Published on
August 12, 2025
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Virtuoso Travel Week 2025 has officially begun, drawing 4,800 attendees from 107 countries to Las Vegas for what is billed as the “Olympics of Luxury Travel.” Running from 9–15 August across iconic venues including Bellagio, ARIA, The Cosmopolitan and Vdara, the event offers a full week of networking, innovation, and collaboration. Attendees will take part in over 100,000 meetings, strengthening relationships and exploring opportunities in luxury travel. This 37th edition is set to redefine how advisors, partners and industry leaders connect, blending technology with the human touch that Virtuoso says remains its greatest competitive advantage.
A Global Gathering for Luxury Travel Leaders
Virtuoso Travel Week is the largest luxury travel event of its kind, bringing together advisors, suppliers, destination experts, and innovators. This year, attendees come from 107 countries, reflecting the network’s truly global reach. The event focuses on fostering human connection, building partnerships, and exchanging ideas to help grow revenue and client satisfaction in the high-end travel sector. With 4,800 professionals in attendance, the week serves as a powerhouse platform for showcasing destinations, products, and services that define the future of luxury travel.
Record-Breaking Networking Opportunities
This year’s edition introduces a major boost in structured networking. Participants will enjoy over 40% more matched appointments than in 2024, totalling an unprecedented 100,000 meetings. The increased schedule allows attendees to focus on the connections with the most potential. From in-depth product updates to strategic collaborations, the emphasis is on quality conversations that lead to real business outcomes. The event’s tailored matchmaking ensures that both first-time participants and seasoned veterans get maximum value from every meeting.
Community Globetrotting and Specialised Sessions
The week began with Community Globetrotting sessions on 9 and 10 August, gathering over 600 advisors and 120 partners. These sessions highlighted Virtuoso’s passion-point travel categories, which include cruise, adventure, family, culinary, wellness, ultraluxe and sustainability. By focusing on niche segments, Virtuoso helps its members tailor offerings to evolving traveller preferences. Advisors share best practices, learn about emerging trends, and discover ways to enhance client experiences through curated, interest-based travel planning.
Spotlight on Travel Technology
One of the highlights of the opening weekend was the Travel Tech Summit, led by Gilad Berenstein, tech entrepreneur, investor, and Virtuoso board member. The Summit explored the latest developments in travel technology within the Virtuoso network, from AI-driven personalisation to enhanced booking tools. Attendance nearly doubled compared to last year, attracting over 500 participants. The discussion underscored Virtuoso’s belief that technology and human expertise are not competitors, but partners in delivering exceptional luxury travel experiences.
An Opening Session with a Vision
Sunday’s official opening session brought together all attendees for a warm welcome and big-picture insights. Jennifer Campbell, Senior Vice President of Global Events, underlined the enduring value of in-person networking and community building. She announced that Virtuoso will expand its global event calendar by 30% in 2026, with a total of 90 events worldwide. Campbell also noted the flexibility of Virtuoso Travel Week’s format, allowing attendees to tailor their schedules to their goals—whether through strategic meetings, mentoring, or career-building experiences.
Diverse Attendee Journeys and Experiences
The event format caters to a wide range of participants. Some agency executives prefer longer, more targeted meetings. Top producers and industry veterans often prioritise strategic conversations and mentoring. Newer advisors immerse themselves in a mix of networking, training, and product learning. This diversity of approaches reflects Virtuoso’s adaptability and its commitment to making the week meaningful for professionals at every career stage. The freedom to design one’s own programme is part of what makes the event so valued in the luxury travel sector.
CEO Matthew Upchurch on Human Connection
Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch reinforced the organisation’s philosophy that human connection remains the core of its competitive advantage. He described the challenge of thriving in both technological and human ecosystems, and the opportunity to blend the two for better client outcomes. Upchurch stressed that advisors are not just sellers of travel—they are part of the experience itself. The relationships nurtured between advisors and partners enhance the traveller’s journey, making it more personal and memorable.
Scaling Human Connection in a Digital Era
Upchurch reminded attendees that Virtuoso has been investing in “scaling human connection” for nearly four decades. While technology plays a vital role in modern travel, it is the people—advisors, partners, and clients—who create emotional value. The competitive edge in luxury travel lies in combining technological efficiency with the personal touch. In a fast-changing world, Virtuoso’s long-standing focus on this blend gives its members a head start in delivering exceptional client experiences.
Preparing for the Future of Luxury Travel
Virtuoso Travel Week is not only about immediate business deals; it is also a forum for discussing the future of luxury travel. From sustainability initiatives to new destination trends, the conversations happening in Las Vegas this week will shape how the industry evolves. Attendees leave with practical insights, strategic partnerships, and a clearer understanding of where opportunities lie. For Virtuoso, this aligns perfectly with its mission to inspire travel that is both transformative for clients and sustainable for the planet.
