China Newswire » Travel & Hospitality 2011-10-25 10:32:47

, October 25, 2011 /ChinaNewswire.com - Xinwengao.com/ - 128 Travel Agency Executives Rewarded With Trip to Beijing and Shanghai October 16 – 22, 2011

Beijing, China (October 21, 2011) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — As a testament to the appeal of China as a premier travel destination, Virtuoso, Imperial Tours, Abercrombie & Kent Asia, and host hotels Raffles Beijing Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong will welcome 128 executives from Virtuoso's top 67 travel agency members from the United States, Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean, South America and Australia for the Virtuoso Chairman's Recognition Event. The network represents $9.6 billion in annual travel sales, and the Chairman's Recognition Event honors 2011's top performers within Virtuoso's elite membership of 330-plus travel agencies located in 20 countries. The event will take place October 16-22, 2011.

Virtuoso rewards its top revenue producers, its most engaged members and travel agencies with the most improved sales with a trip befitting of the upscale travel they typically plan. The itinerary provides an exclusive glimpse into China few have had the privilege to see, and allows these professionals to experience the genuine flavor and style of the destination. Virtuoso's Chairman's Recognition Event occurs annually in some of the most exciting, colorful and vibrant locales in the world, most recently Kenya (2010), Scotland (2009), India (2008), Prague (2007) and Peru (2006) – and now China in 2011.

"At Virtuoso, we believe exploring the world and its tremendous diversity creates unequalled opportunities to refocus travelers on what's important – the ability to create shared experiences and memories," commented Matthew D. Upchurch, CTC, CEO of Virtuoso. "Our Chairman's Recognition Event serves to inspire our top-performing travel advisors, and ultimately their clientele, by providing a rare look at the very best ways to experience all that a destination has to offer. Their first-hand accounts of these unique locations help sustain the cycle of travel," he added.

The Virtuoso Chairman's Event program will allow guests to participate first-hand in exclusive and enriching experiences that distinguish China by combining the country's historic culture with more modern influences.

Highlights of the Virtuoso itinerary in Beijing and Shanghai include

Beijing
Welcome lunch at, and hosted by, Park Hyatt Beijing
Welcome reception and dinner at Raffles Beijing Hotel, hosted by Fairmont Raffles Hotels
Lunch and expert briefing on Contemporary Art In China at, and hosted by, the Opposite House
Cocktails and a private dinner at the Garden of Harmonious Interest in the Summer Palace, hosted by Aman Resorts
A lunch banquet at the Great Wall, hosted by St. Regis Beijing
Cocktails and dinner at the Water Cube, hosted by Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
Exclusive historic, cultural and educational excursions within Beijing, operated by Imperial Tours

Shanghai
Welcome Reception and Dinner at FLAIR in The Ritz Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, hosted by The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company
Private lunch at Swatch Art Peace Hotel
Private dinner and reception at Mme. Eleonora Huang’s stunning 93rd floor Shanghai Loft at the Park Hyatt Shanghai, hosted by Park Hyatt Shanghai
Private reception and lunch at Grand Hyatt Shanghai, hosted by Hyatt Hotels
Gala cocktail reception and dinner at The Peninsula Shanghai overlooking The Bund, honoring the “Roaring Thirties” of Shanghai, hosted by The Peninsula Hotels
Exclusive historic, cultural and educational excursions within Shanghai, operated by Abercrombie & Kent Asia

About Virtuoso
Virtuoso is the industry's leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 330 agencies with more than 7,200 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,300 of the world's best travel providers and premier destinations. The network's member agencies generate over 9.6 billion dollars annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Virtuoso is the exclusive network of travel services and benefits provided by MasterCard® for participating World Elite MasterCard programs. For more information, please visit www.virtuoso.com.

To view Virtuoso's latest video content, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Misty Ewing
  Virtuoso – Director, Public Relations
  Phone: 212-588-8242 or 206-484-8022 (mobile)
  E-mail: mewing@virtuoso.com