Elite Travel and Coastline Travel Advisors to Partner Through New Affiliation
by Richard D'Ambrosio /Stacy Small. Photo: Facebook.
Los Angeles-based Elite Travel International and Orange County, CA-based Coastline Travel Advisors are forming a “strategic partnership” designed to streamline operational functions and pool marketing resources. The agencies will maintain distinct identities.
In a press release, the two agencies said Elite “will maintain its own branding, messaging, and marketing efforts, but will become an affiliated agency of Coastline and bring all future bookings in-house using Coastline’s IATA number and operate as a branch of Coastline.”
The two companies will share back-office support with Coastline, a Virtuoso member. Coastline’s main Orange County headquarters will serve as a satellite office for Elite’s Southern California-based ICs, who will be able to regularly meet there with visiting suppliers.
Elite Travel, founded and run by Stacy Small, has 20 ICs worldwide specializing in high-end leisure travel and is known for offering distinct client benefits in luxury hotel preferred partner programs.
Coastline, founded and run by Jay Johnson, has a strong relationship with the top cruise lines. He is a longstanding member of Virtuoso’s Member Advisory Board and has served on numerous committees over the years including Technology, Next Gen, Air/Insurance, and Onsites.
The arrangement takes effect June 1.