Travel company receives global recognition

Hospitality

Nov 25

Photo courtesy of A&S Signature Journeys

Grand Rapids-based travel company A&S Signature Journeys was named the 2024 Best Personalized Luxury Tour Operator - USA by LUXLife Magazines' Global Excellence Awards. Founded in 2002, A&S was started by Sheri Fazleabas and specializes in tours to Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Pacific, and the Middle East.

Fazleabas has been in the travel industry for 40 years, starting her career at Thomas Cook travel agency in 1978. Historically, A&S has only served travel agents, but now guests can book directly with A&S or their preferred travel agent. Over the past four years, A&S has booked over 1,000 trips to the exotic destinations they specialize in.

“We are honored to receive this award from LUXLife Magazine,” said Fazleabas, “Our aim with every trip we plan is to not only to make these exotic destinations more accessible and less intimidating for our clients but also to give a unique, authentic experience where they are fully immersed and learn about the culture and country in a very comfortable, guided, hands-on experience.”

The team at A&S has visited well over 100 countries and is intentionally located in every time zone around the world to ensure accessibility once clients are on their journey.

“It is so important that our team visit each destination multiple times to become educated in the areas, create relationships with local people, stay at the accommodations, eat at the restaurants, take the guided tours and ensure that any experience recommended is one that is fully vetted and unforgettable,” said Fazleabas.

One client, the Caldwells, shared, “We had never used travel agents, however on our most recent trip to Chile and Easter Island we decided to use the services of A&S. Our flight from the USA was delayed and the team at A&S arranged for us to be met and transferred to make our onward flight to Easter Island in just over an hour. We were met as soon as we got off the plane and escorted to our next flight. Everyone who guided us or met us was very kind, knowledgeable and professional."

For the last seven years, LUXLife Magazines’ Global Excellence Awards recognizes brands that have evidence of extensive expertise within a given field or discipline, dedication to customer service, and client satisfaction with an ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation. It is a merit-based award program to which A&S was nominated by a third party.

In 2023, A&S Signature Journeys was named Best Luxury Exotic Tour Operator - USA in the same award program. Learn more at https://ansjourneys.com/.