About Us | The Travel Group

Our official name is "1987 The Travel Group Ltd." The original agency was called TFC Tours, which specialized in travel to southern Africa. This was a multi-national company founded in the 1970s, with branches in Johannesburg, London, and Vancouver. We purchased the Vancouver office in 1987 and changed the name to The Travel Group.

About Us

Our Story

In 1987 three women, originally from Scotland, England, and Newfoundland, and a guy from Ontario decided to start a new kind of travel agency - one that believed in treating its employees the way we wanted them to treat our customers. We believed that by putting our people first, they will in turn put you, the customer, first. Since then the three women have moved on to other things, but their philosophy remains. We believe that our empowering, respectful approach to our people has created a travel agency unmatched for customer service.

THE TRAVEL GROUP now comprises 20+ travel specialists, admin staff, and associates. All of our business comes from referrals from our clients. We do not solicit business or advertise. Our agents, with an average of 18 years experience, are continuously upgrading their skills and knowledge through education and on-site inspections. We are very proud of our bright, fun, dedicated staff; and we believe that it is our people that make us different from the average travel agency.

Originally conceived as a "corporate "travel agency, now over 40% of our business is vacation travel. Check out our South Pacific and Travel Club divisions for some interesting new travel experiences!

Corporate Responsibility

At The Travel Group, we believe that charity starts at home - which means supporting local causes and service organizations.

Our People

Annie Smits

: Account Manager, CTC, Tiare Agent (See full profile)

How many travel agents are going to phone you up and sing "Happy Birthday" - in tune and with a grand finale!

Carmen Pahl

: Corporate & Vacation Travel (See full profile)

When she chose travel as a profession she says she wanted a job working with people where your day was not set and you never knew what the next thing on your plate was." Well, she got her wish!

Cathy Moore

: Manager (See full profile)

A founding member of The Travel Group, Cathy Moore believes that Newfoundlanders are the greatest travellers (did we mention she is from Newfoundland?)

Clarissa Alibangbang

: Travel Consultant (See full profile)

If you need your ticket changed in a hurry, chances are Clarissa will be the one to drop everything to get it done.

Colleen Maxwell

: Office Coordinator (See full profile)

Chances are when you call in, Colleen's friendly voice will be the first thing you hear. Besides being an awesome receptionist, she is one of our administrators and VP of Fun Stuff.

David Elmy

: President (See full profile)

David still vaguely remembers the days he was a full-blown travel consultant, and occasionally likes to take a shot at a challening booking just to "keep from getting rusty!"

Grace Ho

: Account Manager (See full profile)

Some folks phone Grace just to listen to her charming South African accent!

Jason Stratford

: Director, South Pacific Division; Manager Supplier Contracts (See full profile)

Jason has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler and by Tourism Australia as one of Canada's leading experts on Australia & New Zealand. Jason offers a fresh, modern, enthusiastic, and fun approach to booking trips.

Karin Dyck

: Sales Representative (See full profile)

Kleia Magtibay

: Travel Consultant (See full profile)

If you have a million airline points and can't figure out how to use them, Kleia's the expert for you. If there's a points seat out there, she'll find a way to get you anywhere, even from Timmons to Timbuktu!

Laura Mezzacapo

: our bella (See full profile)

Besides sporting the coolest last name (Italian, by marriage), our Laura is the gal every client should get to know. She co-manages the office, and can find out any detail about your account you may need to know.

Lindy Rothenburger

: Senior Vacation Travel Consultant and Cruise Specialist, ACC (See full profile)

Lindy thinks travel should be fun; not work. That's not just her own work philosophy, but the way she thinks trip planning with clients should be. She is familiar with all forms of vacation travel and cruising.

Marie Chang

: Yogi and Wellness Specialist (See full profile)

Our resident Yogi and Wellness Specialist, Marie combines her love of Yoga with her passion for travel. If you ever are lucky enough to join one of her groups, you'll know why her devoted clientele follow her everywhere.

Mark Love

: Vacation Travel Consultant, CTC (See full profile)

Mark enjoys crafting unique travel itineraries for his clients. With so much information (and misinformation) out there, it is reassuring that trusted consultants like Mark are still flourishing.

Martha Williams

: Corporate & Vacation Travel, CTC (See full profile)

Working in travel since 1974, Martha has built a large, solid clientele who rely on her to manage their business trips and consult on their vacation plans.

Michele Joel

: Account Manager (See full profile)

Travel agent extraordinaire since 1976! (Author's words, not hers. Let's see how long this posting lasts before she notices it.)

Naomi DeKock

: Senior Vacation Consultant (See full profile)

Her vacation expertise is particularly well known because of her extensive knowledge of South and East Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and Europe.

Regine Barry

: Account Manager (See full profile)

Working in travel since 1984, Regine brings depth and professionalism to her work. Since she joined us in 1994 she has built a large, devoted clientele.

Shirley Jackman

: CTC, Partner (See full profile)

Shirley is a partner in The Travel Group. She has been in the travel industry since 1981; and has traveled extensively. Originally from Newfoundland, she has made Vancouver her home.