A change of leadership at Internova‘s luxury division
Internova Travel Group has appointed Melissa Krueger to lead Global Travel Collection, the business that brings together some of the most prominent luxury travel advisors in the North American market. She succeeds Angie Licea, who has chosen to step down after turning GTC into a unified business worth around €2.1bn ($2.4bn).
The group, which describes itself as one of the world’s largest travel services companies, represents more than 100,000 advisors across 6,000 owned and affiliated locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Its presence extends to more than 80 countries.
Four record years at Classic Vacations
Melissa Krueger has nearly 30 years’ experience across travel, hospitality and luxury. Her career was built at Classic Vacations, where she held a succession of leadership roles in sales, brand development, revenue management and group travel before becoming chief executive.
At the helm of the company, she delivered four of the strongest years in its 48-year history. Under her leadership, Classic Vacations strengthened its position in the luxury segment, enhanced its digital tools and raised the level of service and personalisation offered to advisors and their clients alike. She also led the company’s acquisition by TBO Tek in 2025.
A roadmap centred on advisors
As President of GTC, Melissa Krueger will be responsible for the division’s operations, commercial performance and strategic growth. Her priorities will be supporting advisors, deepening industry partnerships and opening up new opportunities in the luxury travel market.
J.D. O’Hara, CEO of Internova Travel Group, said that Melissa combines luxury travel expertise, leadership and a keen understanding of what advisors need to succeed. He added that she has built her career on strong relationships, innovation and creating value for advisors and partners, and that GTC has a remarkable group of advisors and a talented team. He said he was confident she is the right person to lead the business into its next chapter.
Melissa Krueger said she had spent much of her career working alongside travel advisors and recognised the passion, expertise and relationships they bring to their clients every day. She said she was delighted to join the organisation and looked forward to working with the team to build on its success, strengthen partnerships and create more opportunities for its advisors.
Angie Licea remains with the group
Angie Licea will support the transition within Internova while exploring other roles in the organisation. J.D. O’Hara noted that she had played an important part in making GTC the organisation it is today, paying tribute to her leadership and her contribution to the group.
Analysis – For hotel groups and owners of premium properties, advisor networks such as GTC are a high-value referral channel, built on client relationships and access to negotiated benefits. Choosing a leader shaped by direct contact with advisors and supplier partners puts the quality of those relationships at the heart of the mandate, in a segment where other agencies, such as Cadence in California and its network of independent advisors, have likewise made personalised advice their point of difference.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Melissa Krueger takes the helm of Global Travel Collection
Internova Travel Group appoints former Classic Vacations CEO as President of GTC
GTC: luxury division with 1,500+ advisors, now a unified $2.4bn business
Krueger succeeds Angie Licea, who remains with Internova during the transition
Nearly 30 years in travel, hospitality and luxury, including Classic Vacations’ sale to TBO Tek in 2025
Mandate: advisor support, industry partnerships and growth across the luxury market
