BWJ Travel is not your typical travel agency. While many companies are born from trends or corporate ventures, BWJ Travel stems from something deeper.  A family legacy, built over decades, that has evolved into a mission-driven enterprise. With deep roots in the travel industry and a forward-thinking vision for empowering independent travel consultants, BWJ Travel is quietly but steadily transforming how people connect with the world, and with each other.

At the heart of BWJ Travel are brothers Edwin and Jacob Sarkisyan, who co-founded the company after helping scale their father’s original business, SVH Tours & Travel, into a nationally recognized brand. Today, they lead BWJ Travel with the same values that shaped their upbringing: trust, perseverance, respect, and a belief that travel has the power to bring people together.

The Origin of BWJ Travel

BWJ Travel was born from a generational passion for travel. The Sarkisyan brothers grew up in the travel industry, learning from their father, Vic Sarkisyan, a first-generation immigrant who launched SVH Tours & Travel in the early 1990s. From helping organize trip brochures as kids to watching their father craft unforgettable journeys for clients, Edwin and Jacob internalized the craft of personalized travel planning.

As they grew older, each brother naturally developed complementary strengths. Edwin focused on optimizing systems, processes, and scaling operations. Jacob gravitated toward people, cultivating relationships, understanding client desires, and painting visions of dream vacations. Together, they envisioned a new kind of agency.  One that would blend their expertise into a platform that could serve not just travelers, but other aspiring travel professionals.

BWJ Travel was established as a host agency model, designed to provide aspiring and experienced travel consultants with the tools, community, and support needed to succeed. According to their official website, bwjagents.com, their mission is simple: empower others to build meaningful careers while helping clients plan life-changing travel experiences. 

Building a Consultant-First Culture

What truly sets BWJ Travel apart is its consultant-first approach. Agents are treated like extended family, provided with modern tools and platforms, and supported through structured training, peer mentorship, and accessible leadership. The internal platform, the Exchange, acts as a central hub for news, resources, and conversation, while live trainings and Jacob’s Pod, a biweekly meeting hosted by co-founder Jacob, help agents stay informed and inspired.

Rather than relying on outdated interview models, BWJ Travel gives aspiring consultants a chance to prove themselves through action. This inclusive and empowering model has attracted a diverse network of consultants from all walks of life, united by a love of travel and a commitment to client service.

According to a recent North Penn Now article, demand for BWJ Travel’s services has grown so quickly that the organization is working hard to keep up. Despite that, its leadership remains focused on sustainable growth and quality of service.

Learning from Adversity

Like any growing organization, BWJ Travel has faced its share of challenges. One pivotal moment came when their custom Agent Portal experienced a major technical failure, disabling access for over 12 hours. It was a stressful incident, but one that ultimately sparked critical changes.

“We realized we needed a stronger technical team,” the company shared. “We immediately invested in expanding our development and support staff.” This decision not only improved platform stability but also reinforced trust among agents, who rely on the portal to manage bookings, access training, and earn commissions.

It’s this kind of responsive leadership that defines BWJ Travel. Whether responding to technical issues or shifting industry dynamics, the team is committed to listening, learning, and adapting.

Embracing Technology and Market Trends

BWJ Travel stays competitive by prioritizing agility and technological integration. Edwin Sarkisyan, the agency’s Chief of Operations, plays a central role in this effort. His expertise in tech strategy has helped build a responsive digital infrastructure that integrates seamlessly with major travel tech platforms.

The agency also stays closely connected to suppliers, many of whom share updates and tools with BWJ Travel ahead of the broader market. These insights are filtered through the company’s internal platforms and shared directly with agents to ensure they stay ahead of trends.

The partnership with Expedia TAAP is a prime example of this collaborative approach. BWJ agents not only receive Platinum tier commissions when booking with the platform but also benefit from direct relationships with Expedia staff, such as account manager Gabriela Robles. Through incentives like travel vouchers and live guest appearances on Jacob’s Pod, this relationship continues to add tangible value for BWJ’s agent network.

Leadership That Prioritizes People

BWJ Travel’s leadership team is built around core values: drive, adaptability, and a genuine desire to help others. One standout example is Curt Chandler, who began as a travel agent and rose through the ranks to become Lead Booking Advisor. His natural ability to support others, combined with a deep passion for travel, made him a clear fit for leadership.

Decisions at BWJ are made with a balance of caution and courage. While the team is never hasty in adopting new tools or processes, once they’ve gathered the data and weighed the options, they move forward with confidence. This careful but decisive approach has helped BWJ Travel avoid the pitfalls of impulsive expansion while still remaining competitive in a fast-paced industry.

Trust and Credibility in a Shifting Industry

One of the biggest challenges in today’s travel landscape is overcoming public skepticism. Many consumers have had negative experiences with unreliable platforms or agencies, leading to a lack of trust.

BWJ Travel addresses this head-on by providing agents with communication scripts, branding tools, and online platforms, such as Agent Profiler through Travel Leaders Network, that help establish credibility. These tools are not just about marketing; they help build real client trust by making agents more visible, transparent, and accessible.

Social media also plays a role. Agents are encouraged to build a personal brand that reflects their expertise and client focus. Word of mouth remains one of the agency’s most powerful growth drivers, something the leadership team nurtures through consistent agent training and support.

Weathering the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most significant disruptions the travel industry has ever faced. For BWJ Travel, it was a moment of reckoning. Despite the uncertainty, the leadership remained present and supportive, helping agents stay connected, informed, and encouraged.

“When many suppliers didn’t issue refunds, we stepped in and covered costs ourselves,” the company shared. “It was about doing the right thing.” These actions left a lasting impression on both agents and clients, reinforcing BWJ’s values-driven approach to business.

A Scalable Vision for the Future

With thousands of agents already in their network, BWJ Travel is not slowing down. Their long-term vision is ambitious: to support tens of thousands of travel agents who help hundreds of thousands of people explore the world. The core mission remains unchanged.  To bring friends and families together through travel experiences that are safe, memorable, and deeply personal.

Future growth will be driven by a combination of strategic hiring, tool development, and agent education. From strengthening their Agent Portal to enhancing partnerships and training, BWJ Travel continues to invest in what matters most: people.

Moving Forward

BWJ Travel represents a rare combination of legacy and innovation.  Grounded in the family values of its founders but fully engaged with the tools and trends shaping modern travel. Through careful decision-making, inclusive leadership, and unwavering support for its agents, BWJ Travel has created a model that benefits everyone in its ecosystem: consultants, clients, and the broader travel community.

As demand for high-touch, personalized travel services continues to grow, BWJ Travel is well-positioned to lead.  Not with flashy gimmicks, but with a quiet confidence built on trust, consistency, and a shared love for exploration. Whether you're a traveler seeking your next adventure or an aspiring agent looking for a purpose-driven path, BWJ Travel offers more than just a service, it offers a place to belong.