Virtuoso®, the leading global network specialising in luxury and experiential travel, recently brought together over 40 preferred partners and UK-based travel agency members for a Virtuoso Connects event at NoMad London. The event marked the network’s final European Connects in 2023, following the success of Connects in Rome, Edinburgh, and Barcelona.   Designed as as evening of networking and forging valuable new relationships, travel agency members were given ‘Connects Passports,’ and each meeting with a partner earned them a passport stamp. The aim: to collect stamps through meetings with the 20 preferred partners in attendance, who were stationed throughout the striking Magistrates Ballroom at NoMad. Unlike other Virtuoso events, meetings were not set to a limited time, meaning members were free to meet with as many partners as they preferred and spend as long as they needed together.   Networking was followed by a cocktail reception that saw agency owners and managers, frontline advisors and independent contractors make valuable connections with partners including hotels, destination management companies, cruise lines tourism boards, and brands such as Meliá Hotels International, Shangri-La Group, Accor and IHG Hotels and Resorts.   Karen Joyce, Virtuoso’s general manager for U.K. and Ireland, said “The Virtuoso Connects events are a key part of our growth strategy in the region, and hosting in London offers a platform for our global partners to connect with our UK-based members. The free-flowing format was successful in creating a more interactive environment, allowing participants to create genuine connections that will ultimately lead to long-lasting relationships.”   The Connects events are complimentary to Virtuoso members and designed to provide them with an opportunity to meet with a range of partners in an intimate setting, whilst experiencing new and exciting destinations.   Abhishek Shankar, senior manager, partner relations & marketing UK & EMEA at Global Travel Collection UK, said, “When you come to a Virtuoso event, you know it’s going to be incredibly useful. Building on our relationships with key suppliers is vital because this is where our business thrives - it’s all about networking and relationships. It’s so important to have these events in London, it’s a massive hub for us - it’s a community. It allows me to meet suppliers, while also meeting my fellow members.”   Yiannis Polydorou, business development manager at Simplexity Travel Management, said, “One of the key benefits of being a Virtuoso member is the prestige, because of the place in the market Virtuoso has. That comes hand in hand with the added value we can offer to our customers at Virtuoso properties and other partners. It’s so beneficial to have these events in London and addressing the UK customer. Increasing awareness of Virtuoso will certainly be beneficial in Europe.”   Lauren Ainsley, Regional Product Manager at Black Tomato said, “The Connects events are brilliant for learning about new products to give us a greater understanding of the market. It’s so valuable to connect with people face-to-face – you really feel like you’re part of a community.”   Event sponsors included NoMad London; Los Cabos Tourism Board; Hotel Hermitage in Cervina, Italy; Palacio de los Duques, A Gran Meliá Hotel in Madrid, Spain; and The Red Sea Destination.

Luxury travel agent network Virtuoso recently held its first Connects event in Edinburgh. It welcomed over 40 members and preferred partners from across the network for a day of networking. This marks Virtuoso's second European Connects event in 2023, after Connects Rome in May. Further events are scheduled in Barcelona and London on September 13 and October 11, respectively. It consisted of partner presentations and several networking sessions to hear the latest news from partners, and build new relationships. It was followed by a cocktail reception hosted at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand in partnership with The Johnnie Walker Experience Princes Street. Nineteen European Virtuoso member agencies attended, including owners, managers, frontline advisors and contractors. The 21 preferred partners ranged from hotels, travel experiences, cruises and tourism boards globally. It included brands such as One&Only Resorts, EDITION Hotels, Rocco Forte Hotels and Aurora Expeditions. Virtuoso GM UK, Ireland, ME&A, Karen Joyce said: "The events provide a great opportunity for networking and the latest news from within the industry: Connects events are free to participants, and are a platform to develop invaluable connections and meet with a range of Virtuoso's preferred partners. Event sponsors included Samaritaine, The Madrid EDITION, One&Only Resorts and De L'Europe Amsterdam.

Luxury agency network Virtuoso and Virgin Galactic announced a strategic partnership to allocate a limited number of seats for Virgin Galactic’s spaceflights to Virtuoso’s global client base. The agreement adds Virgin Galactic’s spaceflights to Virtuoso’s portfolio of top-tier luxury experiences. Space tourists enjoy access to the flagship membership community, including exclusive events, trips and activities. The package includes a multi-day, all inclusive astronaut training and hospitality program for the customer and three guests at Virgin Galactic’s planned innovative campus . “Virtuoso is excited to welcome Virgin Galactic back into our partner portfolio and to offer our clients a travel experience like no other,” said Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch. Virgin Galactic joins Virtuoso’s portfolio of more than 2,200 luxury travel partners in 100 countries worldwide. The agreement will present new referral and marketing opportunities to Virtuoso’s network of more than 20,000 luxury travel advisors. At the same time, Virgin Galactic will gain direct relationships with leisure travel agencies in North and Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Virtuoso travel advisors will have exclusive access to a limited number of reservations within Virgin Galactic’s first 1,000 seats. Seats will sell at the standard price of $450,000.

Expedition cruise operator Aurora Expeditions has joined luxury agency network Virtuoso. The 'by-invitation-only' full partnership enables Virtuoso travel advisors to access Aurora Expeditions' itineraries, pricing content, and promotional collateral. "Becoming part of Virtuoso's global network is a milestone accomplishment for Aurora Expeditions," said Aurora Expeditions CEO Monique Ponfoort. "We've been afforded the opportunity to work with their agencies in other areas of the world such as Asia-Pacific, and our home country of Australia, so adding the Global Team a is a true honour for us." It expands on its exclusive Regional Preferred Partners Program across Asia-Pacific with Virtuoso. New South Wales based line Aurora Expeditions was formed 30 years ago and offers polar expedition trips, as well as itineraries across the Americas and Northern Europe.