About Us

Starting out, I didn’t anticipate that hosting independent contractors would be an important part of my travel agency. Eleven years later, however, in addition to the two branches of my thriving 8 employee agencies in Garland and Rowlett, Texas, I now have a “virtual office” with some 50 agents located as far away as Florida, New York, Washington and one in my hometown of Melbourne, Australia.

This agency was a member of Travel Leaders when I purchased it and I have strengthened that relationship which has important benefits for the outside agents we host. Over this period, this small company has been transformed by means of consolidation, relocation and the purchase of four additional agencies. Additional growth is attributed to a concentrated marketing campaign, promotions, better business practices, and recruitment of outside sales agents.

I’ve also built my business successfully by focusing on understanding my customers, having knowledgeable agents and providing good, dependable service. In this day and age, in addition to finding new customers, keeping the business you already have is paramount. I keep the all my agents informed so they can provide a great level of service. My travel professionals establish long-term, personal relationships with our clients by remembering their needs and preferences every time they provide a service.

• Our agency was selected by The Dallas Observer as the “Best Travel Agency in Dallas” and was included in their yearly list of the “Best of the Best”.
• We have been selected by Travel Leaders twelve six times to be a member of the Golden Circle Club as one of the top 20 producers for preferred vendors.
• We are top producers for Disney, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Funjet Vacations, MLT Vacations, and GoGo Vacations as well as many others.

My management style allows me to be very personable and to use either a persuasive style or a customer service focus when communicating with others. I tend to always view the “big picture” and keep that in mind in negotiations. My entrepreneurial traits tend to make me a nonconformist and to seek better ways to do things, often breaking from tradition and having to make quick decisions. However, I know that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

I am “hands on” owner; sell travel, do the IAR report, payroll, marketing, vendor relations etc etc. So I bring all the daily experiences from which to draw on when making business decisions and advising others.

Our network of outside agents is the jewel in our crown. It is viewed with envy by many other agencies and it is a side of our business that I intend to grow even further. Currently we have over 50 independent contractors working from home and we also provide ticketing for some other travel agencies.

If you are an experienced travel agent with demonstrable GDS skills in Sabre and would like to explore the possibility that we might be the perfect host agency for you, I invite you to contact me. I will be delighted to explain how this could be a winning relationship. I look forward to hearing from you.

Robbert van Bloemendaal
aussie@travelleaders.com
972-864-1441