Romance Travel Group, a premier travel agency specializing in destination weddings in Mexico and the Caribbean, was celebrated with multiple prestigious awards at the recent 2024 Playa Resorts Spotlight Awards held at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.

The annual conference, dedicated to recognizing top-performing agents and agencies within the Playa Resorts network, brought together industry leaders, resort managers, wedding teams, and sales executives for a week of networking, collaboration, and celebration of achievements.

Romance Travel Group emerged as a standout among its peers, clinching multiple awards that underscored its excellence and dedication to providing unparalleled service and experiences for destination wedding couples.

Among the accolades received by Romance Travel Group were:

• Top Producer for Mexico: Recognizing the agency's outstanding contribution to driving bookings and revenue for Playa Resorts in the Mexican region.
• Top Wedding Agent: Highlighting Romance Travel Group's expertise and success in curating unforgettable wedding experiences for couples at Playa Resorts' properties.
• Top Agent Midwest: Commending the agency's exceptional performance and leadership in the Midwest market, showcasing its ability to connect clients with dream destinations and seamless travel experiences.

​The crowning achievement of the evening was the presentation of the Ambassador Award to Romance Travel Group. This esteemed accolade, bestowed by the Playa Resorts team, is reserved for individuals who exemplify partnership, innovation, leadership, and friendship.

In her acceptance speech, Shelli Nornes, the owner of Romance Travel Group, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "It is a tremendous honor to receive the 2024 Ambassador Award on behalf of the team at Romance Travel Group. We have found a true partnership with Playa Resorts. We love their properties. We love the wedding experiences they create for our couples. It is so important to know that Playa values and supports what we do as much as we value and support them. It is truly a win-win for us and our destination wedding couples."

The awards received by Romance Travel Group serve as a testament to the agency's unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction. Through its continued partnership with Playa Resorts, Romance Travel Group looks forward to creating countless magical moments and unforgettable experiences for destination wedding couples in the years to come.

For more information about Romance Travel Group and its services, visit www.RomanceTravelGroup.com.

ALG Vacations (ALGV), the nation’s leading leisure tour operator, has honored Romance Travel Group as a 2023 ALGV Elite Diamond travel agency. With ALG Vacations, Elite Diamond is the highest level a retail travel agency can achieve. Less than 10% of travel agencies nationwide selling leisure travel have been honored with the ALGV Elite distinction.

“ALG Vacations is thrilled to recognize the nation’s top-producing travel agencies again this year with the ALGV Elite program,” said ALGV’s Jim Tedesco, Vice President, Sales. “Elite agencies are highly recommended by ALG Vacations because their advisors know our brands, product offerings, and policies well, and have reached a level of sales that can only be achieved through superior service and high customer satisfaction,” he added.

ALGV Elite agencies are rewarded with a variety of benefits and perks from ALG Vacations, including in-resort training, exclusive promotional codes to pass on to their customers, and access to a VIP support desk, enabling them to deliver premium service to the end consumer.

“We have been strong partners with ALGV for over 20 years,” explains Shelli Nornes, president and CEO of destination wedding travel agent Romance Travel Group. “Partnerships are everything in this industry. It means that the couples who trust us to plan their weddings have the best partners on their team. Our Elite Diamond recognition is just icing on the cake.”
​
Romance Travel Group has been the leader in destination wedding planning for over two decades. Visit their website at www.RomanceTravelGroup.com to learn all about destination weddings and to schedule your complimentary consultation call. 

Romance Travel Group is pleased to announce that they have been selected as a 2024 ­­winner of The Knot Best of Weddings. This accolade represents the top local wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples on The Knot, a digital wedding planning authority and one of the largest wedding Vendor Marketplaces in the US. This is the 8th year Romance Travel Group has been named a winner of The Knot Best of Weddings awards. 
 
In its eighteenth annual year, The Knot continues its long-standing tradition of supporting the expertise and outstanding service of local wedding professionals with The Knot Best of Weddings 2024. As a go-to guide of top wedding vendors across the country, this prestigious award honors those vendors on The Knot deemed by couples as trusted, dependable and consistently delivering quality service. 

To determine the winners, The Knot assessed thousands of user reviews for 200,000+ wedding professionals within its Vendor Marketplace across various categories—planners, venues, officiants, musicians, DJs, florists, photographers, caterers, hair and makeup artists, and more—to find the top vendors of the year. Vendors who have received at least 7 reviews on The Knot with an average score of 4.5+ between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023 received The Knot Best of Weddings Award. These winners represent the top wedding professionals that best embody what matters to couples in their wedding planning journey.

