Over the past 14 months, advisors and clients alike have been eagerly awaiting news on refunds and commission protection from airline and tour partners.

“It’s been a long haul says Zeina Gedeon, CEO TPI. It’s been a time of angst and frustration for travel advisors and agency groups over the past 14 months, and the recent announcement from the Government and Air Canada regarding their enhanced policy for refunds has allowed our advisors to breathe a little bit, knowing that their clients can receive their anticipated refunds and the advisors can retain their hard-earned commission.”

“We welcome this new policy and want to thank everyone involved. Many of our TPI Advisors and our Industry Colleagues have spent endless hours learning how to navigate conversations with local politicians; they moved out of their comfort zones and stepped up. What a spectacular display of an industry coming together to have their voices heard.

The efforts of ACTA have been tremendous. As our industry representatives, they have had our backs, fought tirelessly for several initiatives, lobbied Government groups and continue to do so.

To Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, thank you for the ongoing support of the travel agent community and for ensuring that your partners were financially protected. We appreciate it more than you know!

We see solid signs for recovery, and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter every day. Still, the work towards recovery needs to continue and remains critical to outline a robust recovery plan.

But for now, we celebrate and remember that collectively, we can (and will) implement change.”

Travel Press: https://bit.ly/3g6x208

Travel Professionals International (TPI) is celebrating the accomplishments of two of their advisors, being named to the Condé Nast 2021 Top Travel Specialists.

“We are so proud of both Donna Flanigan and Shari Tucker for being named to this prestigious list of Travel Specialists; being recognized as a Travel Specialist to Conde Nast is a huge accomplishment for Donna and Shari. While Donna and Shari have very different business specialties, they share a few similarities, they both go above and beyond for their clients by providing a high touch level of service, and are laser-focused on ensuring that they are doing all they can to stay relevant and move their business forward”, said Zeina Gedeon, CEO TPI. “Both Shari and Donna are well-positioned for continued success, and we are so proud of their continued efforts, and we celebrate their accomplishments.”

Conde Nast travel specialists are chosen based on their expertise, specialization and excellence in customer service.

Dear Industry Colleagues,

Fifty-two weeks, 365 days, it seems like five years to most of us!

One year, the world has been on “hold,” sadly only enriched with increased stress, mental anguish, and isolation. I am sure you may have questioned your desire to stick it out; you’ve been angry, sad, and have grieved the loss of your business.  Over the last week or so, we hear everyone talking about approaching the one year anniversary of the pandemic and the pause in travel being declared, we’ve thought back on our past trips and how we spent the last few days of “normal,” if only we knew it was our last few days! But what if we looked at this anniversary differently?

This is the anniversary of 365 days of resilience, persevering even when things are hard, finding new ways to connect and collaborate; we have seen the Travel Industry come together in ways that we have never seen before. From our valued Supplier Partners to our Travel Advisor colleagues and everyone in between, you have stepped up and showed that even after 365 days of being faced with a pause, collectively, we can organize and mobilize in different ways. We can continue to show up for our beloved industry and find our voice to make a difference and connect in ways that we never have before.

While the last year has been incredibly difficult and devastating in many ways, it has also been overflowing with so many little blessings we otherwise would have never had the joy of experiencing. We’ve had the time to reconnect with our loved ones and creatively found ways to communicate while adhering to the stay-at-home orders. We have slowed down; we have evaluated our business and made changes that will allow us to be in a better position to serve our clients when the world opens up.

What has clearly emerged is customer-centricity, and digital are the two winners and opportunities for us to spark the recovery. I know for us at TPI, we had to reinvent our support and connections for our TPI Family during this challenging time. As a company, we continued to follow a framework built around our clients and partners to support efficiencies and new go-to-market strategies. We’ve invested in upgrading, enhancing and updating our back-office processes, database and training programs. We showed up and continued to show up for our members and expanded our offerings to ensure our advisors’ needs are met in several ways!

As we continue to forge ahead in 2021, I am positive, and I see encouraging growth, strengthened relationships and an industry that is together and unified. Your clients are waiting to catch up on their lost vacations, and your supplier partners are waiting to help you in any way they can. The future looks bright. Let’s take the lessons learned from the past 365 days and apply them to our business to ensure that we come out on the other side stronger, focused and proud of how far we’ve come!

I am proud and inspired by the way TPI and our industry as a whole has risen to handle this challenge – with flexibility, resilience, courage – and a caring heart.  Thank you for your enormous contributions.  I am sticking with Us. Let’s work together to keep going!

Zeina Gedeon,

CEO & President

Travel Professionals International

TPI would like to thank our Media Partners for their ongoing support and for publishing this open letter

OpenJaw

Pax News

Travel Market Report

Travel Press

Travel Week

Travel Professionals International (TPI) is proud of its large turnout for the Virtuoso Travel Week virtual conference.

“The theme for VTW this year was the Value of Connections which truly captured the essence of the situation our industry is in. Participating in Virtuoso Travel Week is always so inspiring but this year, in particular, we have been able to participate in live digital sessions with industry-leading partners as well as expand our knowledge with relevant and inspiring Professional Development sessions that spur on the message of hope and optimism for the future of travel” said Caroline Hay, National Director of Sales, TPI.

