With over 30 Virtuoso Partner hotels and resorts on show, the Australian Virtuoso Travel Week event will give local Virtuoso advisors the most up to date information on some of the most sought after luxury hotels across the world – without having to leave Sydney, according to Virtuoso Asia-Pacific Managing Director, Michael Londregan.
SYDNEY – Over 30 luxury hotels and resorts are heading to Sydney next week to showcase their products at an event giving Australian luxury travel advisors first hand access to some of the world’s best products.
“With over 30 Virtuoso Partner hotels and resorts on show, the Australian Virtuoso Travel Week event will give local Virtuoso advisors the most up to date information on some of the most sought after luxury hotels across the world – without having to leave Sydney,” Virtuoso Asia-Pacific Managing Director, Michael Londregan said.
“Providing the world’s longest running and most prestigious international hotel and resort program, Virtuoso is ahead of the curve in understanding what today’s luxury traveller is seeking and the trends shaping our partner hotels.“
Mr Londregan said Virtuoso has identified five trends for international luxury travel 2016 including:
1. Larger Suites and Villas: Multigenerational travel is the hottest trend of 2016, according to the Virtuoso Luxe Report. Hotels are responding to the demand for group lodging by offering extremely large suites and villas. In Virtuoso’s portfolio: an 11-bedroom suite opening this year at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman that will be the biggest in the Caribbean, the largest penthouse suite in the U.S. at New York City’s The Mark at 12,000 square feet, and Four Seasons Nevis offering guests 40 villas.
2. Experiences that Create a Sense of Place: Voyagers today place great value on experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime. Virtuoso’s collection of hotels and resorts offer an array of authentic experiences that are distinctive to their destinations. As a result, Virtuoso clients can enjoy everything from world-class concerts at Schloss Elmau, a historic Bavarian castle; to a Western cattle drive at The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming; to a private coffee-tasting experience at El Silencio Lodge & Spa in Costa Rica.
3. Lifestyle Hotels: As Millennials blaze a new trail in the luxury travel world, Virtuoso has grown by selecting properties appealing to that demographic. Exciting brands such as Andaz and W Hotels are represented in the portfolio, which has also recently welcomed its first Conrad hotel (in the Algarve in Portugal) and first Edition hotel (in New York City).
4. Virtuoso Preview: Luxury travellers want to be the first to discover the globe’s hottest new properties and if they can get exclusive access and perks, even better. Virtuoso offers just that through its pioneering Preview program, which introduces emerging or reemerging hotels and resorts to the clientele of its elite travel advisors. Six years after its birth, Preview continues to support properties from world-class luxury brands during their pre-opening phase and debut. Current participants include the Ritz Paris and Faena Hotel Miami Beach.
5. Broadening Global Appeal: In the past year, Virtuoso has expanded its network of worldwide members, adding its initial travel agencies in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as growing its presence in Europe. To get ahead of the demand for destinations that appeal to those markets, the Hotels & Resorts program has invited properties in strategic locations to join the network. New hotels in Cyprus (popular with Europeans) and Paraty, Brazil (a favorite of South Americans) are just two examples of how Virtuoso is catering to this diversity.
“With more than 1,100 properties in 100 countries – many in exclusive partnerships with our advisor network – Virtuoso clients have access to the kind of VIP experience that is impossible to create yourself.“
“These ‘advisor-meets-supplier’ events provide the gateway to bespoke and personalised service where the advisor might contact the hotel to let them know your dietary requirements or your interests and the hotel can then actively work to make your stay more enjoyable.”
“Last year saw an extraordinary 47% growth in the number of Virtuoso advisors in the Asia-Pacific, and these advisors are masters at making their client feel pampered, ensuring they are treated to unexpected added touches, intuitive service and attention to their personal needs.”
Travel writers are invited to attend the Sydney leg of ‘Virtuoso Travel Week’ Roadshow which will take place on Thursday 17th March from 2.30pm at Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour.
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