Virtuoso expands Advisor Recruitment Program to Canada
Virtuoso launched its Virtuoso Advisor Recruitment Program last year to assist member agencies in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, in fulfilling their staffing needs.
So far, the program has matched more than 80 qualified luxury travel advisors with positions at Virtuoso member agencies, and the call for new talent continues to be in high demand. According to surveys of agency owners and managers conducted at Virtuoso Forums across the network’s global regions, labor and staffing shortages ranked among the top three factors that are influencing luxury travel this year. The travel advisor profession is increasingly sought after, too, according to new research from BeamJobs, which showed that travel advisor is the second most desired job in the U.S. over the past 12 months.
Expanding to Canada
To answer the need for personnel, coupled with growing interest in the industry, Virtuoso’s Advisor Recruitment Program has recently expanded to Canada. The Advisor Recruitment Program welcomes advisors in all stages of their careers to apply, including those who are outside of the Virtuoso network, newer to the industry and small agencies looking for a host.
Advisors can begin the matching process by submitting an application, which is added to a database that uses proprietary Virtuoso technology to connect participating member agencies with a pool of advisor candidates based on respective needs, niches, location and available job openings.
“After survey results indicated over half of our Canadian member agencies are prioritising building their teams this year, we’re delighted to offer them the Advisor Recruitment Program,” said Virtuoso Senior Vice President of Global Member and Partner Sales Cory Hagopian. “The response and outcome in the United States, Australia and New Zealand has been overwhelmingly positive, and with over 20 advisor applications in Canada thus far, we’re confident the program will help our members in the region find and connect with high-quality talent.”
Benefits of joining Virtuoso
Virtuoso’s Advisor Recruitment Program adds to the expansive list of benefits that the network’s members receive exclusively.
Other advantages include affiliation with Virtuoso’s respected and valued global brand; access to a worldwide network of like-minded professionals and preeminent travel suppliers; participation at Virtuoso Travel Week, luxury travel’s premier worldwide gathering, to further network relationships; on-going professional development; insight into the latest travel trends, as well as special rates and upgrades for clients and more.
Mandatory course
All advisors hired via the recruitment program must complete the Virtuoso Certified Travel Advisor (VCTA) course, an elite qualification designed to fast-track the development of those new to the travel advising profession.
VCTA also serves as a resource for experienced advisors who recently joined the Virtuoso network, as it lays the groundwork for establishing a solid career path in the luxury travel market segment. VCTA graduates sell twice as much travel on average compared to peers who didn’t participate in the course.
Advisors interested in applying for the Recruitment Program can do so at www.becomeavirtuoso.com.
For more information on Virtuoso and its global network of luxury travel’s best, please visit www.virtuoso.com.
