Arts & Leisure goes above and beyond for agents and clients
BOB MOWAT
About 70 travel advisors embarked on a ‘journey of discovery’ with Arts & Leisure at Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel, learning about its products and programs, sharing a fine meal and enjoying some entertainment. And throughout the evening, Arts & Leisure executives made it abundantly clear that it does everything for travel advisors and their clients.
Toronto was the last stop for the Arts & Leisure team as it wrapped up its annual North American sales mission, with Adriana Borghese, founder and owner of Arts & Leisure, telling the gathering that the company was founded in 1993 and will turn 31 this year. “It has been an amazing journey,” Borghese said.
And it has been a journey that has seen Arts & Leisure making it clear all along the way that it was different. Said Borghese: “We’re different because we’re travel curators – not a tour operator. We curate travel with you [the agent] and for you [the agent] and your clients.”
And Arts & Leisure’s founder and owner added: “We’re Arts & Leisure – that’s who we are and that’s who we’ll continue to be.”
Big news for the luxury, B2B travel boutique is the opening of a new office in Naples, Italy in December 2023. That office joins A&L’s original office in Toronto (1993) and its office in Chicago (which opened in 2017).
A&L has also become a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA – LGBTQ+) and its staff has gone through in-depth inclusivity training and the company is now certified by the Canadian Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC).
In fact, in the training program that it conducts for its travel agency partners, Arts & Leisure makes it clear that it “firmly believes that regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, everyone deserves an unforgettable journey. Rooted in our core values of inclusivity, respect, and transparency in every interaction, we ensure both our team and travellers a positive and exceptional experience.”
At the Toronto event, Arts & Leisure welcomed four of its hotel partners, including Desio Charming Hotels with properties in Rome, Milan and Florence; Hotel Mediterraneo in Sorrento; Regina Isabella Resort Spa Restaurant in Ischia; and Palazzo Giovanelli Gran Canal Venezia.
Each of the hoteliers offered advisors on hand a glimpse of what was in store for the clients staying at their properties.
Currently, Arts & Leisure has programs to 60 countries and has over 2,000 hotel properties and that inventory is growing.
In Europe, destinations include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, N. Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales.
While Europe is Arts & Leisure’s specialty, it also has programs to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and Nicaragua; as well as Canada and the United States.
And coming soon, the luxury B2B travel boutique will be offering programs to Africa, Australia & Oceania, Indian & Pacific Ocean, and South America.
Working exclusively with travel advisors, Arts & Leisure creates curated journeys for:
- Affluent travellers who want to be personally and uniquely taken care of
- Luxury vacationers who want authentic connoisseur experiences
- Special trips with friends and family, multigenerational reunions and multi-family stays
- Destination weddings, honeymoons and romantic getaways
- Experiential travel, corporate retreats and special interest small groups
The company’s services include:
▪ Customized FIT Packages that may include: luxury and boutique 4 and 5-star hotels in Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, Central and North America; uncommon, unique itineraries; private tours, guides, and transfers; cooking classes & wine tastings; luxury car rentals; and a full array of concierge services
▪ Luxury villas, chalet, manor houses, apartments and residences in Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, Central and North America
▪ Private Jets all over the world
▪ Luxury Yacht rentals Mediterranean and Caribbean
▪ Small luxury group tours
As for its mission, Arts & Leisure says that it’s “to make [travel advisors] shine by creating the perfect holiday experience, with cherished memories designed to ensure that your clients return home with unforgettable stories they share over and over again.”