“We are always thrilled to hear that we've won! " shared Shelli Nornes, owner, founder and CEO of Romance Travel Group. "Our team is extremely dedicated and committed to helping our couples create the most incredible destination weddings. It is an honor to be a part of their big day." 

The Knot supports local wedding professionals through The Knot Vendor Marketplace, where couples can search, compare, and connect to book any of the hundreds of thousands of local wedding professionals across the country all in one place. Each vendor storefront  features insightful reviews, real wedding photos, and details about the vendor and their services. The Knot Best of Weddings award gives couples the confidence to book the best vendors to bring their wedding visions to life. In combination with years of trusted content, The Knot’s innovative technology helps all couples seamlessly plan a wedding that’s authentically them.
 
For more than 25 years, Romance Travel Group has been helping couples discover the joys of a destination wedding. The commitment to and expertise they share with their couples is evident in the hundreds of 5-star reviews they've received. "Destination weddings are what we do. Our couples have our undivided attention from the moment we connect. Our passion for what we do really shines through."

To learn more about Romance Travel Group, visit their website at www.RomanceTravelGroup.com. 

Romance Travel Group is once again re-certified by AIC Hotel Group, the experiential brand offering limitless travel experiences; from luxury to refined all-inclusive vacations, as WOW Specialists. Held at Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta from November 5-7, 2023, the Gold Magellan award-winning WOW, the Weddings on the Water Travel Advisor Specialist Program, supports and arms distinguished destination wedding travel advisors with any and all essential tools needed to sell all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels of Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and UNICO 20º87º Riviera Maya. In addition to the WOW specialist training program, a secondary certification, Ishq Rocks Specialist, was offered to travel advisors looking to be experts in booking South Asian destination weddings.

Personally hand-picked to participate in the WOW Specialist program, Romance Travel Group was among an exclusive group of agencies who had to meet well defined requirements to be eligible for the program. Being WOW Specialists allows agencies to orchestrate the best possible experience for wedding couples and their guests. Romance Travel Group’s extensive training and firsthand experience allows their team to understand the uniqueness of the products offered at each hotel. As part of their training, the experts at Romance Travel Group walked through each and every step of the wedding booking process, providing them with exclusive knowledge to better serve their customers. Additionally, the team personally met with the on-site wedding coordinators, allowing the unique opportunity to establish a strong working relationship with the team that puts it all together on-site.

With the WOW Specialist program and the innovative All In Weddings website, a new staple in the destination wedding planning process, the brand prides itself in creating more than just a cookie-cutter program. It has created a platform that lends to its success ranging from brand education, extensive sales & marketing support, as well as a lead generation system.

“With WOW we’ve created a program that goes beyond just an educational platform, and has transformed into a multi-dimensional tool that arms our destination wedding travel partners with the resources needed to sell the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels of Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and UNICO 20º87º Hotel Riviera Maya,” says Ash Tembe, VP of Sales & Marketing for AIC Hotel Group. “Agencies like Romance Travel Group are helping us give clients the ultimate, all-inclusive destination wedding and honeymoon experience. We congratulate the Romance Travel Group team for participating in our workshop and are confident that wedding couples are in great hands with them.”

To book your destination wedding with Romance Travel Group, visit our website at www.RomanceTravelGroup.com. 

It was a night of glamour and recognition at the Jamaica Tourist Board's (JTB) One Love Affair awards ceremony in December, where Romance Travel Group proudly recognized among the 50 top-producing travel specialists. Hosted in the luxurious Iberostar Grand in Montego Bay, this event celebrated a record-breaking achievement in the Jamaican tourism sector, with an astonishing 220,000 bookings recorded for the year 2023 by these elite professionals.

The awards ceremony was not just a celebration but a testament to the relentless efforts and commitment of travel agents in promoting the allure of Jamaica. Agents from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe were instrumental in driving more than US$4.1 billion in tourism dollars this year.

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White, lauded the agents for being the vital link between Jamaica and travelers worldwide. Their insights and feedback have been crucial in tailoring experiences that resonate with tourists' preferences and interests.

As we at Romance Travel Group reflect on this achievement, we are inspired and motivated to continue our mission of bringing the best of Jamaica to the world. This recognition is not just an honor, but a reminder of our responsibility to keep promoting the rich and vibrant culture of this beautiful island.

In a significant recognition of its excellence in the travel and hospitality industry, Romance Travel Group has been proudly named among the top 100 travel agencies globally for 2023 by the Hyatt Inclusive Collection. This esteemed list reflects the pinnacle of achievement in travel planning and service delivery, and being included in it marks Romance Travel Group as a leader in the field.

