Travel Professionals International

What Travel Professionals International does

Travel Professionals International (TPI), operating through its legal entity IAS-Independent Agency Services Corp, is a Canadian host agency network founded in 1994 by Morris Chia and headquartered in Winnipeg, with regional offices in Oakville (Ontario) and Langley (British Columbia). TPI serves 930+ independent travel advisors across Canada — including new-to-industry entrants, experienced storefront agents, and established agencies seeking to retain their own brand — by providing the back-office infrastructure, supplier access, and technology that independent advisors and small agencies would otherwise have to build themselves. Its technology stack centers on the proprietary Lynx Portal as the unified access point, augmented by Sabre GDS for booking, ClientBase CRM for client and invoice management, Lynx Marketing for one-click multi-channel content distribution, and an optional consumer-facing booking engine. Support services include a 35-hour TPI Academy onboarding program, accounting with twice-monthly payments, regulatory licensing support (TICO, CPBC, IATA), 24/7 helpdesk access, and Virtuoso membership access to 1,700 preferred partners.

TPI monetizes through a layered B2B model: a recurring minimum monthly support fee per advisor (tax-deductible), a $30/month optional booking engine add-on, and commission splits on advisor-generated bookings. Advisors earn 70–100% of commissions under the Velocity Program (with the APEX tier offering 100% on all bookings regardless of supplier — a structure TPI describes as unique among Canadian host agencies). The go-to-market is channel-led: advisors are recruited through tpi.ca, regional outreach, and community events, while end consumers are routed to advisors via the Find a Travel Advisor portal. Leadership transitioned to Zeina Gedeon (former CEO of Air Canada Vacations and TravelBrands) in 2019–2020; the company has signaled a rebrand toward 'Trevello.'

Name

Travel Professionals International

Legal name

IAS-Independent Agency Services Corp

Website

https://tpi.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Travel Professionals International is a Canadian host agency that provides back-office support, technology, supplier access, and training to 930+ independent travel advisors across Canada, monetizing through monthly support fees and commission splits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel Agency Network & Host Services

NAICS

Travel Agencies (561510)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Travel Fulfillment & After-Hours/Agent Assist Services (White-Label TMC Operations) (THACAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customer Support, Contact Center & Case Management (Omnichannel) (THALAGAK), Identity, Profiles & Traveler Data Management (SSO, Preferences, GDPR) (THALAGAL), Enterprise/Global Account Corporate TMCs (THAKACAD)

Keywords

• Host agency services
• Travel advisor network
• Commission splits
• Booking engine access
• Travel industry support

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advisor Membership Fees: TPI charges advisors a minimum monthly support fee that is tax deductible. This fee covers head office support via toll-free phone, live chat, support tickets, access to Sabre GDS system, ClientBase CRM, personalized template website, and ongoing training. The fee structure enables low service fees and allows first-time agents to start part-time.
2. Booking Engine Add-on: Optional booking engine for advisor websites available for $30 monthly, allowing clients to book all-inclusive holidays, air, hotels directly while advisors earn the same commission.
3. Commission Sharing: TPI earns revenue through commission splits with advisors. With 930+ advisors generating sales, TPI benefits from mass buying power and negotiated supplier commission rates. The company maximizes commission rate per supplier through collective network volume. Advisors earn 70-100% commission splits depending on their Velocity level.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Travel Professionals International (TPI) is a Canadian host agency platform that provides back-office support, technology tools, marketing services, training, and commission management to a network of over 930 independent travel advisors across Canada. The company enables independent travel professionals to operate their own businesses while leveraging TPI's mass buying power, supplier relationships, and infrastructure.

