Valerie Wilson Travel

Press Mentions

highlights

Travel + Leisure: 7 Favorite All-inclusive Resorts Around the World

Looking for an all-inclusive resort for your next vacation? Travel experts share their top picks with Travel + Leisure.

Elle Decor: 20 Romantic Weekend Trips for Couples Needing Some Blessed “Us” Time

Karen Magee, president of Valerie Wilson Travel and Chase Travel Group, shares her top recommendations for the best couples’ trip ideas with Elle Decor.

 

VWT featured in Travel + Leisure’s 2024 A-List Travel Advisors

Travel + Leisure Recognizes Valerie Wilson, Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, and Kimberly Wilson Wetty as Industry A-Listers.

Recent Press

SH Diana Completes First Year in Service

May 9, 2024 | Cruise Industry News

The SH Diana recently marked its one-year anniversary sailing for Swan Hellenic. Read More>>

Why virgin overseas voyagers should make Ireland their first

March 16, 2024 | NY Post

If you’ve never been abroad, and the very idea makes you nervous, Ireland’s easy flights and friendly people make it a perfect place to start. Read More>>

10 of the Most Romantic Getaways in New England

March 8, 2024 | Brides

These quintessential New England escapes bring the romance. Read More>>

The 13 Best Places to Travel in December, According to the Pros

December 1, 2023 | Elle Decor

Whether you’re craving cozy comfort or a warm-weather respite, here’s where to go now. Read More>>

7 Travel Experts Share Their Favorite All-inclusive Resorts Around the World

November 14, 2023 | Travel + Leisure

For an all-inclusive vacation, these resorts do it best — from a safari lodge in Tanzania to a romantic getaway in the Caribbean. Read More>>

Week in Review: Top Holiday Travel Trends, Agency Events

November 3, 2023 | Travel Agent Central

There are lots of positives when looking at the holiday travel season approaching. According to Deloitte’s “2023 Holiday Travel Survey,” nearly half of Americans intend to travel between Thanksgiving and mid-JanuaryRead More>>

Virtuoso recognizes highest-performing travel agencies at 2023 Chairman’s Event

November 2, 2023 | Karryon

Global luxury travel network Virtuoso have recognized the group’s highest-performing travel agency members at its 2023 Chairman’s Event in Taormina, Sicily. Read More>>

‘Tis the Season: Chase Travel Reveals 2023 Holiday Travel Trends, Tips, and Predictions for 2024 Travel

October 30, 2023 | Business Wire

Nature-based international adventures and beach getaways driving holiday travel this season. Read More>>

Chase Travel Reveals Holiday Travel Trends, Predictions for 2024

October 31, 2023 | Travel Agent Central

Chase Travel has provided an early glimpse into the top growing holiday destinations this year based off Chase Travel proprietary booking data. FROSCH and Valerie Wilson Travel, part of the Chase Travel Group, also tapped their expert travel advisors to share their top holiday travel tips and 2024 travel predictions. Read More>>

‘Tis the Season: Chase Travel Reveals 2023 Holiday Travel Trends, Tips, and Predictions for 2024 Travel

October 2023 | Chase Media Center

Nature-based international adventures and beach getaways driving holiday travel this season. Read More>>

35 Best Things to Do in New York City, According to Local Experts

August 27, 2023 | Travel + Leisure

From world-class art museums to public green spaces, here’s what to do in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond. Read More>>

Chase Travel Name VWT Executives to New Roles

August 12, 2023 | Travel Market Report

Chase Travel Group this week made a number of significant appointments to its executive roles. Read More>>

Valerie Wilson Travel Execs Tapped for New Roles at Chase Travel

August 10, 2023 | Luxury Travel Advisor

There’s a big shakeup happening within several major travel agency brands. In an internal memo to employees, Head of Chase Travel Group Jason Wynn announced that current Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) Co-Presidents Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg and Kimberly Wilson Wetty will be taking on new roles for Chase Travel, while VWT will be headed up by Karen Magee, most recently an executive with the Global Travel Collection. Read More>>

Valerie Wilson Travel co-presidents promoted to positions at parent company

August 9, 2023 | Travel Weekly

Chase Travel has named Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg its head of policy and Kimberly Wilson Wetty head of travel brand culture. Read More>>

Expedited Passport Services Take Off Amid Unprecedented Processing Delays Power List

