66 | Academy Travel

T0626ACADEMYTRAVEL_C_350 [Credit: Academy Travel]
2025 sales: $152 million
Previous ranking: Unranked
Employees: 14 full-time, 5 part-time

297 Route 72 W., Suite 35, Box 336
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-0740
Website

Executives

PRESIDENT/OWNER: Lisa Federico

COMPANY FACTS

* Privately held, full-service travel company.
* Sells directly to consumers with independent agent model.
* Works with 3,000 independent contractors.
* All sales completed by hosted agents.
* Sales: 95% leisure, 1% business, 4% other.
* A member of Travel Leaders Network, ASTA, CLIA, IATA.

DEVELOPMENTS

* Rebranded, expanded its Rest of the World division into Academy Travel Worldwide Destinations, strengthening its presence beyond Disney.
* Enhanced supplier partnerships enabled advisors to sell a broader portfolio of luxury and experiential travel.
* Refined commission structures and introduced performance-based earnings opportunities.
* Maintained its no-startup-fee model and expanded training, marketing and operational support for advisor growth and retention.
* Expanded content, in-destination coverage and integrated campaigns across email, social and web to drive consumers to its advisor directory listings.

LOOKING AHEAD

* Scaling growth while continuing to elevate both the advisor and client experience.
* Prioritizing training every advisor to market themselves and grow their business through structured programs, webinars and hands-on support.
* Growing Academy Travel Worldwide Destinations through new supplier partnerships, expanded luxury and experiential offerings and increased consumer marketing.
* Strengthening its full-time support team and streamlining operations to improve efficiency and advisor support.
* Sales are pacing up 32% over 2025.
* Trends include increased demand for cruise, particularly Disney Cruise Line and premium/luxury sailings; continued growth in experiential and international travel; and more informed consumers.
* Clients are booking earlier, traveling more frequently and seeking higher-value, customized experiences.
* Outlook for 2026 remains highly positive with sustained growth driven by holiday travel, continued strength in cruise bookings and expanded interest in global destinations.


BACK TO POWER LIST


JDS Travel News JDS Viewpoints JDS Africa/MI