HONOLULU - Global luxury travel network, Virtuoso, has announced its 2017 APAC Luxury Awards in Hawaii during its annual Virtuoso Forum this past weekend, where more than 70 members from the region attended two days of workshops and events.
With updates from Virtuoso’s leadership team, including Chairman & CEO, Matthew Upchurch, members took part in a range of professional development, marketing and industry discussion topics along with a number of networking events including the Virtuoso Asia Pacific Luxury Awards and Gala Dinner.
David Brandon from cruise production award winner, Savenio, said being a Virtuoso member has delivered massive value to his business, providing a valuable opportunity to get in front of high end clients.
“The Virtuoso brand makes a huge difference in getting a client across the line. They really appreciate the added value Virtuoso can give them not just on their cruise, but in the hotels and on airlines too - it creates a complete luxury package,” Mr Brandon, Joint MD of Savenio said.
Taking out an award for the third year running, the Goldman Group’s Anthony Goldman says their Virtuoso awards have been a valuable asset to their business.
“These awards help us highlight our contribution to the Virtuoso community and assist us with new business acquisition - both in the leisure and corporate arenas.”
As a prior winner, Claudia Rossi MD of Mary Rossi Travel says their Virtuoso awards provide motivation to staff and are an imprimatur for luxury experiences.
“It’s a motivation to our staff, and particularly to the staff members who aren't selling as much Virtuoso product. It makes them ask ‘what are the top sellers doing that I’m not?’ - because it is aspirational to be a consultant with clients who use Virtuoso products,” Ms Rossi said.
“In the past few years I have definitely seen an uplift in the recognition of the Virtuoso brand in Australia. Clients are seeking out the brand, asking more questions about it, looking for Virtuoso product in the place they are heading, are asking what Virtuoso recommends and what local tour operators are Virtuoso partners.”
Danny Englman from FBI Travel - 2016’s winner of Tour Sales by Growth - says Virtuoso is a valuable tool in recruiting new advisors.
“The Virtuoso brand gives us the ability to attract the right kind of consultant. Serious luxury consultants are going to want to be amongst their peers in excellence and Virtuoso’s awards remind them they can push themselves to become even better.”
The Virtuoso APAC Luxury Awards are a measure of product and advisor performance for luxury travel products booked in the Asia Pacific region in the past 12 months. Set across 14 categories, the awards reflect performance and highlight the travel advisors and products servicing customers at the highest level.
The Virtuoso 2017 APAC Luxury Award winners are:
Cruise
- Supplier Production – Seabourn
- Supplier Growth – Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Member Production – Savenio
- Member Growth – Allure Travel by CTM
Hotels & Resorts
- Supplier Production – Halekulani
- Supplier Growth – Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
- Member Production – Goldman Travel Corporation
- Member Growth – Ovation Travel & Cruise Planners
Destinations & Experiences
- Supplier Production – Tauck
- Supplier Growth – IC Bellagio
- Member Production – MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
- Member Growth – Spencer Travel
Engagement
- APAC Supplier – qualia, Hamilton Island
- Member – Country Holidays