tales of travel

Magazine’s Selection of the Best Travel Advisors and Specialists Announced September 2017 Issue

In the recently released Travel + Leisure 2017 A- List Awards, three travel specialists from ATJ (Asia Transpacific Journeys) were awarded among the world’s most knowledgeable, creative and enthusiastic travel professionals. These individuals, who have each been recognized in this award series numerous times in the past, include:

• Rebecca Mazzaro, included for the seventh consecutive year for her encyclopedic knowledge of travel to Myanmar (Burma). Mazzaro was also recognized for her expertise in Japan.
• Jarrod Hobson, recognized for the sixth consecutive year as a definitive expert on travel to Indonesia.
• Pat O’Connell, who earned the award for the fourth year running for his expertise in creating memorable and fun trips for families throughout Asia and The Pacific.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Rebecca, Jarrod and Pat,” said Kirsten Louy-Nasty, CEO of ATJ. “All three of these individuals were also recognized on the Travel + Leisure A-List last year. Their continued passion, dedication and experience is certainly demonstrated through this award.”

ATJ, celebrating its 30^th Anniversary in 2017, is a U.S. based tour-operator specializing in custom journeys and small group trips to the Asia-Pacific region, in locations from Japan and Thailand, to Sri Lanka and beyond. Based in Boulder, Colo., ATJ’s team of Travel Specialists work with partners in every corner of Asia and The Pacific to create personalized, memorable and immersive travel experiences for its clients.

Every year, Travel + Leisure editors sift through thousands of travel advisors to determine the industry’s all-stars; those with the knowledge and connections to make any dream trip a reality. The exclusive list of the top 133 advisors, which will be featured in the September 2017 issue of the magazine, is organized by area of expertise and provides details including their specialties, years as an agent, and contact information.

About ATJ (Asia Transpacific Journeys)

Celebrating its 30^th anniversary in 2017, ATJ is a U.S. based tour-operator specializing in custom journeys and small group trips to the Asia-Pacific region, in locations from Japan and Thailand, to Sri Lanka and beyond. Based in Boulder, Colo., ATJ’s team of Travel Specialists work with partners in every corner of Asia and The Pacific to create personalized, memorable and immersive travel experiences for its clients. ATJ develops custom itineraries that provide adventure by day and comfort by night for individuals, couples or families, and operates small group departures, which include no more than 18 travelers. Itineraries can be customized to focus on specific interests such as culinary travel, photography or cycling. ATJ’s team of Travel Specialists are unparalleled in their expertise and knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region, evidenced by their inclusion in Travel + Leisure’s A-List Awards for the past seven consecutive years and designation as a “Top 10 Tour Operator” in the magazine’s World’s Best Awards in 2017 and previously. In addition, ATJ’s itinerary to “Buddhist Asia” was named one of National Geographic Traveler’s Top 50 Tours of a Lifetime. For more information visit www.atj.com, or visit us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

About Travel + Leisure 
Travel + Leisure is the preeminent voice for the sophisticated, insatiable traveler, serving up expert intelligence and the most immersive, inspiring travel lifestyle content anywhere. Travel + Leisure captures the pure joy of discovering the pleasures the world has to offer—from art and design to shopping and style to food and wine. Whether the experience is in print or digital, T+L offers compelling reasons to get up and go. With a total global audience of more than 9 million, the Travel + Leisure portfolio includes the U.S. flagship and five international editions in Mexico, Turkiye, China, India/South Asia and Southeast Asia.

The U.S. edition of T+L, which launched in 1971, has an authoritative website, TravelandLeisure.com, and an extensive social media following of more than 11 million. Travel + Leisure, a Time Inc. brand, also encompasses newsletters, clubs, retail stores, and media collaborations.