officer, Travel Leaders Group. "By sharing these journeys, we hope to convey to travelers the seriousness with which Mexico and the Caribbean are taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Travel advisors will lead the way in tourism's comeback, and our 'Insider' trips are a great first step."

Travel Leaders Network plans to offer additional "Insider" trips as destinations around the world open up to more travelers. While the initial program is open to US advisors, trips will also be offered to Canadian advisors in the future.

For travel agency owners and independent contractors interested in learning more about the award-winning programs and diverse offerings that Travel Leaders Network offers agencies in leisure and luxury travel, business travel, honeymoon and destination weddings, as well as active and adventure travel, visit TravelLeadersNetwork.com.

About Travel Leaders Network
Travel Leaders Network (www.TravelLeaders.com) assists millions of leisure and business travelers annually and is one of the largest sellers of luxury travel, cruises and tours in the travel agency industry, with approximately 5,700 travel agency locations across the United States and Canada.