HBX Group and Virtuoso take luxury travel partnership global

International

Virtuoso agencies worldwide gain access to Bedsonline’s accommodation, mobility and experiences portfolio following more than 25 years of cooperation in North America

HBX Group and luxury travel network Virtuoso are expanding their long-standing partnership worldwide. The agreement gives Virtuoso member agencies outside North America access to Bedsonline’s portfolio for the first time, including accommodation, transfers, car rental, experiences and activities.

The expansion builds on a relationship dating back to 2001 in North America. By extending the cooperation globally, the companies aim to give travel advisors a broader range of products through a single platform while creating additional distribution opportunities for hotels and other tourism suppliers.

One platform for accommodation, mobility and experiences

Virtuoso advisors will be able to combine accommodation with premium transfers, rental cars, experiences and other mobility services through Bedsonline, HBX Group’s distribution platform for travel professionals.

The agreement also provides access to Bedsonline’s Luxury Collection, a selected portfolio of upscale hotels complemented by concierge services from The Luxurist. The broader product range is intended to make it easier for advisors to build individual itineraries without sourcing each component separately.

“The relationship between Bedsonline and Virtuoso has been built over more than two decades, and taking it from North America to a global scale marks an important milestone for both organisations,” said David Amsellem, Chief Distribution Officer at HBX Group. “It significantly expands the reach of our offering and brings Bedsonline’s global portfolio to Virtuoso advisors worldwide.”

More than 20,000 advisors worldwide

Virtuoso’s international network comprises more than 20,000 travel advisors and over 2,800 preferred travel partners. For HBX Group and its suppliers, the global agreement therefore provides another distribution channel into the premium and luxury travel segment.

Amsellem said bringing the portfolio, including the Luxury Collection, together in one place would make it easier for advisors to create highly personalised journeys while giving HBX Group’s hotel and travel partners additional opportunities to reach luxury travellers.

For Virtuoso, the agreement extends a distribution relationship already established among its North American members to advisors in other markets.

“Bedsonline has been a valued partner for Virtuoso members in North America, and we are thrilled to expand that relationship globally,” said Cory Hagopian, Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships. “This enhanced partnership gives our advisors around the world access to a broader range of accommodations, experiences, transfers, and mobility solutions through a single, travel advisor-focused platform.”

Wider distribution for premium travel products

The global expansion forms part of HBX Group’s strategy to connect tourism suppliers with professional travel distribution on a larger scale. Luxury accommodation is being combined with ancillary services such as transfers, mobility and destination experiences as part of the same booking environment.

For hotels and other suppliers, the agreement provides access to Virtuoso’s international advisor community. For travel advisors, it broadens the range of products available for assembling premium and individually tailored trips through Bedsonline.