(42 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Ted Blank

Woodbury, MN
Tailor-Made Journeys

You understand that extraordinary vacations aren’t simply a function of dollars and cents, and you know that they certainly aren’t just pulled off the shelf. 

Journeys of a lifetime are carefully designed with imagination, creativity, atten...
Learn more about me.

Group Travel Experiences for Small Businesses

Group travel is a great tool for small businesses!
Group travel is a great tool for small businesses!

Small and medium-sized business owners tend to think of travel in terms of their next business trip, or the dream vacation that they simply can’t find the time to take. This can be frustrating, as it can sometimes seem like everyone else is taking fantastic vacations, and you’re stuck at home minding the shop, literally or figuratively.


Savvy business owners in today's experience economy, however, take a different approach to travel, and are starting to incorporate small group travel into the menu of products and services offered to their customers. They view small group travel as a way to add a new revenue stream to their business, create raving fans among their best customers, and to stand out from the competition. More than a vacation, travel is a vehicle to address some common business challenges.  


What? Travel as a revenue stream for my business?


Let’s start with some background information.


Increasingly, affluent Americans are traveling overseas. In fact, according to the National Travel & Tourism Office, 2017 represented a record year for international travel by Americans, and 2018 looks to surpass it.


What does this mean for your small or medium-sized business?


Put simply, your small to medium-sized business is well positioned to leverage the international travel trend. Your customers – and especially your best customers – travel. A lot. Across the country, small and medium-sized businesses are leveraging this trend by incorporating group travel into the mix of products and services they offer to their customers.


Why?



  • Because small group travel can positively impact your business’ bottom line, boost its brand, and create genuine community around your business:

  • Build a new revenue stream created by sharing in the revenue generated by the trip

  • Create an intimate bond with customers – travel creates experiences and bonds that quite simply cannot be replicated in your place of business…let alone online·   

  • Develop high visibility and differentiation in the marketplace – your business will stand out from the competition which isn’t pursuing this creative approach


And of course, there are perks for the business owner or staff member who serves as a group leader, including the opportunity to travel at little cost. Your customers will also enjoy privileged access, added perks, and VIP status as they travel with you, further enhancing your business’ reputation. You get to travel, you get to address some important business challenges, and you will make money in the process – I’d say that’s the very definition of a win-win!


Let me explain how this works.


We’ll work together to choose a group trip that closely aligns with your business and brand goals. Then, I’ll provide the tools to promote the trip to your customer base. You’ll quickly find, though, that you already have many of these tools, like an e-Newsletter, social media channels, special events, or a loyalty program. For a successful business with a good base of loyal customers, filling your group is quick and easy.


Don’t worry that a trip like this can be a distraction away from your real job – running your business. You have the power of our award-winning Travel Leaders agency behind you, so you can rest assured that we’ve got your back will take care of all the details and logistics.


On the trip, your customers will build deep and long-lasting relationships with you and your brand, as well as enjoying a fantastic travel experience. After the trip, you will share in the revenue generated, creating a new profit center for your business. Even better – travel can be the gift that keeps giving, as successful groups often travel annually. 


Have I sparked your curiosity? Would you like to learn more about how small group travel can become a new revenue source for your business, while simultaneously giving you the flexibility to travel yourself? Please contact me at (651) 964-8245 or ted@tvlleaders.com, and we’ll find a time to chat over a cup of coffee or glass of wine and, together, explore the opportunities to leverage travel in your business.

My Travel Albums

Croatian Coastal Cruise
Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo
Alaska Inside Passage and Denali
Totem Pole Museum in Ketchikan
Rhine River Cruise
The Canals of Amsterdam
Barging in Burgundy
Hotel barge Luciolle on the Canal du Nivernais
Exploring Southern France by Luxury Barge
Comfortable accommodations on a French hotel barge
Rollin' on the River with UnCruise Adventures
Deluxe cabin on UnCruise Adventures' SS Legacy
Views of Portugal
Alcobaca Monastery in Portugal
A Day in Strasbourg, France
Cathedral of Notre Dame de Strasbourg
Five Surprises on an Alaskan Cruise
There's lots of wildlife in Alaska!
On the Trail of Michelangelo in Rome, Italy
The Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Rome, Italy
Luxury Ranch Resort in the Texas Hill Country
Views of the Texas Hill Country from the Pool
Discover Greece by Luxury Cruise
The Temple of Apollo at Delphi

My Reviews

139 of 218 people found this review helpful
Un-Belizeable Vacation!
Ted listened to what we wanted in a vacation and gave us a few options to choose from with different price points to meet our needs.

Our trip and itinerary was laid out perfectly . Everything went smooth and we had a very relaxing get away without any worries. Ted thought of everything. The resorts were fabulous, our excursions were personal - no big crowds and our experience was priceless.

As a seasoned traveler himself, Ted knows the ins and outs of how to get an exceptional vacation that is worth every penny.

I am a believer that you get what you pay for and I will not take another vacation without Ted's assistance.

If you are planning a vacation, contact Ted. You will be glad you did!

By  Jenny V.  from  Forest Lake, MN
Traveled to  Belize ~ Central America
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a pleasure to help you plan your trip, and I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time!

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75 of 121 people found this review helpful
An amazing scenic and gastronomic experience
I’d give him more stars if it was possible. Ted has the unusual combination of being detail oriented as well as an easy going unflappable personality. The best travel pro we have worked with in years! On our AmaWatwrways cruise from Amsterdam to Basel Switzerland everything was about as perfect as possible. We had a wonderful cruise manager who ensured everyone had an amazing experience! And the food was like eating in a five star restaurant every night.
By  Tim&Nan  from  Edina, MN
Traveled to  Basel ~ Switzerland ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a pleasure to work with you, and I'm grateful that you enjoyed the river cruise as well as the Swiss adventure!

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82 of 136 people found this review helpful
So much fun we didn't want to come home!
Ted was always proactive and on top of everything. He willingly and ably met our every travel request finding us great hotels, transfers, rail tickets, guides and air fares.
By  Rebecca  from  Ft Collins, CO
Traveled to  Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a delight to work with you, and I look forward to helping with your next voyage!

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62 of 97 people found this review helpful
Great Adventure Down Under
Ted was very responsive to our requests for a trip to New Zealand and Australia that included 8 flights, a car rental, and numerous hotels. The itinerary packet we received from Ted before we left was comprehensive and invaluable to make our adventure run smoothly. Everything went off without a hitch which is unusual with a complicated trip so far away from home. New Zealand is stunningly beautiful and our Australian visit included adventurous scuba diving and a home visit in the Outback. Ted helped us make it happen.
By  Karen  from  Fergus Falls
Traveled to  New Zealand ~ Australia & New Zealand
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a pleasure to help you plan your trip, and I'm glad you had such a great time!

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113 of 199 people found this review helpful
Ted made our trip happen!
We were referred to Ted through friends. Initially, I was nervous to reach out to Ted because I've never worked with a travel agent before. He was easy to reach and very friendly. He made our fears of traveling disappear! He met with us several times to go over details and help us plan our time in each country or city that we would be in! He made our trip that we dreamed about, a reality! Btw we traveled all of Ireland and Northern Ireland, London and Paris!
By  Kayla  from  Lindstrom, MN
Traveled to  Ireland ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a pleasure working with you, and I look forward to helping you plan your next overseas trip!

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Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Europe
  • France
  • Italy
  • Alaska
  • England

Travel Specialist:

  • Groups
  • River Cruises
  • Luxury Cruises
  • Bespoke Travel
  • Culinary & Foodie

Top Travel Partners:

  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Silversea
  • Crystal
  • Seabourn
  • Cunard®

Certifications/Awards:

  • ILTM Cannes Hosted Advisor
  • CruiseWorld Hosted Advisor
  • Luxury Travel Advisor's Ultra Summit Hosted
  • Princess Cruises Commodore
  • Sandals Resorts Certified Specialist

Languages I Speak:

  • English
  • French

Industry Affiliations:

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