TravelAge West
Search Sponsored by

Explore TravelAge West

Destinations

Back
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • Central & South America
  • Europe
  • Hawaii
  • Mexico
  • USA & Canada

Travel Types

Back
  • Family
  • Adventure
  • Cruise
  • River Cruise
  • Tour Operators
  • Luxury
  • Hotels
  • Culinary
  • Romance
  • Wellness
  • Sustainability

Directories

Back
  • Hotels
  • Cruise
  • Job Seeker Center

Interactive

Back
  • Click & Win
  • Geo Quiz
  • Slideshows & Video

Professional Development

Back

Industry Insight

  • Business Features
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Podcasts
  • Coronavirus and Travel
  • Need to Know Research

Education

  • Certifications
  • Digital Guides
  • Fams
  • Thought Leadership
  • Advertiser Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Quick Q's

Events

  • Global Travel Marketplace
  • GTM West
  • WAVE Awards
  • Future Leaders in Travel Retreat

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Search TravelAge West

Clear Field
Kenneth Shapiro // (c) 2013 Kenneth Shapiro
Kenneth ShapiroVice President, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Share

  1. Home
  2. Industry Insight
  3. Business Features

New Initiatives Announced at Virtuoso Travel Week 2018

Aug 17, 2018
New Initiatives Announced at Virtuoso Travel Week 2018
Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso, at the 30th anniversary of Virtuoso Travel Week
Credit: 2018 Virtuoso

Virtuoso recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of its annual conference by setting a record for attendees at the event. More than 6,000 travel professionals participated in this year’s Virtuoso Travel Week, which has grown to encompass three Las Vegas hotels — Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Aria Resort & Casino Las Vegas and Vdara Hotel & Spa.

The growth of the conference mirrors the success the organization itself has seen, setting new highs this year with 17,500 advisors and more than 1,000 agency locations in 50 countries. Virtuoso advisor sales have surpassed $23.7 billion, up 12 percent from last year.

At the opening ceremony, Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso, credited the organization’s success on the emotional pull of travel and the personal connection between travel advisors and clients.

“Last year, I closed my talk by saying our future success would be grounded in the fact that Virtuoso offers what you cannot see, but will feel forever,” he said. “That message continues to be validated. Seeing is not believing; feeling is believing. And it’s what your clients feel when partnering with you that is the difference.”

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Upchurch also looked back on the highs and lows of the past 30 years, noting that today’s advisors still face competition from online companies, including a growing challenge from Amazon.

“But I say, the world will grow and so will we,” Upchurch said. “Because this is not just about getting more bookings, it’s about working with the best clients and securing the best business. Together with your clients, we’re building a collaborative economy, where we bring together the many people who satisfy the growing craving for authentic human connection and experiences.”

The opening of Travel Week also included an emotional tribute to Upchurch’s father, Jesse Upchurch, one of the founders of Virtuoso who passed away earlier this year. The African Children’s Choir performed live as part of the tribute in honor of Jesse’s lifelong support for travel to Africa.

New Initiatives
During Travel Week, Virtuoso announced several tools and programs for its members, including new technology, training and communities.

This year, agents will see a new comprehensive marketing tool called MyMarketing that’s designed to make advisor marketing more efficient, and in early 2019, Virtuoso will introduce Virtuoso Orchestrator, a major new tool designed to aid long-term travel planning.

The organization is also revamping its online Virtuoso Travel Academy, with new features and content that utilizes artificial intelligence. Virtuoso’s professional development programs continue to grow significantly, with a 59 percent year-over-year increase in the number of courses completed by agents.

Additionally, Virtuoso is expanding its Communities program, which is designed to provide niche market updates and training to advisors based on their interests and specialties. Currently, there are four communities — Adventure, Voyages, Wellness and Family — and in 2019, two more will be added: Culinary and Ultraluxe. Virtuoso’s second Community Globetrotting event, which is centered around the Communities program, took place this year at Travel Week with more than 1,200 advisors attending

In closing the opening ceremony of Travel Week, Upchurch once again looked back at Virtuoso’s past. 

“There is a world we imagine, and we can make that world a reality,” Upchurch said. “In fact, we are here today because we did imagine our own world, collaboratively, and we made it a reality. And that’s why it’s my honor to serve you.”

The Details
Virtuoso
www.virtuoso.com

Tell Us What You Think! forum

Related Content

Consortia Update_HERO

A Must-Read Guide to Choosing a Travel Agent Network

  • Most Read
  • Most Shared
  1. Brightline to Orlando Has Officially Opened
  2. 16 of the Best Restaurants in San Juan, Puerto Rico
  3. Top 10 Wellness Retreats in Mexico for Travelers
  4. Review: Norwegian Viva
  5. 3 Can't-Miss Outdoor Activities Near New Orleans
  1. 16 of the Best Restaurants in San Juan, Puerto Rico
  2. Brightline to Orlando Has Officially Opened
  3. Review: Norwegian Viva
  4. A Complete Guide to This Year's Theme Park Halloween Celebrations
  5. On the Ground in Maui: Signature’s Owners’ Meeting Highlights ‘Respectful, Compassionate’ Tourism to the Island

From Our Partners

More Stories Like This

How to Better Understand — and Book — Sustainable Travel

How to Better Understand — and Book — Sustainable Travel

howmuchdotravelagentsmake

How Much Does a Travel Advisor Make? Host Agency Reviews’ Annual Report Reveals Average Income and More

tourismstewardshiptourismcaressummit

Registration Is Now Open for the Power of Partnership Stewardship Summit

Travel Lawyers Share the Top Ways Advisors Need to Protect Themselves

Travel Lawyers Share the Top Ways Advisors Need to Protect Themselves

aitravelagentshowtouse

AI Is Not a Tool for Travel Advisors Yet, But Many Believe It Could Impact Their Career

astacommissionslist

These Suppliers Pay Travel Agent Commissions On Time

3 Common Client Objections — And How to Respond

3 Common Client Objections — And How to Respond

fallholidaytravel2023

Fall and Festive Seasons: What Are the Most Popular Destinations, and Will Pricing Decrease?

Are Planning Sabbaticals Worth Your Time? This Former Travel Advisor Has Answers.

Are Planning Sabbaticals Worth Your Time? This Former Travel Advisor Has Answers.

A Travel Advisor’s Guide to Thriving With Air Sales in the NDC Era

A Travel Advisor’s Guide to Thriving With Air Sales in the NDC Era

TravelAge West

About TravelAge West

  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Sales Team
  • Contact Us
  • My Profile

Advertise

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write For US
  • Media Kit
  • Upload Ad Material
  • Digital Ad Specifications
  • Reprints
  • Subscribe to Print

Stay Connected to TravelAge West

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.


Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group

  • Travel Weekly
  • Travel Weekly Asia
  • Travel Weekly China
  • TravelPulse
  • TravelPulse Canada
  • TravelPulse Quebec
  • Meetings & Incentives
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • AGENTatHOME

Copyright © 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

Load Carousel Here
Load Video Here