Virtuoso concluded its 36th annual Virtuoso Travel Week with an elegant evening of recognition, honoring consultants, member agencies and partners from around the world who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the travel industry over the past year.
This year’s Virtuoso Travel Week took place in Las Vegas at the Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
The star-studded luxury travel gala at the Bellagio resembled a Hollywood event, complete with a red carpet and entertainment by Grammy, Emmy and Tony award-winning actress, singer, author and producer Cynthia Ervio, who will star in the upcoming Universal film adaptation of the hit musical.EVILwhere she takes on the iconic role of Elphaba alongside Ariana Grande (Glinda).
By bringing together the biggest names in the industry under one roof, Virtuoso shone the spotlight on the network’s most respected individuals and brands.
Cover photo: Matthew Upchurch, CEO Virtuoso.
Global Awards
Nominations for the coveted Virtuoso Global Awards were generated from a survey of the Virtuoso network, and elected members of Virtuoso’s various boards and committees voted to determine the winners. Winners in their respective categories are also featured in Virtuoso, the November/December issue of the magazine, which reaches over 200,000 affluent households.
Best Airline recognizes a flight partner that offers exemplary service.
Winner: Singapore Airlines
Best Hotel recognizes an iconic hotel that embodies excellence in luxury hospitality.
Winner: Bulgari Hotel Roma
The Bulgari Hotel Roma brings the charm of the renowned Italian fashion house to the Eternal City. Given Rome’s role as Bulgari’s hometown and inexhaustible source of inspiration, the hotel is instantly an iconic destination. It has an illustrious address in Piazza Augusto Imperatore, in the heart of the Campo Marzio district.
Best new or newly designed hotel recognizes a hotel that has either been newly opened (within the last 12 months) or has reopened after a comprehensive renovation that offers a new hotel experience.
Winner: Raffles London at OWO
Raffles London at The OWO opened last year at one of the city’s most historically significant addresses. The Grade II listed former Old War Office has undergone a monumental and meticulous transformation and reopened to the public for the first time since 1906 as The OWO. Once inhabited by Britain’s most famous statesmen and spies, from Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming, the building now houses Britain’s first Raffles hotel with 120 rooms and suites.
Hotelier of the Year recognizes an experienced hotel manager who demonstrates unparalleled leadership and vision, a relentless passion for the industry, a dedicated commitment to the Virtuoso Travel Advisor network and a keen eye for detail.
Winner: Simone Giorgi / Park Hyatt Milano
Hotelier of the Year: Simone Giorgi, Park Hyatt Milano.
Best on site recognizes a local partner based in a specific region who creates outstanding, tailor-made experiences that bring the destination to life.
Winner: Leonidas Travel – Croatia
Leonidas Travel creates personal connections between travelers and Croatian locals, such as villagers who still hand-make traditional Pag lace and fine silk, winemakers in their family-run vineyards, and renowned chefs who open their homes for a private cooking class. Leonidas’ dynamic team can open hidden doors and meet the highest expectations by carefully selecting the best local guides, chauffeurs, skippers for private yacht charters and more.
Best tour operator recognizes a tour operator or wholesale partner with the most attractive holiday options and routes, whether individually or with a companion.
Winner: Wilderness
Wilderness is a sustainable luxury tour operator offering safaris and trips to some of the world’s most stunning and remote wilderness areas. What began as a passionate group of Botswana guides in 1983 is now a world-leading conservation and hospitality company responsible for protecting and sharing over 2.3 million hectares of wilderness around the world.
Best tourist office recognizes a tourism association partner who embodies excellence and demonstrates a strong commitment to Virtuoso Consultant Membership.
Winner: Switzerland Tourism
Switzerland Tourism aims to promote Switzerland’s nature, authenticity, sustainability and modernity under the overall concept of “Swissness”. Working closely with local tourism partners and providers, the mission is to further strengthen Switzerland’s status as a world leader in sustainability by encouraging travelers to use electric public transport, solar-powered ski lifts, electric cars and much more.
Best specialist or insurance partner recognizes a partner that provides outstanding service with a focus on insurance, car rental, private jets and other areas critical to the success of a trip.
Winner: Axus Travel App
Axus creates a transparent, unified travel experience by aggregating disparate confirmations, organizing trip details, and communicating updates and changes in real time. Live flight tracking, push notifications, in-app messaging, and more ensure customers are always informed. Efficiency benefits for the travel advisor include automatic syncing with ClientBase, live GDS import, the ability to collaborate with any local Virtuoso/DMC, vendor confirmation analytics, and live flight search.
Recognized agency culture: The award is being presented for the first time this year. It recognizes the crucial role that corporate culture plays in company success, attracting top talent, and promoting employee engagement and satisfaction. The award recognizes an agency that prioritizes the well-being of its employees and creates an inclusive corporate culture.
Winner: Brownell Travel
Respected Achievement Award: This award is being presented for the first time and recognizes a seasoned consultant who demonstrates unparalleled leadership and vision, a relentless passion for the industry, a dedicated commitment to the Virtuoso network, and a keen eye for detail.
Winner: Gaby Galvez / NUBA
Selected awards for Virtuoso
Light: The Luminary Award recognizes a Virtuoso partner who upholds the highest professional standards, is a leader in their industry, and embodies the spirit of the Virtuoso network through their commitment and dedication. The recipient of this award exudes brilliance and sets the standard for others. The winner of this award is selected internally by Virtuoso leadership.
Winner: Micato Safaris
Rising Star: This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of a new-to-the-industry Virtuoso Travel Advisor. The winner of this award is determined by the Virtuoso Member Relations team based on the advisor’s commitment and performance within the Virtuoso network.
Winner: Eli Wagner / Wagner Bespoke Travel, an independent subsidiary of Coastline Travel Advisors
Ruby of Siam: The prestigious Ruby of Siam is a long-standing award at Virtuoso since 1987. It is presented to an agency owner or manager who selflessly dedicates their time, effort and wisdom to enhancing Virtuoso’s collective reputation and perceived value. The winner of this award is selected internally by Virtuoso leadership.
Winner: Jay Johnson / Coastline Travel Advisors
