Virtuoso hosted three networking and professional development events this month for its Canadian member agencies, advisors and preferred partners.
Virtuoso On Tour Canada kicked off in Montréal 05-05APR at the Four Seasons Hotel Montréal, continued in Vancouver 08-09APR at the DOUGLAS, an Autograph Collection Hotel, and wrapped at the Shangri-La Toronto 11-12APR.
The series brought together a total of 209 advisors and 154 partners, resulting in approximately 13,200 one-to-one connections across the trio of gatherings.
“Virtuoso is delighted to host our On Tour events across Canada. The energy and enthusiasm within our network are palpable,” shared Úna O’Leary, Virtuoso’s General Manager, Canada. “We learn from each other, share best practices and strengthen relationships, all aimed at enhancing the experience for the luxury Canadian traveller.”
The following are trends, insights and observations were revealed during the series:
Where Canadians Plan to Travel in 2024
Note: Results vary by geographical breakdown based on Virtuoso’s hotel and on-site booking data.
Top Ten Trending Destinations Western Canada (BC, AB, SK, MB)
- Mexico
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- South Africa
- Spain
- France
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Greece
Top Ten Trending Destinations Eastern Canada (ON, QC, NFLD, NB, NS, PEI)
- Mexico
- Dominican Republic
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- Jamaica
- Germany
- Spain
- France
- Australia
- Portugal
The Value of Human Connection
Patricia Di Benedetto, Business Relationship Lead – National and Key Accounts Canada at Explora Journeys, emphasized the effectiveness of the events: “Virtuoso advisors come to On Tours well-prepared with insightful questions about our product and a collaborative approach for growth.”
Andrea Mendelsohn, Canada Regional Sales Manager at Windstar Cruises, echoed this sentiment, saying, “It’s an absolute pleasure to be invited to these strategic business opportunities to reconnect with supportive and prospective advisors. The calibre of the Virtuoso network is a cut above the rest.”
Steve Lassman, Vice President of Villas of Distinction, said, “Virtuoso advisors share a common goal: to consistently deliver remarkable experiences by viewing the world through the eyes of their clients.”
Francine Prudhomme, Luxury Travel Specialist at TTI Travel in Montréal, shares, “Dedicating time to making valuable connections with partners all over the world is essential. Attending events such as On Tours and Virtuoso Travel Week is crucial for maintaining those special relationships which help build trips of a lifetime for clients.”
Canadians Thrive on Exploration and Discovery
According to Virtuoso’s 2024 Brand and Travel Trend Tracker, a proprietary study conducted by YouGov, Canadians’ preference for all-inclusive vacation packages decreased from 35% in 2022 to 26% in 2023. Similarly, the desire to visit multiple destinations in one trip dropped from 28% in 2022 to 20% in 2023. These indicators signal that Canadians are seeking more immersive experiences, opting to spend more time in a single location and deeply experience destinations.
For more information on Virtuoso and its global network of luxury travel’s best, please visit www.Virtuoso.com.
