~Consolidation and Cross-Training Has Created ‘Dream Team’ of Travel Pros Better Prepared to Serve Agents Catering to Travel’s First Returners, the Affluent Market~
Cypress, Calif., Sept. 7, 2020 – Iconic hospitality company The Travel Corporation (TTC), announces the restructuring of its American sales force representing its premium and luxury brands under a single entity, The Velvet Collection. Including Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and African Travel, The Velvet Collection sales team offers one comprehensive resource of knowledgeable, highly skilled and cross-trained TTC professionals across its premium brands to serve the agent community.
“We have created a dream team,” said TTC spokesperson Ellen Bettridge, Global CEO of Uniworld. “As an organization, we continually evaluate our business processes to ensure that we are delivering the best solutions and assistance to our partners and guests. TTC is driven by service and that’s exactly the point of our new Velvet Collection sales team. We want to be ready to better serve agents catering to travel’s first returners: affluent market customers who are looking for perfectly planned, authentic experiences across the globe,” she added.
According to Bettridge, The Velvet Collection team will mirror the way travel advisors serve their customers, leveraging consultative selling processes to offer real-time solutions to their travel concerns across travel products, experiences and destinations. “It’s about relationship building and delivering outstanding service across the travel spectrum from river cruising and guided vacations to luxury hotels stays and custom safari experiences. By optimizing information, we will become a single source of helping our travel partners deliver the very best now and into the future,” said Bettridge.
The new sales organization will divide the United States into two distinct regions—east coast and west coast and will roll-up under TTC brand heads Ellen Bettridge of Uniworld, Jonathan Raggett, Global CEO of Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Jon Grutnzer, President of Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold and Sherwin Banda, President of African Travel.
Grutzner notes that the new structure is built upon synergies across TTC – from best-in-class training technology, unified SalesForce accounts and a CSP-sales methodology that promotes long-term customer relationships. “Our travel partners can expect a seamless transition as we take advantage of tremendous talent and shared resources across The Travel Corporation,” said Grutzner.
Says Bettridge, “The Velvet Collection sales team is the very best because our partners deserve the best. They are passionate, innovative and supremely prepared to meet the challenges ahead. As we continue to celebrate the 100th anniversary of TTC during this unexpected year, we are confident. The next 100 years will be amazing!”
About The Travel Corporation:
The Travel Corporation (TTC) is a highly successful stable, and solvent family-owned and passionately run international group of 40 award-winning brands, celebrating our first 100th Anniversary this year. Our exceptional portfolio of brands spans across 70 countries and offers an extensive selection of international travel and tourism companies, encompassing a variety of guided travel experiences, independent holiday packages, boutique river cruising, luxury hotels and safaris. We are committed to consistently delivering outstanding service, experiences and value to each and every one of our guests and we do so through continuous innovation. Beyond our commitment to provide the world’s leading holiday experiences, TTC reassures travelers in these uncertain times that their future travels are safe with us. The financial strength and future longevity of the business is backed by the transparent exposure of the companies Red Carnation Hotels unencumbered fixed assets in excess of US$300,000,000 as of December 31, 2019. For more information, please visit TTC.com or follow us on Twitter and Instagram (insert regional link) while using our hashtags #TravelWithTTC and #MakeTravelMatter.
About The TreadRight Foundation:
TreadRight is a joint not-for-profit initiative established by The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands. TreadRight sets the direction on sustainability for 40 award-winning brands, in addition to overseeing our TreadRight Foundation. The organization’s singular mission is to #MakeTravelMatter through brand operations, and by providing support to community-based projects worldwide that safeguard the planet, people and wildlife. To date, the foundation has supported 55+ sustainable tourism projects in 280+ communities worldwide, based on priorities set by the TreadRight Steering Committee. Past project partners include WWF, Conservation International, WildAid and The National Trust in the UK, while current initiatives include WE.org, Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School, Wilderness Foundation Africa and Wildlife SOS. TreadRight also works with inspiring ambassadors who have a passion for sustainable travel, to support its voice within the sustainable travel community. These ambassadors include Céline Cousteau (‘Planet’ Ambassador), Sarain Fox (‘People’ Ambassador), Ami Vitale (‘Wildlife’ Ambassador) and Costas Christ. To learn more about past and current work at TreadRight, please visit treadright.org and follow TreadRight on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using our hashtag #MakeTravelMatter. We will make travel matter – for our planet, for people and for wildlife. We have taken the pledge, now we invite you to join us.