Posted by: Marilyn Murphy
October 1, 2020
David Bowie sang it: Ch-ch-changes …
In this year of unprecedented change, we have an exciting announcement: Ownership of Creative Travel Planners, Inc., which includes The WOW! Travel Club as our leisure brand, is transitioning to my Vice President of Operations, Gabriel Haigazian.
This ownership change has been our plan for the better part of the 20+ years Gabriel’s been with me and was always our intention even before COVID wiped every travel program off our 2020 calendar. He and I started the paperwork in earnest early this year – never, of course, imagining the state of affairs we would find ourselves in six months later with no end in sight.
I’m extremely grateful Gabriel is still interested in taking this on, as it is most certainly NOT a fun time to be in the travel business! But The CTP Group and The WOW! Travel Club have stellar reputations, a solid team, loyal clients, and there’s nobody better to sustain the customer-focused legacy of our 43-year-old company. Business, for me, is very personal, and I am passing the torch to someone who loves the company as much as I do. Gabriel will be a fabulous CEO, and I’m excited to see how the company will rebound. And we will rebound!
We’ve faced challenges before so a global pandemic isn’t going to stop us!
Meanwhile, I’m not going away. I’m (only) 65, and I figure I have the last third of my years to enjoy a vibrant lifestyle, make a contribution, and inspire people to travel in meaningful ways. Three significant projects are in the works:
So, I’ll be plenty busy!
Much has changed in our industry and our world in the 43 years since CTP’s founding. What will NOT change is our commitment to creating extraordinary travel programs for valued customers of The CTP Group and The WOW! Travel Club. Thank you for your support!
Pics of me and Gabriel from our early days in the industry. Much has changed over the years – especially Gabriel’s hairstyle!
Please join me in congratulating Gabriel on his new role as CEO of The CTP Group!!!
I’m excited, honored, and – frankly – a little bit anxious about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m passionate about travel, about our industry, and especially about this company. Marilyn and I have been an unstoppable team for more than 20 years, and it’s a privilege to take over from such an inspiring mentor from whom I’ve learned so much.
When I interviewed with Marilyn for the position of Director of Operations back in 2000, I was overwhelmed by her exhaustive hiring process which included two interviews, a personality assessment, a writing assignment (to test my ability to compose a sentence), and reference checks. Her process taught me the importance of having the right people on staff. I’m grateful that the CTP team is intact and ready to be of service once travel resumes. Howard Wise and Ellen Gruetzmacher will continue our tradition of exemplary service and customer care. At CTP, people have always mattered more than profits.
And Marilyn has promised to be available should I need advice.
I’m so grateful that the transition has been relatively effortless. I wish Marilyn the very best with her future projects. She’ll finally have time to make all her dreams come true.
Thanks to all our customers, suppliers, and friends around the world who make this business a joyful experience. I look forward to leading this extraordinary and legendary company into the future.
On behalf of the entire team at The CTP Group, we look forward to working with you in the future. We’ve already begun planning amazing and fabulous travel programs in 2021 and beyond. Rest assured, as soon as it’s safe for us to commence travel again, we’ll be the first ones boarding those shiny and beautiful airplanes!
Copyright 2024 WOW! Travel. All Rights Reserved.
23 Comments
Bill Williamson September 30, 2020 at 11:46am
Congratulations to you both. We look forward to the day when our travels will resume. Can’t wait to get started. Gabriel, you have some big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that you will be successful. You have proven that to me already just by getting us home from Morocco on the last flight in March. Hope to see you Marilyn on future trips. Y’all be safe.
David Yadgaroff September 30, 2020 at 1:08pm
Congrats to both of you on this exciting announcement! I am looking forward to what the future will bring for all of us and getting back to some fantastic travel with both of you.
Diane Lenkin September 30, 2020 at 6:02pm
Congratulations to both of you wonderful and talented people. May CPT and WOW will rise up and thrive for long time
Julie franz September 30, 2020 at 6:33pm
I knew this was coming, probably sooner than later, and we know that reins of WOW could not be passed over to any better hands. I’m glad we will not need to say a total goodbye to Marilyn and happy the rest of the team will remain intact. Congratulations, Gabriel! And I wish Marilyn all the best as she works to fulfill all her dreams with maybe a teensy more time to do so. 😊❤️🎉
Cindi Langendoen October 1, 2020 at 8:42am
Congratulations to both of you!
