Virtuoso®, the global network leading the way in luxury experiences, announced the winners of the 2024 Virtuoso Community Awards during its 36th annual Virtuoso Travel Week. Award recipients were recognised on 10th August  during the event’s Virtuoso Community Globetrotting Lunch at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Virtuoso Communities are smaller groups of the network’s advisers and preferred partners who specialise in specific travel niches and are intended to facilitate sales, networking and education. Virtuoso Communities include Adventure, Cruise, Culinary, Family and Celebration, Ultraluxe, Sustainability and Wellness. The groups offer advisers the opportunity to connect with each other as well as preferred partners to build relationships, share experiences, learn about new offerings and become more engaged with these consumer passion points for travel.

The Virtuoso Community Awards recognise the network’s advisors and preferred partners that have made exceptional efforts and illustrated immense passion within their community. This year marked the debut of the Sustainability Community Award. Virtuoso travel advisers voted on preferred partners in each category, while the winning advisors were determined by Community sales production.

Taking place from 10^th-16^th August, this year’s Virtuoso Travel Week is bringing together more than 4,700 top luxury travel professionals and brands from over 97 countries. Community Globetrotting is dedicated to exploring community partners’ news and programs, ensuring Virtuoso advisors are aware of the latest offerings for their clients. Demand for Globetrotting was extremely high due to its success in driving sales, and it was expanded into a two-day event for the first time this year. From August 10^th-11^th, the event saw approximately 675 advisors and 120 Virtuoso partners in attendance.

SUSTAINABILITY

Presented for the first time this year, this award recognises the top producing advisor in the Sustainability Community, as well as a preferred partner that promotes sustainable travel in line with Virtuoso’s three pillars of sustainability: Celebrating Culture, Supporting Local Economies and Protecting the Planet.

Advisor winner: Mary Levine/ Paul Klein Travel

Partner winner: Wilderness

ADVENTURE

This award recognises the top producing advisor in the Adventure Community, as well as a preferred partner that inspires adventure travel through nature-focused activities and active exploration of unique cultures.

Advisor winner: Margaret Larkin / Universal Travel – Houston

Partner winner: Lindblad Expeditions

CRUISE

This award honours the top producing advisor in the Cruise Community, as well as a preferred partner that is at the forefront of the thriving cruise industry.

Advisor winner: David Porter / The Roaming Boomers, an independent affiliate of CADENCE

Partner winner: AmaWaterways

CULINARY

This award applauds the top producing advisor in the Culinary Community, as well as a preferred partner with a passion for epicurean travel, featuring experiences that go beyond traditional dining with well-rounded culinary experiences that are immersive, interactive and educational.

Advisor winner: Denise Shorthouse / First Class Destinations, an independent affiliate of Coastline Travel Advisors

Partner winner: IC Bellagio – Italy

FAMILY AND CELEBRATION

This award acknowledges the top producing advisor in the Family and Celebration Community, as well as a preferred partner with experiential travel offerings that bring families closer together and highlight life’s most important moments and milestones.

Advisor winner: Kristin Bodin / Acadiana Travel, an independent affiliate of CADENCE

Partner winner: Family Twist

ULTRALUXE

This award recognises the top producing advisor in the Ultraluxe Community, as well as a preferred partner with the most elevated, one-of-a-kind travel experiences, including private travel services such as jets, yachts, islands, villas and more.

Advisor winner: Kristin Bodin / Acadiana Travel, an independent affiliate of CADENCE

Partner winner: Micato Safaris

WELLNESS

This award honours the top producing advisor in the Wellness Community, as well as a preferred partner that prioritises health-minded, experiential travel that restores a traveller’s mind, body and spirit.

Advisor winner: Josie Schiavone / An independent affiliate of SmartFlyer

Partner winner: Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa