Travel Agent NewsLuxury travel network comes to Asia for its awards night.

Virtuoso salutes its stars in Singapore

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Virtuoso supplier winners L-R Felix Chan, Steve McLaughlin (Oceania), Anthony Cooper, Tony Archbold (Seaborn), Matthew Upchurch (Virtuoso), Margie Lee-Fong (Island Escape).
Virtuoso supplier winners L-R Felix Chan, Steve McLaughlin (Oceania), Anthony Cooper, Tony Archbold (Seaborn), Matthew Upchurch (Virtuoso), Margie Lee-Fong (Island Escape).

More than 60 owners and managers representing Virtuoso agencies from across the region joined Virtuoso senior executives including the organisation’s chairman and CEO, Matthew D. Upchurch, for two days of strategic overview, business seminars, partner networking and information sharing.

Luxury travel network, Virtuoso, has recognised Asia’s growing importance in its network by holding its annual Virtuoso Asia-Pacific Luxury Awards at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore last weekend.

More than 60 owners and managers representing Virtuoso agencies from across the region joined Virtuoso senior executives including the organisation’s chairman and CEO, Matthew D. Upchurch, for two days of strategic overview, business seminars, partner networking and information sharing.

The Virtuoso APAC Luxury Awards honour member agencies and advisors whose luxury sales performance, reputation and service levels have excelled over the past 12 months. The awards also recognise the region’s top hotel, cruise and tour partners.

“Luxury travel advising is all about keeping the client in the centre of the business and these award winners have grown their business by focusing on their customers and delivering service that has differentiated them from the mass market offerings,” Virtuoso Asia-Pacific managing director Michael Londregan said.

This year’s awards included two new categories acknowledging individual achievements: the Virtuoso Rising Star award, which went to Lynn Mayer, Sabra Travel; and the Most Innovative Advisor, which went to Gloria Gammo of Smartflyer Australia.

The 2018 Virtuoso APAC Luxury Award winners are:

Cruise Production
Member – Savenio
Partner – Seabourn

Cruise Growth
Member – FBI Travel
Partner – Oceania Cruises

Hotels & Resorts Production
Member – Goldman Travel Corporation
Partner – Halekulani

Hotels & Resorts Growth           
Member – Country Holidays
Partner – Rosewood Beijing

Destinations & Experiences Production
Member – MTA
Partner – Island Escapes

Destinations & Experiences Growth
Member – Mosman Travel
Partner – 50 Degrees North

Most Engaged Agency
Winner – Executive Edge
Nominees – Alpha Travel, Charlotte Travel

Most Hospitable Agency
Winner – Sabra Travel
Nominees – FBI Travel, Travelcall

Advisor Awards
Virtuoso Rising Star – Lynn Mayer, Sabra Travel
Most Innovative Advisor – Gloria Gammo, SmartFlyer Australia

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