August 1, 2023 | Travel Market Report

More than halfway through the summer season, the much-publicized crunch at the U.S. Passport Office  –  with routine passport renewals now taking three to four months or more to process – shows no signs of abating. Read More>>

Grace Bay Resorts Celebrates 30 Years of Excellence Together with Esteemed Travel Icons

July 31, 2023 | The Sun TCI

In an event hosted at Rock House on Monday, July 24, 2023, the Grace Bay Resorts team, local media partners and their Travel Icons indulged in a cocktail session, followed by dinner. Read More>>

Insider Video: Discover the Newest Luxury Expedition Ship at Sea – SH Diana

June 14, 2023 | Insider Travel Report

Valerie Wilson, chairman of Valerie Wilson Travel and godmother of SH Diana, and Joe Maloney, Swan Hellenic’s new vice president of sales for North America, talk with Pam Apple of Insider Travel Report about Swan Hellenic’s newest entry in luxury expedition cruising, Wilson tells us what she likes about the ship, which she christened last month, and Maloney tells you how to sell it. For more information, visit www.swanhellenic.com. Watch the Video>>

The Post Wave Period – CRC Cruise Panel

June 22, 2023 | Cleveland Research Travel Talk Live

Listen in as Scott Koepf (Cruise Planners), Kimberly Wilson Wetty (Valerie Wilson Travel), and Alex Sharpe (Signature Travel) discuss May/June demand trends following a record Wave Season with Vince Ciepiel (Cleveland Research). The conversation covers bookings, regional trends, pricing trajectory, occupancy build, and other big picture items. Watch the Video>>

2023 Power List | Chase Travel Group

June 2023 | Travel Weekly

The annual Power List, an inventory of the world’s biggest sellers of travel, has often served as a barometer for major events. One need only track the list over the three years of Covid to see how the industry was affected as a whole: stunned, then down, then back. Read More>>

6 Laid-Back Ways to Explore the Golden State of Luxury

May 22, 2023 | AFAR

From eco-friendly wellness retreats to Michelin-star farm-to-table dining, top travel advisors share how to travel in style in California a little differently. Read More>>

Swan Hellenic’s Third Ship, SH Diana, Named in Amsterdam

May 5, 2023 | World of Cruising

SH Diana, Swan Hellenic’s third and largest ship, has set sail for the Arctic following a naming ceremony in Amsterdam Read More>>

Swan Hellenic Names Valerie Wilson as Godmother of New Cruise Ship

March 7, 2023 | Travel Market Report

Swan Hellenic, a European-based cultural expedition cruise line, has named luxury travel advisor icon Valerie Ann Wilson as godmother of its next new ship, the SH Diana, which launches this May. The ship is the third purpose-built vessel for the cruise line. Read More>>

SWAN HELLENIC NAMES VALERIE ANN WILSON GODMOTHER OF SH DIANA

February 23, 2023 | Porthole Cruise and Travel

Today, Swan Hellenic announced the details for the naming ceremony of its newest and largest expedition cruise ship, SH Diana. The ceremony for the cruise line’s third ice-class vessel will take place on May 4, 2023, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The brand-new SH Diana will get to call the luxury travel mogul and icon Valerie Ann Wilson, her godmother. Read More>>

A-List Travel Advisors

February 1, 2023 | Travel + Leisure

So you want to… make sushi in Tokyo. Take the kids on a scavenger hunt on the islands of Greece. Track tigers in India. Or sleep in an underwater suite in the Great Barrier Reef. We’ve got a travel advisor for that. In Travel + Leisure’s 21st annual A-List, we bring you the world’s top vacation specialists, who can take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary. Read More>>

Eye on Travel — Silver Endeavour in Antarctica — December 31, 2022

December 31, 2022 | Peter Greenberg WORLDWIDE

This week’s broadcast of Eye on Travel is coming from the bottom of the earth, aboard the new Silver Endeavour in Antarctica. Peter will have the latest updates on the Southwest Airlines meltdown, what the U.S. Department of Transportation might do in terms of a huge fine against the airline, a possible passenger bill of rights… Read More>>

Jason Wynn, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Managing Dir. & Head of Travel

December 9, 2022 | Business Travel News

Financial institutions in the past few years increasingly have been making travel-related acquisitions, and JPMorgan Chase in February upped the ante with its acquisition of Frosch Travel Group. Read More>>

