Travel + Leisure Co.’s Newest Destination: An Award-Winning Workplace

ORLANDO, Fla. – June 30, 2026 – Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE: TNL), a company whose mission is to “put the world on vacation,” recently found itself the destination of a prestigious honor. U.S. News & World Report named the Orlando-based giant to its 2026-2027 list of Best Companies to Work For, a recognition that goes beyond a simple plaque to hang in the lobby. The leisure travel leader earned accolades in four distinct categories: Overall, Hospitality and Entertainment, the Southern U.S. region, and, perhaps most tellingly, for its support of family caregiving.

In an industry often characterized by high turnover and demanding schedules, such an award warrants a closer look. It poses a fundamental question: What tangible strategies has Travel + Leisure Co. implemented to distinguish itself not just to its six million annual travelers, but to its more than 19,000 associates? The answer lies in a combination of a rigorous external evaluation and an intentional internal culture that appears to be setting a new benchmark for the hospitality sector.

Deconstructing the “Best Company” Badge

For job seekers and industry observers, the immediate question is about the weight of the award itself. The U.S. News & World Report ranking is not a pay-to-play honorific; it's a data-driven analysis designed to cut through corporate marketing. The methodology for the 2026-2027 list involved a sweeping evaluation of over 5,000 of the largest publicly traded U.S. companies, along with large private entities, creating a robust competitive field.

To be considered, a company needed a significant number of public employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor, ensuring the foundation of the analysis is built on authentic employee sentiment. From there, U.S. News, in partnership with data firms like Revelio Labs, assesses companies across six critical dimensions: quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, a sense of belonging and esteem, and opportunities for career growth.

This multi-faceted approach means that a company cannot simply excel in one area, like compensation, to earn a top spot. It must demonstrate a holistic commitment to the employee experience. The inclusion of data from sources like Good Jobs First’s Violation Tracker also adds a layer of accountability, flagging companies with significant regulatory issues. For Travel + Leisure Co. to rank in the top 25% of its industry and region, it had to demonstrate consistent, positive performance across this entire spectrum of workplace attributes. It’s a validation that speaks volumes more than a simple press release.

Inside the Policies That Make a Difference

The recognition in the “Supporting Family Caregiving” category is particularly noteworthy. It points to a specific, tangible area where the company is making a difference in the lives of its associates. In a post-pandemic world, where the lines between work and home have been irrevocably blurred, corporate support for employees managing family responsibilities—whether for children or aging parents—has become a critical differentiator for top employers. This award suggests that Travel + Leisure Co.’s programs are not just lip service but are being felt and valued by its workforce.

The company’s public statements align with this achievement. Kimberly Marshall, Chief Human Resources Officer of Travel + Leisure Co., framed the award as a reflection of the company's internal focus. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our associates around the world and our continued focus on fostering a workplace where they can thrive,” she stated. The key is the connection between associate well-being and the company’s core business. Marshall emphasized the goal is to empower associates to “deliver exceptional experiences for our owners, members, and guests.”

This philosophy manifests in investments across career development, leadership training, and flexible work arrangements. For a global enterprise operating brands from Club Wyndham to Margaritaville Vacation Club, creating a cohesive and supportive culture for 19,000 employees is a monumental task. An anonymous industry analyst noted, “It’s one thing to have a great brand for consumers, but it’s another to build a great employer brand. In hospitality, your employees are your product. If they don’t feel supported, your customer experience will inevitably suffer.” This award suggests Travel + Leisure Co. understands this dynamic intimately, viewing its investment in people not as a cost center, but as the very engine of its success.

Setting a New Standard for Hospitality

The hospitality and leisure sector has long grappled with a reputation for grueling hours and limited upward mobility, challenges that were exacerbated by the labor shortages and shifting worker expectations of the early 2020s. Against this backdrop, Travel + Leisure Co.’s recognition serves as both a case study and a potential blueprint for the industry's future.

By securing a top spot not only within its sector but also in the overall and regional rankings, the company demonstrates that a people-first culture is achievable even within the demanding 24/7 operational reality of travel and tourism. The focus on psychological well-being and work-life balance, key criteria in the U.S. News evaluation, directly confronts the burnout that has plagued the industry for decades.

This achievement sets a competitive benchmark. Other major players in the vacation ownership and leisure travel space will surely take note. When a leading company is publicly celebrated for its employee support systems, it puts pressure on competitors to re-evaluate their own human capital strategies. Job seekers, now armed with more transparent, data-backed employer rankings, are increasingly sophisticated in their choices. They are looking beyond salary to assess the full value proposition of a potential employer, from career development pathways to support for their life outside of work. Travel + Leisure Co.’s success signals a broader shift: the most successful travel companies of the next decade may be those who best care for the people who care for the travelers.