LAS VEGAS — International luxury travel agency network Virtuoso kicked off its 27th annual Virtuoso Travel Week where travel buyers seek out the latest offerings in luxury experiences by meeting with thousands of travel suppliers, advisors and media partners.
A record-breaking 4,842 travel professionals from 90 countries are congregating this week at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, where they will conduct a staggering number of one-to-one meetings – over 450,000 four-minute meetings – with the end goal of building relationships that lead to better traveller experiences.
Virtuoso represents US$14 billion in annual travel sales, providing upscale clientele with luxury travel experiences. Its suppliers are made up of 1,700 of the world’s most luxurious hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations.
During the event’s Opening Session, Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch took the opportunity to welcome the network’s newest members, announcing that expansion into Europe, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Singapore now brings its membership count to 373 travel agencies with 698 offices throughout 30 countries, accounting for a total of 9,850 travel advisors.
Virtuoso Travel Week is abuzz about the unprecedented scenario that is helping propel the luxury travel industry and sales for its travel agency members: four generations of travel advisors serving four generations of travellers. The four generations are the mature, baby boomers, generation-X and millennials, all with their own unique travel styles, but all enjoying – and able to afford – luxury travel experiences.
“True sales is no longer about being the custodian of information. It’s about helping clients find clarity amongst the flood of information online,” says Upchurch. “You can’t take the human out of humanity. As technology continues to spread into every facet of life, there is a desire – even a craving – for real human connection.”
Virtuoso is a leading international travel agency network with over 370 agency members and more than 9,800 elite travel advisors in 31 different countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
For more information, visit virtuoso.com.