STAY UP TO DATE WITH WINVIAN FARM

November 24, 2022 | Winvian Farm

With all genuine modesty, we admit it’s always a treat to see our 113-acre sanctuary of luxury hospitality in the Litchfield Hills spotlighted in the press. We’ve worked tirelessly to make Winvian Farm a truly singular resort, and we’re honored whenever it gets a shout-out or three! Read More>>

Editor’s Letter: Put it All Out There

November 22, 2022 | LUXURY Travel Advisor

Are you embarrassed to quote high prices for add-on experiences to your luxury clients? After all, their basic trips are costly enough and it might seem downright pushy to suggest they rent, say, a fully staffed yacht for a day. Read More>>

Ecotourism Global Market Report 2022 – ResearchAndMarkets.com

November 16, 2022 | businesswire

The global ecotourism market is expected to grow from $157.76 billion in 2021 to $185.43 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5%. The ecotourism market is expected to reach $299.03 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 12.7%. Read More>>

Insider Video: What Top Travel Advisor Valerie Wilson Thinks of Swan Hellenic’s New SH Vega

November 3, 2022 | Insider Travel Report

Valerie Wilson, chairman and founder of Valerie Wilson Travel, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report about Swan Hellenic’s new SH Vega—and turns out she likes it a lot. From the décor to the accommodations to the dining, Wilson gives you a preview of one of the newest expedition cruise ships in the market today.  Read More>>

Insider Video: Discover Swan Hellenic’s New Ship SH Vega with a Special Surprise Guest

October 17, 2022 | Insider Travel Report

James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with Andrea Zito, CEO of Swan Hellenic, and a special guest, Valerie Wilson, chairman and founder of Valerie Wilson Travel aboard the brand new SH Vega, the second ship in the company’s growing expedition fleet. Read More>>

Oh the Places You’ll Go

August 17, 2022 | SERENDIPITY

FROM FLYING TO CRUISING, PRIVATE TRAVEL OFFERS A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE A DESTINATION FROM A WHOLE NEW VANTAGE POINT. Like racehorses storming out of the start- ing gate, travelers are making up for lost time due to the pandemic and, in many cases, treating themselves to trips of a lifetime. Read More>>

The AFAR Travel Advisory Council

August 3, 2022 | AFAR

It’s time for a travel upgrade. You want a trip packed with authentic, meaningful experiences—and the AFAR Travel Advisory Council knows how to make it happen. We’ve selected a well-connected group of specialists in experiential travel, and they’re eager to share that expertise with you! Read More>>

Travel consultants in demand as business travelers return to skies

July 27, 2022 | Msn.com

As business travel begins to pick up, agencies are discovering new post-pandemic expectations. “This ‘bleisure’ theme is definitely coming back,” said Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel, on the WCBS Small Business Spotlight, sponsored by Dime Community Bank... Read More>>

Travel consultants in demand as business travelers return to skies

July 27, 2022 | WCBS News Radio 880

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg is featured in WCBS NewsRadio880’s video

The Best Eye Creams for Jet-Lagged Travelers

July 21, 2022 | Conde Nast Traveler

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission…. Read More>>

Frosch is thrilled about JPMorgan Chase’s acquisition of the agency

June 28, 2022 | Travel Weekly

JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s acquisition of Frosch is a feather in the cap for the entire travel industry, Frosch executives say, as well as an indicator of the strength of the travel agency community specifically… Read More>>

The 2022 Power List: An introduction

June 2022 | Travel Weekly

2021 was a year when large segments of leisure travel came roaring back from the Covid-19 lockdown. However, business travel lagged well behind leisure in the recovery… Read More>>

The Most Luxurious Villas to Book Around the World in 2022, According to Travel Experts

June 7, 2022 | Yahoo! Life

After a long two years, global air travel is rebounding — fast — as travelers are looking to make up for lost time. That could look like finally booking a delayed honeymoon, jetting off on an active adventure, or embarking on a multi-generational trip…Read More>>

Madrid becomes the world capital of luxury tourism

May 23, 2022 | Travel Daily Media

From October 5 to October 7, 2022, Madrid will become once again the world capital of luxury tourism... Read More>>

Hurdles ahead for travel advisors

May 23, 2022 | Travel Weekly

As travel ramps up, travel professionals face a slew of challenges, including staffing shortages, burnout, high prices and low availability… Read More>>

49 Expert Travel Tips from Virtuoso Advisors

May 20, 2022 | YYZ Travel Group

The benefits of working with a travel advisor are legion: peace of mind, global connections, customized vacations, value, and VIP treatment – plus peerless knowledge gleaned from traveling the world…. Read More>>

