The Winners are announced
The waiting is over, as the winners of the Globe Travel Awards have been announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane. A record number of votes in both the trade and consumer categories ensured that The Globe Travel Awards recognise and reward the best in the British travel industry.
The Globe Travel Awards are quite unique as they are voted for by the travel industry – travel agents vote for their favourite air travel company, cruise and ferry provider, coach and rail company, add-ons and extras, travel recruitment company, technology and on-line provider, accommodation and resorts, tourism and tour operators.
Readers of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Evening Standard, Metro and London Lite voted in the Consumer Awards, providing a mandate from both trade and consumer audiences. Consumer categories were Favourite Cruise Company, Favourite Airline, Best Rail Operator, Favourite European Short Break Provider, Best Online Booking Website, Favourite Hotel Chain, Favourite Long Haul Operator and Favourite Package Provider.
“The travel industry, like many sectors, faces a tough year, as consumers exercise caution and care with their holiday plans” commented Travel Weekly Publishing Director Simon Ferguson. “Winning a Globe award is a crucial badge of trust and confidence for the winning companies, and this will be essential during 2009. Both travel agents and their customers have spoken, meaning our Globe Travel Award Winners really can claim to be the best in their fields. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners- the standards you set and the service you provide is exemplary.”
Cruise and ferries
- Best Ferry Company - P&O Ferries
- Best Cruise Company, 3 star plus - Fred Olsen Cruise Line
- Best Cruise Company, 4 star plus - Royal Caribbean International
- Best Specialist Cruise Company - Hurtigruten
- Best Cruise Company, Luxury - Silversea Cruises
Air travel
- Best Regional UK Airport - London Gatwick
- Best Scheduled Airline to US/Canada - Virgin Atlantic
- Best Scheduled Airline to The Pacific, New Zealand or Australia - Emirates
- Best Scheduled Airline to the Middle East or Asia - Emirates
- Best Scheduled Airline to Europe - British Airways
- Best Scheduled Airline to Africa - Emirates
- Best Charter Airline - Monarch Airlines
- Best Seat Only Operator - Avro
- Best Scheduled Consolidator - Gold Medal Travel
Coach and rail
- Best Coach Operator - Shearings Holidays
- Best Rail Operator- Eurostar
Add-ons and extras
- Best Theme Park - Walt Disney World Resort Florida
- Best Insurance Provider - Holiday Extras
- Best Car Rental Company - Holiday Autos
- Best Add-ons Provider - Attraction World
Recruitment
- Best Recruitment Consultancy - Travel Trade Recruitment
Operators
- Best Specialist Operator, Middle East - Kuoni
- Best Specialist Operator, US or Canada or the Caribbean - Virgin Holidays
- Best Specialist Operator, Far East or The Pacific, Australia or New Zealand - Kuoni
- Best Specialist Operator, Africa - Somak
- Best Operator, Long Haul - Kuoni
- Best Operator, Ski/Activity - Crystal Holidays
- Best Operator, Short Breaks - Superbreak
- Best Operator, UK Holidays - Superbreak
- Best Operator, Western Mediterranean - Thomson Holidays
- Best Operator, Eastern Mediterranean - Thomson Holidays
- Best Dynamic Packaging Operator - Gold Medal Travel
Accommodation and resorts
- Best Accommodation Only Provider - Hotels4u.com
- Best Business Hotel Chain - Hilton
- Best Leisure Hotel Chain - RIU
- Best All Inclusive Resort - Sandals
Tourism
- Best Tourist Board (UK Office) - Australia
Technology and online
- Best TWAcademy On-line Training Course - Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing
- Best Travel Trade Website - superbreak.com
- Best Technology Provider - Amadeus
Consumer Awards
Sponsored by Associated Newspapers
- Favourite Cruise Company - P&O Cruises
- Favourite Airline - Virgin Atlantic
- Best Rail Operator - Virgin Trains
- Favourite Hotel Chain - Hilton
- Favourite European Short-Break Provider - Thomas Cook Signature
- Best Online Booking Website - Expedia.co.uk
- Favourite Long-Haul Operator - Virgin Holidays
- Favourite Package Holiday Provider - Thomas Cook
For pictures and video of the awards ceremony click here.