There was a lot of gratitude at the Fairmont Royal York Thursday night in Toronto as VIP suppliers gathered in the annual year end celebration of The Travel Agent Next Door. This year was extra special as the company celebrated their 10th Anniversary.
“This is one of my favorite events, because some of my favorite people in the world are in this room,” TTAND Founder Flemming Friisdahl said in his welcome. “It’s our opportunity to say just a simple thank you to everyone, thank you for who you are and what you do.”
The Travel Agent Next Door has experienced significant success, projecting $500 million in sales for 2024 and $560 million for 2025, driven by a growing agent community of 1,447 members, including 749 primary and 698 associate agents. To support these agents, the agency has developed unique tools like the authorization form hub and an itinerary program, enhancing efficiency and reducing potential issues such as chargebacks and complaints. Additionally, they provide agents with branded websites and new booking engines for cruises and IT services, aiming to present products effectively and facilitate sales.
Friisdahl attributes that success to their team and to their supplier partners.
“We’re very proud about the leadership that we have within the Travel Agent Next Door, we have some very senior people and without them, we wouldn’t be able to grow the business.
For some of you guys, half a billion is like, that’s one flight,” he joked. “But for us, that growth is a lot of money, that’s something we’re really proud of and we’re going to continue to do. COVID wasn’t easy on us, but it was probably the best thing that happened to us. It stopped us for two years but not one staff member left or lost their job, not one. And I’m very, very proud of that.”
(Photo Credit: Marsha Mowers)
“Honestly, I don’t think our suppliers know all the time just how much we appreciate them. It’s all about respect, we work on things together, deal with problems together, get through it together. That’s what I believe has made us successful.”
“As a host agency, put a lot of time and effort and money into developing tools that no other host agency has,” said Jeff Element, COO, TTAND. “We are giving our agents the tools that will help them.”
(Photo Credit: Marsha Mowers)
The night also featured a tribute to TTAND staple Penny Martin, who retired this past summer and was instrumental in the growth and development of the host agency.
“We’re very, very fortunate about the people that work within and with, The Travel Agent Next Door,” adds Friisdahl.