TRAVELSAVERS and NEST strengthen business development team

 

Leading travel agency networks TRAVELSAVERS and NEST have expanded their business development team with the appointment of Heather Di Pietro as Director of Business Development, reinforcing their capacity to meet growing demand from travel agencies seeking network affiliation.

In her new role, Di Pietro will focus on developing and maintaining relationships with potential member agencies that align with TRAVELSAVERS and NEST’s standards for partnership. She will highlight the advantages of joining the networks and guide qualified agencies through the affiliation process.

An award-winning travel designer and former agency owner, Di Pietro brings over two decades of experience in luxury and group travel. She previously served as Owner and CEO of TravelSalesGroup LLC, a concierge-style agency specialising in luxury, group, and romance travel. Having been affiliated with TRAVELSAVERS and NEST for more than 20 years—and achieving Elite status for the last five – she offers firsthand insight into the benefits of network affiliation.

“Heather brings a unique perspective to her role as the former owner of a NEST affiliate,” said NEST Senior Vice President Wayne Spector. “She grew her agency to new heights of success by drawing on her gift for connecting people. Now she’ll forge bonds with potential affiliates and show them how we can help them reach their full potential with our personalized coaching, exclusive technology and lead-generating marketing programs.”

The appointment comes at a time of strong expansion for both networks. So far in 2025, TRAVELSAVERS and NEST have welcomed 75 new agencies, generating $258 million in preferred partner sales. This follows 2024’s record year, when more than 100 agencies joined, contributing over $279 million in sales.

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Di Pietro’s addition to the leadership team aims to enhance communication and onboarding efficiency, ensuring both networks continue to attract top-performing agencies and provide them with the resources to succeed in a competitive marketplace.

Throughout her career, Di Pietro has received multiple industry accolades, including the Black Pineapple Award from Antigua and Barbuda and several Global Piton Awards from St. Lucia. She has also served on advisory boards for ALG Vacations, Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, and The Affluent Traveler Collection.

A graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, Di Pietro applies strategic business practices from that initiative to strengthen TRAVELSAVERS and NEST’s engagement with travel agencies across North America.