Conde Nast Traveler recommends only 133 travel specialists using a very rigorous selection process. The Top Traveler Specialists list is run by award-winning, world travel expert Wendy Perrin, the Director of Consumer News for Conde Nast Traveler and author of BL favorite: The Perrin Post , a top travel blog and go to source for smart traveling tips.
In the article, Wendy writes, "The travel planners collected here represent the best blend of destination knowledge, insider connections, user-friendliness, and value for your dollar that I’ve found in more than two decades of scrutinizing the travel industry for this magazine. They have all been road-tested by Condé Nast Traveler readers, editors, or both." This year's Top Travel Specialists were chosen from more than 10,000 applicants, making it statistically more difficult to make the cut than getting accepted to Harvard! This list was announced in the December 2011 issue, both in the paper copy and on the Conde Nast Traveler website.
While I have been honored with other industry accolades, being named to the Top Travel Specialists List is really a career high. It has been thrilling to be recognized for my 25 years of service to the barge cruise industry and to hear from so many guests and colleagues when the award was announced.
The excitement will continue in early February at the Travel Specialist Summit, when all 133 Specialists will meet at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Also in attendance will be the top Conde Nast editors and major suppliers, so this promises to be a real education in the marketing of luxury travel.
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| Ellen, The Barge Lady with husband Nick, on a barge cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile in Champagne, France |
