Travel Planners International (No. 31 on Travel Weekly's 2023 Power List) is starting an agency franchisor, Vacation Planners, with Jenn Lee at the helm.
Vacation Planners will operate as a new brand separate from the host agency.
Jenn Lee
Lee is transitioning from her role as TPI's vice president of industry engagement and support to president of Vacation Planners.
Vacation Planners joins a relatively small field of travel agency franchisors. They include Dream Vacations/CruiseOne, Cruise Planners, Travel Leaders and Expedia Cruises.
TPI co-owner and president Ken Gagliano said, "We firmly believe that Vacation Planners will set a new standard in the travel franchise arena and look forward to witnessing its profound impact on the industry."
Lee said Vacation Planners will benefit from TPI's size. While Vacation Planners will operate as a separate entity, franchisees will sell under TPI's IATA number. That will give them access to higher commission tiers with preferred suppliers.
Lee is targeting advisors who want to work on their agency full time.
"We're looking for the next two generations of travel agency owners that come in understanding this is a business," she said.
Applications for Vacation Planners franchises will likely open in this year's third quarter. Interested advisors can sign up for a wait list online. More details are expected in the coming months.
As Lee moves to Vacation Planners, TPI has named Dave Meihoefer vice president of sales and engagement.
Meihoefer, who has more than two decades of experience in the industry, joins TPI from Celebrity Cruises, where he was a key account manager for 10 years.