The Hyatt Inclusive Collection encompasses a range of prestigious Mexico and Caribbean resort brands such as Dreams, Secrets, Impression, and Zoetry. These brands are celebrated for their luxurious all-inclusive offerings, catering to those seeking upscale and unique travel experiences. Romance Travel Group's inclusion in this elite group is a testament to their capability to deliver top-tier, personalized travel services that align perfectly with the luxury and exclusivity these brands represent.

This accolade from the Hyatt Inclusive Collection is not merely a measure of business success; it is an acknowledgment of Romance Travel Group's commitment to creating tailored, high-end travel experiences. Their placement in the top 100 underscores their expertise in selecting the perfect destinations and their adaptability to meet the evolving preferences of discerning travelers.
​
Being recognized by the Hyatt Inclusive Collection for 2023 is a landmark achievement for Romance Travel Group. As Romance Travel Group continues its journey of excellence, this recognition by the Hyatt Inclusive Collection cements its status as an industry leader in the international travel and hospitality arena. It sets the stage for them to continue forging unforgettable, luxury travel experiences in some of the world's most exquisite destinations.

In a striking testament to their excellence in the realm of destination weddings and travel planning, Romance Travel Group has been honored with several "Top Agency" award for 2023 by El Dorado Resorts, Generations Resorts in Mexico, and the renowned Lomas Travel and Lomas Weddings.

El Dorado Resorts and Generations Resorts, both illustrious names in the Mexican hospitality industry, are celebrated for their luxurious and romantic settings, perfect for destination weddings and upscale travel experiences. Lomas Travel and Lomas Weddings, on the other hand, are recognized leaders in providing top-notch travel and wedding services in Mexico. The joint decision by these prominent entities to honor Romance Travel Group as the top agency of 2023 underscores the exceptional quality and creativity demonstrated by the Romance Travel Group team.

Shelli Nornes, the driving force behind Romance Travel Group, has consistently showcased an unparalleled knack for organizing breathtaking destination weddings and tailor-made travel itineraries. Her innovative approach and commitment to delivering dream-like experiences have set her agency apart in the highly competitive world of travel and wedding planning.

These awards are not merely a recognition of the business success of Romance Travel Group. It symbolizes the agency's dedication to creating personalized and unforgettable experiences, their prowess in destination selection, and their ability to meet and exceed the evolving expectations of modern travelers and couples. It also signifies the successful and harmonious partnerships that Romance Travel Group has cultivated with El Dorado Resorts, Generations Resorts, Lomas Travel, and Lomas Weddings.

These awards serve as a standard of excellence in the industry, highlighting the significance of a personalized touch, meticulous planning, and understanding the unique needs of each client in crafting memorable travel and wedding experiences.

As Romance Travel Group continues to lead the way in the industry, the awards presented by El Dorado Resorts, Generations Resorts, Lomas Travel, and Lomas Weddings, firmly establishes them as a leader in the global wedding and travel planning scene. 

In a remarkable display of excellence in the destination wedding industry, Romance Travel Group has been recognized with the prestigious "Top Wedding Groups" award for 2023. This significant honor was presented by The Fives Resorts in Mexico, known for their exquisite wedding venues and exceptional service standards.

The Fives Resorts, a beacon of luxury and romance in Mexico, have a history of partnering with top-tier wedding planners. Their decision to award Romance Travel Group this year highlights the agency's extraordinary skill in creating magical wedding experiences that resonate with couples' dreams.

Shelli Nornes, the founder and inspirational leader of Romance Travel Group, has redefined the art of destination wedding planning. Her dedication to crafting bespoke, memorable wedding events has not only won the hearts of countless couples but has also set a new benchmark in the industry.

The "Top Wedding Groups" award is more than a recognition of Romance Travel Group's success in organizing weddings. It is a tribute to their unwavering commitment to quality, innovation in destination choice, and the bespoke nature of their wedding planning services. This honor is a reflection of the harmonious collaboration between The Fives Resorts and Romance Travel Group, showcasing the potential of partnerships in creating extraordinary wedding experiences.

This accolade from The Fives Resorts is a source of inspiration across the destination wedding industry, emphasizing the importance of personal touch, intricate attention to every detail, and a deep understanding of modern couples' desires for their special day.
​
As Romance Travel Group continues to pave the way in destination wedding planning, this "Top Wedding Groups" award solidifies their position as a preeminent force in the global wedding planning arena. Romance Travel Group continues to blend romance and innovative travel experiences, crafting unique and love-filled weddings.