“In a time of so much uncertainty, it is so incredible to connect with partners, talk about new and interesting travel options and feed our passion for this incredible industry”, added Hay.

During the week TPI hosted a Virtual Cocktail party for its Advisors. “It was not the same as the in-person connection, however; it was great to hear the stories of successful connections, and professional development training. With all signs pointing towards luxury travel being one of the first to rebound, our TPI Advisors are ready and armed with the information they need to assist their luxury clients in the future”, said Zeina Gedeon, CEO, TPI.

TPI is continuing its efforts to educate its advisors now that Virtuoso Week has ended. TPI is hosting weekly professional development sessions ranging from training on business tools, marketing and social media strategies to supplier updates, as well as weekly national town hall sessions

Published in Open Jaw on August 18, 2020

Also published in Pax News on August 18, 2020

Travel Professionals International (TPI) has released its first-ever e-cookbook: Travel Eats with TPI.

Travel Eats with TPI features 100 recipes representing the best of quarantine cooking by TPI advisors, supplier partners and head office team during the isolation days.

Travel Professionals International (TPI) has released its first-ever e-cookbook: Travel Eats with TPI.

Travel Eats with TPI features 100 recipes representing the best of quarantine cooking by TPI advisors, supplier partners and head office team during the isolation days.

“Breaking bread as a family or with friends is a luxury many of us took for granted until we were not able to do this. So we decided to share together while apart which led to the idea of the TPI cookbook”, stated CEO of TPI Zeina Gedeon. “The project came together in just over eight weeks and we are thrilled to be able to increase awareness for our corporate charity Jack.org through this initiative.”

Jack.org has been TPI’s corporate charity for more than two years and is Canada’s only charity training and empowering young leaders to revolutionize mental health.

The recipes featured in the book come from across the world; most inspired by the travel journeys of TPI advisors, and some have been passed down for generations.

To download a copy of the Travel Eats with TPI cookbook click here. To donate to Jack.org click here.

Published in Pax News on August 13, 2020

Also published in Travel Week on August 13, 2020

Travel Professional International (TPI) is maintaining the same commission levels and extending its Velocity Program benefits for its Advisors for the fiscal year 2021 and 2022.

The Velocity Program (TPI’s Loyalty & Recognition Program) has been a long-running program at TPI, that pays back $298,000 annually to its advisors. The program showcases the results of its Advisor’s hard work in building their business, and TPI is committed to continuing to recognize all their efforts.

Zeina Gedeon, CEO, TPI, said of the decision: “Our Advisors are leaning on us for support and stability, and we want to ensure that we provide them with all the assurance needed for them to continue to build their business.”said.

Gedeon continued: “2019 was the best fiscal year growth TPI has seen, and we will be honouring all of the commission splits and recognition reward benefits based on our best year so far, which we are very proud of and proud of all the hard work of our Advisors. We are a family, and we are in this all together.”

Key highlights of the extensions for TPI Advisors include:

• Maintaining their same commission level splits for FY21 & FY22.
• Maintaining their monthly support fee discounts for FY21 & FY22.
• Maintaining their annual fee discounts for FY21 & FY22.
• Maintaining and continuing their same recognition level for FY21 & FY22.

Along with extending recognition program extension, TPI also presented its overall company priorities, and goals post COVID-19 during their recent town hall.

Go to www.tpi.ca for more.

Posted in Travel Press on May 28, 2020

TORONTO — Travel Professionals International (TPI) says it is once again putting agents first by maintaining commission levels and extending Velocity Program benefits for 2021 and 2022.

Some of the key highlights for TPI Advisors include:

• Maintaining their same commission level splits for the fiscal year 2021 & 2022
• Maintaining their monthly support fee discounts for FY21 & FY22
• Maintaining their annual fee discounts for FY21 & FY22
• Maintaining and continuing their same recognition level for FY21 & FY22

The Velocity Program, TPI’s long-running Loyalty & Recognition Program, pays back $298,000 annual to its advisors.

“Our advisors are leaning on us for support and stability and we want to ensure that we provide them with all the assurance needed for them to continue to build their business,” said Zeina Gedeon, CEO, TPI.

Gedeon added: “2019 was the best fiscal year growth TPI has seen, and we will be honouring all of the commission splits and recognition reward benefits based on our best year so far, which we are very proud of and proud of all the hard work of our advisors. We are a family and we are in this together.”

Posted in Travel Week on May 27, 2020

Travel Professionals International’s (TPI), wins big at the 4^th annual Spotlights Awards for Playa Hotels & Resorts. The Playa Spotlight Awards invites the best and top-producing agents in the industry. With over 120 Canadian agents attending the awards, TPI was proud to see their very own Lois Barbour walk away with three significant awards for her and her team. Playa Hotels and Resorts awarded Lois Barbour with Most Improved Agent in Canada, Top Seller for Jamaica in Canada and Top Seller for Jewel Resorts in Canada.

