Authorized Agents and Travelmakers
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers (Travelmakers Inc.) is a US travel host agency serving 100+ independent travel advisors through $25-$40/month membership tiers, delivering consortium-grade technology (ClientBase CRM, cruise booking engines, co-branded websites) and preferred supplier access via Signature Travel Network membership.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersAliso Viejo, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Authorized Agents and Travelmakers does
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers (legal entity Travelmakers Inc., Nevada corporation) is a US-based travel host agency that enables independent travel advisors to operate under a consortium-supported infrastructure. Founded in 1995 by Leslie Bauer and Zigmund Sepanski and operating under the Authorized Agents brand since 1997, the company serves home-based agents, brick-and-mortar agencies, meeting planners, and travel influencers through a two-tier monthly membership model priced at $25 (Basic) and $40 (Premium). The company is a part-owner member of Signature Travel Network, a cooperative owned by 200+ agencies with combined annual sales of approximately $11 billion.
The core technology stack is delivered through the Signature Travel Network partnership and includes ClientBase CRM for client and reservation management, the SIG Cruise Pro booking engine (powered by Sabre), co-branded turnkey websites with 10,000+ pages of weekly-updated content, a cruise and hotel comparison/proposal tool, an advisor back-office portal covering 140+ countries, automated email marketing with CRM integration, and the Pocket Travel Consultant mobile app. The company layers proprietary operational assets on top of this consortium technology: the Certified Travel Consultant (CTC) training program covering 15 modules, an award marketing suite including full-color direct mail magazines and automated email campaigns, and preferred supplier agreements with 20+ cruise, land, tour, and insurance partners offering up to 90% commission rates to member agents.
Monetization combines modest recurring subscription revenue ($25-$40/month per member) with commission overrides retained on bookings routed through the platform after paying member agents the majority share. The company has approximately 100+ active independent vacation representatives and is supported by an 11-50 person internal team based in Aliso Viejo, California. The most recent material ownership event was a 2014 investment by the Vergene family, which joined the management team; no subsequent institutional funding rounds or M&A activity are disclosed.
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Authorized Agents and Travelmakers
- Legal name
- Travelmakers Inc.
- Website
- https://authorizedagents.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Authorized Agents and Travelmakers (Travelmakers Inc.) is a US travel host agency serving 100+ independent travel advisors through $25-$40/month membership tiers, delivering consortium-grade technology (ClientBase CRM, cruise booking engines, co-branded websites) and preferred supplier access via Signature Travel Network membership.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Travel Host Agency Services
- NAICS
- Travel Agencies (561510), Travel Agencies (56151)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online/Hybrid Corporate Travel Agencies (Self-Booking + Support) (THAKACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cruise Travel Agencies & Specialist Cruise Consultants (THAEAFAB), CRM & Loyalty Marketing Automation (Email/SMS/Push, Journeys, Campaigns) (THALAKAG)
Keywords
Where Authorized Agents and Travelmakers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aliso Viejo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Membership Subscriptions: Monthly membership fees from independent travel advisors joining as members. Two tiered plans at $25/month and $40/month with varying feature access.
- Travel Booking Commissions: Earn commissions on cruise, land, air, and insurance bookings made by member agents through the platform. Agents receive up to 90% commission.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Basic Plan - Small investment no-risk program |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium Plan - Complete turn-key program |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers operates a subscription-based travel host agency platform that enables independent travel advisors to run home-based or brick-and-mortar travel businesses. Members pay monthly fees ($25 or $40) and receive access to the Signature Travel Network technology stack (CRM, cruise booking engine, co-branded websites, marketing tools), preferred supplier agreements with 900+ hotels/resorts and major cruise lines, commission earnings up to 90%, training through the CTC program, and award-winning marketing support including direct mail magazines and automated email campaigns.
Product overview
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers operates as a travel host agency offering a two-tier subscription-based membership platform for independent travel advisors. The core product is the Travel Advisor Plans program ($25/month and $40/month), which provides access to commission earnings up to 90%, technology tools, training, and supplier networks. The platform is built in partnership with Signature Travel Network and offers the Advanced Technology Platform as its technology backbone, including ClientBase CRM, SIG Cruise Pro Booking Engine, co-branded MyTravel Site websites, Pocket Travel Consultant mobile app, and eMarketing tools. Additional modules include the Certified Travel Consultant (CTC) Training Program, Award Marketing Suite (direct mail magazines, email campaigns, website marketing, and co-branded cruise websites), and a Member Benefits Program. The company also maintains preferred supplier relationships across cruise, land, and car/insurance verticals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Travel Advisor Plans (Basic and Premium Memberships) Subscription-based membership plans ($25/month Basic and $40/month Premium) for independent travel advisors, providing commission earnings up to 90%, co-branded MyTravel website, ClientBase CRM, CTC training, SIG Cruise Pro booking engine, proposal tools, $2M E&O Insurance, customizable email marketing, and (at Premium) the lead rotation program, Pocket Travel App, FAMS trips, and Co-op advertising.
