Virtuoso will host more than 150 luxury travel leaders for its 2026 Australia & New Zealand Forum in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, from 23–26 March.
Held at Park Hyatt Auckland, the event will be attended by senior Virtuoso leaders including Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch and Senior Vice President, Global Markets Michael Londregan.
The four-day program includes a keynote from New Zealand mountaineer and philanthropist, Peter Hillary, the son of Sir Edmund Hillary, who will share stories from the summit of Mt Everest, the South Pole in Antarctica, and building schools and hospitals in the Himalayas.
Professional development sessions will “address key issues shaping the future of the travel industry, including AI, leadership, high performance and wellbeing”.
A gala dinner and awards evening hosted by Ponant will also see the 2026 Australia & New Zealand regional awards announced.
In partnership with Tourism New Zealand, attendees (including Karryon) will also have the opportunity to participate in exclusive three-day famils across multiple regions, including Central Otago, Christchurch and Canterbury, and Northland’s Bay of Islands, showcasing New Zealand’s diverse landscapes and premium tourism experiences.
Australia and New Zealand General Manager Greg Treasure says the event, “provides an invaluable opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and explore emerging trends that will shape the future of luxury travel”.
Tourism New Zealand CEO René de Monchy adds, “Hosting the Virtuoso Forum offers an exceptional platform to demonstrate the depth and diversity of New Zealand’s premium tourism offering – from vibrant urban experiences to remote natural landscapes – while strengthening relationships with key luxury travel professionals across Australia and New Zealand”.
For more information, visit Virtuoso.
