Ensemble Travel® Group, the international travel consortium, announced today that it is ready to start signing new members to its Australia and New Zealand travel network as of 31 March 2016. The global expansion comes after the organisation has invested time and resources adapting products and services that meet the unique needs of the Australia and New Zealand markets.

The Ensemble launch event, held at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday night, was a chance to bring their top industry partners together to kick off their campaign to sign new members to their travel network.

“We have an exceptional roster of preferred suppliers under contract and are ready to welcome members,” said Trish Shepherd, senior vice president and general manager of Ensemble in Australia and New Zealand.  “We are thrilled to have the support of so many premium suppliers to launch in this region – airlines, hotels, cruise, tour and land operators all delivering extraordinary benefits to our members,” she added. 

Ensemble has the backing of their extensive presence in North America, which Shepherd said helped to make direct inroads here.  “I think it speaks volumes about the quality of the Ensemble offering that so many regional suppliers are willing to work with us in these early days.” 

Travel agencies that join the Ensemble travel network will have access to a broad range of preferred supplier partnerships from around the globe. “The breadth and depth of our supplier program is extensive,” said Lindsay Pearlman, co-president of Ensemble Travel Group.  “Couple that with our strong relationships locally and globally, and we can deliver incredible value and real alternatives that drive sales and profits for our members.” 

A refreshing alternative

“Suppliers are liking the refreshing approach that our model provides for travel agents and suppliers alike,” according to Shepherd. Ensemble said that they place an emphasis on providing marketing support, business tools, reporting analytics and transparency in their supplier deals, which appeals to a broad mix of travel agencies.

“We definitely believe that our members' success is our only business – it's the reason that Ensemble exists. We are looking for members who are seeking a broader value proposition to achieve a higher level of success in their business,“ said Shepherd.

Ensemble's plan is to assemble top agency groups and independent owners in Australia and New Zealand that are forward thinkers.  For travel agency owners, that means transparency, business development consultancy and marketing know-how and support, with a focus on the individual agency's brand.

“Luxury agents, in particular, find our exclusive offerings and key supplier partnerships to be a good fit,” according to Pearlman.  “Our members trust us to deliver value to their business overall, as well as their bottom line.”

About Ensemble Travel® Group

Founded in 1968, Ensemble Travel® Group is a thriving member-owned organization of approximately 850 top-tier independent travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada, with new expanded international presence in Australia/New Zealand. With a membership that represents billions of dollars in travel sales each year, Ensemble Travel Group has achieved a 45+-year record of boosting members' profits and delivering high-volume sales to its preferred suppliers. To learn more about Ensemble Travel Group, call +61 2 8437 1144 in Australia, or visit www.joinensemble.com.au.