Virtuoso celebrates the best in the biz at 30th annual Travel Week

Taylor Swift drops one of her awards during the 52nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on January 31, 2010.     AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images)

Virtuoso recognised 20 fabulous destinations, cruise and lifestyle partners, and one very special advisor, at their 30th annual Travel Week in Las Vegas!

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The awards honour partners that shape products to match the needs of Virtuoso member agencies, providing a high-quality client experience and strong support of the travel advisor community.

Winners were revealed at three events during Travel Week, taking place this week at Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa in Las Vegas.

Ten awards were distributed at the Destination Showcase dinner on August 13 at Bellagio, commemorating partners that provide remarkable experiences to Virtuoso clients and superior service to its advisors:

Best Curated Travel Partner: Wilderness Safaris

Best Escorted Tour Partner: Tauck

Destinations & Experiences Ambassador of the Year: Andrea Grisdale – IC Bellagio

Destinations & Experiences Partner of the Year: andBeyond

Best Multi-Generational Program – Cruise: Royal Caribbean International

Best Culinary Experience – Cruise: Oceania Cruises

Most Luxurious Guest Experience – Cruise: Crystal Cruises

Best Virtuoso Voyages Experience: Barcelona by Made for Spain and Portugal

Best River Cruise Line: AmaWaterways

Tourism Board of the Year: Switzerland Tourism

The Community Awards were given to one advisor and one partner involved with one or more of Virtuoso’s four specialty niches: adventure, cruise, wellness and family. The winners, presented August 11 at ARIA, are:

Most Engaged Community Member: Alicia Diez – Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc.

Most Engaged Community Partner: Micato Safaris

The Alliance Partner Awards were presented on August 12 at a luncheon at Bellagio to outstanding preferred destinations and lifestyle suppliers:

Most Engaged – North America: Tourism Authority of Thailand

Most Engaged – Global: Los Cabos Tourism Board

Most Innovative Alliances Partner: USA Luxury Shopping Consortium

Most Comprehensive Advisor Program: Tourism Australia

Hottest Destination of the Year: Portuguese National Tourist Office

Top Destination of the Year: German National Tourist Office

Ambassador of the Year: Petra Roach, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

Most Innovative Lifestyle Partner: Galeries Lafayette

Honorary Recognition – Virtuoso Travel Dreams Tournament Champion: PromPeru

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