Luxury travel network Virtuoso announced the recipients of its annual Virtuoso Performance Awards on Thursday, August 20, at the network's 21st Anniversary Awards Gala.
The event marked the conclusion of Virtuoso's 2009 Travel Mart conference, held at Las Vegas' Bellagio hotel, August 16-21. Members and suppliers were acknowledged based on minimum production requirements evaluated over a 12-month time period as well as peer-to-peer assessment within the network. Award winners were recognized before more than 1,600 of travel's elite professionals.
The Virtuoso Performance Awards winners and categories are listed below.
2009 Virtuoso Peer-to-Peer Awards – Member Category
(In this category, Virtuoso Preferred Suppliers vote for Virtuoso members)
Virtuoso ‘Most Admired Advisor’ Award
(Recognizes the travel advisor who exemplifies the highest standards of the profession in skill, performance and conduct.)
Alicia Diez, Valerie Wilson Travel
Virtuoso ‘Top International Advisor’ Award
(Recognizes the most outstanding travel advisor from Australia/New Zealand, the Caribbean, and Latin AmericaNew Zealand.)
Teresa Perez, Teresa Perez Tours, Brazil
Virtuoso ‘Most Innovative Advisor ‘Award
(Recognizes the travel advisor who has demonstrated the most innovative, imaginative and out-of-the-box thinking in selling travel.)
Malaka Hilton, Admiral Travel Gallery
Virtuoso ‘Most Hospitable Member’ Award
(Recognizes the travel agency location that makes Suppliers feel at home when making agency sales calls.)
Brownell Travel - Birmingham, Alabama
Virtuoso ‘Rising Star’ Award
(Recognizes a frontline travel consultant in the early stages of his or her career, who exhibits exceptional promise.)
Jessica Griscavage, McCabe World Travel
2009 Virtuoso Peer-to-Peer Awards – Supplier Category
(In this category, Virtuoso Members vote on Preferred Suppliers)
Virtuoso ‘Best Small Ship/Specialty Cruise Company’ (under 500 passengers)
The Yachts of Seabourn
Virtuoso ‘Best Large Ship Line’ (500 passengers or more)
Crystal Cruises
Virtuoso ‘Best Voyager Club Event’
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Gala Dinner at Former Home of Henry Cabot Lodge, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam
Trails of Indochina
Virtuoso ‘Best FIT/Custom Tour Operator’
Abercrombie & Kent
Virtuoso ‘Best Escorted Tour Operator’
Tauck World Discovery
Virtuoso ‘Best On-Site Supplier’
IC Bellagio
Virtuoso ‘Best VAST Supplier’
Lindblad Expeditions
Virtuoso ‘Best Preferred Airline’
Singapore Airlines
Virtuoso ‘Best Specialty Supplier’
Travelex Insurance Services
2009 Virtuoso Performance Awards
‘Top Virtuoso Production’
Protravel International Inc. (New York)
‘Top Virtuoso Production – Latin America Division’
Teresa Perez, Teresa Perez Tours, Brazil
‘Top Virtuoso Production – Australia/New Zealand Division’
etm travel
‘Top Virtuoso Production on a Per Advisor Basis’ ($1.5 million minimum production)
Northstar Cruises
‘Top Virtuoso Production Percentage, Year-Over-Year Growth’ ($500,000 minimum)
Prime Tour Agencia de Viagens E Turismo
‘Largest Single Sale From a Virtuoso Lead’
Ruth Turpin, Cruises Etc. Travel
‘Top Virtuoso Producer 2009 – Destination Sales Team’
Jill Taylor, Poe Travel (Australia Team)
‘Top Virtuoso Producer 2009 – Cruise & Tour Sales Teams’
Jesse Taylor, Cruise Division (Oceania Team)