The 31st annual Virtuoso Travel Week has wrapped for another year, with a sold-out gala In Las Vegas that attracted more than 3,000 of the biggest names in luxury travel. The network also took the opportunity to recognise its most revered travel agencies, advisors, and preferred partners with its coveted Virtuoso Awards.
Network peers determine Virtuoso Award winners: partners vote for agencies and advisors, and travel agency members select the victorious partners. Thousands of votes were cast in this year’s awards, showing a high level of engagement in the honours.
The 2019 Virtuoso Award winners are:
Member Awards (as voted by partners)
Most Hospitable Agency – US/Canada: Travel Edge
Most Innovative Advisor – US/Canada: Keith Waldon, Departure Lounge
Virtuoso Rising Star – US/Canada: Blaire Kochar, Brownell Travel
Most Admired Advisor – Asia/Pacific: Anthony Goldman, Goldman Travel Corporation
Most Admired Advisor – Europe/Middle East/Africa: Jenny Graham, Quintessentially Travel
Most Admired Advisor – Latin America/Caribbean: Paola Prieto, ITG-International Travel Group
Most Admired Advisor – Canada: Roger Kershaw, Travel Edge
Most Admired Advisor – US: Josh Alexander, Protravel International
Partner Awards (as voted by members)
Airline of the Year: Emirates Airline
Service Partner of the Year: Travelex Insurance Services
Sustainable Tourism Leadership – Preferred Partner: Nomadic Expeditions
Cruise Line of the Year: Crystal Cruises
In addition, Virtuoso announced this year’s outstanding cruise performers at a reception on 13 August 2019:
Top Producer – Virtuoso Voyages: Ralph Bias, Amazing Cruises
Virtuoso Rising Star – Cruise: Frances Sarrett, McCabe World Travel
Most Innovative Advisor – Cruise Sales: Jonathan Phillips, Cassis Travel Services
Best Virtuoso Voyages Experience: Kusadasi by Sea Song Tours – Turkey
Virtuoso Cruise Ambassador of the Year – Member: Kimberly Wilson Wetty, Valerie Wilson Travel
Virtuoso Cruise Ambassador of the Year – Partner: Chris Austin, Seabourn .
IMAGE: Anthony Goldman with Virtuoso Asia Pacific Managing Director Michael Londregan
