A Future with arrivia

BizTUCSONSeptember 30, 2026

3 minutes read

Bon Voyage Travel Embraces New Chapter with Acquisition

By Rodney Campbell

When Peter Evans made the decision to sell Bon Voyage Travel after 50 years of ownership, he wasn’t just focused on financials. His goal was finding a buyer that would treat the organization with care and build on its legacy as a premier full-service travel agency.

Ryan Hansen, BVT’s president and COO, said Evans wanted the search to yield an enthusiastic buyer that had an eye on the future. His company needed to be led by a new owner that cared.

“Many founders of businesses look for the biggest check when they exit,” said Hansen, who has been with BVT for 15 years. “Peter was thoughtful about what Bon Voyage would look like in the next 50 years, and that is incredibly unique in an acquisition situation as the seller of a business that he founded.”

Evans’ goals were achieved when arrivia, a global travel loyalty and technology company, finalized an agreement to purchase BVT this past January. Arrivia CEO Mike Nelson said BVT had the elements that his company valued: a sterling track record of success and great employees.

“Bon Voyage stood out because it had built a business with an outstanding reputation, exceptionally loyal clients, and a team of experienced travel advisors who are passionate about what they do,” Nelson said. “Ryan Hansen and the entire Bon Voyage team have created a culture centered on service, expertise and long-term relationships. Those qualities are difficult to replicate and were every bit as important to us as the business itself.”

Arrivia, founded in 1997, has headquarters in Scottsdale and offices in the United Kingdom, Mexico, Portugal, India and the Philippines. It works with Fortune 500 brands and leading organizations in financial services, hospitality, travel and membership-based businesses.

As the world’s largest standalone travel loyalty partner, adding a luxury cruise travel agency to its properties was a natural next step.

“The acquisition complements our broader strategy,” Nelson said. “Arrivia serves millions of travelers through our travel loyalty and membership businesses, while Bon Voyage brings deep expertise in the luxury cruise market. Together, we’re able to combine the personalized service that Bon Voyage is known for with the scale, technology and resources of a larger travel company.”

Nelson said arrivia didn’t want to come on the scene and start making big changes to a business model that was working well. Its leadership is taking the opposite approach by being curious and willing to help.

“When you acquire a company because it’s successful, the first priority should be to understand why it’s successful,” Nelson said. “Our philosophy has been to preserve what makes Bon Voyage special while providing additional capabilities behind the scenes.

“Over time, there will naturally be opportunities to share best practices in both directions, but we believe the strongest acquisitions build on success rather than replace it.”

Hansen said BVT knows its audience and excels at meeting its needs, making the company an attractive addition for arrivia.

“We are probably not the one-stop shop for every cruiser on every single cruise ship,” he said. “We specialize at the more premium luxury experience. That singular focus helps us be great in that area.”

BVT is in a good position to continue offering its clients what they want. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the worldwide luxury cruise fleet climbed from 28 ships in 2010 to 98 last year. Projections are for smooth sailing: 1.7 million travelers are forecast to choose a luxury cruise experience in 2029, accounting for 4% of the total passengers that year.

“We’re very optimistic about the luxury cruise segment,” Nelson said. “Consumers increasingly value experiences over things, and cruises continue to offer an exceptional combination of convenience, value, and access to destinations around the world.”

BVT has helped plan more than 100,000 vacations in its five decades. Many of those trips have involved repeat clients who trust the company’s experienced advisors.

Nelson said it’s easy to see why travelers keep coming back to BVT.

“People making a significant investment in a luxury vacation want someone they trust,” he said.

“There’s a comfort in knowing an experienced advisor has thought through the details and is there when you need them. Bon Voyage has earned that trust through knowledgeable advisors who genuinely care about creating memorable travel experiences. That’s a tremendous asset and one of the primary reasons we were excited to bring Bon Voyage into arrivia.”

As part of arrivia, Bon Voyage Travel now combines 50 years of local expertise with the strength and scale of a global travel company. That expanded reach creates new opportunities to deliver greater value and added benefits to travelers.

“We’re excited to continue investing in the business here in Tucson, supporting the talented team that’s already in place, and building on the reputation Bon Voyage has earned over decades,” he said. “We believe the future is very bright, and we’re grateful to be part of the next chapter of Bon Voyage’s story.”