Julia Yashku of YYZ Travel Group is Virtuoso's top-rated advisor in Canada

Research from Virtuoso shows that 70 per cent of consumers rely on online reviews to guide their purchasing decisions, and reviews are the most important motivator for consumers who do not work with a travel advisor to choose their travel options. 

These statistics contributed to the launch of the Virtuoso Reviews & Recommendations Program over a decade ago. Since its inception, the proprietary program has garnered tens of thousands of reviews, and this year, the network’s advisors achieved a record-high rating average of 99.3, while Virtuoso partners continue a consistent streak of 93.9.  

The Virtuoso Reviews & Recommendations Program sends an automated email to clients who booked through a Virtuoso advisor five days after their scheduled trip concludes and asks them two simple questions – whether they would recommend their Virtuoso advisor and any Virtuoso preferred partners on their trip itinerary to a friend.  

“We’ve sent over a million invitations to travellers to submit their feedback via the Virtuoso Reviews & Recommendations Program, and the response rate is four times higher than the industry average, showing that Virtuoso travellers are eager to share their thoughts,” said Virtuoso Executive Vice President David Kolner in a press release. “The overwhelmingly positive ratings are an ode to the dedication that both our advisors and partners have in providing clients with the best experiences possible.”  

Thousands of Virtuoso advisors boast a 100 percent recommendation rate, and Julia Yashku is the top-rated advisor in Canada with over 400 reviews.  

“The Reviews & Recommendations Program gave me purpose in the Virtuoso community,” said Yashku, an advisor at YYZ Travel Group in Thornhill, Ontario. “My clients put a lot of efforts into sending reviews, and I am so grateful to them. In order to get reviews on other platforms, I have to ask my clients to do so; while Virtuoso automatically sends review requests and makes it easy for clients to post their thoughts online. The Reviews & Recommendations Program not only attracted new clients and created new opportunities for me and my business, but it also inspired me by making me feel recognized in the travel community, both by my clients and the Virtuoso network.”  

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