Avoya Travel continues to solidify its position as a leading vacation platform company, achieving impressive sales figures and implementing innovative strategies to support its network of Independent Agencies (IAs). In 2023, Avoya Travel reported sales of $546 million, climbing to rank 26, a testament to its robust business model and commitment to excellence. With a dedicated team of 163 full-time and 6 part-time employees, Avoya Travel operates from its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, driving success through technology, service, and a strong focus on its partnerships.
Avoya Travel operates as a privately held company with majority shareholders including the Anderson family and Certares Management. At its core, Avoya Travel functions as a comprehensive vacation platform, delivering essential resources, services, and patented technology solutions. These offerings are designed to empower a wide array of industry players, from major cruise lines and tour operators to resorts and the extensive network of independent travel agencies within the Avoya ecosystem. Notably, Avoya collaborates with 1,674 Independent Contractors (ICs), and impressively, 100% of its sales are attributed to these hosted agents, underscoring the effectiveness of its network and support system. Avoya Travel’s sales are entirely leisure-focused, catering to the vacation desires of a broad clientele. The company also maintains strong industry affiliations as a member of the Travel Leaders Network, ASTA, CLIA, and IATA, reinforcing its credibility and standing within the travel sector.
2023 marked a year of significant advancements for Avoya Travel. The company strategically expanded its executive leadership team, injecting fresh perspectives and expertise to guide future growth. One of the standout initiatives was the launch of the Elite 100 program, a pioneering commission structure designed to reward top-performing agencies. This program offers high-achieving agencies the exceptional opportunity to earn 100% commission on bookings made with preferred partners, directly incentivizing and rewarding top performance within the Avoya Network. Technological innovation remained a key focus, with substantial enhancements implemented across Avoya Travel’s software suite. These improvements included refined live lead generation tools for agents, enhanced customer communication capabilities optimized for seamless transitions between desktop, phone, and tablet platforms, and significant updates to the Avoya booking app, ensuring direct connectivity to all major cruise brands. To further amplify its brand presence and value proposition, Avoya Travel launched “Leave it to the Experts,” a multi-channel brand campaign. This series of advertisements, strategically deployed across various digital channels, effectively highlights the ease and crucial benefits of utilizing a travel advisor, reinforcing the value that Avoya-affiliated agents bring to travelers.
Looking ahead, Avoya Travel is poised for continued growth and innovation. The company is actively developing a group-planning feature, aimed at streamlining the often-complex process of planning and booking group travel for both travelers and advisors. This feature will enhance the ability to manage multicabin bookings, catering to family groups, reunions, and other group travel segments. The relaunch of the Avoya Advantage program is also on the horizon, promising a multifaceted approach to deliver even greater value to travelers. This enhanced program will encompass group travel benefits, exclusive discounts, and perks designed to reward repeat customers, fostering loyalty and encouraging ongoing engagement with Avoya Travel. Expanding the reach of its successful Elite 100 program is another key strategic priority. Initially exclusive to members of the Avoya Network, the Elite 100 program is set to launch industry-wide, opening up its lucrative benefits to a broader spectrum of travel professionals. To further incentivize growth and foster long-term relationships, Avoya Travel is introducing new financial incentives specifically designed for independent agencies within its network, encouraging a focus on sustainable growth and repeat bookings. The Avoya Travel Academy is set for significant expansion, broadening its offerings through the incorporation of supplier sponsorships and the enrichment of its educational content. These enhancements are specifically aimed at improving the onboarding experience for new advisors entering the travel industry, providing them with robust training and resources from the outset. In 2023 alone, the academy welcomed over 1,000 participants, demonstrating its vital role in industry education. Website upgrades are also planned, with a focus on driving increased conversion rates and improving the online user experience for both agents and travelers interacting with the Avoya Travel platform. Avoya Travel remains committed to in-person engagement, continuing to prioritize events such as the Avoya Land Forum, the Million Dollar Showcase, and the highly anticipated annual Avoya Conference, which is projected to be its largest ever in September. Recognizing evolving industry needs, Avoya Travel is ramping up new air systems and technology for 2024, aligning with broader trends in travel technology and ensuring its agents have access to cutting-edge tools. Despite anticipated election-related market fluctuations, Avoya Travel expresses confidence, citing substantial investments in its support infrastructure. These investments are strategically aimed at maintaining and enhancing the unparalleled level of support provided to both travelers and the independent agencies within the Avoya Network, reinforcing Avoya Travel’s commitment to excellence and sustained success in the competitive travel industry.
