David Kolner, Senior Vice President of Virtuoso’s Global Member Partnerships, who was visiting from the US, said investment in the region was a key ingredient in growing Virtuoso’s brand globally.
SYDNEY – Members of Virtuoso luxury travel’s US-based executive team officially opened the organisation’s new regional office in Sydney last week, marking a further strengthening of the brand in the Asia Pacific region.
The Asia Pacific region is leading the way in growth for the luxury travel advisor network, increasing regional advisor numbers by 47% in the past 12 months.
David Kolner, Senior Vice President of Virtuoso’s Global Member Partnerships, who was visiting from the US, said investment in the region was a key ingredient in growing Virtuoso’s brand globally.
“This move represents our increased focus on international expansion and our continued investment in developing Virtuoso in the Asia Pacific region to the benefit of our members and partner suppliers,” Mr Kolner said.
“From what I have seen, Australian travellers are quite experienced and, as a result, expect a high standard of service. They also take longer and more in depth holidays and Australian based Virtuoso advisors offer them the kind of high level service they require.”
“Globally, we are seeing a trend for high standards and the upmost quality of service in other markets, and travellers in the Asia Pacific region recognise that time is their most important asset.”
“You can make more money, but you can’t make more time and the Virtuoso advisor can make sure you get the most out of your holiday experience by giving clients not only a fantastic itinerary, but personalised VIP treatment, and the benefit of their own local knowledge and experience that you can’t find on Google.”
Virtuoso Asia-Pacific Managing Director Michael Londregan said Virtuoso had an extensive schedule of member roadshows in 2016, which included events across Australia and, for the first time, New Zealand.
“We are continuing to see strong momentum for luxury travel and the Asia Pacific region is leading the world in the growth of the Virtuoso brand, driven by last year’s expansion into Hong Kong and Singapore along with the organic growth of our existing members.”
“The luxury leisure market has started very positively in 2016 as consumers respond to travel advisors who deliver a differentiated service built on direct relationships with product.”
Photo caption (left to right): Virtuoso Asia Pacific Business Development Managers, Cristina Magni and Evan Pierce, David Kolner, Michael Londregan.
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