Alongside the 29 standard Globe Travel Awards we will be presenting at the 2011 event there are three special awards, for which special voting rules apply.
The Outstanding Achievement Award is designed to recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the travel industry and is voted for by key members of the TWgroup.
The winner can come from any sector of the travel industry – the only criterion is that they have to have made a major difference to the industry.
Last year’s recipient was industry veteran Harry Goodman, who followed in the footsteps of John Hays, managing director of Hays Travel; Tui Travel chief executive Peter Long; and Thomas Cook Group chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa among others.
Another of the special awards that sits alongside the Globes is the Innovation in Travel Award, which is awarded to a company that has launched an innovation or development – possibly, but not necessarily, technology related – that has demonstrated a clear impact in the market, helping that company to stand out from its competitors and meet the needs of its customers.
Companies are invited to enter themselves for this award (see below), stating a project or development that they believe is worthy of winning the award.
Last year’s winner, Holiday Taxis, was highly praised for its simple and easy to use interactive ski maps. Previous winners include TripAdvisor and British Airways.
This will be the second year that a member of the industry will be presented with the Penny Akam Unsung Hero in Travel Award.
The award is designed to commemorate the life of Penny Akam, who organised the Globe Travel Awards for Travel Weekly for so many years, and who sadly passed away in 2008.
Johnny Pollard was the first recipient of this special award for his tireless work in building up the online agency On The Beach.
To nominate an individual who you feel characterises the special qualities of an unsung hero, please email angela.hamilton-jones@travelweekly.co.uk by December 11.
How to enter the innovation award
Entries for the Innovation in Travel Award are welcome from any business operating in, or from, the UK. You can enter your own company or recommend a business partner or associate. Nominees could be technology related or commercial but they need to be successful.
The innovation may have solved a problem or met the needs of a customer, group, business or business partner. It could even be something that has been in the marketplace for two to three years and is only now gaining recognition.
To nominate, email angela.hamilton-jones@travelweekly.co.uk or call Angela on 020 7881 4849 for more information. The closing date for entries to the Innovation Award is November 19.