VIRTUOSO® INTRODUCES ‘COMPARE & SHARE’: TECHNOLOGY DESIGNED TO FURTHER ENGAGE CONSUMERS

‘Virtuoso Compare & Share’ Blends Traditional Travel Planning with the Collaboration of Social Media

NEW YORK (April 25, 2012) – Leading luxury travel agency network, Virtuoso®, introduced a new social media collaboration tool termed ‘Virtuoso Compare & Share’ during its annual Symposium, which took place April 19-23 aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Mariner from Rome to Monte Carlo. This patent-pending technology is aimed at further integrating consumers into the travel planning process by providing the opportunity to compare travel components jointly selected by the client and their advisor. Those choices can then be shared with family and friends through email or social networks, further refining the crowd-sourcing philosophy by eliciting feedback from friends.

The innovative social media collaboration tool, designed exclusively for Virtuoso by 23TouchPoints, allows Virtuoso’s advisors to create a simple registration-only ‘Compare & Share’ Workspace website that permits a client to compare up to three hotel options at a time. With the ability to create unlimited comparisons, would-be travelers can view and share options for any number of destinations, all within the same Workspace. Travel advisors can customize the Workspace with their own comments, prices and photos that best suit their client.

When the client receives an email invitation to ‘Compare & Share,’ they can request feedback from friends and family via Facebook, Twitter or email. Once the Workspace is accessed, friends and family of the clients can vote for their favorites and comment on the various choices. Housing the options in one secure place eliminates the need to send multiple web links and track numerous emails to garner opinions and feedback.
“’Virtuoso Compare & Share’ combines the power of social networking with the power of the trusted travel advisor relationship,” says Virtuoso Chairman and CEO, Matthew D. Upchurch, CTC. “The client receives the perfect balance of obtaining Virtuoso-curated content and options from their advisor, and then can bring others into the planning process. The advisor now has a tool for better engaging their own clients and potentially reaching new ones.”

“’Compare & Share’ is founded on the idea that planning a trip is at least half of the fun,” commented Scott Ahlsmith, President of 23TouchPoints. “Now the planning process can include the client’s friends and family, enhancing the client’s experience and increasing the advisor’s business.”

Those wishing to view a Beta sample of ‘Virtuoso Compare & Share’ can either create an account or use their social login: http://travelinnovation.virtuoso.com. For more information on Virtuoso, visit www.virtuoso.com .

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About Virtuoso
Virtuoso® is the industry’s leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 330 agencies with more than 7,200 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,250 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. The network’s member agencies generate over $9.6 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. Visit www.virtuoso.com , or view Virtuoso’s latest videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler .

Media Contacts:
Misty Ewing
Virtuoso – Director, Public Relations
Phone: 202.553.8817
E-mail: mewing@virtuoso.com  

Emily Venugopal / Jami Gordon-Smith
The Brandman Agency
Phone: 212.683.2442
Email: emily@brandmanpr.com / jami@brandmanpr.com