Elite Consultants Gain Valuable Insights While Being Honored on Luxury Cruise With Explora Journeys

OYSTER BAY, NY (September 3, 2025): With authentic travel rising as a trend, the top agencies affiliated with leading travel networks TRAVELSAVERS and NEST experienced the culture of two in-demand countries during their recent Elite Retreat. The agency owners cruised from Istanbul to Athens August 23 to 29 on Explora Journeys to celebrate their sales success.

A TRAVELSAVERS and NEST advisor survey found that authentic travel was among the biggest emerging trends for 2025, with today’s travelers hungry for meaningful, engaging experiences. The same survey also named luxury travel and ocean cruising two of the chief trends of the year.

“The Elite Retreat is thrilling on many levels,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, TRAVELSAVERS Chief Sales Officer and NEST President. “We’re celebrating our top-performing travel affiliates and the impressive results they’ve achieved. We’re highlighting the authentic experiences behind world-class destinations. And we’re providing these superstar advisors with firsthand knowledge of growing niches like luxury cruising and cultural tourism so they can design even more exceptional trips to their clients.”

“This exclusive journey is a true testament to the hard work, passion, and exceptional sales performance of these Elite advisors,” said Chris Austin, President – North America, Explora Journeys. “We are honored to celebrate their success and to partner with such an accomplished group of travel professionals.”

From glamorous cities to quaint islands, the Elite advisors savored the character of each port during their journey on board EXPLORA I. On lively Syros, they explored scenic villages, merchant palaces and waterfront cafes. Picturesque Paros offered charms ranging from ancient remains and blue-domed churches to water activities such as windsurfing, kite-surfing, diving and swimming. In Bodrum, the advisors immersed themselves in history, including the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In Athens, they experienced archaeological wonders amid modern markets, galleries, and boutiques.

A highlight of the cruise was a tour of Rhodes, where the advisors met Georgios Chatzimarkos, governor of the South Aegean region of Greece. The visit brought alive Rhodes' varied history and most iconic locales, ranging from the ancient Acropolis to a medieval fortress. Lunch in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medieval Town immersed the advisors in the genuine atmosphere and regional cuisine of a traditional taverna.

Advisors and preferred partners took full advantage of the journey to deepen their connections during 1:1 meetings, breakout sessions, tours, cocktail parties, private performances with guest entertainers, and evening dining rotations.

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