There are 32 Globe Travel Awards up for grabs including 29 across eight sectors of the industry, three special awards and seven consumer awards.
Here’s a round-up of all of the awards, along with details of last year’s winners, and some of the key events of the last year, to help you decide who you will be voting for this time round.
The 2010 awards were our biggest and best yet, but 2011 promises to be even better. Check our Globe Travel Awards FAQs and booking information to find out how you can join us on the night and vote for your favourite suppliers.
At Home
This new sector comprises one previously featured award – Best Operator UK Holidays, won last year by Superbreak – and two new ones for Best UK Hotel Chain and Best UK Theme Park.
TWgroup chairman Clive Jacobs said this new category was introduced to reflect the high level of quality and professionalism in the domestic tourism market and the significant contribution it makes to the UK economy.
“Our domestic tourism market in the UK is fantastic but it simply doesn’t get the level of attention and praise it deserves,” he said.
“Hopefully by introducing this new sector we can help to change that perception and put UK tourism, and the operators who work so hard to make it so successful, back on the radar.”
Last year’s winners
- Superbreak, Best Operator UK Holidays
Short Haul
This year the four awards in the short haul operator sector will be Best Short Haul Operator, Best Short Haul Luxury Operator, Best Operator Ski/Activity and Best Accommodation-Only Provider.
While the year has seen the demise of short haul operators such as Goldtrail and Kiss Flights, there has been no shortage of positive activity in the market.
Non-euro destinations such as Turkey and Egypt have continued to do well despite talk of rising in-resort prices in the latter. And visitor numbers to Iceland were given a boost as its currency weakened.
In the eurozone Spain has coped well despite the impact of the strong euro and the weakness of sterling. However, Greece has seen bookings hit by the tough economic situation.
Last year’s winners
- Inghams, Short Haul Operators Best Operator Ski/Activity
- Superbreak, Best Operator Short Breaks – Best Operator UK Holidays
- Thomas Cook, Best Operator Europe/Mediterranean
On the Move
The new On the Move sector recognises excellence in three key areas – Best Rail Operator, Best Coach Operator and Best Car Rental Company.
Coach and rail tours have been in particular demand from travellers looking for a different perspective or an alternative to flights.
And while some operators continue to argue that agents don’t sell enough car hire as part of their packages, the sector continues to be an important and innovative part of the industry.
Last year’s winners
- Shearings, Best Coach Operator
- Holiday Autos, Best Car Rental Company
- Eurostar, Best Rail Operator
On the Water
The awards up for grabs this year are Best Ferry Company, Best Mainstream Cruise Company, Best Specialist Cruise Company including River and Best Luxury Cruise Company.
Competition is set to be fierce after a bumper number of ship launches in 2010. There was Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas and Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam, while other new ships, such as Norwegian Epic, have continued to raise the bar in areas such as onboard entertainment.
The new launches, coupled with the growth of ports such as Dubai, where Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises have based ships, have led to an ever widening range of itineraries and products.
Ferry operators had a chance to shine when the volcanic ash cloud caused havoc with flight schedules, with some ships helping to bring stranded holidaymakers home.
Last year’s winners
- P&O Ferries, Best Ferry Company
- Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Best Cruise Company three-star plus
- Royal Caribbean International, Best Cruise Company four- star plus
- Silversea Cruises, Best Cruise Company Luxury
- Hurtigruten, Best Specialist Cruise Company
Serving the Industry
The three awards up for grabs recognise operators who have consistently gone the extra mile, with categories for Best Add-Ons Provider, Best Technology Provider and Best Insurance Provider.
The Holiday Extras camp will be hoping to retain the titles it won last time round in the add-ons and insurance categories, while Amadeus will be on tenterhooks to see if it will walk away with the technology title again.
Last year’s winners
- Holiday Extras, Best Add-Ons Provider
- Amadeus, Best Technology Provider
- Gold Medal Travel, Best Consolidator/Seat Only Operator
- Superbreak, Best Travel Trade Website
- Holiday Extras, Best Insurance Provider
Flying
The aviation industry was rarely out of the news this year, with Air Passenger Duty (APD), consolidation in the market, striking workers at British Airways and Icelandic dust clouds generating plenty of coverage.
However, carriers have also continued to add new destinations and invest in new aircraft by adding features such as lie-flat beds in business class.
This year there are four awards up for contention: Best Short Haul Airline, Best Long Haul Airline, Best Charter Airline and Best UK Airport.
Last year Emirates scooped three awards. And in light of striking workers and cancelled flights, will British Airways be able to retain its award in the short haul category?
Last year’s winners
- Virgin Atlantic, Best Scheduled Airline to US/Canada
- Emirates, Best Scheduled Airline to Africa
- Emirates, Best Scheduled Airline to the Middle east or Asia
- Emirates, Best Scheduled Airline to the Pacific, New Zealand or Australia
- British Airways, Best Scheduled Airline to Europe
- Monarch, Best Charter Airline
Long Haul
Political and civil unrest have had an impact on some long-haul destinations, while Latin America has seen a dip in popularity after its in vogue 2009. Reduced airlift and the credit crunch have all had an impact on other destinations.
In contrast, operators in the sector continue to innovate and widen their offering, launching new destinations and standalone brochures, not to mention some keen deals and promotions.
This year’s cateogries are Best Long Haul Operator (multi destination), Best Long Haul Specialist Operator, Best Luxury Operator and Best Consolidator (formerly Best Consolidator/Seat-Only Operator).
It would be a brave person who bet against Kuoni scooping the award for Best Long Haul Operator – it’s racked up an impressive 28 wins. But maybe 2011 will be someone else’s year.
Last year’s winners
- Virgin Holidays, Best Specialist Operator – US/Canada/Caribbean
- Gold Medal Travel, Best Specialist Operator Far East, Pacific, Australia, New Zealand
- Gold Medal Travel, Best Specialist Operator for Middle East
- Somak Holidays, Best Specialist Operator for Africa
- Kuoni, Best Operator Long Haul
Destination
Formerly known as Staying, this sector features Best Tourist Board UK Office, Best All-Inclusive Resort Operator, Best Hotel Chain and Best Theme Park.
It’s been another big year for hotel openings, and all-inclusive operators have had a field day as punters hunt for value. The question is, have Riu Hotels and Sandals done enough to retain their crowns in these two key sectors?
In theme park sector it’s been a good year for Universal, who grabbed headlines with its new Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction and opened the first stages of two new integrated resorts in Singapore.
Closer to home, new ride 13 opened at Alton Towers. Will this be enough to prise Best Theme Park Award (worldwide) from last year’s winner, Walt Disney World, Florida?
Last year’s winners
- Sandals, Best All-Inclusive Resort
- Superbreak, Best Accommodation-Only provider
- Walt Disney World Florida, Best Theme Park
- RIU Hotels, Best Hotel Chain
- Dubai Tourism, Best Tourist Board UK Office