Virtuoso®, the global network renowned for its ability to create exceptional luxury travel experiences for clientele, welcomes its travel agency owner members and preferred travel providers to Buenos Aires for its Symposium.  Attracting more than 400 people from 33 countries, the Symposium took place 21-25 April 2013.  Symposium meetings serve to deepen the relationships of the network’s agency owners with the most senior executives from the world’s leading luxury travel brands and unique providers, as well as with the host destination and its curated Virtuoso travel providers; the result is the elevation of Virtuoso client experiences.

Virtuoso selected Buenos Aires from a number of potential host cities following a written invitation from the President of the Argentine Nation, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner – a direct result of the group’s successful relationship with the Argentina National Institute of Tourism Promotion (INPROTUR). With the relationship now in its second year, Virtuoso has seen sales to Argentina rise by seven per cent year over year, with sales to various cities seeing substantial growth. Additionally, Argentina was named in the top-five hottest international destinations for 2013 in Virtuoso’s Luxe Report, an annual survey of the network’s member agencies on the latest travel trends. 

“Since 2011, Virtuoso has enjoyed a successful relationship with INPROTUR, and we were deeply honored to receive a personal invitation from President Fernandez de Kirchner to hold our Symposium in Buenos Aires,” said Matthew D. Upchurch , Chairman and CEO of Virtuoso. “Buenos Aires is an incredible destination, with its extraordinary culture, amazing cuisine and a beautiful way of life that really resonates with worldly travelers. INPROTUR and travel providers that belong to Virtuoso in Argentina came together to showcase their destination. This level of collaboration is the key to our selection process as it results in our network’s ability to deliver richer experiences to our clients and gives our agencies’ advisors the deeper contacts to make it happen.”

During the four-day event, attendees will enjoy a private cocktail reception and dinner at the Bicentennial Museum, a movie premiere at the Faena Art Center, city tours, private shopping excursions, culinary experiences, tango lessons and even an inside look at Argentina’s favorite sport - polo.  Virtuoso preferred travel providers proudly hosting this prestigious group include Alvear Palace Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, Faena Hotel Buenos Aires, INPROTUR, Mai10, and Abercrombie & Kent.

This is the first time Virtuoso has held its Symposium in South America.  Buenos Aires joins an impressive list of host cities, including Madrid, Spain (2011); Mexico City, Mexico (2010); Sydney, Australia (2009); Athens, Greece (2008); St. Petersburg, Russia (2007); Singapore (2006); and last year’s cruise from Rome to Monte Carlo aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Mariner (2012).