Luxury Travel Trends: What I Learned at Virtuoso Travel Week

I just completed Virtuoso Travel Week, and my head is still spinning. What an incredible event! For those of you who might be unfamiliar with it, it’s the world’s foremost luxury travel conference. And it lives up to every expectation you’d have for such an event … and then some.

During the week, travel advisors met with representatives from more than 2,000 resorts, hotels, tour operators, and more. Think of it like shopping for the globe’s ultimate luxury getaway. Only we do it for you, our clients. The veritable Fashion Week of the travel world, it lets us build our knowledge and professional relationships with suppliers, extending our professional network to the four corners of the Earth.

The result? We come away with expert knowledge to help you plan — not just any trip — but the most incredible vacation of your life. Keep reading for the top travel trends we explored this year and how I’ll partner with you to make 2024 your most adventurous year ever.

Expedition Cruises Are Here to Stay

In recent years, expedition cruising has risen in popularity. And it will remain a mainstay of the travel industry in 2024 and beyond. How do we know this? By the number of river cruise companies and open-sea cruise lines continuing to expand into expedition cruising. Each brand brings a unique approach to the trend, creating exciting possibilities for you and your family.

Explora Journeys is one of the newest cruise lines in the industry. It transports travelers to some of the world’s most exotic locations, providing luxurious amenities along the way. The company explains, “Explora Journey [brings] guests to lesser-traveled harbors to enjoy a more authentic experience and a slower pace of travel.” Our eyes remain fixed on this expedition cruise company and its innovative approaches to marine-based travel.

One of the leaders in expedition cruises remains Lindblad Expeditions. The brand specializes in luxury small-ship cruises. Whether you long to kayak through fjords, hike into jungles, or snorkel with sea lions, they’ve got you covered. They offer expeditions to iconic locations like the Galapagos Islands, the Arctic, and Alaska. Other expedition cruise companies to watch include Silversea Cruises, which offers all-inclusive, ultra-luxury ocean journeys.

For adventurous families, look no further than UnCruise Adventures’ new kid-friendly expeditions. Their Unlock Alaska makes nature the ultimate classroom, teaching kids incredible ecological lessons through firsthand experiences. And for those who place a premium on sustainable travel? Check out Hurtigren’s new zero-emission ship, the SeaZero. The world’s most energy-efficient cruise ship includes cutting-edge features like smart cabins with real-time energy monitoring.

Wellness Vacations Are for the Whole Family

On the picturesque island of Muravandhoo in Maldives’ Raa Atoll, you’ll find the posh, immersive resort, JOALI Maldives. The 73-villa property is discreet and intimate, featuring the incredible architecture of Atolye4n and Tokyo-based Studio Glitt.

Delicious destination dining experiences await you and your family, from authentic Asian Vandhoo and Levant to Japanese and Italian options. But the real highlight of the resort is the Spa by ESPA.

Inviting guests on a comprehensive wellness journey, JOALI includes everything you expect from standard spa offerings coupled with over-the-top features like a world-class fitness center and expert trainers. This kid-friendly resort invites the whole family to join in on the wellness journey. We also encourage you to explore five of our favorite sustainable resorts in the Maldives.

If your family wants to stick closer to home, head to Palmaia – The House of AiA for an unforgettable, all-inclusive experience. This tranquil yoga retreat in Playa del Carmen encourages guests to rekindle the connection between mind and body. And all while savoring luxurious services and experiences.

Holistic offerings include energy healing, sound baths, and guided meditations. Enveloped in the pristine jungles of the Riviera Maya with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Ocean, there’s no better place to reconnect. Moreover, this family-friendly resort encourages your whole crew to get centered and healthy. Check out other incredible experiences for the whole family in Mexico.

Private Yacht Charters Are Fantastic (and Less Expensive Than You’d Think)

If you’re looking for the ultimate reboot, nothing beats a private yacht charter with The Moorings. A yacht charter vacation is all about white sand beaches, opulent amenities, and the freedom of charting your own course (with plenty of help!).

Private yachts once marked an adventure reserved solely for the elite, but The Moorings now makes them more attainable than ever. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about all the work that goes into navigating and operating a vessel. After all, even the most dedicated sailors need a break from the “all-hands-on-deck” approach to doing things.

