The Travel Group welcomes new owners—rooted in Vancouver, focused on the future

After nearly four decades as a cornerstone of Vancouver’s travel industry, The Travel Group is entering a new era.

The agency has officially transitioned to new ownership under long-time team members McKenzie McMillan, Colleen Maxwell, and Laura Mezzacapo, marking a meaningful passing of the torch from the company's founders to the people who helped build the business from within.

Based in Vancouver, The Travel Group’s new ownership team brings a combined 60 years of experience at the agency.

McMillan, a luxury travel advisor, has been with the company for 10 years and focuses primarily on the premium and luxury market.

Maxwell and Mezzacapo—whose tenures span 20 and 30 years respectively—have long been the operational backbone of the agency, overseeing operations and back-office management and playing an instrumental role in its sustained success.

Adding another layer of connection, all three owners are Vancouver born and raised—a detail that speaks to their shared roots and long-term commitment to the community.

Succession planning

The Travel Group’s story began in 1987, when it was founded by David Elmy, Shirley Jackman, Margaret Taylor, and Jacqueline Jamieson.

“For the past 38 years, David Elmy and Cathy Moore have successfully navigated the ever-changing landscape of the travel industry, building and sustaining a healthy, and successful agency into the 21st century,” McMillan tells PAX.

A pivotal moment came in 2020 when the agency merged with Infinity Travel Concepts, which greatly grew their IC roster, expanding their service and reach.

This latest transition to new ownership was driven by thoughtful succession planning rather than disruption.

“David and Cathy decided that now was the perfect time to retire, and with that, wanted to ensure that the agency passed into the hands of owners who were committed to building upon the successful business that they have grown over the past four decades,” says McMillan.

For clients and partners, that intention is key: this is not a reinvention, but a continuation.

Where corporate precision meets luxury 

Over the years, The Travel Group has earned a strong reputation across multiple sectors.

“Since its inception, The Travel Group has been a leader in corporate travel planning, with a focus on the tech industry, as well as entertainment and sports,” says McMillan.

“However, in recent years, the agency’s core business has evolved to focus on premium and luxury leisure travel services, while retaining their original corporate travel roots.”

The agency also stands out for its niche expertise. “We also have agents that specialize in organizing group tours for women travelling alone under our ‘Women with Wings’ division, and have an agent who specializes in the South Pacific, earning her the title of ‘Top Third Seller of Tahiti in North America,’” says McMillan.

Under new ownership, clients and suppliers can expect stability.

“We’re committed to retaining the same values and goals that have guided the agency over the past 38 years, and will continue to grow upon the success that David and Cathy created,” says McMillan. “Clients and suppliers should not expect any changes moving forward.”

The priorities are also clear and strategic. 

“Our main priority is to grow our roster of independent contractors, to first and foremost help with our increase of business post-pandemic, but to also help grow our client base, and expand The Travel Group’s reach, and services,” says McMillan.

The dream team

On a personal level, the acquisition, for McMillan, has been both rewarding and eye-opening.

“While the process has been very cordial, there definitely is a lot that goes into acquiring a company, no matter the size,” he says. “The process has been much longer than I think any of us originally expected, but at the same time, that extra time also provided me with a much better understanding of the inner workings, and what goes into running an agency.”

That deeper exposure proved invaluable. “I think the technical side of this has provided a lot more insight into the job ahead than I expected,” he says.

The strength of the new ownership team lies in its complementary experience.

“Obviously my experience within the industry has helped to shape expectations moving forward,” says McMillan. “One of the best aspects of our partnership is that each of us came up through the agency in very different, yet equally critical roles. That experience ensures that when challenges arise—whether related to travel, finance, or day-to-day operations—there is always someone at the table with the expertise to address them.”

“We each have our own set of expertise to help the agency grow and remain successful.”

What excites McMillan most? “Being able to shape a company’s future, but also to be able to create a space that can foster growth with new agents, and help our current team reach their goals,” he says.

That vision extends well beyond Vancouver, while remaining true to the agency’s personality.

“Our long-term vision is to grow our IC roster, potentially outside of the South Coast of B.C., but to also ensure we retain the local and personable vibes that our clients have come to expect,” he says.

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