Protravel International has selected Patrick Fragale, a travel industry veteran with more than 30 years of leadership experience, as its new president. He’ll start in the new job August 4, reporting to Barry Liben, Protravel’s CEO.
Fragale most recently served as president and chief operating officer for Direct Travel. He succeeds Priscilla Alexander, Protravel’s former president, who recently retired after a long, illustrious career with the agency she founded in 1984. Agents may read Travel Agent’s recent story about Alexander's retirement here: www.travelagentcentral.com/consortia/protravels-priscilla-alexander-retires-44292
Headquartered in New York, Protravel has 800 employees and is a recognized leader in corporate and luxury travel with annual sales of more than $870 million. It's been a Travel Leaders Group company since late 2012, when it was merged with Tzell Travel: www.travelagentcentral.com/consortia/tzell-protravel-merger-closes-38260
Liben announced Fragale’s selection to Protravel employees and agents on Monday. “Protravel’s entire leadership team agrees that we’ve found the perfect leader in Pat to serve as Protravel’s new President,” he noted. “What made Pat an ideal candidate for us were his undeniable strengths. They include fostering teamwork, developing companies through organic growth and the recruitment of new business opportunities – all essential ingredients for success within all Protravel leaders.”
Liben also cited Fragale’s experience in transforming Direct Travel into an organization that the entire industry is watching, noting that's “not unlike our own.” Fragale led Direct Travel from 1999 through last year.
That experience and high level of knowledge should serve Protravel well, according to Liben. He says not only will Fragale help Protravel maintain its enviable position among travel agencies but that Fragale will further propel the entire organization forward into the future.
“Given Protravel’s sterling reputation as the industry’s most respected luxury-oriented travel agency, I’m truly humbled and honored to be asked to take the reins of this distinguished company,” Fragale said. “With the excellent foundation we have in Protravel’s extraordinary employees and agents, I’m particularly thrilled to collaborate with them in taking this company and its valued clientele into a future that is brimming with promise.”
Today, Protravel operates 18 branch locations throughout the United States and London. It's also developed a network of hosted agents throughout the U.S. The organization recently hosted a gala to honor top sales performers: www.travelagentcentral.com/consortia/protravel-honor-andy-pesky-and-other-agents-gala-45630
Prior to his role with Direct Travel, Fragale held such hospitality positions as general manager and vice president of operations for a collection of premium hotels and specialty restaurants including the Marriott, Renaissance and Sheraton brands.
Fragale has served as a member of various advisory boards and panels within the travel industry, including Continental Airlines (now United Airlines), Delta Air Lines and Travelport.
He's also served on the boards of the Maryland Hotel/Motel Association, Morgan State University Hospitality Program, Southwest Academy of Tour Travel and Hospitality, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). He was once the Chairman of the Baltimore Hotel Council.
Visit www.protravelinc.com.