Uniworld Boutique River Cruises treated a group of Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisors in New Zealand to a lavish dinner out in Auckland this week, recognising their contribution to a spectacular upswing in bookings for the 2023 season, and a sustained drive for 2024 departures.
Sales from New Zealand on the luxury river cruise line’s program this year are up by more than 35% compared to pre-pandemic levels achieved in 2019. That increase, in percentage terms, is close to double that of the Australia market, reflecting renewed confidence – and robust product awareness – by Virtuoso’s top-selling Kiwi agents.
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Jen Pagett leads the Virtuoso Key Accounts in Australia and New Zealand for Uniworld, and is supported locally by The Travel Corporation’s team on the ground. That includes Marija Tolj, Head of Trade Sales and Partnerships, based in Auckland.
In a sign of appreciation for their ongoing support, Uniworld hosted the group for a private, four-course gourmet dining experience at Kingi, with matching wines.
Pagett lauded the Kiwi frontline sellers, saying “It’s been a pleasure to work with these outstanding Virtuoso travel advisors as it is through their dedication to providing exceptional service that we’ve seen such success. Here’s to many more years of collaboration together!”
Lead image: Pictured from left to right at Kingi are: Jacqui Jones, Voyage Affaires; Grant Bevin; ATPI; Colleen Ryan, ATPI; Leith Sisson, North Shore Business Travel; Jo-Anne Kohr, North Shore Business Travel; Pip Fear; NZ Travel Brokers; Marija Tolj, Uniworld/TTC New Zealand; Philip Webb, NZ Travel Brokers; Clinton Sangster and Kerry Graham, Private Travel Company; Jen Pagett, Uniworld; Nicola Thomas, Accent on Travel and Carol Morgan, Voyage Affaires.
