Family Bonds Foundation Emphasizes the Strength of Community in Assisting Travel Professionals During Los Angeles Wildfire Crisis

Travel industry colleagues affected by California wildfires are encouraged to apply for assistance by January 17

 

Due to the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area the Family Bonds Foundation, Internova Travel Group’s charitable initiative, is extending the deadline to apply for the latest round of grants to Friday, January 17.

 

“With at least two dozen people killed, and thousands of homes and other buildings destroyed, we know that the need for assistance is immense,” said Jackie Friedman, Family Bonds Foundation President and President of Nexion Travel Group, part of Internova Travel Group. “We encourage anyone in the travel industry who was affected by the wildfires to apply for a grant that could help meet some of their immediate needs.”

 

Founded in 2015, the Family Bonds Foundation provides grants to travel industry colleagues facing hardships, from medical bills to natural disasters, ensuring that no one faces difficult times alone.

 

The Foundation has continued to grow, thanks to incredible support across the entire industry. In 2024, Internova Travel Group, its family of brands and travel suppliers raised a record-setting $650,000.

 

“The Family Bonds Foundation was created for emergency situations like the California wildfires,” Friedman added. “I’m grateful that thanks to the immense generosity of people in our industry, we are in a position to help.”

 

Internova Travel Group, one of the world’s largest travel services companies, gathers nominations from its network of travel advisors, preferred partners and supplier partners across the country, regardless of affiliation. The Foundation Board, made up of travel industry leaders, agency owners and supplier partners, as well as Internova Travel Group executives, reviews the nominations and awards the grants four times a year.

 

So far, more than 250 grants have been distributed to travel advisors, supplier partners and their local communities.

 

On a global scale, the Foundation has also played a crucial role, raising funds for significant causes including partnering with the Global Empowerment Mission to support Ukraine relief efforts and collaborating with the Sandals Foundation to raise funds for families impacted by Hurricane Beryl in Mexico and the Caribbean.

 

Everyone in the travel industry is encouraged to help the Foundation identify potential recipients. The next deadline for nominations is January 17. To nominate someone or to make a donation, go to familybondsfoundation.com.

 

About Internova Travel Group

 

Internova Travel Group is one of the largest travel services companies in the world with a collection of leading brands delivering high-touch, personal travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients. Internova manages leisure, business and franchise firms through a portfolio of distinctive divisions. Internova represents more than 100,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations predominantly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries.