NEW YORK — Virtuoso says its new online hotel booking tool puts the access and amenities of its Hotels & Resorts program in the hands of the consumer, “while still ensuring that the booking takes place under the watchful eye of a Virtuoso advisor”.

With the booking tool, potential clients visit virtuoso.com to make a reservation at approximately 900 participating luxury hotels available worldwide.

A booking made by a traveller that has worked with Virtuoso in the past will be handled by the user’s existing advisor.

New client reservations will be assigned to one of the network’s consultants.

“As with all Virtuoso bookings, the advisor will oversee the arrangements from start to finish – coordinating exclusive experiences, and providing a safety net to resolve any travel issues that may arise,” says the luxury retail travel group.

“Virtuoso’s new Hotel Booking Tool is a revolutionary method of cultivating new business, both for Virtuoso advisors as well as the network’s preferred partners that are participating.”

Virtuoso had a banner year in 2016, adding 39 new agency locations across 23 countries. In total there were 772 member agency locations (up 5%), 15,238 travel advisors (up 33%), 44 countries with Virtuoso member agencies (up 19%), and US$21.2 billion in annual production (up 37%).