- Advanced Technology Platform Integrated technology platform delivered in partnership with Signature Travel Network for member travel advisors, combining a co-branded website builder, ClientBase CRM, eMarketing automation, cruise and hotel comparison/proposal tool, Travel Advisor Portal, Pocket Travel Consultant mobile app, and microsites for preferred vendors.
- Certified Travel Consultant (CTC) Training Program Online certification program covering 15 modules including consulting skills, selling value, booking groups and leisure travel, international and domestic destinations, technology and marketing, selling cruise, land/tour, hotel and resort, air, car/limo, and insurance suppliers. Designed to onboard new travel advisors and upskill existing members across leisure, incentive/reward, and high-end group travel.
- Award Marketing Suite Marketing programs for member travel advisors including full-color direct mail travel magazines, automated weekly/bi-weekly/monthly email campaigns with advisor branding, hot deals updated weekly, co-branded websites, and co-branded cruise line microsites for Crystal, Holland America, Oceania, Seabourn, Princess, Paul Gauguin, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity.
- Member Benefits Program Benefits package for member travel advisors including live cruise booking from 40+ suppliers, a client/commission tracker with 24/7 support, access to 70+ destination professionals with pre-arranged deals, an advisor community for collaboration and co-ops, proposal tools for cruise and land bookings, digital magazines by top writers, automated email marketing, twice-monthly commission payouts, and co-op advertising pass-through.
- Co-Branded Travel Website (MyTravel Site) Turnkey co-branded website builder offering 10,000+ pages of searchable travel content updated weekly, agency/contact information in the banner, full website management by Authorized Agents, and sweepstakes entry options. Available with the $25/month plan with an optional $99 setup fee.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 90% commission rates for travel advisors
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Authorized Agents and Travelmakers
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered legacy, core and preferred.
- PowerBusiness Associates Inc.legacyOriginal parent company that purchased an existing travel agency in 1995 to move consultants to Europe then back to the US, establishing the foundation for what became Travelmakers.
- Signature Travel NetworkcoreAuthorized Agents is part owner/member of Signature Travel Network, a cooperative owned by 200+ top agencies with combined volume of $11 billion in sales. This partnership provides access to the most advanced travel technology, marketing tools, and preferred supplier contracts in the industry.
- SabrecoreProvides cruise booking engine technology for member agents to search and book cruise reservations across multiple suppliers.
- AmaWaterwayspreferredPreferred cruise supplier offering up to 32% commission on river cruise bookings.
- Crystal CruisespreferredPreferred cruise supplier with exclusive deals and promotions for Authorized Agents members.
- Royal Caribbean InternationalpreferredPreferred cruise supplier offering 100% commission promotions for member agents.
- Celebrity CruisespreferredPreferred cruise supplier with 100% commission promotions for Authorized Agents members.
- Norwegian Cruise LinepreferredPreferred cruise supplier with 100% commission promotions for member agents.
- Azamara Club CruisespreferredPreferred cruise supplier with 100% commission promotions.
- Princess CruisespreferredPreferred cruise supplier with Agency Commodore Status recognition.
- Regent Seven Seas CruisespreferredPreferred luxury cruise supplier with exclusive amenities for members.
- SeabournpreferredPreferred ultra-luxury cruise supplier.
- Silversea CruisespreferredPreferred luxury expedition cruise supplier.
- Disney Cruise LinepreferredPreferred family cruise supplier with Disney branding.
- Holland America LinepreferredPreferred cruise supplier with premium market positioning.
- Abercrombie & KentpreferredPreferred luxury land tour supplier for high-end travel packages.
- TauckpreferredPreferred guided tour supplier with premium travel experiences.
- Adventures by DisneypreferredPreferred partner since 2004, offering Disney-branded guided vacation experiences.
- G AdventurespreferredSustainable travel partner awarding Agency Sherpa Status and Sustainable Travel Host Award.
- Sandals ResortspreferredPreferred luxury resort supplier awarding CSS Agent Award.
