Classic Vacations

We are excited to feature one of our Summer Interns, Olivia Randazzo, in this week’s Employee Spotlight. Motivated by her dream of a career in the travel industry and inspired by our team of ambitious female leaders, Olivia chose Classic Vacations as the place to gain professional experience this summer. In her role, Olivia focuses on creative digital marketing and assists with FAM digital communications, among other responsibilities. She especially values the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and benefit from the mentorship of experienced professionals. Olivia’s passion for a career in the travel industry has grown stronger through her time at Classic, and she looks forward to continuing on a professional path that blends her creativity with her love for travel.

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Project Expedition! This collaboration allows greater efficiency for Travel Advisors by making thousands of tours and activities accessible and fully commissionable within our online booking platform. ✓ Vast Selection ✓ Instant Confirmation ✓ Expertly Curated Experiences ✓ Competitive Pricing Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e5vegdG9

For a combined 16 years, Ray Benevides has been a key part of the Classic Vacations team, bringing warmth, dedication, and exceptional service to our advisors and suppliers. And while we will miss Ray, we are excited to share he is taking on a new role with Fairmont Hawaii that not only benefits him personally, but also strengthens our business relationship. Hawaii is very important to Classic and with the 2023 Lahaina fire, we know Ray will do great things in supporting Hawaii, helping Maui bring new and sustainable business to the island as well as continuing to support Classic Vacations across the US. As we like to say at Classic, ‘Always ʻOhana’. Go Ray! Keep making a difference. Mahalo for everything always. The Classic Team

Our team at Classic Vacations is as close-knit as family, and for Joy Monreal and Tiffani Gilardi, we literally mean family. Joy joined the Classic team nearly eight years ago, and in 2022, Tiffani followed in her mom’s footsteps, taking a plunge into the travel industry. From their experience on the Sales team, both Joy and Tiffani have concluded that it’s the relationships with advisors that make their time at Classic truly special, as these partnerships are the cornerstone of the company’s success. As Joy embarks on a new chapter as the National Groups Sales Manager, she looks forward to the new opportunities her role offers and to working alongside her daughter. For Tiffani, she’s eager to continue honing her skills at Classic and establishing herself as an integral part of the Sales team.

Travel+Leisure has announced their World’s Best Awards for 2024, and we couldn’t be more proud to see many of our esteemed hotel partners recognized! Congratulations to all the winners, especially our exceptional partners who continue to set the bar high in the travel industry. It’s an honor to work alongside such outstanding properties that consistently provide the best in hospitality. Congrats on this well-deserved recognition, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Grupo Xcaret, Rosewood Hotel Group, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., Park Hyatt, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Auberge Resorts Collection, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts,Loews Hotels & Co, The St. Regis New York, The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, Baccarat Hotels & Resorts, Thompson Hotels, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection (Red Carnation Hotels), Shangri-La Group, Rocco Forte Hotels!

We are hiring a Business Development Manager! If you’re an experienced and talented individual with a passion for the travel industry, this is your chance to take your career to the next level. What We Offer: • 100% remote work • A dynamic, supportive team • Opportunities to build lasting relationships with industry partners Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gkJYh5_S

It was during a chance encounter one night that Jess Pavloff’s path to Classic began. While working at a restaurant in college, she ran into our CEO, Melissa Krueger, and mentioned her plans to pursue a degree in hospitality during their conversation. Melissa recognized Jess’s potential and strong work ethic and encouraged her to reach out in the future. Since that fateful encounter, Jess strived to make Classic her professional home, a goal she achieved in October. In just seven months, Jess has thrived under the guidance of seasoned team members and dedicated leaders. She recently spearheaded a successful FAM trip to Tahiti, embracing this unfamiliar experience wholeheartedly. Jess’s tenacity and drive to explore the unknown have positioned her as a catalyst for positive change, enabling the company to adapt effectively to the needs of our travel advisors.

At Classic Vacations, we're committed to providing exceptional support for our travel advisors, and in 2024, we're enhancing our services even further. “You seeing more of us this year has to do with me bringing a level of knowledge and skill sets into my marketing team and getting great direction,” shares Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations. Check out Travel Weekly’s article that taps into the exciting advancements happening at Classic: https://lnkd.in/eiWrd_J3 #LuxuryTravel #TravelAdvisor #ClassicVacations

This week, we had the privilege of celebrating our President’s Club members at the stunning Grand Velas Boutique in Los Cabos, Mexico. These exceptional Reservations team members use their expertise to go above and beyond for our advisors and their clients. We are so grateful for their contributions. Congratulations to our President’s Club members old and new on your well-deserved achievement! President's Club winners: Jamie Dickson, Nick Hjeltness, Shamsha Lakhani, Megha Kumar, Jen Sutton, jason fisch, Sharon Alex, Kathy Phillips, Pablo Martinez, Patti Alejos, David Akao, Debbie Sousa, Nate Frederick, Sara Gillam Management: Melissa Krueger, Danny Gomez, Stephen Johanson, Darren Polino, Lisa Tenerelli-Escover, Kris Luong, Ruhi Daswani

When a friend approached her about an open position at Classic ten years ago, Tisa Sanchez seized the chance for a fresh professional adventure. Since joining Classic, Tisa has received unwavering support for her professional development. Classic’s college reimbursement program enabled Tisa to pursue a Master’s degree, equipping her with valuable skills that have empowered her to excel in her role. Her enthusiasm for learning remains unabated as she continues to discover new learning opportunities within her position on the product team and from her colleagues. As Classic embarks on a season of exciting advancements, Tisa eagerly anticipates being a part of the company’s growth and evolution.