Leading Travel Network, forms Partnership with First Travel

World’s Leading Luxury Travel Network, forms Partnership with New Zealand’s First Travel Group

Global CEO and Chair heads to New Zealand for Announcement

Auckland (16 February) - The world’s leading luxury travel network, Virtuoso, has established a new strategic partnership that will see the group increase its members in 2015.

With more than 9,000 travel advisors around the globe, Virtuoso has a turnover in excess of USD $14 billion in annual travel sales and has announced the First Travel Grouppartnership as part of its ongoing global expansion, which will see further growth into Asia throughout 2015.

“In keeping with our commitment to expand the Asia-Pacific markets, we are delighted to welcome First Travel Group into our network. Its reputation and commitment to servicing the client whilst delivering high-end, experiential travel mirrors our own, and we look forward to working together to co-create a network that benefits advisors and travellers alike,” Virtuoso CEO and Chairman, Matthew D. Upchurch said.

First Travel Group is New Zealand's leading independent travel alliance specialising in high-end leisure and corporate travel.

“We are delighted to enter this valuable partnership, which allows for a joint focus on creating customer value whilst maintaining independence and local market flavour,” First Travel Group’s Managing Director, Andrew Bowman said.

New Zealand’s travel agency elite, First Travel Group members Voyage Affaires and North Shore Business Travel, have been Virtuoso members for more than 10 years and this foundation in the luxury market provided the impetus for a deeper partnership between the brands.

“We are delighted to add First Travel Group members Stars Travel New Plymouth, Business World Travel and Holland Clarke & Beatson to our network, which will be joining our longstanding members to create a more viable scale and market coverage position,” Virtuoso Asia-Pacific Managing Director, Michael Londregan said.

Mr. Londregan said the nature of luxury travel has changed in recent years, moving decisively away from the idea of opulent ‘5-star’ treatment, towards experiential travel that has a truth of connection and helps people in the race to “collect life experiences”.

“Virtuoso’s strength comes from its extraordinary travel advisors who have firsthand knowledge, on the ground relationships and often specialise in particular types of travel or locations.

“Luxury travel is not only about nice hotels; it is about experiences, new destinations and exploration, and people realise this is an investment in their ‘Return on Life’.”

“Just as you would seek out the advice of a financial planner to help support your long-term wealth management goals, Virtuoso’s affiliated advisors help people fulfil their travel dreams and recognise that many people are constrained by time and knowledge rather than budget.”

“Our travel advisors are highly skilled and help people see destinations in new ways, with more depth and with special access and creativity, as well as a personal knowledge of their customers, and this is just the kind of service more and more travellers are seeking out.”

“Through our network of partnerships, our clients are able to access the same, and often better value than you can find online, and can secure special benefits like complimentary room upgrades, daily breakfast, and other extras you can’t get on your own.”

ends

© Scoop Media