TORONTO — The Travel Agent Next Door is not only signing up new agents at a rapid rate following a very successful launch last month, the group has been busy signing agreements with key suppliers that fit the group’s strategy for its agents, according to the organization.

“We are very pleased with the response to the launch of our business,” said Flemming Friisdahl, founder, The Travel Agent Next Door. “Suppliers have been very receptive to our business model and we are very pleased to announce the first group of suppliers we will be working with and supporting through our network.”

The Travel Agent Next Door will have 32 preferred and approved suppliers. The following is the first group being announced today: Transat Holidays/Nolitours, Kensington Tours, Exotik Tours, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, Viking River Cruise Lines, Trafalgar Tours, Holiday House and Air Canada Vacations.

Friisdahl said suppliers have been impressed by The Travel Agent Next Door’s unique approach to agent compensation, which assures suppliers support from their agents. “Our agents will be focused on our preferred and approved suppliers like no other group,” said Friisdahl. “They are motivated in every way to support them.

“Our supplier list is further augmented by our affiliation with TRAVELSAVERS and the Affluent Traveler Collection,” said Friisdahl. “While our agents are highly motivated to sell our preferred and approved suppliers, we recognize that in order to satisfy their customers on occasion, our agents need access to a wide range of suppliers and the TRAVELSAVERS and the Affluent Traveler Collection arrangement makes this possible.”

Today’s list is by no means a reflection of the final supplier lineup for The Travel Agent Next Door, he said. A further group of suppliers have already signed and will be announced very soon.

The Travel Agent Next Door was created to fully support the home-based travel agent.

Friisdahl said the program offers member agents benefits and opportunities that are unmatched by any other home based group in Canada. Through an affiliation with TRAVELSAVERS and the Affluent Traveler Collection, The Travel Agent Next Door has access to a broad range of programs. The company has a head office in downtown Toronto and a branch office in Vancouver with ACTA, TICO, CLIA and IATA designations. To contact The Travel Agent Next Door, visit thetravelagentnextdoor.ca or call 416-367-TAND (8263).