Virtuoso and Classic
Vacations Back Together
Virtuoso, the leading luxury travel network, and tour operator
Classic Vacations have resumed their preferred supplier
relationship after a 3 ½-year hiatus.
“This is a considered decision for both of our brands,” stated
Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso. “Virtuoso is the champion of
travel agency retailers, and our actions past and present have
supported the relationship between retailers and their clients in
the face of competing distribution channels. We are pleased that
Classic Vacations has renewed its commitment to Virtuoso and our
member agencies.”
“The re-establishment of the Virtuoso-Classic relationship is a
win for both companies. I strongly believe that our common focus on
superior service will bring many benefits to Virtuoso’s members and
their clientele who seek the very best in luxury travel,” said Tim
MacDonald, president of Classic Vacations.
Virtuoso based its decision to renew its relationship with
Classic Vacations on several factors: the quality of its product,
its ability to customize luxury travel plans for clients and the
high degree of satisfaction that both agencies and clients
experience through their interactions with Classic Vacations. With
a steady increase in consumer demand, Virtuoso feels that the
marketplace can support the addition of another luxury tour
company.
Virtuoso’s invitation-only network comprises over 300 agencies
with more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in
North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand,
as well as over 1,000 of the world’s best travel providers and
premier destinations.
www.virtuoso.com
Toyota Prius
The Hertz Corporation, the world’s largest general-use car rental
company, has expanded its company-wide environmental initiatives.
The company is making a $1 million donation to the National Park
Foundation and a donation of $250,000 to benefit The Mayor’s Fund
for the Advancement of New York City.
Hertz is also expanding its signature Green Collection, a fleet
of environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, family-sized vehicles,
with a planned $68 million investment in 3,400 reservable Toyota
Prius hybrid vehicles. The Green Collection and the introduction of
hybrid vehicles complement the 105,000 EPA SmartWay certified cars
currently in the company’s car rental fleet. More than 64 percent
(268,000 cars) of the company’s rental fleet achieves 28 mpg or
greater fuel efficiency and 42.4 percent of the fleet (176,500
cars) achieves 34 mpg or greater fuel efficiency. Hertz also
continues to incorporate sustainable initiatives into its fleet and
operational business practices, as part of a corporate-wide
commitment to environmental sustainability.
“Today’s announcement marks another phase in Hertz’s
company-wide initiative to promote environmental sustainability in
all aspects of our business and to help preserve our National
Parks, one of our most important natural resources and vacation
destinations,” said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO of
Hertz.
www.hertz.com
PATA Regional
Director Moves On
After four years as regional director of the Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA), Jim Ferguson has decided to move on to new
professional opportunities.
“It has been a distinct pleasure and privilege to have worked
for Asia Pacific’s leading travel trade association. Our valued
members and worldwide staff have truly been like family. I look
forward to maintaining my many PATA friendships and to continuing
my passion for Asia Pacific travel and tourism in a future role,”
said Ferguson.
www.pata.org
Marriott to Partner with Schrager
Marriott International Inc. has announced a partnership with famed
hotelier Ian Schrager. Credited with inventing the boutique hotel
concept more than two decades ago, Schrager will work with Marriott
to develop as many as 100 new hotel properties in gateway cities
throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. The initial
list of domestic markets to be explored includes New York, Miami,
Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Boston and Las
Vegas.
www.marriott.com
