Delray Beach, Fla. (September 3, 2024) — InteleTravel, the global distribution group built on the longtime host agency, has announced that its hosted network of travel advisors sold $900 million as of the halfway point in 2024, surpassing the full-year sales for 2023. The agency is on track to exceed its initial sales goal of $1.1 billion this year and is now projecting more than 40% year-over-year growth.
Sixty-six percent of the reported are land-based, increasing by five percent compared to year-end 2023. The remaining 34% of sales are cruise sales, which is still a 35% increase compared to year-end 2023.
“We projected conservatively for 2024, expecting a leveling off after the post-pandemic boom years, and also considered inflation and geopolitical factors,” said James Ferrara, president and co-founder of InteleTravel. “InteleTravel has not experienced that at all. Instead, we are tracking well ahead of our initial projections, which we attribute to the customer loyalty inherent in the independent advisor model, innovative training events, marketing strategies, and responsive product development with preferred suppliers.”
Premium and luxury cruises are among the primary industries supporting InteleTravel’s growth. With nearly $200 million in cruise sales as of June 30, luxury cruise sales have increased by 44% year-over-year. InteleTravel offers luxury sales education programs to advisors, including webinars, partner campaigns, and even in-person events with participating luxury travel suppliers and expert speakers. With advanced education and expertise, advisors can help travelers increasingly interested in luxury cruise lines and experiences.
InteleTravel advisors have also reported an uptick in European vacations compared to last year. With an influx of international events, such as the recently completed Paris Olympics, travelers continue to be interested in European travel, regardless of pricing, crowds and overtourism protests that could have deterred them.
“InteleTravel has surpassed initial projections, and we’ve already exceeded 2023 year-end sales as of the end of the second quarter,” said Dave Spinelli, senior vice president of industry relations for InteleTravel. “While InteleTravel continues to experience extreme growth, the industry has reportedly experienced a slowdown. In peer comparisons, top brand partners have confirmed that we significantly outperform the market.”
Increasing sales not reflected across the industry
Opposing InteleTravel’s reporting, the industry is reporting lower numbers compared to the same time last year, possibly due to a return to normalcy in the marketplace. The idea of ‘revenge travel’ post-COVID has phased out, and while demand remains high for many, the pent-up demand is causing numbers to slow a little. Travelers want to go on more intentional vacations instead of booking multiple trips throughout the year.
Strategic acquisitions expand opportunities for advisors
Since 2023, InteleTravel has acquired the corporate-travel consortium Hickory Global Partners, a leading meetings and events company, MGME, and, most recently, Major Travel, a UK-based tour operator. While current travel sales are reported through InteleTravel's host agency unit only, these acquisitions demonstrate significant expansion and a broader integrated business strategy that benefits advisors and their clients beyond just leisure travel.
While the company plans to keep growing across different sectors, supporting its more than 100,000 travel agents in becoming experts and growing their companies remains a top priority. The recent acquisitions will provide expanded opportunities and benefits to advisors in corporate and business travel, MICE, and, in the case of Major Travel, the development of products and white-label packages based on advisor needs.
Since the start of 2024, InteleTravel has aimed to promote a more modern and cohesive market blend and is beginning to integrate product control vertically. This means that regardless of an agent's focus—leisure or business travel—they can utilize resources from all aspects of the company. InteleTravel has also advanced its technology, including integrating AI, optimizing business processes and data reporting, introducing an automated rewards platform, and mobile apps for advisors to book and access management tools for their individual agency businesses.
About InteleTravel
Established in 1991, InteleTravel is a global integrated travel distribution enterprise with over 100,000 independent travel advisors worldwide, as well as Hickory Global Partners, the corporate travel alliance, and MGME, a leading meetings and events agency. InteleTravel is recognized by every major travel supplier and is the top retailer for many brands. Throughout its over 30-year history, InteleTravel has become known for its leadership in travel sales, robust preferred supplier relationships, groundbreaking agent education programs, and innovative travel technology. For more information, visit www.InteleTravel.com.
