The Tourism Industry Club named a new director after 30 years

After three decades at the helm, Travel Industry Club (TIC) founder Sue Francis is handing over the boutique agency and member benefits business to Megan Crichton, who has worked alongside her for the past 2.5 years.

Crichton takes over as director, taking over the management of the travel industry business that founder and director Francis has built over 30 years to take TIC to its next stage of growth.

Crichton has worked with Francis, gaining extensive experience across all phases of the operation, and the pair are working through a planned transition of control to maintain continuity for members, partners and suppliers.

Francis will not disappear entirely, remaining as a consultant, offering ongoing support and sharing the industry knowledge and connections that have shaped the Travel Industry Club.

How did TIC begin and where is it now?

Francis founded the Travel Industry Club three decades ago after identifying a gap in the market: tourism professionals did not have the equivalent of the staff benefits and exclusive offers common in other industries.

She used her time working with Qantas, her general sales agent (GSA) business in New Zealand and Australia, and long-standing industry relationships to negotiate special offers for travel industry employees.

Like much of the sector, TIC has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent industry disruption. The business has narrowed its scope and re-emerged, specializing in the luxury cruise sector and offering exclusive travel and cruise deals for travel professionals.

The boutique travel agency is Crichton’s platform and the business is poised for further growth under her leadership at a time when cruise lines resume their expansion in Australasia.

Frances is confident in the continuity she has been preparing for years.

“TIC has been an incredibly rewarding journey over the past 30 years. When I started the business, my vision was simple: to provide travel industry employees with access to great offers and benefits that recognized their contributions to our industry. Seeing the business grow over three decades has been incredibly rewarding,” she said.

“This is not a sudden change, but a well-planned transition. I am pleased that Meaghan is taking over the leadership of the business. She knows TIC, she understands our members and partners, and I am confident that she is the right person to take the company to its next chapter.”

Crichton said: “Sue has created something special and I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to grow the business while maintaining respect for the foundations she has created.”

CARRION UNPACKS: For advisors that rely on TIC member benefits, especially luxury cruise offerings, the director transition signals continuity rather than disruption, with a well-planned succession transition and a founder remaining as a knowledgeable advisor.