Claudia Rossi Hudson of Mary Rossi Travel in North Sydney accepts her award from Virtuoso CEO Matthew D. Upchurch, Managing Director Australia Patrice Willoughby, and President Kristi Jones.

Leading luxury travel network Virtuoso® enjoyed its most successful annual Travel Mart yet at the Bellagio Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas on 15-20 August 2010. The largest industry event dedicated to luxury travel saw 1,514 travel advisors, agency owners and managers join 1,706 travel suppliers for five days of networking and training sessions.

Sydney's Mary Rossi Travel received two Travel Mart accolades, announced at a glittering 22nd Anniversary Awards Gala at the Aria Resort and Casino, marking the close of Travel Mart. Claudia Rossi Hudson was named Most Admired Advisor (Australia/ New Zealand) and Mary Rossi Travel received recognition for Top Virtuoso Production - Australia/ New Zealand Division. Winners were selected based on outstanding sales performance over a 12-month period and peer-to-peer assessment within the network. At the colourful Gala event, guests were dressed in cultural attire representing their favourite travel destination.

Participants from 84 countries joined Travel Mart, with the largest ever contingent of international members. Each member region saw a significant increase in attendance, with Australia and New Zealand members up by 28 per cent, US members up by 19 per cent, and Latin American, Caribbean and Bermudan members up by 71 per cent.

Patrice Willoughby, Managing Director, Virtuoso Australia, commented: "Travel Mart exceeded all expectations this year and we were delighted to welcome so many more of our Australia and New Zealand members to the event. We are pleased that the professionalism, dedication and performance of our Australasian members such as Mary Rossi Travel have been recognised."