TTG Travel Awards 2014 celebrates its silver jubilee with 82 of the region’s best and brightest organisations

BANGKOK – Marching into its silver jubilee, TTG Travel Awards 2014 culminates on this night in celebration of the 82 winners who represent the best and brightest in the Asia-Pacific industry. 
 

With defending winners holding their grounds strong, 12 new winners made their way into TTG Travel Awards 2014. First-time winners such as Virgin Australia and Starwood Hotels and Resorts have successfully claimed titles that were dominated by long-time winners, taking the honor of Best Pacific Airline and Best Global Hotel Chain respectively. 
 

Making an impression on the industry with standards above their peers, debuting winners includes new properties such as Ramada Singapore At Zhongshan Park, Gran Melia Jakarta, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villa Hua Hin and The Mulia Bali, reflecting the competitiveness among hotels and resorts.
 

While first-time winners made their way into the TTG Travel Awards, veteran organisations such as Qatar Airways, Air China, Regal Airport Hotel, Banyan Tree Spas, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau have consistently been at the top of their league, with at least 9 consecutive wins over the years.
 

Also in the limelight were 8 of tonight’s 82 winning organisations & individuals, that have made a remarkable comeback into the awards. Among them were Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts reclaiming their crown as Best Luxury Hotel Brand, Japan National Tourism Board regaining its hold as the Best NTO and The Venetian Macao returning as the Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel. Other returning winners include Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok (Best City Hotel – Bangkok), Lotte Hotels and Resorts (Best City Hotel Seoul), Imperial Hotel Tokyo (Best City Hotel – Tokyo) and JTB Corporation (Best Travel Agency – Japan).
 

Amid strong competition, two organisations managed to take home not only one, but two Hermes trophies tonight. Thai Airways International was crowned as the Best South-East Asian Airlines and Best Airline – Business class while Best Western International was recognized for Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand and also Best Trade Supporter, a newly added Outstanding Achievements Award handpicked by TTG Travel Trade Publishing’s editorial team.
 

A new Outstanding Achievement award, Sustainable Travel Company of the Year was also added with Centara Hotels and Resorts winning this inaugural award. In the same category, The Philippines was crowned as the Destination of the Year for their relentless efforts to engage the industry, Brand USA for the Best Marketing and Development Effort and Mr Kwek Leng Beng, CEO of Hong Leong Group Singapore as the Best Travel Entrepreneur of the Year.
 

The 25th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2014 Ceremony and Gala Dinner was held in Centara Grand at CentralWorld, the official venue sponsor for the event. This annual event coincides with Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) and Corporate Travel World (CTW) Asia-Pacific – The World’s Only Doublebill Event in MICE and Corporate Travel.