- TrafalgarpreferredPreferred tour operator with Premier Agency Affiliation.
- BackroadspreferredPreferred active travel supplier awarding Golden Circle Award.
- Auto EuropepreferredPreferred car rental and FIT supplier providing hotels, rail, and tours in addition to vehicle rentals.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Avoya Travel: Avoya Travel is one of the largest US host agencies, recruiting independent travel advisors and providing them with technology, supplier access, marketing tools, and commission splits. It is the most directly comparable host agency model to Authorized Agents/Travelmakers, competing for the same home-based agent persona.
- Outside Agents: Outside Agents is a long-standing US host agency (founded 1992) providing independent travel advisors with supplier access, commission splits, and back-office support. It is a close comparable to Authorized Agents in target customer (home-based independent agents) and core host agency value proposition.
- American Express Representative Network: The American Express Representative Network (now folded into Nexion/World Travel Holdings) historically served as a host-style program for independent travel advisors offering technology, supplier access, and brand affiliation. It is directly comparable to Authorized Agents as a competing host program for independent advisors.
- Nexion Travel Group: Nexion is a large US-based host travel agency network serving independent travel advisors and small agencies with technology, training, and supplier relationships. It overlaps substantially with Authorized Agents on the hybrid (self-serve technology + support) model and the independent advisor persona.
- CruiseOne / Dream Vacations: CruiseOne and Dream Vacations (part of World Travel Holdings) operate a franchise-style host agency network with strong cruise specialization, providing independent advisors with booking tools, marketing, and preferred supplier access. They compete head-to-head with Authorized Agents in the cruise-focused independent advisor segment.
- KHM Travel Group: KHM Travel Group is a US host agency that supports independent travel agents with booking tools, training, marketing resources, and supplier relationships. It targets a similar home-based independent agent persona and competes directly with Authorized Agents for advisor recruitment.
- Uniglobe Travel: Uniglobe Travel is a global travel management franchise and host-style network serving independent and small-agency owners with back-office tools and supplier contracts. Its model of aggregating independent advisors under shared supplier agreements is structurally comparable to Authorized Agents.
Broad incumbents
- Vacation.com: Vacation.com is a consortium of US-based leisure travel agencies offering members preferred supplier contracts, marketing programs, and technology tools. It is comparable to Authorized Agents through its consortium membership model, but serves agency owners rather than individual home-based advisors.
- Travel Leaders Network: Travel Leaders Network is one of the largest US travel agency consortia, providing member agencies with preferred supplier access, technology platforms, and marketing support. It overlaps with Authorized Agents on the consortium/aggregation model, though at a larger scale and broader agency focus.
- Virtuoso: Virtuoso is a luxury-focused travel agency network with preferred supplier relationships and marketing tools for member agencies. While it operates at the higher end of the market with corporate-style governance rather than a cooperative host model, it competes for the same independent luxury advisor mindshare.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers social profiles
Digital presenceAuthorized Agents and Travelmakers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Authorized Agents and Travelmakers
What does Authorized Agents and Travelmakers do?
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers operates a subscription-based travel host agency platform that enables independent travel advisors to run home-based or brick-and-mortar travel businesses. Members pay monthly fees ($25 or $40) and receive access to the Signature Travel Network technology stack (CRM, cruise booking engine, co-branded websites, marketing tools), preferred supplier agreements with 900+ hotels/resorts and major cruise lines, commission earnings up to 90%, training through the CTC program, and award-winning marketing support including direct mail magazines and automated email campaigns.
Is Authorized Agents and Travelmakers a public or private company?
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Authorized Agents and Travelmakers founded?
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Authorized Agents and Travelmakers based?
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Authorized Agents and Travelmakers make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are travel Booking Commissions.
Who are Authorized Agents and Travelmakers's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Avoya Travel, Outside Agents, American Express Representative Network, Nexion Travel Group, CruiseOne / Dream Vacations, KHM Travel Group and Uniglobe Travel. Broad incumbents are Vacation.com, Travel Leaders Network and Virtuoso.
Does Authorized Agents and Travelmakers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Authorized Agents and Travelmakers.
What industry is Authorized Agents and Travelmakers in?
Authorized Agents and Travelmakers's product category is Travel Host Agency Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAKACAB, Online/Hybrid Corporate Travel Agencies (Self-Booking + Support), with a secondary code of THAEAFAB, Cruise Travel Agencies & Specialist Cruise Consultants. Its NAICS code is 561510.