Travel Leaders Executive Team Says Industry Momentum Continues to Build
by John KirkSenior management for Travel Leaders Network were in Toronto yesterday for its winter media briefing, and TMR Canada took the opportunity to speak one on one with Lindsay Pearlman, the recently appointed President for North America’s largest network of travel agents.
“Momentum across the travel industry continues to build, driven by shifting traveller expectations and a renewed focus on value over simple cost savings,” Pearlman said during the event.
“Today’s travellers are seeking meaningful, strategic, and experiential journeys — an evolution reflected in strong industry growth, with global travel spending reaching $5 trillion in 2024 and projected to climb to $15 trillion by 2040.”
The leadership team stressed how advisors remain central to the company’s growth. Industry-wide, 58% of advisors’ clients now earn six figures, while solo travel continues to rise, representing between 18% and 39% of travellers. Both cruising and land-based travel posted solid gains in 2025. In Canada, cruise revenue increased by 13%, while land travel grew by 9%. Early indicators for 2026 point to even stronger performance, particularly in FIT and touring, already up 30%.
Against this backdrop, network expansion continues for Travel Leaders, with 36 new Canadian affiliates and 264 new affiliates in the U.S. The network now represents more than 6,000 agencies and over 100,000 frontline selling advisors. More insight into what’s driving advisor engagement — and where opportunities lie ahead — can be found in our full video interview with Pearlman.
