Virtuoso®, the worldwide network of travel agencies, travel advisors and preferred partners leading the way in luxury experiences, announced the winners of the ‘2022 Luminaries, Legends and Leaders Community Member and Partner Awards’ during the 34th annual Virtuoso Travel Week. The winners were recognized on August 13th during the Globetrotting lunch at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Virtuoso travel Communities are built around niche groups in the travel industry, including Adventure, Cruise, Family and Celebration, UltraLuxe, Culinary, Wellness and Sustainability. The groups offer advisors the opportunity to connect and preferred partners to build relationships, share experiences, learn about new offerings and become more engaged with specific types of travel. This year’s ‘Luminaries, Legends and Leaders Community Member and Partner Awards’ recognize Virtuoso advisors and partners who have made exceptional efforts and illustrated immense passion within their respective communities. Virtuoso travel advisors voted on preferred partners in each category, while preferred partners voted on advisors.
August 13-19, 2022, this year’s Virtuoso Travel Week brings together thousands of top luxury travel professionals and brands from over one hundred countries. The hybrid event offers a rich virtual experience and an in-person experience in Las Vegas at Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, and Vdara Hotel & Spa.
ADVENTURE
This award recognizes an advisor and a partner with a passion for adventure and active travel experiences, including those focused on nature, exploration of unique cultures and physical activities.
Member winner: Angela Wallace Pierson at Wallace Pierson Travel
Partner winner: Micato Safaris
FAMILY AND CELEBRATION
This award recognizes an advisor and a partner who have a passion for experiential travel that brings families closer together and highlights life’s most important moments and milestones.
Member winner: Jessica Griscavage, Runway Travel, an independent affiliate of McCabe World Travel
Partner winner: Made for Spain and Portugal
ULTRALUXE
This award recognizes an advisor and partner with a passion for the most elevated, one-of-a-kind travel destinations and experiences, including primarily private travel services – jets, yachts, islands, villas, and more – all with superior exclusivity.
Advisor winner: Victoria Boomgarden, Elan Travel, an independent affiliate of Direct Travel Luxe
Partner winner: The Brando
CULINARY
This award recognizes an advisor and a partner who have a passion for epicurean travel, featuring experiences beyond traditional dining with well-rounded culinary experiences that are immersive, interactive, and educational.
Member winner: Dawn Johnson at Coastline Travel Advisors
Partner winner: IC Bellagio
WELLNESS
This award recognizes a member and a partner who has a passion for health-minded, experiential travel that restores a traveller’s mind, body, and spirit. This portfolio integrates nutrition, healing, mind/body balance, fitness, and educational components.
Member winner: Sheila Gallant-Halloran at Lush Life Travel, an independent affiliate of Vision Travel, A Direct Travel Company
Partner winner: Miraval Resorts
SUSTAINABILITY
Protecting the Planet: Recognizing distinguished individuals and organizations that have taken the lead in protecting and preserving the globe and/or promoting sustainable practices in their local community or worldwide.
Partner winner: Six Senses Laamu
Member winner: Amy Welfare, Amy Welfare Private Travel, and Katie Terrington, Katie Terrington Private Travel – both Independent Affiliates, 360 Private Travel UK
Supporting Local Economies: Applauding a Virtuoso member and partner who has made a positive financial impact on a local or global community. Their generosity has improved conditions, circumstances, and livelihoods for a day, a month or long term.
Partner winner: andBeyond
Member winner: Kevin Wu, Charm Deer (Asia)
Celebrating Culture: Honoring a Virtuoso member and partner who is a driving force in transforming and impacting others in their community, the travel industry, and/or the world around them through expanding knowledge, beliefs, arts, customs or capabilities.
Partner winner: Four Seasons Resort Lana’i
Member winner: EMBARK Beyond
Virtuoso wishes to congratulate all recipients who were honoured this year.