Product overview

Travel Professionals International operates as a host agency platform for independent travel advisors in Canada, offering a comprehensive suite of tools and services. The core platform (TPI Host Agency) provides the infrastructure for over 930 advisors, supported by the Lynx Portal as the central access point for all tools. Advisors receive access to the Sabre GDS for bookings, ClientBase CRM for client management, and a personalized TPI Template Website. Additional modules include Lynx Marketing for social/email/website content, EasyManage for website administration, and an optional Booking Engine ($30/month). Training is delivered through TPI Academy's 35-hour self-paced program. Commission optimization is available through the APEX Program (100% commission) and Velocity rewards program. Premium advisors gain access to Virtuoso's luxury travel network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TPI Host Agency Platform Canada's leading host agency platform providing back-office support, commission management, training, marketing tools, and technology infrastructure to over 930 independent travel advisors across Canada.
• APEX Program Commission program allowing advisors to earn 100% commission on all bookings regardless of supplier partner chosen, maximizing advisor earning potential.
• Velocity Program Rewards and recognition program paying $298,000 annually to advisors who sell with preferred partners. Reward dollars can be redeemed for personal travel, marketing collateral, or TPI conference attendance.
• TPI Academy 35-hour self-paced training and onboarding program covering travel industry basics, terms, and best practices, including 10 modules with assignments, quizzes, final exam, and 1-on-1 coaching for new and existing travel advisors.
• Virtuoso Network Membership Access Invite-only luxury travel network membership providing TPI advisors access to nearly 1,700 preferred partners, exclusive amenities, travel offers, and rare experiences for high-end clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Advisors can earn 70-100% commission on all bookings
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core, key and standard.

• Breast Cancer Society of CanadaminorOthers · 1 October 2020TPI partnered with Breast Cancer Society of Canada for the #TPIWalktoberChallenge campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The virtual walking challenge along Canada's Trans Canada Trail raised funds and awareness for breast cancer research. TPI's goal was to raise $10,000.
• Planeterra FoundationminorOthers · 1 August 2020Planeterra Foundation is the non-profit partner of G Adventures. TPI participated in the Planeterra Trek Challenge, a virtual journey to Everest Base Camp to help rebuild community tourism. TPI recorded 4,597,881 steps and came second for money raised, exceeding $7,000 goal of $5,000.
• VirtuosocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtuoso is an invite-only global network of elite travel organizations and travel agents. TPI is a proud top member with privileged access to nearly 1,700 preferred partners including top hotels, cruise lines, tour operators representing $15B in sales from 12,000 travel advisors. Membership enables TPI advisors to offer exclusive amenities, travel offers, and rare experiences to clients including complimentary breakfast, cruise credits, and preferred rates.
• Air CanadakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir Canada is a trusted airline partner. TPI earned Air Canada's Circle of Excellence recognition in 2020. TPI leverages over $26 billion in air, hotel and tour buying power through partnerships like Air Canada.
• Air Canada VacationskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir Canada Vacations is a preferred tour operator partner. TPI has strong relationships built over 25+ years with preferred agreements with over 50 key suppliers including Air Canada Vacations.
• SunwingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunwing is a major Canadian tour operator partner. TPI maintains preferred agreements with Sunwing and other major tour operators across 25+ years of relationships.
• WestJetkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestJet and WestJet Vacations are airline and tour operator partners. TPI leverages collective buying power through partnerships with major Canadian carriers.
• TransatkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransat is a major international tour operator partner. TPI maintains preferred relationships with key tour operators including Transat built over 25+ years.
• Sandals ResortskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSandals is a luxury resort partner. TPI received multiple recognitions including Best of the Best Agency - Top Host Agency in Canada, Top Sandals Travel Agency, and Top Ten Travel Agencies Worldwide.
• Norwegian Cruise LineskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian Cruise Lines named TPI Partner of the Year - Canada in 2018. TPI advisors have access to Norwegian Cruise Lines products and exclusive partner benefits.
• Holland America LinestandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolland America Line is a cruise partner in TPI's network. TPI provides advisors access to all major cruise lines including Holland America.
• Celebrity CruisesstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelebrity Cruises is a cruise line partner in TPI's preferred supplier network.
• Princess CruisesstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincess Cruises is a cruise partner accessible through TPI's network and Sabre GDS system.
• Royal CaribbeanstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoyal Caribbean is a major cruise partner in TPI's network accessible to advisors.
• VikingstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerViking is a cruise and travel partner available to TPI advisors.
• Oceania CruisesstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerOceania Cruises is a luxury cruise partner in TPI's network.
• AMA WaterwaysstandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMA Waterways is a river cruise partner available through TPI's preferred supplier network.
• Playa Hotels & ResortskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlaya Hotels & Resorts recognized TPI advisors for Most Improved Agent in Canada, Top Seller for Jamaica, and Top Seller for Jewel Resorts in Canada.
• Allianz Global AssistancestandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllianz is a travel insurance partner available through TPI advisors for client travel protection.
• SabrecoreTechnology or IntegrationSabre is TPI's Global Distribution System provider, offering world-class GDS and travel marketplace. Sabre provides booking engines for all inclusives, cruises, air and hotels. TPI provides full access to Sabre for all advisors with both command-driven and graphical workflows.
• ClientBasecoreTechnology or IntegrationClientBase is the industry-standard CRM provided to TPI advisors for managing client relationships and travel plans. It manages proposals, upcoming trips, scheduled groups, and invoicing.
• IATAkeyOthersInternational Air Transport Association - TPI supports advisors with IATA accreditation and licensing as part of their licensing and legal support services.
• TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario)keyOthersTICO is the regulatory body for travel agencies in Ontario. TPI maintains Ontario Regional Office registration (TICO #50026578) and helps advisors with TICO licensing.
• CPBC (Consumer Protection BC)keyOthersConsumer Protection BC is the regulatory body for travel agencies in British Columbia. TPI maintains BC Regional Office registration (CPBC #84739) and supports advisors with CPBC licensing.
• ACTA (Association of Canadian Travel Agencies)keyOthersACTA is the industry association representing travel agents in Canada. TPI has been in conversation with ACTA to advocate for independent contractor support measures including interest-free loans, tax credits, and compensation.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Virtuoso: Invite-only global network of elite travel agencies that TPI belongs to; Virtuoso is both a TPI partner and a broader industry umbrella. Comparable as a luxury-network platform enabling TPI's premium positioning.
• American Express Global Business Travel: Large incumbent in corporate and high-end leisure travel with technology, supplier scale, and advisor networks. Overlaps with TPI's corporate-tilted advisors and Virtuoso-elite clientele, though focused on managed corporate travel.

