Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso. Virtuoso Media
The 36th annual Virtuoso Travel Week has kicked off in Las Vegas, bringing together over 4,700 travel professionals from 97 countries. Running from August 10 to 16, the event is hosted across multiple high-end venues including Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and Vdara Hotel & Spa.
This prestigious gathering features representatives from nearly 2,000 companies who are set to participate in an impressive array of networking sessions and meetings. The program includes matched morning networking tracks and afternoon appointments, totalling more than 75,000 interactions aimed at strengthening connections, expanding knowledge, and boosting sales.
The event began with an exciting day of Globetrotting sessions on August 10, continuing into the next day. Over 1,000 Virtuoso advisors took part in these sessions, selecting from various Virtuoso Communities that align with their interests. They enjoyed interactive presentations by Virtuoso partners, exploring travel categories such as cruises, adventure, family trips, culinary experiences, wellness, ultra-luxe travel, and sustainability. These sessions are designed to enhance expertise and drive sales.
Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch delivered an opening keynote, highlighting the advantages of artificial intelligence (AI) in automating routine tasks. He praised travel advisors for their unique skills and personal touch, which AI cannot replicate. "Advisors are the direct link between consumers and their experiences. Their intelligence, skill, and powerful relationships have enabled them to thrive despite challenges," Upchurch noted.
David Kolner, Virtuoso Executive Vice President, shared impressive sales figures during the Opening Session. Sales for the first half of the year have surpassed 2023's numbers by 14% and have soared 211% compared to 2019. Looking ahead, sales projections for 2025-2026 are already 38% higher than last year.
The Virtuoso Pulse Survey reflects a positive outlook within the network, with 78% of Virtuoso agencies and 70% of preferred partners feeling optimistic about their businesses. Since the last event, the Virtuoso network has grown significantly, adding 109 new partners, including 71 hotels, 26 tour and on-site partners, eight alliances, and four cruise lines. Membership has expanded to 58 countries, a notable increase from the previous year. Despite only a 5% increase in new partners, preferred partner revenue has grown by 15% year-over-year.
