…
Travel proved its resilience in the recession when the industry’s top companies and individuals were rewarded at The TTG Travel Awards. The awards are the most prestigious in the industry, and a total of 30 winners were recognised for their outstanding performances in the past year at a ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
From cruise lines to hotels and travel agents to holiday firms, the awards recognised the top achievers of the UK travel industry.
Tui Travel, parent company of First Choice and Thomson holidays, scooped three of the top awards including best large tour operator, best short-haul tour operator and the Travel Gives Back award for its contribution to sustainable tourism.
UK holidays have gone from strength to strength this year and the award for outstanding performance for holidays at home went to Hoseasons.
Lucy Huxley, editor of TTG, said: “These awards are regarded as a universal benchmark of quality within the travel industry. All the winners demonstrated that they have innovative and robust business models which are expanding and thriving despite the economic downturn.”
She added: “We had a record number of entries this year, so it’s a great achievement to win. The awards are decided by a combination of travel agents’ votes and panels of industry experts to make sure we pick the most deserving winners.”
Judges for this year’s awards included managing directors and chief executives of some of the biggest names in the travel industry, in addition to leading figures from the worlds of commerce and retail.
The 2009 winners in full:
- Travel Company – Supplier Over 100,000 passengers Tui UK and Ireland
- Travel Company – Supplier under 100,000 passengers Caribtours
- Travel Company – Retailer over £50m turnover Barrhead Travel
- Travel Company – Retailer under £50m turnover Bookable Holidays
- Specialist Operator Caribtours
- Cruise Line – under 75,000 passengers Celebrity Cruises
- Cruise Line – over 75,000 passengers Royal Caribbean International
- Airline Qatar Airways
- Airport Manchester Airport
- Resort Operator Sandals Resorts
- Short-haul Operator First Choice
- Long- haul Operator Caribtours
- Domestic Operator Hoseasons
- Seat-only Operator Gold Medal Travel Group
- Tourist Board Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing
- Accommodation-Only Company Gold Medal Travel Group
- Holiday add-ons Company Keith Prowse Attraction Tickets
- Rail Road or Sea Operator Insight Vacations & Trafalgar Tours
- Hotel Chain Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
- Agent Penny Crampton, Yes2Travel
- Young Agent Laura Cook, Midlands Co-op Travel
- Retail Team Journeys a la Carte
- Supplier Sales Team Carnival Cruise Lines & Holland America Line
- Car Hire Company Avis Europe
- Travel Service Provider Travelport
- Training Programme Norwegian Cruise Line
- Trade-facing Website Complete Cruise Solution
- Trade Campaign Gold Medal Travel Group
- Travel Gives Back Tui UK and Ireland.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