“I am honoured to be recognized with these prestigious awards by Playa Resorts. We strive to offer the best vacation options to our clients, so when the brands that provide our guests with the vacation memories of a lifetime then recognize us in this way, we say thank you!” said Lois Barbour, TPI Advisor.

TPI CEO Zeina Gedeon said, “Congratulations to Lois and all of her team at Travel Time – TPI! What an amazing accomplishment to bring home three Spotlight Awards and be recognized for their incredible dedication to their clients. We are honoured to have Travel Time – TPI as part of the TPI family and are always proud to share our Advisor’s achievements!”

Find more information about Lois Barbour and her team Travel Time – TPI at www.traveltimetpi.com

Published by Openjaw on January 14, 2020

Travel Professionals International (TPI), is the only agency in Canada to have two of their advisors recognized in the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.

Lois Barbour of Travel Time TPI and Kim Hartlen of Kim Hartlen Travel were once again recognized for their contribution to Sandals & Beaches as Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club, an exclusive club that rewards the most loyal and top-producing travel agents in North America for the Sandals brands.

TPI CEO, Zeina Gedeon, said that TPI is “ecstatic” with having the only two advisors in Canada that are in the Sandals Chairman Royal Club.

“This is a great testament to the dedication and commitment TPI Advisors have to Sandals,” Gedeon said. “We see the rewards our Advisors get recognized for, and it is the support and tools they get with TPI that makes them the best of the best.”

Kim Hartlen, TPI Advisor, said, “I have been honoured to be a part of the Sandals Travel Agent awards for the past 18 years and a member of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club since the beginning in 2012! Thank you, Sandals and Beaches Resorts for this prestige invitation and recognition.”

Lois Barbour, TPI Advisor, said, “Thank you to our VIP clients first of all, but also with thanks to our BDM extraordinaire, Meredith Hand and also Maureen Barnes-Smith Sandals Director of Sales & Marketing, for her endless support of our agency on the rock! With you, and the amazing Sandals Resorts team who enable us to do what we do every day, we say thank you!”

Director of sales and marketing, Unique Vacations Canada Inc., Maureen Barnes-Smith spoke highly of TPI, saying, “Travel Professionals International continues to foster the environment for high growth for Sandals and Beaches, and we congratulate the organization as well as the individual agent winners. Well done.”

Published in Pax News on December 18th, 2019

TORONTO – Travel Professionals International (TPI) once again was named the Top Host Agency and Best of the Best in Canada for the 2nd year in a row at the 18th annual Sandals Travel Agency Recognition (STAR) Awards hosted at Beaches Turks & Caicos on Dec 8th.

It was a big night for TPI and their attending Advisors at the Sandals STAR Gala Awards. TPI’s top Sandals producing Advisors were recognized for their loyalty and dedication by Sandals Resorts. Kim Hartlen took home Best of the Best in Canada, Top Club Sandals Travel Agency and Top Beaches Travel Agency in Atlantic Canada and Lois Barbour of Travel Time received Top Sandals Travel Agency in Atlantic Canada.

“I have been honoured to be a part of the Sandals Travel Agent awards for the past 18 years! Thank you, Sandals and Beaches Resorts for this prestige invitation and recognition. I am thrilled to have stepped out on my own as an entrepreneur under my brand Kim Hartlen Travel with the amazing support of TPI. My clients are truly the Stars!! #filledwithgratitude” said Kim Hartlen, TPI Advisor.

Lois Barbour, TPI Advisor, said, “I am pleased to be recognized again by Sandals Resorts as a top Canadian agent. The recognition received in being named the Top Sandals Agency of the Year for Atlantic Canada is a huge honor for us, as well as being named one of only two Canadian Chairman’s Royal Club agents.” Barbour added, “Our team at Travel Time – TPI appreciates our loyal VIP clients, and the trust they place in us for their valuable vacation time. Our partners at Sandals Resorts deliver on the experience we recommend to our clients again and again and make the process easy with repeat bookings being the norm.”

The STAR Awards celebrates travel agents worldwide and Sandals Resorts as an innovator and trendsetter in luxury Caribbean resorts for the last 24 years.

TPI CEO Zeina Gedeon said, “We are extremely proud of our Advisors who took home some of the most prestigious Sandals Awards this week! It was an honour for me to accept the award as Top Host Agency in Canada, on behalf of my TPI family, this award is for all our advisors across Canada,” Gedeon continued, “to recognize all their hard work and all the passion they put into what they do, all of this would not have been possible without our Advisors’ commitment to Sandals Resorts.”

List of awards received at the STAR Gala Awards:

• Head office awards:
  • Best of the Best Agency Recognition
  • Top Host Agency in Canada
  • Top Sandals Travel Agency
  • Top Ten Travel Agencies Worldwide
• Lois Barbour – Travel Times
  • Top Sandals Travel Agency – Atlantic Canada
  • Chairman’s Royal Club
• Kim Hartlen – Kim Hartlen Travel
  • Best of the Best Agency Recognition Award
  • Top Beaches Travel Agency – Atlantic Canada
  • Top Club Sandals Travel Agency
  • Chairman’s Royal Club

Posted in Travel Press on December 17th, 2019