Australia’s Spencer Travel and Donna Jones of MTA were among the industry’s “Best of the Best” honoured at the 37th annual Virtuoso Travel Week (VTW) which drew to a close last week.

Spencer Travel was the Australia and New Zealand winner of the Best Agency Culture award, while Jones snapped up the award for Most Admired Advisor in the region.

The annual awards event, which took place at Bellagio on Thursday night, was a black tie evening of celebration to recognise the luxury travel network’s member agencies, advisors and brand partners worldwide, a highlight of VTW.

It was hosted by actor, musician and writer Joel Jackson, proudly representing Western Australia and his Menang Noongar heritage. The headlining entertainment was Leslie Odom, Jr.

“Virtuoso’s annual awards gala taps into world-class talent to celebrate the best of the best in luxury travel — a celebration of those who’ve gone above and beyond in luxury and experiential travel,” the network said.

“As the grand finale to the 37th Virtuoso Travel Week, this elegant, star-studded evening brought together top advisors, member agencies, and partner brands from around the globe to honor their outstanding contributions to the industry.”

This year’s VTW ran from 9 to 15 August across four properties: Bellagio, ARIA, The Cosmopolitan, and Vdara.

Global Awards

Nominations for the coveted Virtuoso Global Awards came from a survey of the Virtuoso network, and elected members of Virtuoso’s various Boards and Committees voted to determine the winners.

The ‘Best of the Best’ in luxury travel awards for the past 12 months were awarded to:

Best Airline recognises an air partner that provides exemplary service.

• Winner: Delta Air Lines

Best Hotel recognises an iconic hotel that epitomises excellence in luxury hospitality.

• Winner: Regent Hong Kong

Best Independent Hotel:

• Winner: The Dewberry Charleston

Best New or Reimagined Hotel recognises a hotel that is either newly opened (within the last 12 months) or has re-opened after an extensive renovation resulting in a new hotel experience.

• Winner: Regent Santa Monica Beach

Hotelier of the Year recognises an experienced hotel manager who demonstrates unparalleled leadership and vision, an unrelenting passion for the industry, an engaged commitment to the network of Virtuoso travel advisors and an astute appreciation for detail.

• Winner: Claudio Meli / General Manager, The Place Firenze

Best On-site recognises an on-site partner, based in a given region, that creates outstanding customised experiences that make the destination come to life.

• Winner: Imago Artis Travel – Italy

Best Tour Operator recognises a tour operator or wholesaler partner with the most compelling vacation options and itineraries, whether FIT or escorted.

• Winner: Tauck

Best Tourism Board recognises a tourism board partner that epitomises excellence and is highly engaged with the Virtuoso advisor membership.

• Winner: Switzerland Tourism

Best Specialty or Insurance Partner recognises a partner that provides stellar service focused on insurance, auto rental, private jet and other areas that are vital to the success of a trip.

• Winner: Travelex Insurance Services

Best Agency Culture: This award acknowledges the crucial role that culture plays in driving organisational success, attracting top talent and fostering employee engagement and satisfaction, by honouring an agency that prioritises their employees’ well-being and creates inclusive cultures.

• Australia and New Zealand: Spencer Travel Pty Ltd
• Canada: First in Service Travel
• Latin America and the Caribbean: NUBA
• United States: Pique Travel Design

Most Admired Advisors:

• Australia and New Zealand: Donna Jones / MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
• Canada: Eleanor Bell / Direct Travel
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Ana Paula Pereznieto / NUBA
• United States: David Petlin / Flair Travel, an independent affiliate of 1000 Mile Travel Group

Virtuoso Selected Awards

• Luminary: The Luminary Award recognises a Virtuoso partner that upholds the highest professional standards, serves as a leader in their industry and embodies the spirit of the Virtuoso network through their dedication and engagement. The recipient of this award exudes brilliance and sets a standard for others to follow. The winner of this award is selected internally by Virtuoso leadership.
• Winner: Alan Fuerstman / Montage International

• Rising Star: This award recognises the outstanding achievements of a new-to-industry Virtuoso travel advisor. The winner of this award is determined by Virtuoso’s member relations team based on advisors’ engagement and production within the Virtuoso network.

• Canada: Shauna Stone / The Pelican Club
• Continental Europe: Giulia Nuzzaci / ACI Blueteam
• Greater China: Kan Tang / Time & Space Travel
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Cecilia Castañedo / Viajes Terranova SA de Cv
• North and Southeast Asia: Manda Foo / Blue Sky Escapes
• United Kingdom and Ireland: Maggie Ducam-Davies / Invilia, an independent affiliate of Little Emperors
• United States: Tara Kennedy / Meridian Miles, an independent affiliate of Jetset World Travel

• Ruby of Siam: The prestigious “Ruby of Siam” is an honour with long-standing tradition within Virtuoso since 1987. It is presented to an agency owner or manager who selflessly gives their time, effort and wisdom to elevate Virtuoso’s collective reputation and perceived value. The winner of this award is selected internally by Virtuoso leadership.

Winner: Sharon Fake / Travel Experts, Inc.