Expect to see a boost in awareness of Virgin Voyages’ inaugural season – and future seasons – Down Under as Richard Branson’s cruise line makes a stronger play at the Australian and NZ markets.

Australia’s increasing number of ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals provides an “incredible opportunity” for the region’s luxury travel advisors, says Virtuoso’s Fiona Dalton, General Manager, Australia & New Zealand.

Demand for this year’s Virtuoso Travel Week is off to a flyer, with early registrations amassed on the first day eclipsing what was achieved in the first two weeks for the 2022 annual luxury travel fixture.

Virtuoso celebrated the career of one of its finest Owner Managers during the AU/NZ Forum this week in Fiji, bestowing the 2023 Southern Cross Award upon a shell-shocked Michael Nolan of Bayview Travel.

Details of upcoming professional development courses for Virtuoso advisors in Australia and New Zealand were confirmed at this week’s Forum in Fiji.

The Australia/NZ Regional Member Advisory Board (RMAB) of Virtuoso assembled at the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa just prior to the 2023 AU/NZ Owner Managers Forum.

Independent Australian travel company, itravel, has joined the Virtuoso network under a new business arm called LUXE by itravel.

The Australian and New Zealand high-end cruise market thrived in 2022 and touchstones suggest it won’t abate in 2023, data highlighted at the 2023 Virtuoso Owner-Managers Forum in Fiji shows.

Virtuoso has unveiled details of a travel recruitment program the luxury travel network says will assist members sourcing experienced, and soon fresh to the industry, staff for their agencies.

Virtuoso is preparing to introduce the Virtuoso Certified Travel Advisor program, currently offered in North America, to the Australia/New Zealand market. The VCTA is an intensive qualification that travel advisors can apply to attain and is earmarked to be offered twice in 2023, LATTE can exclusively reveal.

Swan Hellenic has revealed the Godmother for its third expedition cruise ship, SH Diana, will be US luxury travel and cruise icon, Valerie Ann Wilson. The largest of Swan Hellenic’s fleet of three ships, SH Diana will be named at a ceremony in Amsterdam on 4 May 2023.

Virtuoso is already kicking goals locally ahead of the debut of its ‘So Virtuoso’ consumer marketing entry in Australia. Launched in the US and UK in the latter half of 2022, the luxury travel network’s first-ever B2C push aims to lure more high-worth clients into its net globally. Unveiled at Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas last August, ‘So Virtuoso’ is about optimising the travel advisor’s business based on their location and potential new clients who are willing to spend, and appreciate quality service.