Virtuoso named exclusive consortium partner of ACTA

Virtuoso has become the exclusive consortium partner of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies, the member-based association representing the retail travel sector of Canada’s tourism industry. 

Virtuoso is the first to join ACTA, which advocates with governments, regulatory agencies, and travel suppliers on behalf of the retail travel sector and consumers.

30% rebates & discounts in effect

As part of the agreement, Virtuoso’s 185 Canadian travel agency locations will receive an annual 30 percent rebate on their ACTA membership up to (CDN) $750. 

Virtuoso agency members may instead use these savings to register their advisors to attend ACTA Premium Networking Events. 

ACTA will also provide Virtuoso members with a 30 percent discount on the price of Certified Travel Counselor and Certified Travel Manager registration fees.

“Virtuoso and ACTA share a deep commitment to the strength of Canada’s travel advisor community,” said Tim Morgan, director, business strategy, Canada for Virtuoso. “We look forward to working closely with ACTA to advocate on issues that affect our Canadian members and the industry at large, as our mission is to further the travel advisor profession and foster the success of our members.”

A growing industry

The announcement comes as Virtuoso is celebrating unprecedented growth in Canada. The network is now up to more than 2,200 advisors in the country, which represents an 18 percent increase year over year. Virtuoso advisors are located in every province in the country. Network sales in Canada are at (U.S.) $2.1 billion, 26 percent higher than 2017.

More than 12,000 Canadian advisors work in ACTA member agencies, representing more than 80 percent of the travel business booked through agencies in the country. ACTA’s membership continues to grow as the organization provides leadership to navigate requirements for travel professionals and travelers alike in a complex and rapidly changing retail environment.

“We are looking forward to working closely with Virtuoso since we are aligned on a common goal: advancement of the retail travel sector and Canadian travel industry at large,” said ACTA President Wendy Paradis. “Virtuoso’s powerful voice will be a welcome addition to our work in enhancing the professionalism of travel advisors and advocating for them as well as Canadian travelers.”

The partnership was announced at the Virtuoso Canadian Agency Management Meeting held at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. For more information on Virtuoso, visit www.virtuoso.com.

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