We are ecstatic to announce an exciting milestone for Romance Travel Group: winning the 2023 WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award! This achievement marks another year of our commitment to excellence in the wedding travel industry, and we couldn't be happier to share this news with our wonderful clients and friends.

Celebrating the tenth year of the winning the prestigious WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards, this recognition is a beacon of honor in the global wedding industry. These awards spotlight the crème de la crème of wedding professionals, recognizing those who stand out in their service, quality, responsiveness, and professionalism, as rated by couples themselves on WeddingWire.

Romance Travel Group has been selected from among thousands of vendors across a myriad of categories, ranging from catering and photography to floristry and venues. This accolade is not just a badge of excellence but also a testament to the trust and satisfaction expressed by the couples we've had the pleasure of serving. Their positive reviews and feedback have been instrumental in securing this award for us.
​
Being recognized as one of WeddingWire.com's top wedding businesses is a privilege we hold in high regard. This award is a reflection of our unwavering dedication to creating unforgettable travel experiences for couples. We invite you to visit our website to discover more about our award-winning services and how we can make your wedding journey as magical as possible. 

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! Romance Travel Group has been honored with The Knot's Best of Weddings Award for 2023, a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating unforgettable wedding experiences. This prestigious accolade is awarded by The Knot, a leader in wedding planning tools and resources, and is based on extensive reviews and feedback from real couples, their families, and guests.

The 2023 Best of Weddings Award is particularly significant as it was awarded to only a select 5% of the numerous wedding professionals listed on The Knot. This year marks the continuation of The Knot's tradition of celebrating local wedding vendors' excellence. The winners, like us, have been chosen based on millions of reviews from real users, covering various categories such as venues, musicians, florists, photographers, and caterers.

Shelli Nornes, our esteemed President and CEO, shares her joy, "Our team pours their heart into every destination wedding  we plan, focusing on kindness, fun, and support. It's a delight to receive this recognition and share it with our incredible team. This award is a reflection of our collective effort, and I'm eager to celebrate this achievement with them."

The Knot has been a source of inspiration and guidance for over 25 million couples, helping them craft weddings that truly reflect their personalities. The Knot Marketplace is an invaluable tool for couples to connect with top-notch wedding professionals across the country. The Best of Weddings award instills confidence in couples to choose the finest local vendors to bring their dream weddings to life.

About Romance Travel Group: Romance Travel Group is a leader in destination wedding and travel planning. Our award-winning team is recognized for its expertise in creating magical destination weddings. We take pride in our numerous awards and accolades and the joy we've brought to countless couples and guests. Our seasoned specialists are passionate about delivering the best for you, whether it's your perfect wedding day, dream honeymoon, or a tropical vacation. Contact us today to begin planning an unforgettable journey!

The world of destination weddings witnessed a remarkable moment  when Romance Travel Group, led by the visionary Shelli Nornes, was named the top agency by The Fives Resorts in Mexico. This prestigious accolade, known as the "Global MVP Award," is a testament to the unparalleled excellence and dedication of Romance Travel Group in the realm of destination weddings.

The Fives Resorts, renowned for their luxurious and idyllic settings in Mexico, have been at the forefront of offering exceptional wedding experiences. Their decision to honor Romance Travel Group with the Global MVP Award speaks volumes about the high standards and innovative approaches that Shelli Nornes and her team have consistently demonstrated.

Shelli Nornes, the founder and driving force behind Romance Travel Group, has been a visionary in the travel industry, particularly in curating bespoke destination weddings. Her expertise and passion for creating unique, love-filled experiences for couples have set her agency apart in the highly competitive field.

The Global MVP Award is not just a recognition of sales achievements but also a nod to the agency's commitment to excellence in service, creativity in travel planning, and the ability to craft personalized experiences that resonate with the desires of modern couples. The award also highlights the successful partnership between The Fives Resorts and Romance Travel Group, showcasing how collaboration in the hospitality industry can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

This achievement by Romance Travel Group is a beacon of inspiration for others in the industry. It underscores the importance of personalization, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of clients' needs in creating unforgettable experiences.
​
As Romance Travel Group continues to set benchmarks in the destination wedding sector, this award from The Fives Resorts solidifies its position as a leader not just in Mexico, but on the global stage. The future looks bright as the Romance Travel Group team continues to redefine romance and travel, one beautiful destination wedding at a time.

The team at Romance Travel Group is thrilled to share some fantastic news with our valued clients and friends. We have been bestowed with the prestigious 2021 WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award, a testament to our unwavering commitment and excellence in the wedding travel sector.

