Mega-Agency Worldview Travel Buys Century Travel

Worldview Travel is one of the leading Virtuoso agencies in North America with more than $500 million in sales annually.

Worldview Travel, the rapidly expanding mega-travel agency headquartered in Toronto, has purchased Atlanta-based Century Travel in a deal that was completed July 1. No purchase price was disclosed.

Century Travel is a leading luxury agency with sales in excess of $54 million, while Worldview, which was ranked 29^th on Travel Weekly’s 2016 list of the top U.S. travel agencies, has more than $500 million in sales. Both agencies are Virtuoso members.

Cheryl Nicholson, executive vice president of leisure and loyalty, who is responsible for Worldview’s retail network in Canada, the U.S. and Bermuda, said the acquisition fits perfectly with its existing group of top luxury agencies and travel advisors. Worldview has been steadily building a larger agency group with new booking tools, finance and HR support, an air ticketing team, and strong industry relations.

“This has created a win-win opportunity for agency owners who want to stay engaged in the business, but take a step back from the day to day operational challenges,” said Nicholson. “We’re thrilled to partner with a company that represents the highest quality in luxury leisure travel.” 

Century Travel, which specializes in corporate and high-end leisure travel, has an executive team consisting of Belinda Crews, Gene Lashley and Peter Lloyd. “We see our new association with the Worldview as a great assimilation of minds and talents,” said Lashley, who founded the agency. “The entire Century team is excited to have new parents who can offer us many industry leading innovations as we continue to grow and prosper. We evaluated our future growth options and easily made the decision that Worldview could offer us the best future for our advisors.”

Lashley added that he, Crews and Lloyd will continue to run day-to-day operations at Century Travel. Lashley founded Century, which currently has more than 70 associates, in 1985 with an initial focus on corporate travel. The agency quickly grew to be among the top 10 in Atlanta by the early 1990s. Lloyd joined the organization in 1994.

Mike Dawson, Worldview’s newly appointed chairman, said his company has long admired the talent and the expertise at Century Travel and knows how highly regarded its executive team is. “We are delighted to welcome them to our burgeoning Worldview Travel family and are committed to continued growth, amplified support of our preferred relationships and exciting times ahead,” he said.

With more than $500 million in sales, Worldview is the second-largest agency in the Virtuoso network.  Specializing in both corporate and luxury leisure travel, it has offices in Canada, the United States and Bermuda.

Worldview also has a rapidly expanding network of 500-plus independent contractors and is actively acquiring other agencies. The agency is currently rolling out a new state-of-the-art booking platform designed to increase its advisors’ efficiency and profitability.