Shortlists have been released for the 2017 Silver Travel Awards, which celebrate the best travel companies, experiences and destinations for over-50s travellers.
The awards, of which Travel Weekly is media partner, have been expanded this year to a total of 17 main categories and have been voted for by more consumers than ever, with over 55,000 votes being cast.
The winners will b revealed at a reception to be held at Madame Tussauds in London on June 8 hosted by Classic FM presenter Aled Jones.
Debbie Marshall, managing director of Silver Travel Advisor, organiser of the awards, said: “The strong voting for the Silver Travel Awards this year is testament to the significance older people attach to their travel experiences, which are increasingly important to the over 50s as a sort of social currency that defines who they are, as well as being a time of peak enjoyment.
“The awards will recognise the travel companies that are best meeting the expectations and aspirations of older travellers, the ones mixing relaxation with adventure, discovery with activities, accessibility with great service. This group is spending more, holidaying more and travelling further afield than ever before, so there is much to gain for those who really understand their changing needs.
“The Silver Travel Awards have been voted for by over-50s consumers to recognise the holiday companies and experiences that serve them best.
“The shortlisted companies are diverse but all share one common feature – the ability to listen to older travellers and respond to them with flair and imagination.”
In addition to the 17 consumer categories, an individual award will be made for exceptional achievement in this sector, while one company that has been in business for at least a quarter of a century will win a special Classic FM 25 Year Anniversary Travel Company Award.
Both of these awards will be judged by an independent panel of senior travel industry figures and presented on June 8th.
The shortlists for the 17 main awards:
Best Ocean Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Saga Cruises, Fred Olsen, P&O Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages.
Best River Cruise Line
Riviera Travel, Uniworld, Emerald Waterways, Viking River Cruises, Scenic, Shearings Holidays.
Best Specialist Cruise Line
Hurtigruten, Holland America Line, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Azamara Club Cruises
Best Large Tour Operator
Shearings Holidays, Kuoni, Saga Holidays, Riviera Travel, Thomson Holidays, Thomas Cook
Best Activity Tour Operator
Explore, HF Holidays, Ramblers Holidays, Exodus, Shearings Holidays, Saga Holidays
Best City Breaks Operator
Cresta, Jules Verne, Riviera Travel, Superbreak, Shearings Holidays, Kirker Holidays
Best UK Breaks Operator
HF Holidays, Superbreak, Grand UK Holidays, Newmarket Holidays, Warner Leisure Hotels, Shearings Holidays
Best Escorted Touring Operator (UK Tours)
Trafalgar, Grand UK Holidays, Saga Holidays, Shearings Holidays, Titan Travel, Travelsphere
Best Escorted Touring Operator (Europe and Long-Haul Tours)
Titan Travel, Riviera Travel, Wendy Wu, Jules Verne, Shearings Holidays, Saga Holidays
Best Cultural Tour Operator
Wendy Wu, Jules Verne, Shearings Holidays, Riviera Travel, Saga Holidays, Cox & Kings
Best Self-Catering Accommodation
National Trust, AirBnB, Haven Holidays, Forest Holidays, Hoseasons, Centre Parks
Best Car Rental Company
Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Budget
Best Rail Holiday Provider
Rail Discoveries, Railbookers, Belmond Orient Express, Great Rail Journeys, Rocky Mountaineer, Rail Trail
Best Airline
Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Jet2, Emirates, EasyJet, Singapore Airlines
Best Accessible Travel Provider
Shearings Holidays, Can Be Done, Riviera Travel, Access Travel, Enable Holidays, Saga Holidays
Best Overseas Destination
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, Italy, USA
Best Operator for the Single traveller
Jules Verne, Just You, Solos Holidays, Saga Holidays, Shearings Holidays, Riviera Travel