Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #44
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<strong>Hotel</strong> & <strong>Tourism</strong><br />
<strong>SMARTreport</strong> <strong>#44</strong><br />
2019 Autumn Edition 17<br />
17<br />
© 2019 Four Seasons<br />
WITH SUCH A DIVERSITY<br />
OF EXPERIENCES AT HOME,<br />
AMERICANS INCREASINGLY<br />
CHOOSE TO TRAVEL<br />
DOMESTICALLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS<br />
The Bellagio hotel, Las Vegas,<br />
Nevada, USA<br />
The Four Seasons George V Paris, France<br />
– Virtuoso’s <strong>Hotel</strong> of the Year<br />
HOT DESTINATIONS AND<br />
among the top performers<br />
Malta, Romania, Egypt, Puerto Rico,<br />
Rwanda, Qatar, South Korea and Norway.<br />
“US travellers are seeking adventures amid<br />
the fairy-tale castles of Romania, historic<br />
sites of Malta and fjords of Norway,” said<br />
the Report. “Uruguay’s award-winning<br />
wineries, pleasant climate, and adventure<br />
opportunities make it a sought-after<br />
destination for the season. The Middle<br />
East remains popular, with Egypt and Qatar<br />
enticing visitors with less-explored cuisines,<br />
bustling markets, and desert excursions,<br />
while Puerto Rico and the Maldives provide<br />
retreats for relaxation-focused travellers.”<br />
On the Awards front, Virtuoso feted 18<br />
destination, cruise and lifestyle partners<br />
with awards for their products and service<br />
as well as their collaboration with network<br />
members. Winners were announced during<br />
Virtuoso Travel Week and included: Best<br />
Tour Partner, Belmond Trains & Cruises;<br />
Destinations & Experiences Ambassador of<br />
the Year, Javier Echecopar, Abercrombie &<br />
Kent US; Destinations & Experiences Partner<br />
of the Year, Made for Spain & Portugal;<br />
Best Multi-Generational Programme –<br />
Cruise, Royal Caribbean International;<br />
Best Culinary Experience – Cruise, Oceania<br />
Cruises; Most Luxurious Guest Experience<br />
– Cruise, Crystal Cruises; Best River Cruise<br />
Line, AmaWaterways; Best Expedition<br />
Cruise Line, Silversea Expeditions; Best<br />
On-Site Partner, Calvados Club Luxury<br />
Travel – Croatia; <strong>Tourism</strong> Board of the Year,<br />
Switzerland <strong>Tourism</strong>.<br />
In addition, the Alliance Partner Awards<br />
recognised eight exceptional preferred<br />
destinations and lifestyle partners. These<br />
were: Most Engaged <strong>Tourism</strong> Board – US/<br />
Canada, <strong>Tourism</strong> Australia; Most Engaged<br />
<strong>Tourism</strong> Board – Global, Visit California;<br />
Most Innovative Alliances Partner, El Corte<br />
Ingles; Most Comprehensive Advisor<br />
Programme, Austrian Tourist Office; Hottest<br />
Destination of the Year, Slovenian Tourist<br />
Board; Top Destination of the Year, Italian<br />
National Tourist Board; Virtuoso Alliances<br />
Ambassador of the Year, Elisabeth Hakim,<br />
PromPeru; Lifestyle Partner of the Year,<br />
Galeries Lafayette Paris.<br />
Finally, Virtuoso’s coveted Best of the Best<br />
Awards honoured the year’s top 10 hotels<br />
and hoteliers in categories ranging from<br />
best wellness programme to best dining<br />
experience. Four Seasons <strong>Hotel</strong> George<br />
V triumphed with the most prestigious<br />
prize: <strong>Hotel</strong> of the Year. “The exceptional<br />
contributions of these Best of the Best<br />
winners are emblematic of the calibre of<br />
creativity, service and guest experiences that<br />
are the hallmark of the Virtuoso <strong>Hotel</strong>s &<br />
Resorts programme,” said Albert Herrera,<br />
senior vice president of Global Product<br />
Partnerships for Virtuoso. “Every year<br />
our winners raise the bar even higher for<br />
global luxury hospitality, and we are proud<br />
to honour their accomplishments while<br />
expressing gratitude for the inspiration they<br />
provide.”
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