Direct peers

• Outside Agents: US-based host agency supporting independent travel advisors with back-office, GDS, CRM, and supplier access. Closely comparable to TPI's technology-and-support bundle for home-based advisors.
• Avoya Travel: US-based host agency network serving independent travel advisors with technology, supplier relationships, and commission splits. Directly comparable to TPI's advisor-support and commission-driven value proposition.
• KHM Travel Group: US host agency providing independent travel advisors with training, marketing tools, supplier relationships, and commission splits. Directly comparable to TPI's new-to-industry and experienced-advisor segments.
• Dream Vacations / CruiseOne: Host agency franchise model focused on independent travel advisors, particularly in cruise and leisure. Comparable to TPI in offering training, supplier access, marketing, and commission splits.
• Travel Leaders Network: Large North American host/franchise travel agency network providing technology, supplier access, and marketing support to independent advisors and agencies. Comparable scale and breadth of supplier relationships to TPI.
• Nexion Travel Group: One of the largest US-based host agencies for independent travel advisors, providing similar back-office support, GDS access, commission splits, and marketing tools. Closest direct competitor to TPI's host-agency model in North America.
• Uniglobe Travel: Canada-headquartered travel management franchise and host-style network. Directly comparable to TPI as a Canadian travel agency platform serving independent advisors with shared back-office and supplier leverage.

Emerging players

• Fora Travel: Newer travel-advisor platform recruiting independent advisors with modern technology, training, and commission structures. Comparable to TPI's host-agency positioning but earlier-stage and US-tilted.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Travel Professionals International