New UK agencies sign up with Virtuoso

The new members include private travel club Little Emperors; Velocity Black, a members-only concierge service; and Travelworld, a 40-year-old agency in Ramsey, Isle of Man.

Virtuoso has added to its network with 36 travel agency members who between them have 125 office locations, bringing its global total to more than 1,200 member locations in 50 countries.

Virtuoso said it had seen its largest gains in Asia and the US, which together account for over half of new entrants.

Agencies invited to join the network benefit from industry and consumer recognition from the affiliation with Virtuoso, along with offerings such as sales and marketing initiatives and a professional development programme that can further help distinguish them, the organisation said.

Members access benefits for their clients through Virtuoso’s portfolio of around 2,200 hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, destination management companies and specialty providers.

“Virtuoso is constantly evolving its sphere of influence, both with consumers and within the industry, by strategically expanding our network,” said Brad Bourland, chief operating officer. “Regardless of geography, the common thread that connects and defines Virtuoso travellers is their desire to work with an experienced professional and service-oriented travel advisor, and that’s never been more apparent than now.”

He assured the network would continue to grow worldwide “to meet the demand that will only continue to build in the future”.

“The addition of these 36 agencies, all leaders in their territories as well as on a global front, will help Virtuoso channel pent-up demand into continued success for 2022 and beyond,” Bourland said.