La Collection has welcomed Abigail Leslie to the newly created role of Senior Sales Manager, based in Melbourne. Founded by Lea Seguier and Craig Farrell in 2022, La Collection represents local and international luxury properties and groups, including The Hotel Belles Rives, Myconian Collection, Empiria Group, NoMad London, Blue Palace and Villa Spalletti Trivelli.

Virtuoso has named Sophie Treasure as its new Account Director, Partner Relations for Australia and New Zealand. In her role, Treasure will lead and enhance partner relationships, foster collaborations and drive business growth in the region. Her deep understanding of the tourism sector will be crucial in reinforcing Virtuoso’s regional presence.

Ahoy Club, owned by the Malouf family, has taken a significant stake in Ray White Marine, a leading player in the luxury yachting industry headed up by the Rodwell family.

In June, Goldman Group celebrated it 10-year milestone of having acquired Melbourne-based retail agency, Travelcall. That acquisition in 2013 laid the foundation for the previously corporate-focused Goldmans to become one of Australia’s most successful travel agency groups.

Following last month’s ILTM Singapore, six senior Virtuoso travel advisors and owner managers were hosted on an 8-night Thailand famil showcasing the three Thai Virtuoso member properties represented in Australia and New Zealand by Liz Rodger’s, LRforLuxuryResorts collection.

Virgin Galactic completed its inaugural commercial spaceflight, dubbed ‘Galactic 01,’ on Thursday morning, local time from Spaceport America, New Mexico.

Dedicated South Australian luxury touring company of The Tailor, The Tailor Touring Co. is launching an exclusive luxury truffling tour of the Adelaide Hills for small groups with two set departure dates in July 2023.

Virtuoso has today confirmed the launch of its Advisor Recruitment Program to the Australian market, as flagged at the recent Virtuoso AU/NZ Forum in Fiji.The program is designed to assist Virtuoso’s member agencies experiencing talent shortages in connecting with and hiring qualified luxury travel advisors from outside the Virtuoso network, including those who are newer to the industry or small agencies looking for a host. Advisor applications are inputted into Virtuoso’s database, where proprietary technology matches participating member agencies with advisors based on respective needs, niches and available job openings.

Virtuoso Asia Pacific will welcome travel advisors and Preferred Partners from across the region to Sydney next week for its first Virtuoso On Tour event.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises treated a group of Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisors in New Zealand to a lavish dinner out in Auckland this week, recognising their contribution to a spectacular upswing in bookings for the 2023 season, and a sustained drive for 2024 departures.

The Red Sea regenerative tourism project in Saudi Arabia has been accepted into Virtuoso’s exclusive stable of luxury travel partners from around the globe.

Virtuoso has reported demand for luxury travel experiences continues to flourish, as bookings within the network for 2023 leaped 62% higher than in 2022.