Beijing - Virtuoso's Chairman's Recognition Event attracted 128 executives from Virtuoso's top 67 travel agency members from the United States, Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean, South America and Australia.

The event, started Oct 16, is considered 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, welcomed the executives for the 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.

Virtuoso rewards its top revenue producers, its most engaged members and travel agencies with the most improved sales with a trip befitting the upscale travel they typically plan. The itinerary provides an exclusive glimpse into parts of China that few have had the privilege to see, and allows 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," said 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 unique to China by combining the country's historic culture with more modern influences.

The event will wrap up this Saturday.