Travel Franchise Group Shifts Leadership

The Travel Franchise Group (TTFG), with more than 1,700 franchised locations under four brands, announced that two key members of its executive management team would shift into different roles within the company. Peter Thomson, who has served as vice president of Cruise Holidays since 2005, has been tapped to lead The Travel Franchise Group’s strategic initiatives. He will be focused on ensuring the franchisor’s leadership in the future of the travel agency industry, TTFG says. With Thomson’s move, Mark Schiffner will assume oversight of the Cruise Holidays brand in addition to his responsibilities for SeaMaster Cruises, which he has led since its creation in 2004.

“Our long-term vision requires The Travel Franchise Group to remain far ahead of the curve in continually reexamining the constantly evolving agency industry and then determining additional winning, forward-thinking strategies and concepts to meet agency owners’ needs,” said Roger E. Block, president of The Travel Franchise Group. “While today’s marketplace is seriously challenging the travel agency industry, The Travel Franchise Group is viewing this as an essential opportunity to shake things up in a very positive manner for an even wider array of agency owners seeking common sense solutions. By tapping Peter Thomson to spearhead our strategic initiatives, we envision attracting even more agencies into our franchise portfolio.

 “We plan to further cement our place as a cruise powerhouse,” Block explained. “Mark’s work within or around Cruise Holidays for 20 years ensures that he’ll provide vital leadership experience in his new role, enabling him to hit the ground running from day one. In addition, his nearly five years of experience at the helm of SeaMaster Cruises will offer a fresh and invigorating perspective to our vital network of Cruise Holidays agencies.”

In addition to helping develop and launch the SeaMaster Cruises home-based franchise operation, Schiffner played an integral role in the development of the Cruise Holidays organization, long before it was acquired by what is now The Travel Franchise Group. In 1989, a group including Schiffner became the Canadian Master Franchisee, charged with developing a successful Cruise Holidays program in Canada. After its 2001 acquisition by The Travel Franchise Group, Schiffner led the Cruise Holidays franchise development team.

The Travel Franchise Group is North America’s largest travel agency franchisor and part of Minneapolis-based Travel Acquisitions Group. The Travel Franchise Group serves millions of select corporate and leisure travelers through its four franchised brands. This includes Travel Leaders (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates), Cruise Holidays, Results! Travel and SeaMaster Cruises. Visit  www.cruiseholidays.com and www.seamastercruises.com.