GAYLE GILLIES TRAVEL MERGES
WITH WORLDVIEW TRAVEL

Two industry veterans join forces creating a stronger presence in California Second acquisition in 6 months after merging Pisa Brothers Travel in September

Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Established in 1982, the well-known Rancho Santa Fe Village travel agency, Gayle Gillies Travel has merged with Worldview Travel headquartered in Santa Ana, California. This recent acquisition takes Worldview Travel to an estimated $200+ million in annual sales.

At the helm of the companies is Ricci Zukerman, President and founder of Worldview Travel. Established 35 years ago, Zukerman has successfully grown Worldview Travel to seven offices in Southern California, two in Florida, and one in New York plus over 125 Independent Contractors located throughout the US. “Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most knowledgeable, experienced Travel Counselor’s in our business. The Gayle Gillies Travel and Worldview Travel professionals are such a good match in so many ways and have much in common. We share a similar corporate culture where the emphasis is on luxury travel. Independently, the companies are on a solid foundation, but together our combined talents and resources will position us to reach new heights.”

Both agencies are members of the elite Virtuoso travel organization offering their clients amenities and benefits not otherwise available. The transition has been seamless with all Travel Counselors remaining with the company, including Gayle Gillies with Michele Benigno as the Office Manager. ‘The knowledge and expertise of our staff make every day a new experience where you always learn something. It is the perfect environment for cultivating a client’s dreams; transforming them into reality”, remarked Benigno. “And with the additional tools and support we’ve already received from Worldview, it is making our jobs that much better.”

Ricci Zukerman has encouraged and developed her business based on Travel Counselors specializing in destinations and/or types of travel. “If you love a destination and immerse yourself in everything there is to know about it, you can’t help but do well. The Agents are fulfilled and love their jobs and your clients are well cared for and happy. You can’t lose with this winning combination.” Her Agents are from many different countries and speak more than a dozen languages, but the common thread joining their international team is outstanding service.

Another common thread is the long-term relationships both agencies share with their clients. These relationships are not created just from their decades in business, but also by a commitment to provide service beyond expectations. According to Zukerman, this starts with collaborative planning. “Our travel experts delve into group or individual needs, personalities, and even outside-the-box dreams. This lets our Counselors customize travel experiences to fit not only destinations and sites, but also a client’s tastes and desires.”

It seems others share Zukerman’s opinion of the value of a good Travel Counselor, based on the current trend that shows travelers returning to these experts by the thousands. A Travel Agency was previously a home-town business normally limited to clients in their surrounding communities. However, the travel industry is now truly global in its reach. It is not uncommon to have clients from all parts of country, in addition to a healthy mix of international travelers. The electronic age of instantaneous information at your fingertips and email communications has actually grown the business of highly sought-after, knowledgeable Travel Counselors. In fact, the Quarterly Topaz Report, a source of comprehensive, unbiased data for travel professionals all over the world, reveals that travel agents can beat Internet prices 95% of the time. No longer does your address dictate the level of service and expertise available to the traveling public.

Support services for the newly merged organization will be provided from Worldview Travel’s headquarters in Santa Ana. These include accounting, human resources, operations, IT and marketing. “I work with the best in the business,” says Zukerman proudly. “Expertise, value, and integrity” is a byline we use at Worldview Travel that also fits Gayle Gillies Travel perfectly. But it’s more than that to us – it is who we are.”

For further press information, please contact:
Judy Parker
Worldview Travel – VP, Sales & Marketing
Ph: 714 540-7400 or c: 714 319-0572
Email: Judy@worldviewtravel.com