In an industry that has been over-saturated with cookie-cutter vacation packages and impersonal platforms, BWJ Travel has developed into a beacon of authenticity, trust, and innovation. What began as a small family business has slowly grown into a nationally recognized host travel agency, with a massive network of passionate travel consultants throughout the country. BWJ Travel’s evolution is not just a story of business growth, it’s also a testament to how vision, adaptability, and a people-first approach can reshape an industry.
A Legacy Reimagined
BWJ Travel was founded by brothers Edwin and Jacob Sarkisyan, whose roots in the travel industry run deep. Their father, Vic Sarkisyan, a first-generation immigrant, launched SVH Tours & Travel in the early 1990s. At an early age, both Edwin and Jacob immersed themselves in the business. They absorbed not just the logistics of travel planning, but also the emotional nuance of helping families build unforgettable memories.
Over the course of time, the brothers carved out their own strengths. Edwin gravitated toward operations, systems, and scalability. Jacob excelled at relationship-building, storytelling, and customer experience. Together, they helped scale SVH Tours into a reputable name. Then eventually launching BWJ Travel as a host agency model. This model was built to empower others who share their love for both travel and people.
Empowering a Community of Travel Consultants
BWJ Travel is more than a service. It’s a platform for aspiring travel agents to build careers with purpose. The agency’s core values of trust, perseverance, and respect affect every level of the organization. New agents are welcomed into a supportive community with access to live weekly training, 24/7 emergency support, and a customized Agent Portal equipped with cutting-edge tools.
One key difference that sets BWJ Travel apart from many others in the field is their onboarding approach. Rather than relying solely on interviews and résumés, the company believes in giving people a chance to prove themselves through action. As a result, BWJ Travel has cultivated a diverse and dedicated team of consultants. Many of which had no prior experience in travel before finding their home under the BWJ umbrella.
Learning from Challenges
Like any rapidly growing business, BWJ Travel has encountered its share of challenges. One of the most significant occurred when the Agent Portal experienced a 12-hour outage, cutting off access to essential tools and impacting agent operations. This incident exposed the company’s need for a stronger technical backbone.
To counteract this issue, BWJ Travel immediately invested in expanding its development team. This helped to ensure a much more responsive platform moving forward. The incident served as a turning point for the company. It showcased the leadership’s commitment to continuous improvement, as well as the importance of infrastructure in supporting agent success.
Adaptability in a Changing Market
Staying ahead of travel trends is crucial in such an industry that is constantly moving. BWJ Travel maintains agility through active partnerships with some of the top suppliers, as well as consistent engagement with travel market data. The agency’s internal communications platform, the Exchange, and the biweekly webcast “Jacob’s Pod” provide regular updates on trends, tools, and opportunities.
Technology plays a foundational role in BWJ Travel’s adaptability. With Edwin’s deep experience in process optimization, the Agent Portal has been integrated with top-tier travel tech. This ensures agents can quickly respond to market demands and client needs.
The Power of Partnership: Expedia TAAP
One ofBWJ Travel’s most successful collaborations has been with Expedia TAAP. Led by Gabriela Robles, the partnership offers BWJ agents exclusive incentives and Platinum-tier commission rates. Which also happens to be the highest available on the platform. Gabriela’s involvement goes beyond numbers. She appears as a guest on Jacob’s Pod and maintains direct communication with agents, which demonstrates a relationship-centered approach to corporate collaboration.
This close working relationship ensures that BWJ Travel agents stay up to date with Expedia TAAP’s latest features and promotions. This gives them a competitive edge, as well as greater value to pass on to their clients.
Leadership That Reflects Company Values
BWJ Travel’s leadership team is built on shared values and passion. The organization prioritizes drive, adaptability, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. One standout example is Curt Chandler, BWJ’s Lead Booking Advisor. Curt began as a travel agent and quickly demonstrated exceptional leadership and mentorship skills. His journey reflects the agency’s commitment to internal growth and recognition of talent within its own ranks.
Decision-making at BWJ Travel is guided by data, precision, and calculated risk. The Co-Founder Edwin leads with analytics, ensuring that every new initiative is grounded in research and feasibility. While risks are taken cautiously, they are executed with full confidence once the leadership team agrees on a direction.
Navigating Crisis and Building Resilience
The COVID-19 pandemic posed one of the greatest threats the travel industry has faced in modern history. BWJ Travel met the crisis head-on by standing firm in support of their agents and clients. Even when many suppliers refused refunds, BWJ Travel chose to absorb cancellation costs themselves. This commitment not only protected clients, but also deepened trust within the BWJ community.
That loyalty to BWJ continues to be one of the company’s greatest assets. As travel demand resurged, the agents and clients who remained with BWJ Travel have helped fuel its next wave of growth.
Earning Trust in a Distrustful Market
A significant challenge in today’s travel industry is rebuilding trust with consumers wary of unreliable platforms. BWJ Travel addresses this through multiple strategies. First by including providing agents with proven client scripts. Then by encouraging the creation of online profiles through platforms like Travel Leaders Network.
BWJ Travel supports its agents in building personal brands through social media and content marketing. These strategies not only help secure leads, but also build long-term credibility in the marketplace.
The Sales and Marketing Playbook
BWJ Travel leverages a multi-faceted marketing approach. The Agent Profiler platform, provided by Travel Leaders Network, serves as a powerful SEO tool. This tool connects travelers with vetted BWJ agents through organic Google search results. The company also encourages agents to cultivate an engaging social media presence, which helps them stay top of mind with existing clients while expanding their reach.
Word-of-mouth remains the gold standard. BWJ Travel ensures that every agent is equipped with tools to deliver outstanding service, encouraging referrals and repeat business.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, BWJ Travel aims to scale its impact significantly. The long-term vision includes building a network of tens of thousands of travel agents serving hundreds of thousands of clients. The mission is simple. To bring families and friends together through travel.
With strong leadership, a people-first culture, and a tech-forward infrastructure, BWJ Travel is poised to reach these ambitious goals. New tools and systems are regularly being implemented to support both the client experience, as well as the success of every agent within the BWJ family.
What Makes BWJ Travel Stand Out
Across hundreds of BWJ Travel reviews, one theme remains consistent. Personalization. Clients routinely praise the agency’s attention to detail, responsiveness, and the meaningful relationships built through each vacation planned. This commitment to service excellence is the foundation on which the company’s reputation rests.
BWJ Travel’s ability to blend old-fashioned customer care with modern technology positions it as a leader in today’s evolving travel landscape. By supporting its agents with expert tools, building deep supplier relationships, and staying grounded in its founding values, BWJ Travel isn’t just booking trips. it’s changing lives, one journey at a time.
