Etihad partners with top luxury tour operator 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Etihad Airways, voted the world's leading airline at the World Travel Awards (WTA), and Abercrombie & Kent, named the world's leading luxury tour operator also at the WTA, have forged a new strategic partnership to offer guests luxury travel experiences in 50 destinations around the world.

These carefully crafted itineraries will be marketed in the UAE, United Kingdom, US and Australia, supported by co-branded brochures.

Packages will combine the award-winning hospitality of Etihad Airways flights with customized Abercrombie and Kent travel services.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief commercial officer, said: "This exciting new partnership combines the best of both worlds, uniting the world's leading airline with the leading bespoke travel company to offer exceptional services to the discerning traveler. With this new alliance, Abu Dhabi will be featured as an exciting new destination for Abercrombie & Kent clients. This is yet another testament to the emergence of the Emirate as a luxury and adventure travel destination."

Abercrombie & Kent founder, chairman and CEO Geoffrey Kent, said: "We share a common vision with Etihad Airways: a commitment to excellence and personalized service. Our guests are experience seekers; educated, active, accomplished connoisseurs who enjoy the good life and insist on the best the world has to offer."

Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million passengers.