Above is the amazing all-female leadership team of our host agency Gifted Travel Network.
Kendall and I attended their annual conference last week, which came home to Charlotte for the first time in quite a while. The growth and strength of this network since they last hosted an event at the Ballantyne hotel in February 2020 is the strongest in the luxury segment of the industry, and is recognized as so within the wider Virtuoso network.
It is very important for us to attend these events for many reasons, just a few of which are explained below. In the simplest terms I can come up with, we network not only with our tour operators, hoteliers, cruise lines, airlines, transport companies and small local tour providers, but also within our own network and leaders. All this in order to achieve our aim of being better and better year after year.
1. Our Partners
One of the key advantages of trusting J5Travel to plan your trip is our strong partnerships with top on-site suppliers in the industry. While these relationships may not be as visible during the planning phase, their impact truly shines when you're traveling. We carefully choose partners who provide exceptional service and quality, and we value these relationships deeply. At the recent conference, we had the chance to reconnect with long-standing partners and meet new ones. Strengthening these bonds through personal connections enhances the experience we deliver to our clients.
2. Hills of Africa
To highlight just one of our absolute favorite partners, here I am with Sandy Salle, my good friend. She was born and raised in Zimbabwe and travels back to Africa each year. As the founder of Hills of Africa, her passion for her homeland is matched with her passion to make our clients experiences simply unforgettable.
I have personally traveled with Sandy 3 times and have visited South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Botswana. I can assure anyone contemplating visiting the continent, that your life will be changed for the better, because of the landscapes, because of the wildlife, and perhaps most of all because of the people.
3. Young & Gifted
We are incredibly proud of our young team at J5Travel, but it's no secret that the travel industry isn’t typically associated with younger professionals. That’s why we’re excited to have the support of our host agency, Gifted Travel Network, with their new initiative, the Young & Gifted. This program will support travel advisors aged 40 and under by organizing meet-ups, providing relevant content, and focusing on professional development. We're thrilled that five of our team members are part of this group, and so happy to be part of a community that listens and takes action when support is needed. After all, they are the future of the industry!
Pictured is Kendall with friend and fellow powerhouse in the industry, Sterling Wertanzl of Sterling Journeys.
4. Neen James
Named one of the Top 30 Leadership Speakers by Gloabl Guru for several years in a row, Neen gave us travel advisors in attendance a new perspective on how to connect and interact with our clients. Her strategies for paying more attention, are likely to create increased productivity but at the same time increased client satisfaction. She did this while making us laugh continuously and it genuinely was one of the best keynote speeches have ever witnessed.
5. What’s to Come?
The GTN conference not only enhanced the travel side of our business but also gave us valuable insights to strengthen J5Travel as a whole. Both John and Kendall left feeling extra inspired by many of the discussions, and we're eager to implement some new ideas in the coming months. Clients can expect an even more personalized approach to how we plan travel, as we aim to create meaningful connections to the destinations they visit—just as we feel a deep connection to our work every day. We love what we do and remain committed to delivering the highest quality experiences and service possible.
And one last photo of a travel icon and truly inspirational public speaker...this is John with Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of luxury small cruise line Azamara.
Ready to create unforgettable memories? Let us create a personalized travel experience that goes beyond your wildest dreams, making every moment extraordinary. With out network connections and relationships we are able to offer our clients more of the world in the most unique ways. Go see the world!
Hi, I'm John, and I'm told I have a cool accent. I absolutely love travel and I am proud to have built a team as passionate about exploring the world as myself. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.