WeddingWire, a leader in the worldwide wedding market, is renowned for its rigorous selection process. This involves a comprehensive analysis of customer feedback across a wide array of categories, including wedding venues, catering services, florists, photographers, and of course, travel experts. Only those who have demonstrated exceptional quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism in their interactions with the millions of clients relying on WeddingWire for wedding planning assistance are honored with this award.

Romance Travel Group stands among the elite, having been selected based on our superior performance and positive reviews within the WeddingWire community. This achievement also signifies our inclusion in WeddingPro, the leading B2B wedding brand and a hub for industry professionals. WeddingPro, known for its extensive marketplace, educational initiatives, and community-focused events, offers a unique platform that connects businesses with over 13 million monthly visitors planning their weddings on WeddingWire and The Knot. This network also facilitates valuable connections with hundreds of thousands of industry professionals, fostering business growth and community engagement.
​
We at Romance Travel Group are extremely proud to be recognized as one of the top wedding businesses on WeddingWire.com. This accolade underscores our dedication to providing exceptional travel services to couples embarking on their journey of love. For more information about our services and to experience the award-winning quality that sets us apart, we invite you to visit our website at www.RomanceTravelGroup.com. 

Fourteenth Annual Best of Weddings Awards Honor the Top Wedding Vendors Across America

Romance Travel Group pleased to announce that we have once again been selected as a 2020 winner of The Knot Best of Weddings, an accolade representing the highest and top-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot, a leading wedding planning brand and app.
 
For 2020, only five percent of hundreds of thousands of local wedding professionals listed on The Knot received this distinguished award. In its fourteenth annual year, The Knot continues its longstanding tradition of supporting local wedding vendors with The Knot Best of Weddings 2020, an annual by-couples, for-couples guide to the top wedding professionals across the country. To determine the winners, The Knot analyzed its millions of user reviews across various vendor categories, including venues, musicians, florists, photographers, caterers and more, to find the highest rated vendors of the year. These winners represent the best of the best wedding professionals that engaged couples should consider booking for their own unique wedding.
 
“Our teams works extremely hard to be helpful, kind, fun and supportive with all of our wedding and honeymoon couples, so it is exciting to receive this recognition to share with everyone!” says Shelli Nornes, President and CEO of Romance Travel Group. “It is definitely a team effort, and I can’t wait to share this with them!”
 
The Knot has inspired 25 million couples (and counting!) to plan a wedding that’s uniquely theirs. With a rich history of providing high-quality content and inspiration, The Knot makes it easy for couples to connect with and book the right wedding professionals to create their perfect wedding day. On The Knot Marketplace, couples can get connected to any of the hundreds of thousands of local wedding professionals across the country. The Knot Best of Weddings gives couples the confidence to find and book the best local vendors to bring their wedding visions to life. In combination with years of trusted content, The Knot’s innovative technology makes planning one’s wedding celebrations easier and more enjoyable.
 
Wedding professionals who win The Knot Best of Weddings are members of WeddingPro, the leading B2B wedding brand. As the largest marketplace and community for wedding professionals, WeddingPro connects businesses with more than 13 million visitors per month who are planning weddings on The Knot and WeddingWire, as well as with hundreds of thousands of pros in the industry. Through its online marketplaces, educational programs and community-building events, WeddingPro is dedicated to helping wedding professionals build relationships with couples and pros that grow their businesses.
 
For more information about The Knot Best of Weddings and this year’s winners, please visit https://www.theknot.com/vendors/best-of-weddings.
 
About Romance Travel Group
Romance Travel Group is your key to a successful destination wedding, honeymoon or vacation getaway. As industry recognized leaders in the art of destination wedding and travel planning, our team of agents has dozens of awards and accolades, and thousands of very happy brides, grooms, couples and guests. Our specialists are seasoned pros who want the best for you. We can’t wait to help you plan the perfect wedding day, honeymoon or tropical vacation! Call us today to start planning the trip of a lifetime! 507-237-6133
 

Romance Travel Group gives the distinction, thanking the support and the joint work that has allowed them to grow.

​By EDITORIAL MNN  Thursday, April 11, 2019

In Quintana Roo and specifically in the Riviera Maya, the wedding tourism segment has increased exponentially in recent years. In the entity an average of 25 thousand tourist weddings are made per year.

For this reason, Romance Travel Group, the leading agency in planning for weddings, gave recognition to Grupo Lomas Travel and Karisma Hotels & Resorts for the excellence with which they have been working as business partners.

Both groups are recognized leaders in the tourism industry guaranteeing perfect vacations in beach destinations with memorable experiences; They are experts in the planning of weddings, honeymoons or anniversaries.

