Virtuoso concluded its 34th annual Travel Week (held August 13-19) with an evening of recognition, honoring individuals and entities that have gone above and beyond in the travel industry over the past year. The closing night gala, which took place August 18 at Bellagio Resort & Casino, put the spotlight on the network’s most travel agencies, advisors and preferred partners.
“Best of the Best” Awards
Virtuoso’s 20,000 professional travel advisors from 50 countries served as “Best of the Best” award voters. Editors of VIRTUOSO LIFE, the network’s, lent insights to narrow the field of nominees for which the advisors voted.
Best Hotel: This award recognizes an iconic hotel that epitomizes excellence in luxury hospitality and acts as a beacon for positive change in its community, particularly in developing markets.
- Winner: Gleneagles, Scotland
Best New or Reimagined Hotel: This award recognizes a hotel that is either newly opened (within the last two years) or has re-opened after an extensive renovation resulting in a new hotel experience.
- Winner: Cheval Blanc Paris
Hotelier of the Year: This award recognizes an experienced hotel manager who demonstrates unparalleled leadership and vision, an unrelenting passion for the industry, an engaged commitment to our network of Virtuoso travel advisors and an astute appreciation for detail.
- Winner: Valentina de Santis, Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Passalacqua, Lake Como
Best Innovative Guest Experience by a Hotel: The award recognizes a hotel that goes above and beyond to create the best guest experience for the Virtuoso guest by providing an innovative Virtuoso added value amenity.
- Winner: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
Best On-site: The award recognizes an on-site partner who creates outstanding custom experiences.
- Winner: Southern Crossings, Australia and New Zealand
Best Tour Partner: The award recognizes a tour operator or wholesaler partner with the most compelling vacation options and itineraries, whether FIT or escorted.
- Winner: Abercrombie & Kent
Best Tourism Board: The award recognizes a tourism board Partner that epitomizes excellence and is highly engaged with the Virtuoso advisor membership.
- Winner: Los Cabos Tourism Board
Best Specialty, Insurance or Airline: The award recognizes a partner providing exemplary service focused on insurance, auto rental, private jet and other service partners.
- Winner: Allianz Partners
“Virtuoso Selected” Awards
Most Engaged Agency: Q Cruise + Travel – Chicago, Illinois
Rising Star: Geoffrey Ravoire, Huffman Travel – Chicago, Illinois
Luminary: The award recognizes a partner who has a strong commitment to sustainable practices
- Winner: Sébastien Bazin – CEO, Accor
Ruby of Siam: The “Ruby of Siam,” an honor with long standing tradition within Virtuoso since 1987. It is bestowed upon an agency owner or manager who upholds the highest professional standards, serves as a leader in their industry, and embodies the spirit of the Virtuoso network through their dedication and engagement.
- Winner: Amanda Klimak, Largay Travel – Waterbury, Connecticut
"Best Cruise Lines" Awards
Earlier in the week, the luxury travel network announced the winners of its “Best Cruise Lines” awards. The recognition took place during the “Cruise Night Out” event, held specifically for Virtuoso’s cruise partners and its advisors who contribute to the network’s industry-leading cruise production.
This year, Virtuoso advisors and preferred partners nominated cruise leaders; winners were then determined by advisor voting.
Best Ocean Cruise Line: This award recognizes the cruise line that offers the best overall ocean cruise experience to Virtuoso travelers.
- Winner: Silversea
Best River Cruise Line: This award recognizes the river cruise line which delivers the best overall cruise experience to Virtuoso travelers.
- Winner: AmaWaterways
Best Expedition Cruise Line: This award recognizes the expedition cruise line which delivers the best overall cruise experience to Virtuoso travelers.
- Winner: Lindblad Expeditions
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