Small businesses worry final aid package will neglect them again

May 10, 2022 | Rollcall.com

Owners have seen little financial aid from Washington over the past two years despite multiple COVID-19 relief packages totaling over $5 trillion… Read More>>

JPMorgan Confirms Frosch Acquisition

May 4, 2022 | The Beat

JPMorgan Chase in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission this week confirmed that on May 2 it acquired Frosch Travel Group. It’s JPMorgan’s first public acknowledgement of the deal.Read More>>

12 Once-in-a-lifetime Dining Experiences Around the World, According to Travel + Leisure’s A-List Advisors

May 2, 2022 | Travel + Leisure

Dining is one of the best parts of visiting a new place. A one-of-a-kind meal can be the most memorable experience when traveling. Our A-List, Travel + Leisure’s group of the world’s top travel advisors, exclusively shared their favorite dining moments around the globe…. Read More>>

5 Essential Tips for Planning Your Summer Vacation. Number 1: Book Now

April 20, 2022 | The Wall Street Journal

IT’S SHAPING UP to be a hot summer for traveling—and a thorny one. According to the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), 85% of Americans plan to travel this season, which means crowded roads and airports.Read More>>

Travel executives gather at St. Andrews Links for ‘Travel Masters’

April 19, 2022 | Breaking Travel News

The most famous golf course in the world was the backdrop for the American Society of Travel Advisors’ (ASTA) first-ever Travel Masters, held earlier this month, at St. Andrews, Scotland, the home of golf and the 2022 British Open in July… Read More>>

ASTA Stages Inaugural ASTA Travel Masters in Scotland to Support Advocacy

April 15, 2022 | Insider Travel Report

The most famous golf course in the world was the backdrop for the American Society of Travel Advisors’ first-ever Travel Masters, held April 4-6, 2022, at St. Andrews, Scotland, home of golf and the 2022 British Open in July. This invitation-only leadership event brought together travel agency owners and supplier executives at the renowned Fairmont St. Andrews… Read More >>

American Travel Agents Looking to Restore Trans Atlantic Trade

April 2022 | Business Connect

A large group of some of the most influential American travel agents are currently touring Scotland as part of a strategy to restore a once highly-lucrative Trans-Atlantic tourist trade… Read More >>

Despite war in Ukraine, travel agents report strong demand for Europe

March 10, 2022 | Travel Weekly

Despite growing concern among Americans about travel to Europe with the war in Ukraine, most travel advisors’ clients are still forging ahead with their plans in what could be a pandemic silver lining… Read More>>

What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?

March 8, 2022 | Travel Market Report

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel mentioned in Travel Market Report… Read More>>

J.P. Morgan Chase Confirms Purchase of Mega-Agency Frosch

March 3, 2022 | Insider Travel Report

When travel agency giant Frosch was reportedly purchased by J.P. Morgan Chase (JPMC) late last month, we waited for a press release explaining the deal. But one never arrived and we wrote a speculative article about just what was happening. Now we’ve received the first official confirmation of the purchase…. Read More >>

Travel + Leisure’s A-List 2022  

February 9, 2022 | Travel + Leisure

Valerie Wilson, Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, Kimberly Wilson Wetty, and Amalia Lazarov featured on T+L’s A-List for 2022... Read More>>

Counting on ‘Endemic’: The Travel Industry Readies for a New Phase

February 7, 2022 | New York Times

In Britain and Denmark most coronavirus restrictions have been lifted, including mask mandates; Austria and the Netherlands have eased lockdown measures despite surges in cases… Read More>>

World COVID-19 on February 7: COVID-19 cases in some countries increase to a record, but tourism is still expected to revive

February 7, 2022 | News Fox 24

The number of tourists is expected to increase in the US and Europe this spring and summer – Photo: NYT. “When I use the word pandemic, I think of the two years we spent in place, but endemic disease is very similar to what I do now, traveling for work and on vacation, seeing friends and family.” – Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, co-chair of the New York-based Valerie Wilson Travel, a travel consulting company, told the newspaper. New York Times…. Read More>>

Insider Video: How Keith Waldon’s Departure Lounge Selected a Brand New Booking Platform