Recently, directors of Romance Travel Group, made a tour of the facilities of the corporate, where Shelli Nornes, owner of the North American agency gave recognition, thanking the support of Grupo Lomas , as well as the trust given, which undoubtedly - "has allowed us all to continue growing".

Romance Travel Group, based in Minnesota, has won several awards, awarded by hotel chains as well as magazines and pages dedicated to the tour; recently won Hall of Fame in the GIVC program not only for its high production at our El Dorado and Generations Riviera Maya hotels, by Karisma, but also for the support to the destination of the Mexican Caribbean, promoting us with its clients and strategic allies that work directly with the agency.

In this way, the Excellence In Partnership 2019 award motivates  Grupo Lomas to continue being a leading company in tourism development. Thanks to its Weddings by Lomas business unit, it has made the Riviera Maya one of the favorite wedding destinations. Its impressive beaches, recognized worldwide offer the opportunity of a dream wedding and then enjoy the perfect honeymoon without having to leave after the great celebration.

Minnesota, January 28, 2019 -- Romance Travel Group was announced a winner of the renowned WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®. WeddingWire, Inc., a leading global online wedding marketplace, annually celebrates the top wedding professionals on WeddingWire across more than 20 service categories, from venues and caterers to florists and photographers. These distinguished vendors exhibit superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when interacting with the five million monthly consumers who turn to WeddingWire to help ease their wedding planning process.

Romance Travel Group received this esteemed award based on their outstanding experience working with real newlyweds. WeddingWire features more than three million reviews, and these notable vendors all received prompt, reliable, and quality feedback. "We are celebrating our 11th annual Couples’ Choice Awards, where we honor our vendors who help make millions of couples’ big day one to remember," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. "Not only are these hardworking and distinguished wedding professionals, such as Romance Travel Group, a fundamental part of the wedding planning process for engaged couples, but they help make WeddingWire a trusted source for wedding planning. We congratulate everyone on this well-deserved achievement."

Romance Travel Group is honored to be one of the top wedding businesses in the country on WeddingWire.com. For more information about Romance Travel Group, please visit us on WeddingWire or www.RomanceTravelGroup.com.

Romance Travel Group, (www.romancetravelgroup.com), a leading destination wedding travel agency, has been recognized by Travel Impressions (www.travelimpressions.com), one of the country’s largest tour operators selling destinations worldwide, as a “Best of the Best” travel agency. The honor is bestowed on a limited number of agencies and consortia partners whose knowledge and expertise planning and executing memorable vacation experiences on behalf of clients has contributed to their status as a top performer for Travel Impressions.
 
Romance Travel Group received the award at Travel Impressions’ 23rd annual “Best of the Best” gala event, held at Breathless Riviera Cancun on an elegant stretch of the Riviera Maya coastline in Mexico.
 
“We are honored to be recognized as one of Travel Impressions’ ‘Best of the Best’ travel partners,” said Shelli Nornes, President/CEO of Romance Travel Group. “We work closely with Travel Impressions to ensure our couples receive the highest quality destination wedding and honeymoon experiences with premium amenities at attractive price points,” said Nornes. “The partnership allows us to maintain our high level of customer satisfaction and exceed clients’ expectations at every turn.”
 
Travel Impressions President Scott Wiseman adds, “I look forward every year to congratulating our most powerful partners in person at this extraordinary event. We value all of the agencies that make up our CommuniTI, but Best of the Best honorees are the backbone of our industry. They are the anchor agencies that put customer service at the forefront as they shape transformative experiences for our travelers.”
 
Travel Impressions “Best of the Best” conference and celebrations were attended by 300 delegates, including travel agents, journalists and representatives from some of the most in-demand and newest hotel and resort brands. The multi-day event featured insightful presentations by senior Travel Impressions leaders and industry experts, business-enhancing educational opportunities, hotel site inspections and other local excursions, including a charity drive hosted by Amstar DMC in conjunction with Huellas de Pan, a non-profit civil association that works to provide nutritious food to vulnerable people in the Cancun’s urban area.
 
For more information, contact Shelli Nornes at 507-267-4857 or visit www.romancetravelgroup.com. ​

December 14, 2018
Romance Travel Group Wins Big With Karisma Hotels at the 11th Annual GIVC Awards
 
Launched in 2008, the Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant Program (GIVC) is limited to an elite group of travel agents who are obligated to meet specific standards and requirements in order to exceed extremely high expectations with regard to customer service and support. Each year, the event honors the industry’s top performing travel professionals during four days of celebrations, ceremonies and meetings at El Dorado Royale Spa Resort, by Karisma, in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
 
On Friday December 8th Karisma Hotels & Resorts unveiled the award winners on the final evening of the company’s Eleventh Annual GIVC Awards and Sales & Marketing Forum, which drew over 600 agents. The 11th annual gala dinner awards were presided over by Armando Chomat, Executive VP for Sales and Marketing Worldwide for Karisma Hotels.
 
