Technology Is Tops At Oldest Travel Agency In America

Birmingham, Alabama – Today, Brownell Travel unveils a state-of-the art interactive video wall in their Birmingham headquarters. Brownell, the oldest travel agency in North America, has made technology and innovation a priority since the advent of personal computers in the early 1980s. Innovation has been a key differentiator for the company, allowing Brownell to grow to become a $160 million powerhouse while the majority of traditional brick-and-mortar agencies succumbed to the rise of the Internet.

Brownell’s “Wall to the World” will allow travel advisors, clients, and travel suppliers to connect in real-time and sparkling high-definition. The TV display, spanning more than 10 feet, was conceived and installed with the help of Birmingham-based Switch Audio Visual.

Some planned applications are live, virtual tours of hotels and resorts as well as global travel training via advanced video-conferencing.

Brownell will also be able to connect clients with their local contacts in destinations around the world for “meet and greets” and Q&A sessions.

“Imagine being able to meet your local guide and start forming a relationship before your trip,” said Haisley Smith, Brownell Vice President of Marketing and Development. “This technology will eliminate pre-trip anxiety and help us introduce our clients to the local people who will be taking care of them in a meaningful way.”

In the coming month, Brownell will welcome a group of travelers into the office for a sneak peek at a few of the resorts and lodges they will visit during an upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand.