Travel + Leisure Reveals List of Top Travel Agents

A new crop of travel advisors have been named on Travel + Leisure’s A-List, a designation of the best agents in the business. For the 17^th edition, 117 agents and tour operators received the honor.

This year’s list includes experts in destinations to those who specialize in special interests like golf and honeymoons, and experts in popular types of trips, including cruises and safaris.

“Not only do these professionals eliminate the stress of planning by dealing with all of the details (visa requirements, bookings, etc.),” the magazine said, “but they also provide incredible insight and unparalleled access that gives you value you couldn’t get any other way.”

As Travel Market Report noted earlier this year, Travel + Leisure began requiring a $4,000 a year payment for agents wanting to be included, citing the expense in researching the list, from going through applications to interviewing customers of the agents and the agents themselves.

Getting on the roster includes a special listing for agents on the Travel + Leisure website, along with social media promotion, and placement in Travel + Leisure’s print edition. Through a new search tool, readers can enter trip parameters — location, interests, budget — to locate the right advisor for their needs.

According to Travel + Leisure, the list was created after receiving input from industry experts, including the magazine’s Travel Advisory Board, from hundreds of applicants. Once Travel + Leisure selects the list, each advisor is invited to join a membership program, which covers the cost of a range of benefits designed to connect A-listers to readers, including a profile in a searchable database on TravelandLeisure.com.

The list is featured on Travel + Leisure’s website and in the September issue.