January 31, 2022 | Insider Travel Report

James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report talks with Keith Waldon, founder of Departure Lounge (www.departurelounge.com), a Virtuoso-affiliated host agency, about how he selected and developed a customized booking platform for his independent contracts with BookingVault and Valerie Wilson Travel. Read More>>

The Beacon: Amid Dysfunction, Momentum for Small Business Relief Grows

January 28, 2022 | Travel Market Report

Sometimes, progress is measured in inches and that’s never been more true than for those of us pushing for small businesses relief in Congress since the onset of COVID-19. I’m happy to report that – amid the dysfunction and partisan fighting on Capitol Hill – there has been progressing and there is a growing awareness of the fact that, for many industries, the pandemic is not over and additional support is needed…. Read More >>

Departure Lounge Debuts Booking Platform with BookingVault & Valerie Wilson’s Air Access

January 19, 2022 | Insider Travel Report

Departure Lounge, the luxury Virtuoso member host travel agency with physical stores and outside travel advisors, has launched a new travel advisor booking platform developed by BookingVault (BV), featuring competitive air offerings and support from Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT), a Frosch Company, along with luxury hotel options from Virtuoso and more than 20 preferred hotel agency programs….Read More >>

Host agency Departure Lounge launches new booking platform

January 18, 2022 | Travel Weekly

Austin, Texas-based host agency Departure Lounge has launched a new booking platform for its travel advisors, featuring the agency’s preferred hotels, hotels from agency consortium Virtuoso and Valerie Wilson Travel’s air inventory… Read More >>

A Closer Look at the Families Behind FROSCH and Valerie Wilson Travel

May 7, 2021 | Travel Age West

On April 30, two travel industry families — the Leibmans of FROSCH and the Wilsons of Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) — joined forces in an acquisition that merged the two in a business alliance of epic proportions. Read More >>

The Big Surprise Travel Agency Deal: Frosch Buys Valerie Wilson Travel

May 4, 2021 | Insider Travel Report

In a move that surprised much of the travel industry, even during the pandemic when more agency consolidation might be expected, Frosch International Travel purchased Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) on Friday, April 30, 2021. Read More >>

Frosch Acquires Valerie Wilson Travel

May 3, 2021 | Travel Age West

Frosch International Travel acquired Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) on April 30. Read More >>

FROSCH Acquires Valerie Wilson Travel

May 3, 2021 | Travel Pulse

Two luxury travel dynasties are joining forces by way of FROSCH’s acquisition of Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT), a deal that closed on April 30. Read More >>

Frosch International acquires Valerie Wilson Travel

May 3, 2021 | Travel Weekly

Frosch International Travel has acquired Valerie Wilson Travel, a move that brings together two New York City-based agencies run by two generations of families that built their respective brands into multimillion-dollar travel businesses. Read More >>

Frosch Acquires Valerie Wilson Travel

May 4, 2021 | Luxury Travel Advisor

Frosch International Travel (Frosch) has acquired Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) on Friday, April 30, 2021, the companies announced this week. Read More >>

Frosch Acquires Valerie Wilson Travel

May 3, 2021 | Business Travel News

Frosch International Travel has acquired Valerie Wilson Travel in the latest major step in Frosch’s strategic growth strategy, which over the past year has included several other TMC purchases as well as an infusion of private equity capital. Read More >>

Valerie Wilson Travel Agency Acquired By Frosch

May 2021 | Skift

Two well-known family travel agencies come under one umbrella, driven by private equity backing to grow. Expect more such deals to happen in the coming months. Read More >>

‘A Historic Acquisition’: FROSCH and VWT Talk Acquisition

May 6, 2021 | Travel Market Report

On Tuesday, one of the major agency moves of the COVID-19 pandemic era was unveiled when FROSCH announced it had acquired the iconic New York-based Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT). Read More >>

Valerie Wilson Travel’s Strategy Focuses on Brand and Growth of Its People

March 10, 2021 | Insider Travel Report

As the entire travel industry works towards a “new normal” after a year of unpredictability and devastating losses, many ask the question, who is going to lead in a reimagined tourism sector? Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) believes that being able to pivot more quickly, communicate internally and externally more effectively, and focus on talent development is instrumental in the recovery. Read More >>

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg Named One of the Top 50 Women In Travel

March 17, 2021 | My Hometown Bronxville

 Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, Co-President & Owner of Valerie Wilson Travel, has been named one of the Top 50 Women in Travel by The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). The GBTA is the world’s largest business travel association and worldwide leader in education, research, networking, and advocacy for the travel industry. Read More >>