Travel Impressions updated its top-producing agents on a host of new developments—from its new small group program to new destinations—at its Best of the Best 2017 conference in the Dominican Republic.Some 375 attendees—including 181 travel agents—met at the new Secrets Cap Cana in Punta Cana for the three-day event. The “Best of the Best” for Travel Impressions, which works exclusively with travel agents, are those agents who’ve booked a minimum of $750,000 with the company in 2017 and exhibit positive booking trends for the coming year.“In a short period of time, we’ve shown that a big company like Travel Impressions can be nimble, make great changes and move products forward,” said Travel Impressions President Scott Wiseman.Of the company’s many new initiatives, one of the “biggest game changers” is its new Flex Groups program for small groups, according to Wiseman.MORE Travel AgentDestination weddings remain one of Travel Impressions’ primary focuses but, “There are also many other reasons to celebrate including family reunions, anniversaries, corporate incentive groups, bachelor and bachelorette parties and retirements—all deserving of getaways just like weddings,” Wiseman told attendees.“But, especially with all these different categories and the fact that families and companies come in different sizes, supporting group travel meant getting more creative,” he said. “That’s where Flex Groups comes from.”Wiseman noted that groups make up more than 20 percent of Travel Impression’s business. “We negotiate just as hard for amenities and added values for these smaller bookings as we do for the larger ones, and have added conveniences that were particularly culled for bookings like these,” he said.The program applies to groups as small as five rooms and allows agents to book groups as individual bookings, provides a group code with no contract to commit to and no group reduction/cancellation penalties, and options to add rooms and passengers as the group grow.In addition, discounts are applied per booking, based on the total package price.To enhance its overall group business, the company has partnered with Softrip Travel Solutions, a technology solutions provider for tour and group operators.The collaboration is aimed at dramatically improving Travel Impressions’ handling of group business. New software solutions will improve the front-end groups interface by automating touchpoints and creating other efficiencies.READ MORE: The Advantages of a Travel Impressions SpecialistA beta testing phase is being undertaken before permanent solutions are implemented.On the product front, Wiseman noted that Travel Impressions has been expanding far outside traditional sun and sand destinations with its focus on what it calls ROW, or rest of the world.Rachel McGee, director of product development for ALG (the Apple Leisure Group)—of which Travel Impressions is a part—outlined the launch of new destinations plus the relaunch of existing ones.This fall, in addition to expanding its Italy and Switzerland portfolios, the company introduced Iceland with six escorted tour options as well as independent FIT experiences.McGee said it’s now launching Cartagena, Columbia with five tours out of New York (JFK) and Miami combining city, beach and cultural experiences. Plans are also in the works to introduce additional destinations in Columbia plus others in South America, Wiseman said.In March 2018, Travel Impressions will return to Cuba with four tours out of Miami. Later on, it plans to include a cruise option as well.READ MORE: Watch: Travel Impressions—A Focus on Travel AgentsMcGee said the company had reached the five-year mark for its Asia program, “so it’s time for new offerings.”It will relaunch its Asia program in January with Sita Tours which, however, will be a silent partner, McGee said. All documentation, materials and advertising will be branded Travel Impressions.The Asia relaunch will more than double Travel Impressions’ offerings and feature additional destinations and some 80 escorted tours.Follow @RobinTvl