Brothers Edwin and Jacob Sarkisyan never imagined that their childhood spent organizing brochures and watching their father help families plan dream vacations would evolve into a nationwide movement. Today, BWJ Travel stands as more than just another travel agency in an industry crowded with options and plagued by scams.
“BWJ Travel stands out from other host agencies due to our comprehensive training, robust booking and management tools, and hands-on support from our support team and booking advisor,” a company spokesperson says. “The most unique aspect of our host agency, that no other host agency offers, is the fact that we provide agents with prospective clients so that they can get the ball rolling on their journey of becoming a top travel agent.”
The company traces its roots back three decades to SVH Tours & Travel, founded in the early 1990s by Vic Sarkisyan, a first-generation immigrant who built his business from the ground up. Edwin and Jacob grew up immersed in the travel industry, each developing distinct strengths that would later shape BWJ Travel’s approach.
Edwin focused on operations and growth strategy while Jacob perfected skills in relationship-building and delivering dream vacations. After helping scale SVH Travel into a nationally recognized brand, the brothers launched BWJ Travel as a host travel agency designed to empower passionate travel consultants nationwide.
The transition from traditional travel agency to host agency model reflects broader industry changes. The company’s approach differs significantly from multilevel marketing structures that focus on recruitment over actual travel services.
BWJ Travel’s client base consists primarily of couples, families and groups seeking all-inclusive resort vacations or cruise trips for birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons or spontaneous getaways.
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Comprehensive Training Sets BWJ Travel Apart From Competition
The foundation of BWJ Travel’s success lies in its extensive training program, which addresses common complaints about host agency models. Many agencies provide minimal support, leaving new agents to handle complex booking systems alone.
BWJ Travel’s training begins with comprehensive modules covering client interaction and booking processes. New agents must complete foundational courses before gaining access to the BWJ Agent Portal.
“When someone signs up to be an agent, they get onboarded with our comprehensive training modules,” a company spokesperson says. “Our agents make their earnings through commissions from their travel bookings for clients, not by recruiting other people as agents.”
Weekly live training sessions provide ongoing education beyond initial certification. These include Live Booking Support Calls with Jacob, sessions with booking advisor Curt, platform training with Edwin and specialized webinars featuring supplier representatives.
Curt exemplifies the company’s commitment to agent success. “Our booking advisor, Curt, actually started out as one of our agents,” a company spokesperson says. “Having a natural drive and love for travel, combined with all of the tools and resources that we have to offer, it didn’t take long for Curt to make several successful bookings for clients.” Now, he provides hands-on assistance, including one-on-one Zoom meetings for complex bookings.
Agent testimonials highlight this support structure’s effectiveness. Joshua compared his experience with BWJ Travel to a previous agency. “I worked with another agency before BWJ and it was awful – no support, no training, nothing,” he says. “BWJ actually teaches you how to succeed, provides real clients and pays on time.”
Steven Thomas credited the comprehensive support with his financial success. “I began at BWJ with no knowledge of travel booking,” he says. “They provided training and support, and now I earn over $5K per month while working from home.”
Technology Platform Streamlines Operations for BWJ Travel Agents
BWJ Travel’s competitive advantage extends beyond training to proprietary technology designed specifically for travel agents. The custom-built BWJ Agent Portal serves as a comprehensive platform integrating multiple functions that typically require separate systems.
The Booking Tools section allows agents to request supplier access, send credit card authorization forms directly to clients and verify travel restrictions in one location. The Data Management section provides tools for tracking clients, monitoring trips and managing commission payments.
“Our custom-built BWJ Agent Portal is an incredibly robust platform,” a company spokesperson says. “It features Booking and Data Management tools that are fully integrated.”
Beyond the technical platform, BWJ Travel provides 24/7 emergency support for agents and clients. Regular business hours run weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, but emergencies receive around-the-clock attention.
The company maintains preferred supplier partnerships that provide agents with exclusive deals and enhanced support. Dawn White experienced this benefit when planning her Hawaii trip. “I thought I found the best deal for my Hawaii trip, until BWJ showed me a secret package deal with a free resort credit and VIP perks,” she says.
BWJ Travel Builds Trust Through Transparency in the Travel Industry
Consumer trust represents a significant challenge in the travel industry, where fraudulent operations have made travelers wary of agencies. BWJ Travel addresses this through transparency and relationship-building strategies that prioritize long-term client satisfaction over short-term sales.
Agent training emphasizes active listening, personal approaches and underpromising while overdelivering. Rather than high-pressure tactics, agents learn to understand client needs before making recommendations.
“We emphasize to our agents that they should always focus on building and maintaining a good relationship with a client, especially towards the beginning,” a company spokesperson says. “We provide them with scripts and guidance to take a personal approach with their clients, ensuring that they provide not just ‘customer satisfaction’ but ‘customer delight’. Building that relationship is what builds trust.”
Client testimonials reflect this relationship-focused mindset. George from West Hollywood praised the agency after booking both a Mexico trip and an Europe tour. “I was extremely satisfied with this agency after my Mexico trip a month ago and that was the reason I called them back and booked everything for my Europe tour,” he says.
Ian Jennings praised his agent for planning his Costa Rica honeymoon, noting that she found them a beautiful eco-lodge, arranged zip-lining and hot springs and even helped with a surprise romantic dinner.
Susan from Sherman Oaks specifically recommended her agent, Starr, saying she had an amazing travel agent who made everything so smooth and easy for her to travel.
BWJ Travel addresses trust concerns through careful handling of feedback and complaints. The company conducts thorough investigations and takes necessary steps to address identified issues.
“We take feedback from our agents and clients very seriously,” a company spokesperson says. “As it pertains to complaints or negative reviews, we first initiate a thorough investigation to understand what took place, and depending on our findings and the situation, we take the necessary steps to rectify the issues presented.”
Future Growth Built on Family Values and Industry Experience
BWJ Travel’s expansion reflects a business model built on sustainable growth rather than rapid scaling that often compromises service quality. The company’s core values of trust, perseverance and respect shape every aspect of operations, from agent recruitment to client service delivery.
The brothers’ decision to launch BWJ Travel after successfully scaling SVH Travel demonstrates their dedication to sharing proven strategies rather than keeping successful methods proprietary. This approach has attracted agents with diverse backgrounds who share a passion for travel and commitment to client service.
The company’s belief in giving people a shot rather than filtering applicants through traditional interview processes has created opportunities for individuals who might not succeed in conventional travel agency environments.
Nick Potter described his initial nervousness about entering the travel industry but BWJ came through. “BWJ training walked me through it all,” he says. “Got my client a Carnival cruise with excursions and upgrades. Got my first commission check and I’m hooked!”
BWJ Travel’s rapid growth, evidenced by hundreds of positive reviews and an expanding client base, suggests the market responds favorably to their combination of comprehensive training, technological tools and ongoing support. The company’s focus on creating connections and memories rather than simply processing transactions positions it well for continued expansion.
Anna from Los Angeles appreciated the personalized service when planning her vacation, noting that her agent curated the best trip after she decided she didn’t want to go through the hassle of booking on her own.
The brothers’ immigrant family background and three decades of industry experience provide BWJ Travel with both cultural perspective and practical knowledge that newer companies often lack. Their understanding of what it takes to build trust in diverse communities, combined with modern technology and training methods, creates a foundation for sustainable growth.
As the travel industry continues evolving, BWJ Travel’s model of empowering independent agents while providing comprehensive support addresses key challenges facing both travelers and travel professionals. The transformation from a local travel agency founded by a first-generation immigrant to a nationwide network represents the potential for family-based businesses to scale while maintaining the personal service that originally drove their success.