Moreover, calling a state-of-the-art yacht your home away from home comes with countless perks. We’re talking 360-degree views of the destinations you visit and an intimate setting exclusive to your family and friends.

It’s the equivalent of a floating four-bedroom hotel suite that you can sail from island to island. We can help you plan the perfect all-inclusive crewed yacht adventure at a surprisingly affordable price.

Innovative Travel Ideas and Concepts

What other exciting travel trends did Virtuoso Travel Week highlight? They include innovative ways to experience familiar places, like Paris’s iconic Samaritaine department store.

Samaritaine sits at the foot of Pont-Neuf and has been a symbol of progress for the nation since the 19th century. The store’s famous slogan, “You’ll find everything at Samaritaine!” underscores the pioneering spirit behind the store’s inception. And it holds as true today as when the shopping destination opened in 1869.

Today, the seven-story building houses 650 renowned brands. What does Virtuoso add to the mix? A private, elevated shopping experience providing a rich variety of added services and perks. As one of our VIP clients, you’ll get the royal treatment, which starts with the store’s prestige lounge, l’Appartement. This special space is reserved for Samaritaine’s finest customers to explore new trends at their leisure.

It includes:

• A personal meet and greet
• VIP Apartment access
• Welcome drinks and snacks
• A bespoke stylist session
• No minimum spend
• Delivery of purchases
• A tax refund

When it comes to getting pampered in Paris, nothing beats Virtuoso’s VIP Samaritaine experience! You’ll walk away with unforgettable memories and new items obtained in the world’s fashion capital. Looking for more inspiration from the capital of France? Check out our posts 7 Amazing Things to Do in Paris With Teens and Paris for Families: The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary.

New Takes on Familiar Travels

During a lunch sponsored by Destination Canada, Entrée Canada introduced a powerful video highlighting the people of Canada. It offered new takes on familiar travels that left us giddy.
Narrated by Michael J. Fox and entitled The Stories of Canada™, it showcased an exciting collection of 20 new travel itineraries. Each one is designed to explore the Canadian landscape in innovative ways.

What sets these adventures apart from more traditional offerings? They dig deeply into the culture, history, and people of Canada. Drawing from this inspiration wellspring, these adventures are designed to cultivate authentic, memorable connections between visitors and local communities. We can’t wait to see what you think about them, too!

Sustainable Travel Continues to Expand

What were some other key takeaways from Virtuoso Travel Week? Sustainable travel continues to expand. Moreover, Virtuoso is fueling this movement in big ways.

Consider this. Virtuoso’s more than 215 partners have collectively participated in more than 3,000 sustainability initiatives. These projects support the company’s three pillars of sustainability:

• Protecting the planet
• Celebrating and honoring cultures
• Supporting local economies

What do these efforts look like in real-world terms? For starters, 200,000 metric tons of offset carbon in the past year! Moreover, 55 partners have signed onto the Net Zero by 2050 goal.

Jessica Hall Upchurch, Virtuoso’s vice chair and sustainability strategist, explains, “We recognize our members and partners for what they’re doing to make the world of travel even better for today and in the future, [and] we are inspired by how much good can happen when we all come together in support of a shared value and goal.”

Highlights of Virtuoso Travel Week

As you may have figured out by now, I had an incredible experience at my first in-person Virtuoso Travel Week. There are countless reasons for this. For starters, it allowed me to reconnect with existing suppliers and meet incredible new ones., I particularly enjoyed connecting with companies in fantastic destinations like Cuba, Slovenia, and Tahiti.

I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting and connecting with the advisors and leadership team at Gifted Travel Network, my wonderful host agency.

The week allowed me to immerse myself in the latest trends. And now, we can share these insights and possibilities with you and your family! We remain committed to offering you and your family the best vacation experiences possible, whether you’re after an expedition cruise, a restorative resort stay in paradise, or the shopping experience of a lifetime in Paris.

Are you ready to plan your next family or adult-only vacation? An unrivaled journey filled with luxurious amenities and one-of-a-kind activities and experiences? We’ve got you covered. Contact us here to take the first step toward your next adventure!