This week, Virtuoso, the leading global travel network specialising in luxury and experiential travel, held its first Connects event in Edinburgh. The event was held at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand and saw over 40 members and preferred partners from across the network come together in the Scottish capital for an invaluable day of networking. This marks Virtuoso’s second European Connects event in 2023, following the success of Connects Rome in May, with events in Barcelona and London set to take place September 13 and October 11, respectively.

The day consisted of partner presentations and a number of networking sessions that allowed members to hear the latest news from partners, forge new relationships and discover the latest offerings for clients. The event was followed by a cocktail reception hosted at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand in partnership with The Johnnie Walker Experience Princes Street. Nineteen European Virtuoso member agencies attended, including owners, managers, frontline advisors and independent contractors, and the 21 different preferred partners in attendance spanned hotels, experiential travel experiences, cruises and tourism boards globally, including brands such as One&Only Resorts, EDITION Hotels, Rocco Forte Hotels and Aurora Expeditions.

Kieran Smith, Owner and Travel Advisor at HORIZONALLY Luxury Travel Concierge comments: “Virtuoso events bring like-minded peers and hospitality professionals together, and offer the opportunity to learn, develop and network. This is gold dust for me and ensures I can provide my clients with exceptional value as it forges personal connections around the globe, ensuring when I book, I know my travellers are looked after as a priority by all Virtuoso partners”.

Virtuoso General Manager for U.K., Ireland, Middle East & Africa Karen Joyce said: “We’re so pleased to have been able to hold our first Connects event in Edinburgh, and for our members and preferred partners to experience the city. The events provide a great opportunity for networking and to hear about the latest news from within the industry. Whilst we continue to focus on growth in this region, the Connects series is of key importance to us and we look forward to hosting events in Barcelona and London later this year.”

The Connects events, which are complimentary to participants, are designed to provide members from across the continent an opportunity to create invaluable connections and meet with a range of Virtuoso’s preferred partners in an intimate setting, whilst experiencing new and exciting destinations.

Talking about the event, Grant Holmes, Head of Private at A Small World Travel notes: “Connects Edinburgh provided a fantastic chance to network with our hotel, cruise and destination partners in a really collaborative environment. These Virtuoso events give us (Virtuoso travel advisors) the wonderful opportunity to be in cities like Edinburgh and experience the city’s culture as well as meeting some of our local luxury partners first-hand.”

Kimberley Foster, partner at 360 Private Travel, comments: “Being part of the Virtuoso network is invaluable to my company, as it connects me with a huge luxury hospitality community which supports me in growing my luxury leisure business. Having just attended Virtuoso Connects Edinburgh, not only have I met new luxury brands, but we ended the event with Johnny Walker cocktails overlooking the Edinburgh castle in the glorious sunshine.”

Event sponsors included Samaritaine, The Madrid EDITION, One&Only Resorts, De L’Europe Amsterdam, Cheval The Edinburgh Grand and The Johnnie Walker Experience Princes Street.