“This evening, with deep appreciation to Sr. Martínez and Sra. Dolores, we could not be more excited to provide our revered Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultants with the recognition they have earned.” Romance Travel Group’s Shelli Nornes was named #1 Top Selling Agent (home based) in the United States, top 10 wedding agent and top sales agent for El Dorado, Azul and Generations resorts. The final and most esteemed award of the night, The Hall of Fame Award, was given to Ms. Nornes for making a significant impact on business and partnership. “What a night!” says Nornes. “Karisma has been a wonderful partner for many years and we love sharing these favorite resorts with our clients. Receiving the Hall of Fame award means the world to us. It is such an honor to be recognized like this.”
 
Romance Travel Group is known for their expert destination wedding, honeymoon and vacation planning. Having just celebrated 20 years in business this past June, Romance Travel Group is a long-time industry leader. For more information on Romance Travel Group, visit www.romancetravelgroup.com.

TheKnot.com, #1 in connecting couples with wedding services, announced the top-rated wedding vendors in the U.S. of 2017 earlier this month.

The award is based on the highest-rated wedding professionals, which are reviewed by real couples, families, and wedding guests on TheKnot.com. Exceptional vendors who have received four or more of The Knot's Best of Weddings awards are nominated to be inducted into The Knot's Best of Weddings Hall of Fame.

"As the leading wedding planning resource, we pride ourselves on being able to connect couples with the best local wedding vendors to pull off their perfect day," said Kellie Gould, editor-in-chief of The Knot. "Vendors with The Knot Best of Weddings or Hall of Fame winning badges give couples the reviews, recommendations and confidence they need to choose exceptional vendors that are right for them."

Romance Travel Group is part of the top 2% of vendors to be inducted into The Knot's Best of Weddings Hall of Fame, after receiving more than four awards year after year. Quite an impressive record!

"What an incredible achievement! I am so proud of and excited for our team,” shares president and CEO of Romance Travel Group, Shelli Nornes. “Everyone works extremely hard to provide the best service and travel planning experiences possible. We love what we do, and I think that is really what makes us stand out.”
​
If you're in the market to plan a destination wedding and are looking for The Knot's stamp of approval... Romance Travel Group is the way to go! Check them out at www.romancetravelgroup.com, or call 507-267-4857.

Again, travel agents have proven how important their contribution is to Jamaica's tourism industry by selling thousands of room nights worth millions of dollars.in revenue to the country.

The top 50 producing agents were recognized by the Jamaica Tourist Board at their all-white Travel Specialist Rewards ceremony at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, St Ann, earlier this month. The agents, representing the United States, the island's largest source market, Canada and the United Kingdom combined, sold over 130,000 room nights, earning US$39 million for the country.

“We love Jamaica!” exclaimed Shelli Nornes, President/CEO of Romance Travel Group, and one of the 50 top producing Jamaica specialists. “Our first Caribbean vacation was to Jamaica and we’ve been coming back each year ever since. We love that you know the minute you step off the plan that you’ve landed in Jamaica. The music, the food and the language all welcome us home. We love sharing our love for Jamaica with our clients.”​

Romance Travel Group is a destination wedding and honeymoon focused travel agency based in the Midwest. Their focus on the all-inclusive resort experience lends itself well to the island of Jamaica. To learn more about Nornes and Romance Travel Group, visit www.romancetravelgroup.com. 

Minnesota-based travel agency, Romance Travel Group, was honored earlier this month at the Karisma GIVC Awards at the El Dorado Royale Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Karisma Hotels has been a longtime partner with Romance Travel Group, and the agency is extremely excited and honored to be recognized by them for their achievements this year.
Romance Travel Group took home several awards for tops sales in destination weddings. Specifically, they received the Top Sales Growth Midwest Award (way to go, Lisa Ruchti!), the Top Generations Sales Award, The Top El Dorado Weddings Award, The Top Azul Weddings Award, a Diamond 2 Award, and two Diamond 4 Awards. Wow – that's quite the list, guys!

