Both the Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group brands will remain despite the merger of the two agency powerhouses, part of parent company Internova Travel Group's ongoing reorganization. The combined division will be a member of Virtuoso.
Internova, No. 7 on Travel Weekly's 2020 Power List and formerly known as Travel Leaders Group, announced in May that subsidiaries Protravel and Tzell would become a single division. Also falling under that division are Internova's other premium and luxury brands: Andrew Harper, In the Know Experiences and All Star Travel Group. The division's name is expected to be announced by Oct. 1. It is part of the company's overall reorganization.
Angie Licea
On Tuesday, Internova revealed new details of the consolidation of Tzell and Protravel to advisors via a virtual meeting with Angie Licea, president of Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group.
Advisors can choose whether they use the Tzell or Protravel brand.
While Tzell was a member of Signature Travel Network, the new division will align itself with Virtuoso, Protravel's legacy consortium.
Becky Powell, formerly the president of Protravel and now the chief strategy officer for Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group, said the decision was "tough." But Virtuoso ultimately won because of its ability to serve the division's operation in London, which also includes luxury leisure agency Colletts Travel.
Becky Powell
The new division is led by Licea, previously senior vice president and general manager of strategic partnerships at Travel Leaders Group.
Her leadership team is made up of COO Michele Capaccio, who was formerly COO of Protravel International; Don Jones, chief marketing officer, previously senior vice president of Protravel and Tzell's West Coast operations; Jason Oshiokpekhai, managing director of the U.K., whose title is unchanged; Powell; Cindy Schlansky, chief development officer; and Monty Swaney, chief business officer. Schlansky and Swaney were previously co-presidents of Tzell.
"While our decision to bring these two powerhouse companies together was not related to the pandemic, with the new structure, we will be well prepared to respond to the changing travel landscape," Licea said in a statement.