Ensemble Travel Group reports that member Susan D. Tanzman, owner of Martin’s Travel & Tours in Los Angeles, passed away on September 5 after battling cancer for more than 15 years.
Tanzman served on Ensemble’s Board of Directors for over 10 years, and was a longtime member of the organization. She was also an attorney and a strong advocate for the travel agency community through her hard work and dedication with ASTA, both at the SoCal chapter and national levels, and the California Coalition of Travel Organizers (CCTO), which she helped establish, Ensemble said. Tanzman used her legal expertise to create new legislation to protect consumers and the travel industry and was often called on to testify before the state (CA) House and Senate on a variety of issues.
“Today, the ASTA family mourns the passing of one of its own – Susan Tanzman of Martin’s Travel & Tours in Los Angeles,” said ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby in a written release. “Sue was an icon within the industry, a 40+ year veteran who served on countless committees, boards, associations and councils supporting both the travel agent and legal communities…Our deepest sympathies go out to Sue’s family and friends on this sad day. She will be missed.”
Hawaii was Tanzman’s favorite travel destination, having visited there more than 200 times, first with family and later connecting her clients with its culture and people. Over time she developed special friendships with local suppliers in order to reward her clients with unique travel experiences – an expertise that Conde Nast Traveler soon recognized and named her to its elite circle of travel experts for nearly 10 consecutive years. Passionate for the destination, Tanzman served on the Executive Committee of the Oahu Visitors Bureau for seven years.
Well-known in the travel agent community, Tanzman’s accolades include being named Travel Agent of the Year by ASTA, chairing its 4,000-delegate World Congress in Hawaii in 2002, and serving as an officer and committee chair on numerous ASTA committees and initiatives. Among her many other awards: the American Eagle Award from American Airlines, SATH Annual Award for her contributions to the industry and Travel Agent’s Most Powerful Women in Travel.
In April 2017, Ensemble was honored with SoCal ASTA’s first “Susan D. Tanzman Advocates Award."
“Knowing what Susan championed on behalf of our organization, our industry, and the traveling public made this award even more special,” said Ensemble Co-President Libbie Rice.
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