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OYSTER BAY, NY (October 21, 2026): The top-performing agency owners affiliated with leading travel networks TRAVELSAVERS and NEST gathered aboard Sun Princess for their annual Elite Retreat, celebrating another year of strong sales success while sharing strategies, strengthening partnerships, and looking ahead to continued growth in 2027.
The October 10-17 retreat sailed from Barcelona to Rome, recognizing the accomplishments of the highest-producing agencies across the networks. Throughout the week, attendees exchanged insights on market trends, client demand, and growth opportunities, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that drives success across the TRAVELSAVERS and NEST community.
“Our leading agencies are saying that their 2027 business is off the charts,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, TRAVELSAVERS Chief Sales Officer and NEST President. “They’re seeing growth in lucrative niches such as luxury travel and group travel. They’re reporting that their clients are prioritizing spending on unique experiences in off-the-beaten path destinations, especially Europe.”
The optimism among advisors is reflected in recent survey findings. Sixty-five percent of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST advisors expect 2026 sales to increase compared to last year, while only three percent anticipate a significant decline. Momentum remains strong beyond peak travel periods as well, with 39% reporting year-over-year growth in shoulder-season bookings.
“While the Elite Retreat honors the exceptional achievements of our agencies, it also highlights the tremendous opportunities ahead,” said Wayne Spector, Senior Vice President, Sales and Service, TRAVELSAVERS and NEST. “This experience brings together some of the industry's most successful advisors to learn from one another, strengthen relationships, and return home inspired to create even more extraordinary travel experiences for their clients.”
During the Mediterranean voyage, attendees experienced several destinations generating interest among travelers today. Beyond Ibiza’s beaches, they viewed UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including its old town. In Marseille, the group explored the historic port and ventured into Provence, viewing landscapes that inspired Van Gogh and Picasso. On Corsica, attendees traced Napoleon’s legacy while soaking in nature and culture. In Genoa, advisors immersed themselves in its maritime heritage and visited the villages of Cinque Terre. The group found beautiful scenery, a historic town and cozy trattorias in La Spezia, the gateway to Tuscan cities such as Florence and Pisa.
Princess Cruises also treated the group to its immersive Spellbound experience, featuring world-class illusionists, themed environments with eclectic artifacts, and handcrafted theatrical cocktails.
Beyond the destinations, the Elite Retreat provided valuable opportunities for owners and preferred partners to deepen their relationships. Through one-on-one meetings, shared shore excursions, networking receptions in the Sun Princess’s spectacular Dome venue, and intimate dining experiences, attendees renewed long-standing connections and forged new ones. The gathering exemplified the supportive culture that sets TRAVELSAVERS and NEST apart, creating meaningful opportunities to learn from peers and collectively build on their success.
