Posts Tagged Mexico travel
The VIRTUOSO LIFE Hotel Issue
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Virtuoso Life on May 18, 2011
From Beverly Hills to Thailand, the Virtuoso Life Hotel Issue has a suite (or villa) to suit everyone. Experience a relaxing getaway to a Mexican hacienda, pick your favorite cabin from this year’s fleet or get away from it all at one of 15 ultimate escape resorts!
FEATURES INCLUDE:
Beverly Hills Beauties: From legendary to cutting edge, the city’s best hotels offer both service and style.
Farm to Fabulous: Haciendas, Mexico’s great plantations of yore, cultivate utterly relaxing getaways.
Away From it All: At these 15 ultimate-escape resorts, solitude is luxury number one.
Take a Shine to Thailand: Southeast Asia’s oasis is back. Check your shoes at the villa and discover that “island time” truly exists.
High Seas Society: Our favorite features of this year’s fleet, plus Virtuoso travel advisors’ highlights and tips on the best cabins to book.
Also, you won’t want to miss: Giving Back – Why a Micato safari is a life-changing experience in more ways than one.
Virtuoso Life is an award-winning publication that comes out six times a year. Its delivered to the mailboxes of select clients of Virtuoso travel advisors. If you’d like to learn more, or to connect to a travel advisor, click here.
Thought-Provoking and Exclusive: Virtuoso’s Best Discuss Affluent Travel
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Meetings & Events on April 26, 2010
World-class speakers, exclusive access, breathtaking settings, networking opportunities, along with record attendance – all were key parts of the success of the 2010 Virtuoso Symposium in Mexico City.
The highlight of the Opening Session was a surprise speech by President Felipe Calderón of Mexico (pictured left). President Calderón spoke for 15 minutes, then held a Q&A session with attendees. “We want to put our country in the hands of your clients,” he said. “The government and our citizens are ready to serve with open arms as we say, ‘This is where your home is.’ ”
More than 100 media attended and a picture of President Calderón with the Virtuoso logo behind him was featured in all the major newspapers in Mexico City the next day.
“The Affluent Client Now” was the theme explored by Virtuoso’s top Members and Suppliers at the network’s 30th annual leadership forum.
“Virtuoso’s annual Symposium represents one of our contributions to help improve global tourism through thoughtful and responsible actions,” said Virtuoso CEO Matthew Upchurch. “We invite tourism thought-leaders from various Industry segments and countries to discuss and better understand the key issues facing us today and in the future. This year, we are proud to bring this important event to Mexico and lead by example.”
Upchurch emphasized that Virtuoso wanted to show its support to Mexico in the aftermath of significant challenges to the country’s tourism industry, such as H1N1 and drug-related violence.
In addition to discussions about affluent travel, Symposium featured a series of memorable events at exclusive venues, including Wednesday’s dinner at Las Alcobas, a newly opened Virtuoso property. Attendees enjoyed an exquisite dinner in a restaurant that is still four weeks away from its public opening.
Thursday’s Welcome Reception at the St. Regis – Mexico City featured a special guest: Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico’s ambassador to the United States. Friday, attendees lunched at a private hacienda rarely allowed to be used for events. Friday night’s dinner at historic Vizcainis had attendees speechless as they saw the courtyard illuminated by thousands of candles.
Saturday’s dinner was held at the Franz Mayer Museum, where attendees dined in a beautiful courtyard. And Sunday’s lunch was held at an authentic charreada (Mexican rodeo).
The final night gala dinner at the National Museum of Anthropology was held in an area that has only hosted one other event, a dinner for President Obama last year. Attendees were welcomed by Rodolfo Lopez Negrete, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board. The world-renowned National Folkloric Ballet entertained guests.
To learn more about Virtuoso, click here.
Virtuoso Elite Join Forces to Explore “The Affluent Client Now”
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Meetings & Events on April 15, 2010
Starting today, the best and brightest in the travel industry will converge on Mexico City for the 30th annual Virtuoso Symposium. Owners and managers of the world’s best travel agencies and Virtuoso preferred supplier top executives come together annually at the Symposium for dialogue and exchange on topics of interest in the travel industry. This year’s discussion is about the modern-day affluent client.
Why Mexico?
Because when you get an invite from the President of the country, you don’t say no.
Earlier in the year, Mexico President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa and other officials sent letters inviting Virtuoso CEO Matthew Upchurch, members and suppliers to Mexico City for the 2010 Symposium.
In his invitation letter, Calderón said, “I am certain that Virtuoso’s distinguished members will confirm the enormous potential that our country offers. We know that Virtuoso, as a leader in luxury travel, will be able to increase its presence in the Mexican market, bring value to the industry and our local economies, and take advantage of what Mexico has to offer to global companies.”
Another reason for choosing Mexico is that the country is near and dear to CEO Matthew Upchurch, who was born and spent his childhood there. Because of this he omoting Mexico tourism,” he said.has a personal interest in supporting Mexico as a luxury destination. “Symposium attendees will experience firsthand the legendary hospitality and the partnership we have so long enjoyed while pr
Symposium Events
Attendees will enjoy private tours of historic landmarks—many not open to the public—as well as a sampling of authentic Mexican cuisine prepared by top chefs, tequilas and spirits from the most prestigious makers, and entertainment by some of the country’s most famed performers.
Participants will also have ample opportunity to experience the vibrant spirit and warm charm of Mexico City, including visits to Aztec ruins, the Palacio Nacional, the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Frida Kahlo Museum. The events will culminate in a gala dinner held at the National Museum of Anthropology.
But it’s not all fun and sight-seeing. This year’s attendees will meet in general sessions to explore how to engage affluent clients, thus prospering in a rapidly changing business environment. The conclusions and recommendations from these discussions will be published for network distribution and will also guide Virtuoso’s initiatives in the coming months.
Virtuoso preferred supplier hotels, Four Seasons Hotel Mexico, D.F. and The St. Regis Mexico City, will host the 400+ Symposium attendees.
To learn more about Virtuoso click here.
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