The Founders of widely popular Thai wellness retreat, Kamalaya Koh Samui, have parted ways with the business and its new owner.

As hotel rates track at record highs, affluent Aussie travellers are increasingly looking for value, with a greater number booking holidays one to two years in advance, according to global travel network Virtuoso.

Travellers are looking at sustainability in a new light, searching for ways to ensure their holidays leave a positive impact on the communities they visit, according to global network Virtuoso.

Virtuoso’s global network sales have soared to a record high this year to date, up 14% on the same period last year.

Highly acclaimed destination management company, IC Bellagio, marked 25 years of operation with a bellissimo three-day event earlier this month in Italy.

Goldman Group will introduce a new VIP division to its retail leisure brand offering red carpet chauffeur service for high-net-worth travellers.

Slovenia was the location of Virtuoso’s 2024 Chairman’s Event, with the annual event recognising the network’s highest-performing travel agency members.

Virtuoso took its popular On Tour Cruise event to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland last week – its last events of the year.

Exploration and personalised experiences continue to be a priority for travellers from Australia and New Zealand, with a growing trend towards maximising value without compromising quality, according to global network Virtuoso.

Virtuoso has named Thatcher Brown as its Senior Vice President, Global Products following a shuffle within the consortia’s Senior Leadership Team. Virtuoso says Brown’s appointment is part of a “strategic realignment designed to position Virtuoso for future growth and enhance its capacity for product innovation”.

Last weekend’s Savenio 2024 Symposium offered a profound exploration of the future of luxury travel. Bringing together industry leaders, top travel advisors and global partners at The Langham Gold Coast, the event – themed “Beyond the Horizon” – provided a transformative experience with cutting-edge insights, inspiring presentations, and innovative strategies that will reshape the luxury travel industry.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) aspires to create the world’s largest database of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), says Virtuoso boss, Matthew Upchurch.