Travel + Leisure (T+L) Co. has expanded its direct-to-consumer subscription travel club, Travel + Leisure Go, to include travel advisors. Accessible via VAX VacationAccess and powered by Trisept/Solutions and negotiated supplier agreements, Travel + Leisure Go for Professionals offers advisors editor-curated itineraries, branded marketing opportunities and customizable commission rates.
According to Amy Lipka, senior vice president of marketing and global operations at Travel + Leisure Co., this is just the first iteration of T+L Go for Professionals — and more is to come.
“In 2023, new features are planned, including the ability to market through the VAX platform, leveraging the value and consumer trust behind the T+L brand, as well as the ability to receive leads from the consumer-facing T+L Go club site,” she said.
Nearly 70,000 advisors have already signed up for T+L Go for Professionals, suggesting that the advisor community is excited about this new booking platform.
Travel + Leisure is one of the most powerful travel brands in the world and now, we want advisors to be able to harness its authority and trust among potential customers.
Itineraries will be inspired by the magazine’s aspirational editorial content and include elements such as hotels, flights, car rentals, curated tours and experiences that showcase the best of each destination.
“For example, a seven-day trip to Paris features hotel accommodations at Hotel Bourg Tibourg or Hotel Charles V and experiences such as a sidecar motorcycle tour, a private tour of the iconic Eiffel Tower, a patisserie class with a professional French chef, an evening city lights tour and more,” Lipka said. “Agents are also able to modify these recommendations to best fit their clients’ needs.”
The platform aims to be advisor friendly by allowing agents to modify recommendations and commission structures. According to Lipka, commission rates vary.
"Advisors can set their own commission and see those commissions live, using it as a powerful sales tool with their clients, in accordance with supplier -contracted rates, which may be higher or lower in some cases,” Lipka said.
One thing is certain: It’s clear that T+L sees the value of including travel professionals in the T+L Go booking process.
“This was the natural next step for us as we extend the T+L brand beyond inspiration and into the booking process,” Lipka said. “Travel + Leisure is one of the most powerful travel brands in the world and now, we want advisors to be able to harness its authority and trust among potential customers.”
Travel advisors interested in gaining access to T+L Go for Professionals can register with VAX VacationAccess by contacting goexperts@travelandleisure.com.
