HALIFAX — Maritime Travel, one of Canada’s largest independent travel agency chains with 116 locations nationwide, has joined the Virtuoso luxury travel network.

Gary Gaudry, President, Maritime Travel Inc., says the agency’s membership in Virtuoso means Maritime Travel can now offer a host of rare travel experiences and exclusive values to its clients. Benefits from Virtuoso’s hotel program are worth up to US$450 per stay, he noted, allowing the agency to provide more value to their clients.

“Less than 1% of travel agencies are admitted for membership in Virtuoso,” said Gaudry. “This renowned network of luxury travel specialists leverages its annual sales of more than $21.2 billion to negotiate special upgrades, amenities, values and experiences exclusively for the clients of its member agencies.

“For the clients of Maritime Travel, this translates into complimentary room upgrades, airport transfers, special dining experiences, exclusive cruise shore excursions and custom itineraries, all offered by the world’s best providers of upscale travel. We are very proud to have been invited to join Virtuoso and to be able to offer these incredible perks to our clients.”

Maritime Travel’s membership in Virtuoso also gives its counsellors direct access to the world’s top hotels, resorts, spas, cruise lines and tour operators, as well as expanded insider knowledge and insights into the industry’s trends and destinations, said Gaudry. These personal network connections will allow Maritime Travel to secure VIP treatment around the globe for its clients.

Maritime Travel has been in business since 1949 and is Platinum member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, and has been awarded as one of Canada’s Best Employers for 2017. Last week Maritime Travel announced it was joining the Radius Travel network.

The by-invitation-only Virtuoso network has grown its membership in leaps and bounds in recent years, with agencies in North and Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.