The new owners of a local travel agency strive to continue offering the same quality customer experience while expanding services.
Managing members Alan Kline and Matt Kizis — who took over operations in December — noted the strong legacy established by co-founder and longtime President Debra Freas and John Madden, the organization’s executive vice president, played a big role in their decision to carry on the tradition.
Both Freas and Madden plan to remain involved with TravelWorld, Kline said.
Established in 1975, TravelWorld has locations on Market Street in Kingston and Green Ridge Street in Scranton.
“The reputation and how great the old owners and staff were really was the deciding factor for getting involved,” said Kline, who has a background in real estate and business development. “That was probably our biggest reason. We’ve had great support from current customers. We’re excited to continue providing great trips, but we’re also looking to add more staff and (offer) destinations. We’re looking to add an African safari for 2026, and we’re already planning for 2027. We want to provide unique experiences for our customers that they can’t get anywhere else.”
Other themed tours like music and heritage travel and exclusive cruise packages with bus transportation to major ports are also planned, company officials said.
Additionally, renovations are underway at both office buildings and a new website will be launched, Kline said.
Kline, 35, of Mountain Top, added the recent election of the first U.S.-born pope offers an opportunity to expand bookings to Rome.
“We’re on pace to have another record-breaking year and with an American pope, we’re looking to double down on trips to Italy,” he said.
Kizis, 36, a retired Pennsylvania state trooper, who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Italy, stressed daily operations will carry on as usual under the new ownership
“Moving forward, we’re going to continue the legacy and really just try to expand it,” he said. “We were searching for a while and looking for a business to purchase. It just so happened that TravelWorld ended up being the company. Everybody is family and that resonated with us … it felt like home when you walked in.”
The Larksville resident added sales have been strong throughout the past five months since taking over the organization.
“It seems travel is booming more than ever right now,” Kizis said. “Europe is hot and everybody wants to get away.”
For Kizis, who grew up in Luzerne County, TravelWorld has always been a staple in the community, and he said purchasing the business feels serendipitous.
“It was right in my backyard,” he said. “I drove past it five times a day for 30 years — who would have thought that would be the business I ended up acquiring?”