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December 7th, 2006 - JOSHUA BUSH SELECTED BY VIRGIN GALACTIC TO BECOME AN ACCREDITED SPACE AGENT IN NORTH AMERICA
CANNES, FRANCE (December 7, 2006). “Fly me to the moon” is no longer a romantic notion, it’s a request that Virtuoso travel consultant Joshua Bush will soon hear. Today Virgin Galactic, in conjunction with Virtuoso, proudly announced the travel consultants who will train to become “Accredited Space Agents” – the first and only consultants in North America allowed to reserve seats aboard Virgin Galactic’s suborbital space flights. Joshua E. Bush of Park Avenue Travel, Inc., Swarthmore, PA, is among an elite group of 45 consultants selected for this unique accreditation process.
When Virgin Galactic was ready to bring their pioneering travel venture to the North American market, they recognized the important role that travel agents would play in the sales process and they sought to work with just one agency network – Virtuoso – whose consultants are renowned for selling experiential travel. In August, Virgin Galactic named leading travel company, Virtuoso, as their exclusive retail travel group for North America. Since then, the two organizations have been working together to match the right consultants with this unique program, vetting applications from 120 would-be Space Agents.
“Given the interest and caliber of the applicants, limiting the program to 45 participants was our greatest challenge,” said Carolyn Wincer, Head of Astronaut Sales for Virgin Galactic. “As a Virtuoso consultant, Joshua Bush embodies the adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit needed to represent Virgin Galactic. His passion for space travel, combined with his talent for selling unique experiences, makes him an ideal candidate for this new level of space tourism.”
As a part of this select group of consultants, Joshua will go through a comprehensive education program in his quest to become an “Accredited Space Agent.” Training will take place in early 2007 and, once accredited, he can begin reserving seats, with the first flights launching in late 2008. Overall, Bush will make a five-year commitment to the program, which includes marketing and sales support in addition to training.
“Travel is about making dreams a reality and for many, especially Baby Boomers who were impressionable children when man first walked on the moon, going to space is the ultimate dream come-true,” says Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso. “By becoming an ‘Accredited Space Agent,’ Joshua continues to set himself apart, reinforcing his position as an innovator in the life experience business.”
“For the generation that witnessed Neil Armstrong take one small step, it is now possible for anyone to take one giant leap.” says Joshua E. Bush, Director of Business Development of Park Avenue Travel, Inc. “No longer is space travel out of reach for the private citizen. With Sir Richard Branson’s vision and the creation of Virgin Galactic, space travel is no longer attainable only by government astronauts and mega millionaires.”
To date, the world has seen fewer than 500 astronauts, but with the launch of Virgin Galactic spaceflights that will soon change. Together with Virgin Galactic, Virtuoso’s “Accredited Space Agents” are poised to turn the dream of going to space into a reality for their clientele. The once-in-a-lifetime experience includes Astronaut training, ‘G force’ acclimatization and a sensational spaceflight lasting over two hours. At $200,000 per ticket, Virgin Galactic’s flights are a mere fraction of the $20 million price tag associated with other commercial space tourism. And while Virgin Galactic’s technology makes space travel more attainable for the general public, it takes a talented and skilled luxury travel consultant to sell a trip to space.
Virgin Galactic and Virtuoso
Wincer says of the group, “Virtuoso was our first choice for the U.S. As a Virtuoso member and a leader in luxury travel, we knew Joshua would understand and embrace this new opportunity. Joshua possesses three key assets that make him an ideal ambassador for Virgin Galactic: He is at the forefront of exciting trends in travel; he is adept at selling exceptional experiential travel; and, he has a roster of clientele that are ideal candidates for space travel.”
About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is a company established by Richard Branson's Virgin Group to undertake the challenge of developing space tourism for everybody. It will own and operate privately built spaceships, modeled on the history-making SpaceShipOne craft. These spaceships will allow affordable sub-orbital space tourism for the first time in our history. Virgin Galactic will run as a business with the sole purpose of making space travel more and more affordable to people throughout the world. They will reinvest funds made over the first few years back into the business striving constantly to lower prices.
