2025 sees new members, increase in trip spending, says Travel Leaders

Travel Leaders Network says it is ending the first quarter of 2025 with new members and an increase in average trip spending.

“Coming off our most successful year ever in 2024, I was eager to see how Travel Leaders would continue to perform in 2025,” said John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Network, in a press release. “What the first quarter showed us is that travel advisors continue to book travel, and that agencies are actively seeking out Travel Leaders to make more money.”

In Q1 2025, 64 new affiliate members joined Travel Leaders in the U.S. and six in Canada, the company said.

In aggregate, the new agencies that have joined represent more than $30 million (USD) in preferred supplier partner sales.

Additionally, one new associate (franchise) agency became part of Travel Leaders in Q1, with estimated revenues of $16 million (USD), said the company.  

On the learning and education side, 4,160 travel advisors participated in Travel Leaders’ virtual instructor-led training sessions.

In Q1 2025, 91 travel advisors met the Trusted Travel Advisor program’s stringent criteria, earning q prestigious badge.

Additionally, six exclusive mixers were hosted across Canada, reaching 390 members and 96 preferred supplier partners.

“Each mixer provides an excellent opportunity for suppliers to network with agents, build personal relationships, share new information and programs to grow their business and solicit ideas and feedback from members,” said Christine James, vice president of Travel Leaders Network in Canada.

Membership in Canada continues to be strong with a 97 per cent retention rate, the company said.

Meanwhile, Travel Leaders’ SNAP tool to book air, car and hotel for non-GDS users offered advisors end-to-end services to their clientele.

Since the launch of SNAP, more than 1,100 unique Travel Leaders Network member advisors have collectively booked over 7,300 flight tickets, generating an average commission rate of 4.4 per cent per ticket.

On the marketing and supplier partner side, Q1 produced many opportunities for members to experience and sell Travel Leaders’ partners, with the Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Alliance holding their annual summit at Palace Resorts in Cancun, a Travel Leaders-exclusive Baglioni Hotel key account summit in Rome and Venice and a post-ASTA River Cruise Expo charter with Avalon Waterways.

The Agent Profiler lead generation tool also continues to see significant increase in booking value. Compared to this time last year, the average booking made via an Agent Profiler lead rose from $6,500 USD to $10,655 USD.

“It’s been a busy time over the last several months,” Lovell said. “The team at Travel Leaders has done a tremendous job of bringing in new members and bringing current members exciting opportunities. We’re not slowing down and are continuing to innovate and make sure our Network is the best home for all types of travel agencies. It’s great to see that 2025 has continued the success of 2024, and we are looking forward to continuing serving our members well in the rest of the year.”

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