Travel Leaders: Guiding Success in the Travel Industry

Travel Leaders is a premier travel agency franchise offering comprehensive services for both leisure and corporate travelers. Its origins trace back to 1888 with the establishment of Ask Mr. Foster in St. Augustine, Florida—North America's first travel agency chain.

Over the years, the company evolved through various mergers and acquisitions, culminating in the formation of the Travel Leaders franchise in 2008. Today, the franchise is headquartered at 3033 Campus Drive, Suite W320, Plymouth, Minnesota.

Travel Leaders began franchising in 1984, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to operate under a well-established brand. The franchise specializes in selling a wide array of travel services, including tours, cruises, and both escorted and independent travel options for individuals and groups.

With a network of over 5,700 travel agency locations across the United States and Canada, Travel Leaders leverages the strength of its parent company, Internova, to assist millions of travelers annually.

What sets Travel Leaders apart is its commitment to providing personalized, high-touch service with a local feel. Unlike larger competitors, Travel Leaders offers clients direct access to local agents, ensuring tailored travel experiences.

Training

Travel Leaders requires franchisees to participate in a variety of training programs designed to ensure they are equipped for success in the travel services industry. Here is a breakdown of the training offerings provided by the franchisor:

1. Initial Training and On-Site Orientation: New licensees must complete this within 90 days of signing the License Agreement. It includes an introductory session and an on-site orientation to familiarize licensees with operational expectations and service standards.
2. Training Seminars: Travel Leaders offers ongoing seminars on various essential topics including selling techniques, product knowledge, preferred supplier programs, management skills, yield management, and customer service.
3. Annual Franchise Convention: Although attendance is not mandatory, licensees are encouraged to attend the annual convention which rotates locations each year. Attendance may qualify participants for a rebate as outlined in the Operations Manual.
4. Mandatory Additional Training: The franchisor reserves the right to establish further compulsory training programs or meetings as needed.

Territory Protection

Travel Leaders does not offer its franchisees exclusive territory protection. According to the License Agreement, franchisees will not receive an exclusive area or territory for their operations. This means that franchisees may face competition from other Travel Leaders franchisees, company-owned locations, or even other distribution channels and brands controlled by the franchisor.

The franchisor and its affiliates retain broad rights to open and operate outlets under the Travel Leaders name or any other marks they own, regardless of existing franchisee locations.

They also have the freedom to distribute travel-related services and products via the internet or other alternative channels. These provisions indicate that franchisees must be prepared to compete within their geographic market even if they are part of the same network.