Travel Leaders figures out a way to put home-based travel agents to use

Travel agents are seen by some as remnants of the past in a digital age, but don’t tell that to Mike Batt, the founder and chairman of Travel Leaders Group LLC.

Travel Leaders, the largest U.S. travel-agency operator by agents, caters to time-poor leisure travelers and companies looking to manage expenses but still willing to pay a premium over online booking options for personal advice and support.

Mr. Batt, who has spent most of his career in travel, has held senior positions at British Airways, IAG.MC -1.83% Alamo Rent A Car, and Carlson Cos., a hotel and travel operator. He bought Carlson’s Wagonlit unit in 2008 through a leveraged management buyout, rebranding the business as Travel Leaders and growing revenue and its number of agents through a series of acquisitions.

.