TORONTO — Virtuoso has wrapped up its Virtuoso On Tour Canada series, which made stops in Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto earlier this month.
These three networking and professional development events brought together a total of 209 advisors and 154 partners, resulting in approximately 13,200 one-to-one connections across the trio of gatherings.
The series kicked off in Montreal on April 4-5 at the Four Seasons Hotel Montréal, continued in Vancouver on April 8-9 at the DOUGLAS, an Autograph Collection Hotel, and ended at the Shangri-La Toronto on April 11-12. Each event featured one-to-one networking appointments, numerous professional development courses, and an Advisor Peer Panel during which best practices for running a successful travel advisor business were shared.
“Virtuoso is delighted to host our On Tour events across Canada. The energy and enthusiasm within our network are palpable,” shared Úna O’Leary, Virtuoso’s General Manager, Canada. “We learn from each other, share best practices and strengthen relationships, all aimed at enhancing the experience for the luxury Canadian traveller. When advisors invest in increasing their knowledge of luxury offerings, cultivating valuable relationships and honing their skills, the Canadian traveller reaps the benefits of working with these talented professionals.”
THE ADVISOR-PARTNER RELATIONSHIP
The cornerstone of Virtuoso On Tour events was the cultivation of relationships between Virtuoso advisors and preferred partners.
Patricia Di Benedetto, Business Relationship Lead – National and Key Accounts Canada at Explora Journeys, said: “Virtuoso advisors come to On Tours well-prepared with insightful questions about our product and a collaborative approach for growth.”
Andrea Mendelsohn, Canada Regional Sales Manager at Windstar Cruises, echoed this sentiment, saying, “It’s an absolute pleasure to be invited to these strategic business opportunities to reconnect with supportive and prospective advisors. The calibre of the Virtuoso network is a cut above the rest. The opportunity to meet one-on-one is so valuable, allowing for deeper connections and meaningful discussions compared to the bustling atmosphere of a trade show setting.”
Forging deep relationships with preferred partners is equally beneficial for advisors, said Francine Prudhomme, Luxury Travel Specialist at TTI Travel in Montreal. “Dedicating time to making valuable connections with partners all over the world is essential. Attending events such as On Tours and Virtuoso Travel Week is crucial for maintaining those special relationships which help build trips of a lifetime for clients,” she said.
KEY TRAVEL TRENDS
The series was also an opportunity for Virtuoso to highlight new trends and insights, including where Canadians plan to travel in 2024.
Top Ten Trending Destinations Western Canada (BC, AB, SK, MB)
- Mexico
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- South Africa
- Spain
- France
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Greece
Top Ten Trending Destinations Eastern Canada (ON, QC, NFLD, NB, NS, PEI)
- Mexico
- Dominican Republic
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- Jamaica
- Germany
- Spain
- France
- Australia
- Portugal
