TTAND Celebrates with 5th Annual Supplier Appreciation Event

The Travel Agent Next Door is staying true to its roots, founder Flemming Friisdahl told the crowd at their 5th annual supplier appreciation event in Toronto Wednesday night.

The company expects to close 2019 with $170 million in sales, of which 51% go to only 18 suppliers. Friisdahl says they’re getting a lot of knocks on the door from suppliers to join, but it’s not the right thing to do for everyone.

“My true belief is that we stay true to suppliers. Yes, the last few years we’ve been growing strong, and one day that might level out, but we’ll have stayed true throughout it all.”

The company’s sales volume has increased from $40 million in 2016 to $120m in 2018 and projected $170 million in 2019. Expected sales in 2020 will reach $220 million.

“We’re proud to say we’d be the first host agency to our knowledge, that has made over $200 million and that would be in less than 6 years and that’s pretty impressive, in my opinion.”

TTAND enjoyed the biggest growth in agents joining the industry at an 18% growth rate in primary agents in 2019 and a sales growth at almost 45%. In 2019 TTAND grew to 435 Primary and 365 Associate agents.

Part of that growth is likely attributed to their support programs for agents such as their successful New Agent Program which trains new entrants to the travel industry – 142 successful new travel agents have been launched by the program.

Other perks include the “MORE” agent commission plan which rewards agents who support preferred suppliers, the Credit Card Authorization, an industry first, which enables agents to send an electronic authorization form to their customers, ensuring all travel information is correct . There's also Interface Bookings which TTAND is proactively working hard to make sure an agent only has to touch a consumer’s information once, including booking with a supplier.

Friisdahl also recapped The Agency Solution which launched this year with industry veteran Louise Gardiner as VP, (also a TravelPulse Canada Women in Travel Feature). The program is expected to bring in new agencies with sales between $500k and $3 million.

TTAND’s annual National Conference will be held April 17 – 24, 2020 in Jamaica with an expected 220 agents attending. It is one of Canada’s only home based agent conferences that has only travel professionals in attendance, making it a win for the supplier and the agents.

The night also recapped the incredible difference TTAND conference has made for the charity they support, Pencil for Kids by raising $30,000 through agents and suppliers in donations and auction items. TravelPulse Canada EIC John Kirk told the crowd we would donate $1,000 to the cause this year and challenged other media to do the same.

“Everything we do is focused on three W’s – a win for the agent, a win for the supplier and a win for TTAND. That’s what’s really important, we’re partners for life," said Friisdahl.