Virtuoso's history of leadership in the travel industry dates to the 1950s. That's when Allied Travel, a research and operation centre, was formed to help its independent member travel agencies with international and group arrangements. In 1986, Allied Travel merged with Percival Tours to form Allied Percival International (API), bringing together the very best luxury travel agents in the country.
Matthew Upchurch, a 20-year industry veteran named one of the "25 Most Influential Travel Executives" by Leisure Travel News, took the helm. With his leadership and clout, API has been able to give its travel agency members and their clients an advantage in the competitive and always changing travel marketplace. Renamed Virtuoso in 2000, the company has continually expanded its focus, truly becoming "Specialists in the Art of Travel."
As the President of Virtuoso, Kristi Jones oversees the upscale travel agency network’s national team of executive vice presidents, who in turn manage Virtuoso’s corporate offices in Fort Worth, Seattle and New York. Based in Seattle, Jones directs the company’s consumer marketing, technology, travel agency member and preferred supplier divisions.