Travel Planners International (No. 31 on Travel Weekly's 2023 Power List) is launching Vacation Planners, an agency franchisor led by Jen Lee.
Vacation Planner will operate as a new brand separate from the host agency.
Jen Lee
Mr. Lee moves from his role as Vice President of Industry Engagement and Support at TPI to President of Vacation Planners.
Vacation Planners joins a smaller sector of travel agency franchisors. These include Dream Vacations/CruiseOne, Cruise Planner, Travel Leader, and Expedia Cruises.
“We strongly believe that Vacation Planners will set a new standard in the travel franchising space, and we look forward to seeing its significant impact on the industry,” said Ken Gagliano, co-owner and president of TPI. “I'm doing it,” he said.
Lee said vacation planners will benefit from TPI's scale. Vacation Planner operates as a separate entity, but the franchisee sells under his TPI IATA number. This gives you access to higher commission tiers with your preferred suppliers.
Lee is targeting advisors who want to work full-time at his agency.
“We're looking for the next two generations of travel agency owners who understand that this is a business,” she said.
Applications for the Vacation Planners franchise will likely open in the third quarter of this year. Interested advisors can sign up for a waiting list online. Further details will be announced in the coming months.
In conjunction with Mr. Lee's move to Vacation Planners, TPI has appointed Dave Meihoefer as Vice President of Sales and Engagement.
With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Mr. Mayhefer joins TPI from Celebrity Cruises, where he was a key account manager for 10 years.
