LUXURY TRAVEL WELCOMES BACK A CLASSIC COMBINATION VIRTUOSO AND CLASSIC VACATIONS ENGAGE IN PREFERRED SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP

NEW YORK, NY (June 20, 2007): Virtuoso, the leading luxury travel network, and tour operator Classic Vacations® announced today that the two organizations have entered into a preferred supplier relationship once again after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus. Classic Vacations’ acceptance back into the Virtuoso network comes as a result of discussions amongst Virtuoso’s travel-agent based Member Advisory Board and Tour Committee, ensuring that the agent community will embrace the change.

“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 industry, its channels, players, and revenue models will always change,” added Kristi Jones, president of Virtuoso. “Our job is to stay ahead of the change and recognize convergence. Classic’s commitment to our membership, their strong product offering and their affirmation of the power of this network, all provide a strong foundation for this new alliance.”

Tim MacDonald, the newly appointed president of Classic Vacations, said, “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.”
Virtuoso based its decision to renew the 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 deemed that the marketplace could support the addition of another luxury tour company. However, this relationship does not come at the expense of Virtuoso’s existing preferred suppliers.

“Virtuoso has many strong FIT tour operators within our portfolio, and all have seen their business expand through their relationship with this network,” said Cathy Holler, who leads the Destination Sales division for Virtuoso. “These suppliers will continue as valued players, as they have all done a great job for our members and their clients.”
“A burgeoning luxury marketplace means that all of our preferred suppliers should do well,” continued Holler. “There has been a growing demand from the Virtuoso membership to bring Classic Vacations back into the network. Classic’s strength as a luxury-focused FIT operator for Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, the South Pacific and Australia, as well as its wide selection of luxury products, services and support are of the caliber that our agents and their customers expect from Virtuoso.”

Greg Bernd, vice president of sales at Classic Vacations, noted that he and his team look forward to re-acquainting themselves with Virtuoso’s travel specialists across North America. “We are excited to meet with many agents personally over the weeks and months ahead. Classic is committed to this relationship, and to providing excellent service to Virtuoso’s team and its members.”

Reflecting on the impact of the organization’s past and current decisions, Upchurch said, “The willingness of the Virtuoso network to act as one, then and now, is exemplary. We thank our members [travel consultants] and now Classic Vacations, in demonstrating and recognizing the strength of a unified network. We look forward to a relationship made more productive by the experience of our past.”

About Virtuoso
Virtuoso is the industry’s leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization 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. Independent travel agencies receive sales, marketing and technology support, as well as exclusive services and products, as a result of their membership in Virtuoso. The network’s member agencies generate over $4.2 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network’s affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Virtuoso is also the exclusive travel provider for World Elite™ MasterCard®.

About Classic Vacations®
Classic Vacations provides perfectly tailored vacations for discerning travelers. Classic offers a full line of vacation components – hotels, car rentals, flight options, activities and private transfers – to create customized luxury vacations in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and the South Pacific. Classic Vacations is based in San Jose, Calif. CST: 2079429-20


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