Virtuoso has broadened its global footprint by selectively recruiting members to round out its roster of industry-leading travel agencies. In the past year, Virtuoso has added to its network 36 new travel agency members with 125 office locations, bringing the total to more than 1,200 member locations in over 50 countries.

Aurora Expeditions’ Chief Executive Office, Monique Ponfoort, is stepping down after 17 months leading the Australian expedition cruise line.

Virtuoso has released insight on when, where and why affluent travellers will be venturing in 2022. The global luxury travel network gathered insights from its travel advisors, partners and high net worth/ultra-high net worth clientele, conducted ongoing surveys, along with its own data warehouse of more than US$49.5 billion in transactions.

Virgin Galactic is opening up ticket sales once again to the general public starting on 16 February (US time). The aerospace company marked the occasion releasing fresh branding ahead of the start of commercial operations, earmarked for later this year.

Queensland’s Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel took advantage of the international border reopening, last week hosting a Luxury Travel & Cruise event in Noosa supported by the industry’s leading high-end brands.

Lisa Pagotto’s touring brand, Crooked Compass, has been accepted into Virtuoso’s Regional Preferred Partner Program across Asia-Pacific. The tie-up provides a door to Virtuoso’s global Preferred Program.

Tasmania has weaved its way into Virtuoso’s Top 10 Global Destinations in 2022. The luxury global travel network released its list of destinations late last month, placing Tasmania alongside the likes of Slovenia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Italy’s Dolomites and the Caribbean, to name a few.

Virtuoso has appointed Fiona Dalton to the role of General Manager, Australia-New Zealand. The move comes after Dalton stepped in to offer resourcing support to the regional operations team over the last 12 months.

Australian-based destination management company (DMC), Addicted to Maldives, has expanded its operations to provide partners with access to markets such as the USA and Europe.

Travel trade and the local office of Italy Tourism have welcomed with excitement the news of Qantas’ new non-stop flights from Australia to Rome, starting mid-2022.

According to the explorajourneys.com website and a 54-page digital brochure, LATTE can reveal the launch destinations in 2023/24 include the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, British Isles, Iceland & Greenland, Canada & America, the Caribbean, South America and Hawaii. The South Pacific and Asia are not included.

Fiji’s ultra-luxurious Laucala Island – the destination of choice for talk show queen, Oprah Winfrey – has joined the COMO Hotels and Resorts stable of properties around the world.