The Bicester Collection, showcasing its growing influence within the global luxury travel sector, hosted the official welcome reception of the 2025 Virtuoso Symposium at La Roca Village last week, welcoming over 350 of Virtuoso’s influential members and partners from across the world.
Held this year aboard the Crystal Serenity, sailing from Barcelona to Marseille from May 13 to 17, Virtuoso Symposium brought together top-tier agency owners, senior executives and preferred partners to shape the future of luxury travel. For The Bicester Collection, the evening marked a milestone moment – highlighting its strategic role in connecting fashion, travel, culture and lifestyle.
Set against the backdrop of Catalonia, the evening at La Roca Village offered a dynamic, immersive experience of The Bicester Collection’s unique blend of retail, hospitality and cultural curation. Guests enjoyed shopping from the world’s best brands, regional cuisine and exclusive services that reflect the Collection’s unwavering commitment to five-star hospitality.
With 12 Villages across Europe, China and North America, housing 1,500 boutiques across nine countries and three continents, The Bicester Collection Villages welcomed 46 million guests in 2024, with each open-air destination located just outside the world’s fashion capitals.
From Hands-free Shopping and multilingual concierge teams to curated membership and partner offers, the event with Virtuoso demonstrated how The Bicester Collection sets a new global standard in experiential luxury.
“Our guests expect seamless, elevated experiences that go far beyond retail,” said Vlarcelo Vlolinari, Director of International markets, The Bicester Collection. “Through our partnership with Virtuoso and other industry leaders, we are meeting that demand-offering not just shopping, but destination experiences that are tailored, memorable and emotionally resonant.”
“Upscale shopping experiences are a perfect complement to luxury travel and something that our clients are seeking out, which is why we are excited to showcase the relationship we have with The Bicester Collection,” says Virtuoso Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships Cory Hagopian. “By holding our Symposium’s welcome reception at La Roco Village, our travel agency members and partners will not only see the elevated shopping experience The Bicester Collection offers but also a different side to the Barcelona they may think they know.”
The Bicester Collection continues to attract a highly discerning international audience, with a 7.2% growth in international guests across the Villages year to date. Growth has been especially notable from the United States, reflecting the strength of The Bicester Collection’s global appeal and ability to meet the expectations of luxury travellers and high-net-worth audiences through curated experiences.
Each Village within the Collection offers the world’s best brands at the world’s best prices, celebrated restaurants, and peerless service-making them essential destinations for global travellers. Rooted in community spirit, The Bicester Collection also partners with local cultural institutions, regional tourism, champions young creative talent, and supports charitable and sustainable initiatives that positively impact the surrounding regions.
