The Island’s top two travel agencies are joining forces in a merger they say will deliver better pricing and service to Bermuda travellers in a highly competitive industry.Worldview Travel Bermuda, the former C Travel, and Meyer-Franklin Travel said yesterday they had struck a deal to combine the two agencies.They said in a statement that Meyer-Franklin Travel will operate going forward under the Worldview Travel brand and there will be one job loss.The merger is also intended to drive growth and new employment opportunities in the local travel sector, the statement said.Carl Paiva remains as president of Worldview Travel Bermuda.“The move by our Worldview Travel executives is brilliant and a step in the right direction to serve Bermuda better and the company in general,” Mr Paiva said.“I am very proud being part of the Worldview Travel team.”Cheryl Hayward-Chew, president and CEO of The Meyer Group commented:“In today’s competitive travel industry there are two things that matter most,” said “First and foremost travel volume to drive better price negotiations and secondly savvy travel agents who can leverage their expertise to help clients make smart choices and access value-added extras. This merger gives both companies — and indeed Bermudians — exactly that.”Meyer-Franklin Travel joins Worldview Travel Bermuda, which is already a part of Worldview Travel family of brands.Worldview Travel is a long-established travel company and cruise specialist with sophisticated corporate and leisure travel divisions and more than 15 offices throughout the US and Canada.“By combining the volume of the Island’s top agencies, together with the $600 million in travel spend from the larger Worldview family,” said Ricci Zukerman, president and Founder, Worldview Travel, “we are confident we will be able to work more closely with a wide range of travel suppliers to secure rates and services that are second to none. This is good for Bermuda’s travellers and for the growth and employment prospects of the merged entity.”The new entity will be located at the Meyer-Franklin office at 35 Church Street, across from the General Post Office.The Meyer Group’s other operations, including Meyer Freight, Meyer Shipping and Meyer Tours are unaffected by the merger, the statement said.The companies said the merger will result in the redundancy of one administrative position.“All other staff will join forces with the goal of increased growth as the more efficient and better positioned merged entity moves forward,” the statement said.They added hiring and training of new agents is a priority for 2014 and beyond.“This change is a great opportunity for the newly merged company, our clients and future employment prospect on the island,” concluded Gerard Bellino, vice president, Worldview Travel.“With greater clout and better tools, the future of travel in Bermuda is bright across many fronts.”Worldview Travel Bermuda joined the Worldview family in 2011. Worldview owns the The Travel Network, NEXT Vacations and other top travel brands. Meyer-Franklin Travel has Bermuda roots in the travel business going back more than 100 years.