Virgin Galactic Three-Day Experience
After three days of exciting preparation, bonding and training, passengers will board the spaceship, which climbs to 50,000 feet while attached to a specially designed carrier aircraft – an intrinsically safer way to launch than vertically from the ground. From here, the spaceship releases from the carrier and climbs vertically, reaching the speed of sound in 10 seconds and around four times the speed of sound in under 30 seconds, all while powered by a clean and safe hybrid rocket motor.
Traveling at over 3,000 miles an hour, the G-force surge will push the would-be astronauts back into their seats as they head into the black sky and a maximum altitude of about 75 miles above the earth's surface. When the rocket motor shuts down, everyone on board will experience the silence of space and the magic of weightlessness. They will be able to see the curvature of the earth and 1,000 miles in any direction. They will also see the atmosphere protecting the earth.
Passengers will experience the wonder of weightlessness before the spacecraft returns to earth, passing back through the atmosphere without a heat build-up thanks to the unique wing feathering technology, and making a normal runway landing.
About Virtuoso
Virtuoso is the industry’s leading leisure travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,000 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. More than 300 independent travel agencies receive sales, marketing and technology support, as well as exclusive services and products, as a result of their membership in Virtuoso. The network’s member agencies generate over $3.8 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies – 400 of which are exclusive to Virtuoso – provide the network’s affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Virtuoso is also the exclusive travel provider for World Elite™ MasterCard®. For more information, please visit www.virtuoso.com.
About Park Avenue Travel
Park Avenue Travel, a family owned business for 20 years is located in the Philadelphia suburban college town of Swarthmore, PA and is a member of the by-invitation-only Virtuoso network. The agency specializes in upscale leisure and experiential travel. It delivers its special service to customers located across the country and all over the globe. Through its affiliation with Virtuoso, Park Avenue Travel can offer its clients unique experiences anywhere in the world and now, with its selection for Virgin Galactic’s Accredited Space Agent program, out of this world too.
Joshua Bush grew up in the travel business and developed his passion for the extraordinary at an early age. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond having dual-majored in Leadership Studies and Political Science. Prior to joining Park Avenue Travel, Joshua had several years experience in sales team management, project management and real estate investment. As Director of Business Development for Park Avenue Travel, Joshua is responsible for growing the company, developing its staff and positioning it for the emerging travel markets of the future. Joshua has also received his Certified Travel Associate designation from the Travel Institute, the governing body for travel industry professional designations. For more information, please visit www.parkavetravel.com.
September 7th, 2006 - MASTERCARD AND VIRTUOSO ANNOUNCE WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD
Park Avenue Travel is extremely proud to announce that Virtuoso, the consortium of elite travel agents to which Park Avenue Travel belongs, has entered into an exciting agreement with MasterCard®. MasterCard Worldwide today announced the launch of the World Elite MasterCard, a new card platform for elite affluent consumers, small businesses and executives of large corporations.
The World Elite MasterCard, initially targeted to the North American market, will first be issued by Saks Fifth Avenue with more issuers to come.
World Elite cardholders will enjoy a wide range of travel benefits, provided exclusively by Virtuoso and subsequently Park Avenue Travel:
Airline Benefits – Complimentary companion tickets with the purchase of full-fare Business Class tickets for international travel on specific airlines (space permitting with no blackout dates); one-category upgrades for international travel on select airlines.
Cruise Benefits – Tailored shore excursions and private cocktail receptions on four premier cruise lines.
Hotel Benefits – Preferred rates and availability at more than 650 of the finest hotels, resorts, lodges and villas in the world. Value-added amenities including complimentary daily breakfast for two, room upgrades (based on availability at time of check-in), customized offerings that are unique to the destination and VIP status. Additional suite promotions at 150 Five-Star properties, including priority availability, preferred rates and personalized amenities.
Travel Publications – Complimentary subscriptions to dynamic, award-winning travel publications, Virtuoso Life and the Best of the Best hotel directory. Airport Lounge Access – Cardholders will receive airport lounge access to VIP lounges around the world.
Privileged Access – Special event access and tickets to performing arts and theater events; restaurants; art galleries; and spas in ten major U.S. cities including: New York, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington.
Unsurpassed Acceptance – MasterCard-branded cards are accepted at more than 24 million merchant locations worldwide. The World Elite MasterCard will be accepted at more than triple the number of international locations that accept the American Express Platinum card, according to Nilson Report data. Moreover, the elite affluent cardholder tends to purchase higher ticket items, delivering considerable benefits to merchants.
Rich Rewards – Cardholders will receive a variety of travel, merchandise, and entertainment rewards, access to special events, and no pre-set spending limit. This is a watershed moment for the Virtuoso network and Park Avenue Travel. We look forward to sharing the exciting opportunities that lie ahead through this new relationship with MasterCard and their new World Elite card!
August 20th, 2006 - VIRGIN GALACTIC APPOINTS VIRTUOSO AS THEIR EXCLUSIVE RETAIL TRAVEL GROUP IN NORTH AMERICA
Selected for qualities which mirror Virgin’s values and complement Virgin’s experience in aviation, quality travel and adventure, Virtuoso’s member consultants will be the first – and only – travel agents in North America to gain full accreditation, enabling them to offer their clients a unique, three-day Virgin Galactic space adventure. This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes Astronaut training, ‘G force’ acclimatization and a sensational spaceflight lasting over two hours.
Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group, said, “Today’s announcement is exciting. It makes space travel even more accessible for the general public, who will now be able to simply contact their trusted Virtuoso “Accredited Space Agent” to reserve a Virgin Galactic ticket into space. They may even find themselves being flown into space by Virgin Blue or Virgin Atlantic pilots, who are currently training to fly the Virgin Galactic spacecraft.”
When Virgin Galactic was ready to bring their pioneering travel venture to the North American market, they immediately contacted Virtuoso, the company renowned for creating trips of a lifetime. Head of Astronaut Sales, Carolyn Wincer, says of the group, “Virtuoso was our first choice for the U.S. As the leaders in luxury travel, we knew Virtuoso’s members would understand and embrace this new opportunity. Their consultants possess three key assets that make them the ideal ambassadors for Virgin Galactic: they are at the forefront of exciting trends in travel; they are adept at selling exceptional experiential travel; and, they have a roster of clientele that are ideal candidates for space travel.”
Virgin Galactic and Virtuoso
With a price tag of $200,000 per spaceflight, the relationship with Virgin Galactic exceeds the “cool factor” and becomes a very lucrative venture, as Virtuoso consultants will earn commission on each sale.
The initial offering for “Founder” flights, the first 100 people to experience commercial space travel, is near full already. To date, the world has seen fewer than 500 astronauts, but with the launch of Virgin Galactic spaceflights and the help of Virtuoso’s agencies, that is poised for change. This effort will reach the general public thanks in large part to the space raftsmanship of Burt Rutan and the deep pockets of Paul Allen. However, it is because of Richard Branson’s love for all things adventure that the average, untrained civilian can become a “Virgin Galactic Astronaut.”
About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is a company established by Richard Branson's Virgin Group to undertake the challenge of developing space tourism for everybody. It will own and operate privately built
spaceships, modeled on the history-making SpaceShipOne craft. These spaceships will allow affordable sub-orbital space tourism for the first time in our history. Virgin Galactic will run as a business with the sole purpose of making space travel more and more affordable to people throughout the world. They will reinvest funds made over the first few years back into the business striving constantly to lower prices.
Virgin Galactic Three-Day Experience
After three days of exciting preparation, bonding and training, passengers will board the spaceship, which climbs to 50,000 feet while attached to a specially designed carrier aircraft – an intrinsically safer way to launch than vertically from the ground. From here, the spaceship releases from the carrier and climbs vertically, reaching the speed of sound in 10 seconds and around four times the speed of sound in under 30 seconds, all while powered by a clean and safe hybrid rocket motor. Traveling at over 3,000 miles an hour, the G-force surge will push the would-be astronauts back into their seats as they head into the black sky and a maximum altitude of about 75 miles above the earth's surface. When the rocket motor shuts down, everyone on board will experience the silence of space and the magic of weightlessness. They will be able to see the curvature of the earth and 1,000 miles in any direction. They will also see the atmosphere protecting the earth. Passengers will experience about five minutes of weightlessness before the spacecraft returns to earth, passing back through the atmosphere without a heat build-up thanks to the unique wing feathering technology, and making a normal runway landing.
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