If you ask Lindsay Pearlman, President of Travel Leaders Network, how the consortium is able to manage its way through what seems to be an ever-changing marketplace, he’ll tell you that: “Our job is to adapt no matter what. The best thing any company can do is to listen to their customers, and we have a variety of member advisory boards (for both Canada and the U.S.) where we hear exactly what we need to be doing.”
And he’ll also remind you that: “Change is scary, and I remember everyone predicting that the internet would make travel agencies obsolete. Not so much. I genuinely believe the same with AI. Travellers will use it to dream and get ideas, but when it comes to actually entrusting a vacation to a chatbot? That’s where a travel agent shines.”
Yet when you ask Pearlman the simple question: How’s business? He responds: “People seem to have an unquenchable thirst for travel, and cruising (ocean and river) is an especially bright spot. And of course, Canadians and fun and sun are a match made in heaven, even with the issues in Cuba. Every segment is doing well overall, which makes me very happy.”
For the full story, check out the Aug. 3 issue of Canadian Travel Press.
Tags: Lindsay Pearlman, Travel Leaders Network