Karisma Hotels is a major leader in hospitality management and operates award-winning properties in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, Karisma focuses on providing exceptional services to their customers, and received worldwide recognition for its creative approach in hospitality management and innovative products.
​
Here's to a lifetime of partnerships! To book your expertly planned destination wedding to gourmet inclusive vacation today, visit www.romancetravelgroup.com or call 507-267-4857.

For the third year in a row, Romance Travel Group was recognized for Travel Impressions' "Best of the Best" Award Gala, where invitations are based on travel sales, partnerships, trust, and loyalty. Romance Travel Group was one of only 35 travel agencies across the world that were honored with the highest achievement, the Globe Award, which was awarded at Secrets Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic on November 16th -19th.

Travel Impressions' "Best of the Best 2017" Award Gala provided travel agents with three full-days of exciting presentations, educational opportunities, and other fun activities in celebration of another successful year of partnerships.

Keynote speakers highlighted powerful marketing tools that can become an asset in running a travel agency, as well as the power of a creative branding strategy. The conference also discussed additional opportunities for partnerships and developing long-lasting relationships.

Romance Travel Group president and CEO, Shelli Nornes, had previously mentioned in 2016 that Travel Impressions' "appreciation of their top partners is very apparent not only by the amazing events they put on, but also by their efforts and willingness to go above and beyond for us throughout the year." She continues, "we are already on track for Best of the Best 2017!" Looks like Shelli was right. Way to go, Romance Travel Group! Here's to "Best of the Best 2018!"

For the best of the best travel and destination wedding planning, visit www.romancetravelgroup.com or call 507-267-4857.

2017 TRAVEL WEEKLY MAGELLAN AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Secaucus, NJ (September 8, 2017) – Travel Weekly announced the winners of the 2017 Magellan Awards. With entries from across the U.S. and around the world, the Magellan Award winners represent the best in the travel industry and salute the outstanding travel professionals behind it all.

The Magellan Awards honor outstanding design, marketing and services in a broad range of industry segments including Hospitality, Travel Destinations, Cruise Lines, Online Travel Services, Airlines and Airports, Travel Agents and Agencies, Tour Operators and Ground Transportation.

“This year’s winners represent the most talented and creative people in not just the travel industry but of any industry,” said Arnie Weissmann, editor in chief of Travel Weekly. “They continue to raise the bar, to inspire travel and enhance the travel experience. Their work leaves a lasting impression on our expert judges and readers.”

Romance Travel Group has received the 2017 Magellan Award for best Marketing/Web Design. “We put a lot of thought into how we design and maintain our online image and website. We want it to be informative and helpful, while still showing off our personality and expertise,” comments Ross Nornes, COO and technology engineer for Romance Travel Group. “Winning this award is confirmation that we are doing things right.”

The Magellan Awards are judged and overseen by a one-of-a-kind panel of top travel professionals representing the best names and most accomplished leaders from the industry. In determining winners, entries do not compete with one another, instead they are judged against a standard of excellence based on the long experience of Travel Weekly. To uphold this high standard of excellence, a category may have multiple winners, or may have no winners at all.

For a complete list of silver and gold winners, please visit www.travelweeklyawards.com.
​
To view the site, please visit www.RomanceTravelGroup.com. 

AIC Hotel Group— the experiential brand offering an unrivaled vacation experience with limitless service and style—recognized Romance Travel Group for its outstanding achievement at their Second Annual Showstopper Awards recently held at UNICO 20˚87˚ Hotel Riviera Maya. With over 150 travel partners in attendance, Romance Travel Group proudly took home the Double Platinum Agent, Triple Platinum Agency, Top Wedding and the coveted Gamechanger Awards.
 
Reserved for top producers that exemplify excellence in every facet of production for the company’s properties, AIC Hotel Group’s Showstopper Awards acknowledges the company’s Tour Operator and Travel Agent partners throughout the US and Canada for their production to the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels of Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Winners were carefully selected based on production achieved for 2016, with the Brand Ambassador category recognizing best overall support of the hotel.
           
“AIC Hotel Group has always considered travel partners a critical part of the company’s growth and overall success,” says Ash Tembe, VP of Sales for AIC Hotel Group. “Their dedication to our hotels is widely acknowledged and valued by our sales team, as well as the properties and their staff. We look forward to an even brighter future together, and many more years of continued success.” 
 
“We are so excited to have received these awards! Our agents work extremely hard at creating the perfect destination wedding, honeymoon and travel experiences for our clients, and it is an honor to be recognized for that,” says Shelli Nornes, President and CEO of Minnesota-based Romance Travel Group. “Our close partnership with the AIC Hotel Group means the world to us.”
 
For more information on Romance Travel Group, please visit www.RomanceTravelGroup.com or call 507-267-4857.