HURTIGRUTEN has announced the addition of Australia to its existing agreement with Virtuoso. The move comes in the lead-up to Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas next week, with the expanded partnership to now offer a range of special benefits and experiences. The expanded deal includes a dedicated Hurtigruten agent’s...
HURTIGRUTEN has announced the addition of Australia to its existing agreement with Virtuoso.
The move comes in the lead-up to Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas next week, with the expanded partnership to now offer a range of special benefits and experiences.
The expanded deal includes a dedicated Hurtigruten agent’s portal, product destination, and brand training, along with Virtuoso access to a white-labelled Hurtigruten digital magazine for marketing and communications.
Clients will also receive “attractive commercial benefits and an in-depth support model for the full Virtuoso network,” according to Hurtigruten APAC Managing Director Damian Perry.
He said the decision to expand the relationship to encompass Virtuoso travel agents in Australia was an easy one.
“Professional industry partners are more critical now than ever before,” he said.
“To move forward and rebound as planned we not only need a robust expedition and cruise operating model, but the very best specialists and professional client-centric businesspeople to be part of this journey.
“Virtuoso brings this to the table and we are thrilled to be working with this leading network.
Perry said he believes the majority of agents across the region have done an extremely good job in difficult circumstances.
Virtuoso Account Director Evan Pierce said he was delighted advisors would be able to access the local partnership to strengthen their direct relationship with Hurtiguten.
He said the move would elevate the cruise line’s “ability to deliver unique and transformative travel experiences for their clients”.
Perry noted the Hurtigruten fleet had continued to sail throughout the pandemic in support of Norway’s coastal communities, with seven vessels now operating.
On top of that, the highly successful Hurtigruten Follow the Lights small group premium tour and cruising program taking in the ultimate adventure across Norway, Finland and Estonia had been a highly desirable travel experience from the Australian market, and will now be available to Virtuoso agents worldwide.
Hurtigruten is the latest of a number of cruise lines to expand its Virtuoso links, with Aurora Expeditions having also recently announced a global deal with the network (CW 29 Jul).
