National Geographic Expeditions Announces Alliance with Virtuoso

WASHINGTON (Aug. 11, 2014)-National Geographic announced today that it has established an alliance with Virtuoso , the leading international luxury travel network, to promote National Geographic Expeditions travel programs through Virtuoso's global consortium of travel agencies and travel advisors. National Geographic and Virtuoso will also collaborate on the development and launch of National Geographic Private Expeditions, a new line of trips geared toward independent travelers.

National Geographic Expeditions travel programs span the gamut from active adventures, family trips, and natural history and cultural explorations to small-ship expeditions, photography workshops and trips, and private jet expeditions. Virtuoso comprises over 340 agencies with more than 8,900 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand.

The new line of unique National Geographic Private Expeditions trips for independent travelers will be marketed and sold exclusively by National Geographic Expeditions and the Virtuoso network. Travelers on these Private Expeditions will be able to choose from approximately 20 specially crafted itineraries, and then select their travel dates and with whom they wish to travel, whether their spouse, friend or extended family. As with all National Geographic trips, the Private Expeditions itineraries will embrace authentic, meaningful and transformative travel experiences and will be developed with guidance from National Geographic's vast network of experts and contacts around the world. The new Private Expeditions will launch this fall.

Virtuoso's leadership in providing expert travel advice and its exceptional reputation as an innovator in the travel sphere make it an ideal partner for National Geographic Expeditions, said Lynn Cutter, National Geographic's executive vice president, Travel and Licensing. This alliance provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase our broad spectrum of unique and experiential travel programs to Virtuoso clients worldwide. And we are thrilled to collaborate with Virtuoso to tap into the strong growth we have seen in the independent travel sector with the introduction of our new line of Private Expeditions.

We are very pleased to be teaming up with such an iconic and beloved organization, said David Kolner, executive vice president of Consumer for Virtuoso. National Geographic's history in providing unique adventures aligns perfectly with Virtuoso's expertise in planning experiential travel. This partnership blends authenticity with unparalleled service and seamless customization for the National Geographic traveler.

About National Geographic Travel

National Geographic Travel is the travel arm of the National Geographic Society, one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, founded in 1888. National Geographic Travel creates meaningful and engaging travel content and experiences through National Geographic Traveler magazine; National Geographic Expeditions; travel books; maps; apps; digital media; and travel photography programs. National Geographic Traveler (eight issues per year) is the world's most widely read travel magazine and has 14 international editions. It is available by subscription, on newsstands in the United States and Canada, and digitally for tablets. National Geographic Expeditions, the travel program of the Society, offers more than 200 unique travel experiences led by top experts to destinations across all seven continents. Travel opportunities include family and student expeditions, active adventures, private jet trips and voyages on the six expedition ships in the National Geographic-Lindblad fleet, as well as photography workshops, expeditions and seminars. The National Geographic Travel digital group offers inspiring and authoritative digital travel and adventure content such as trip ideas, photo galleries, blogs and apps. National Geographic Travel Books bring readers curated travel advice and inspiration. Follow National Geographic Travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Virtuoso

Virtuoso is the industry's leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 340 agencies with more than 8,900 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,700 of the world's best travel providers and premier destinations. The network's member agencies generate over $12.5 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com. To view Virtuoso's latest videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler.

LINK:	http://press.nationalgeographic.com/2014/08/11/expeditions-announces-a...
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