Photo courtesy of Jessica Renshaw Twitter account

As the 288th annual Virtuoso Travel Week slowly winds to a close, the organization honoured its successes in an elegant gala dinner celebration attended by more than 2,800 travel industry advisors, agencies and hospitality partners. In particular, the gala recognized the most innovative and admired agencies and advisors around the world, in addition to global partner standouts. 

Coming off of a year of major international expansion, the network has slightly re-tooled its Most Admired Advisor awards, splitting a category that was once shared by Canadian and American advisors into two separate awards:  Most Admired Advisor – Canada and Most Admired Advisor — USA.

Taking home the inaugural Most Admired Advisor—Canada award was David Lowy, President of Renshaw Travel in British Columbia.

Lowy likens his services as those of a private banker, as he helps clients manage their most valuable asset—their time. Central to Lowy’s business philosophy is focusing on personal relationships with clients and understanding their individuality.

Lowy, as well as all award-winning Virtuoso travel advisors, were selected by votes cast among Virtuoso’s travel provider network. In return, travel agency members vote for their preferred partners. This year, more than 2,200 votes were cast for the top advisor and partner awards.

“Virtuosos are never content to rest on their laurels, impressive though they are,” said Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch. “The Virtuoso Awards celebrate the agencies, advisors and partners who are constantly innovating to bring clients even more extraordinary experiences, which in turn create memories that last a lifetime. One of the many things I love about this network is how we’re always raising the bar on our own perception of excellence, and this year’s winners are setting a very high standard for our industry.”

2016 Virtuoso Award Winners

Agency/Advisor Peer-to-Peer Awards (as voted by preferred partners)

Most Admired Advisor – Canada: David Lowy, Renshaw Travel, Vancouver, British Columbia
Most Admired Advisor – USA: Rudi Steele, Rudi Steele Travel, Dallas, Texas
Most Admired Advisor – Europe/Middle East/Africa: Tina Rose, Protravel International, London, UK
Most Admired Advisor – Asia/Pacific: Carol Morgan, Voyage Affaires, Auckland, New Zealand
Most Admired Advisor – Latin America/Caribbean: Anita Besson, Matuete Worldwide, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Most Hospitable Agency: The Accomplished Traveler, New York, New York
Most Innovative Advisor: Sandie Wiesenthal, Protravel International, Beverly Hills, California
Virtuoso Rising Star: Emily Prentiss, Valerie Wilson Travel, New York, New York

Supplier Peer-to-Peer Awards (as voted by travel agency members)

Best Airline: Emirates Airline
Best Specialty Provider: Travelex Insurance Services
Best Luxury Cruise Line: Crystal Cruises
Best Resort/Contemporary Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Best Premium Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises
Best River Cruise Line: AmaWaterways

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