TORONTO — The Travel Agent Next Door has announced that industry veteran Louise Gardiner will be heading up its new division, The Agency Solution.

In her new role as vice president, Gardiner will oversee the strategic development of sales of the new storefront agency services network. This will include recruiting smaller storefront agencies in the $3 million and under range that are seeking relief from the cost and workload of their admin and back-office functions.

Gardiner’s 40-year career began as vice president of a small agency in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, and most recently includes a stint as a senior leader with Carlson Wagonlit Travel where she was responsible for implementing CWT’s leisure strategy for the Associate Franchise Program in Canada. She also oversaw CWT’s multi-branch network that spanned across Canada.

“I have supported many small agencies over the years and I understand their needs,” said Gardiner. “I believe we truly do have the best solution for the smaller agencies out there and I look forward to meeting with many of them in the coming months to show them what we can do for them.”

On welcoming Gardiner to the team, Flemming Friisdahl, Founder of The Travel Agency Next Door, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have someone of Louise’s calibre to head up The Agency Solution. She has the depth of knowledge and understanding of the needs of smaller agencies that will be so important when she speaks to owners.”

The Agency Solution is the latest division of The Travel Agent Next Door, created to ensure increased profitability and best-in-class commission levels to smaller agencies. It will help eliminate the cost of regulatory fees, E&O insurance, bank fees and merchant fees, and will also enable agencies to reduce the cost of accounting, payroll, telephones, toll free lines, GDS and technology.