It might not be that big, tucked on the underside of Spain on the western edge of Europe, but Portugal is the hottest destination this year. Combine the capital of Lisbon — think a European San Francisco — with second city Porto and the beach-laden Algarve region. Add the diverse islands of Madeira and the Azores, and Portugal becomes a lot bigger than you might have previously imagined. That was one takeaway from Virtuoso Travel Week last month in Las Vegas, where more than 6,000 attendees from 100 countries shared the latest and greatest in the travel industry. I’m back from Travel Week, rested and with a voice again, and ready to share everything I learned. Wherever is on your bucket list, a Virtuoso travel advisor can get you there.
Virtuoso Travel Week: what I learned
Over the course of the week, new details emerged, trends were highlighted, and secrets revealed themselves. The week centres on travel, but the key in our industry is relationships. Each year, a theme links everything together. From the overall theme of Your World Awaits to the extravagant Imagine the Possibilities, the underlying theme of the power of human connection linked it all together.
Expanding on this theme of connection is the rise in more authentic, more intimate experiences. Travellers are seeking out locals to guide them through their city, staying in small boutique (but no less luxurious) family-operated hotels, and entering local homes to learn from them. Culture is an important part of travel, one that Virtuoso travellers strive to understand through local connections. More and more people are reaching out to trusted travel advisors to help them plan their family moments – even the smallest ones.
Cultural Connections
Kevin Molony, president of New Orleans-based Royal Insider, is working to preserve the culture in and around the city his family first came to in the 1720s. He does this by showing clients the authenticities of life in Nola, far from the tourist haze of Bourbon Street. That could mean hanging behind the scenes with a Mardi Gras crewe to see how much blood, sweat, and tears go into preparing not just a float but a celebration of heritage, or dining in a historic home with a meal prepared by the city’s top chefs.
Those guys? They’re from Rotorua, New Zealand – one of my favourite countries – and came to share their Maori culture with us in Las Vegas!
Sustainability
Another important trend is the rise of sustainability. Virtuoso debuted an ambassador of sustainability. The Bellagio touted its recycling program. Straws weren’t offered. And that was just at Virtuoso Travel Week. Our partners are doing so much more.
At The Brando, in French Polynesia, buildings are made from local, renewable, and recycled materials. These traditional buildings blend with their natural surroundings. Even waste generated is turned into compost that is used in organic gardens. The resort’s conservation program focuses on fish and sea turtle replenishment as well as atoll conservation. Sea water air conditioning and coconut oil biofuel help power the resort while getting it closer to carbon neutrality.
The luxury hotel brand Six Senses, comparatively, operates plastic-free properties and offers Earth Labs in their resorts. Six Senses Douro Valley won the Sustainable Tourism Leadership hotel award at Travel Week’s Hotels Dinner, if that gives you any indication of their commitment to sustainable travel.
With the launch of www.galapagos.com, www.safaritours.com and www.visibleasia.com, Big Five Tours & Expeditions ranks countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia based on the sustainability of tourism there. Big Five then works in the destinations it services to improve those scores. As Lesa Bain of Lindblad Expeditions succinctly put it, “Sustainability rocks!”
Destinations
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. When you begin to hear the same thing over and over again, pay attention!
Portugal, Sri Lanka, heck, even Nepal… these are all places I’ve been hearing over and over. People are taking notice of the off-the-beaten track places. (And for those of you who argue and say Portugal is not off-the-beaten track, it’s still lesser visited than France, Spain, and Italy). Travel to the Middle East is on the rise too, with Egypt, Morocco, Israel, and Turkey all in the top ten rising destinations.
The Upshot of VTW
At the opening ceremony, Simon Sinek spoke of the infinite game. On the last night, we danced the night away at Club V. Virtuoso Travel Week was a smashing success for me and my colleagues. All told, more than 40,000 meetings took place over the course of a week between travel advisors and suppliers. The result? An exchange of valuable information that will benefit my travellers.
Looking for a great meal? Meadowood Napa Valley’s The Restaurant, winner of best dining experience, has you covered. A nice drink? The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel in London was voted best bar. And if you’re seeking a wellness getaway, there are options near and far (no matter where you are).
As for any other experience you can imagine, I’m here to help. No matter where you want to go, I can get you there. Email me today to schedule a complimentary consultation for your next adventure, big or small.