Eagerly await future news and adventures. Best of luck’
Evelyn St Germain October 1, 2020 at 8:46am
Congratulations to two fabulous people! Gabriel, Wishing you continued blessings and success. Marilyn, where have the years gone? Wishing you peace, happiness and the gift of time. I’ll be watching for the new book. XOXO
Angela October 1, 2020 at 9:46am
Congrats to you both! Gabriel, I couldn’t be happier or prouder of you! While the timing sucks, come next year it’s on. I love you twice around the world. I can’t wait to see where your journeys take you both. Congrats guys! ❤️
Darrell Benning October 1, 2020 at 10:12am
Congratulations to two of the nicest people in the industry (and talented too of course!).
Onward and upward! – Darrell –
Connie Reeves October 1, 2020 at 10:33am
Congratulations to. It’s of you! Such a great team. New beginnings for both of you. Very exciting.
Jaclynn Lesser October 1, 2020 at 10:43am
Congratulations Gabriel and to both of you.
Lorraine Flacks October 1, 2020 at 10:44am
WOW and Congratulations to both of you, and this special company! I have been honored and privileged to have been able to work with you for so many years, and call you both dear friends. We don’t see too much of each other these days, but you are always close to my heart. I wish you both much happiness and success in your new roles. I hope our lives and industry will have some normalcy one day again soon🙏.
Cheryl Gelbmann October 1, 2020 at 3:41pm
🥂🍾congrats to both of you!
Michael Shapiro October 1, 2020 at 3:57pm
Congratulations to both of you for your new life changing adventures.
Max N Landon October 1, 2020 at 4:33pm
Congratulations Gabriel, we wouldn’t have wanted or expected anyone else. Keep up the great work, magic man.
Lee Marona October 1, 2020 at 5:08pm
My sadness that Marilyn is stepping down is only outweighed by my pleasure in knowing CTP and the WOW group are left in the excellent hands of Gabriel. I could not be happier for the two of them. I am not a client of CTP but one of their many hand picked suppliers from all over the world. Professionally speaking there just is not a better team to work with and produce REALLY WOW ADVENTURES than those at CTP.
Marilyn … stay in touch!!! Gabriel … congrats!
tricia pickering October 1, 2020 at 6:36pm
Such wonderful news for you both in your changing roles . Excited to hear what’s next ! CONGRATS!!!
Angela Helgeland October 1, 2020 at 7:54pm
Congratulations to both of you and cheers to new adventures!
Kathleen Rhodes October 1, 2020 at 9:22pm
I’m so happy for both of you! My husband, Carl, and I were so blessed to be part of several CTP Group trips that you put together some years ago for advertisers in our local newspaper. I remember Gabriel being SO calm and helpful when we were getting ready for our first trip, when we really had no clue what to expect or what to do to prepare. And your suggestions, Marilyn, for a short venture to Spain that we planned after the group trip to Paris were phenomenal. Although Carl and I haven’t been on a WOW Travel Club adventure, they look amazing!
Madelyn October 2, 2020 at 1:04pm
Congrats you two well done on the announcement and transition!
Gloria Vogt-Nilsen October 3, 2020 at 8:00am
Congratulations to both of you! I am your WOWee for life!! You are incredible individuals with creativity, adventure and stellar execution! More importantly, part of my life long extended family. Love you both and wish you endless success and joy! Ready to travel with you when it’s safe! Couldn’t be soon enough!!
Anita Chalfoun October 3, 2020 at 10:14am
Congratulations
Good luck
Good beginnings
Be safe
Cynthia Sawtell October 3, 2020 at 12:14pm
Congratulations, Gabriel! It’s a big step in such uncertain times, but 2020’s crises will pass in due time, and there is a lot of pent up yearning to get back to travel and the magic of discovery international travel provides. You’ll be fine.
And, Marilyn, I’m so pleased for you in this transition. Change is vital to the creative process, and you are the Creative Queen who shows us the way. Can’t wait to join a Founder’s Trip, and I look forward to donating to the Foundation. The more young people who are able to experience another culture, the better.
Debbie October 7, 2020 at 3:31am
Congratulations!