Globe Travel Awards 2011: The winners

 

The trade’s favourite travel companies have been honoured at a spectacular Globe Travel Awards ceremony in central London.

 

The Globes are the only awards voted for solely by expert travel agents, and the ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel is widely regarded as the pinnacle of the travel industry calendar.

 

Tonight’s event was hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr, with entertainment provided by world champion streetdance group Flawless – courtesy of sponsor Lowcostbeds, X Factor finalist Rebecca Ferguson, courtesy of sponsor Virgin Holidays, and Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson, courtesy of Saint Lucia Tourist Board. 

 

The audience was also treated to a spectacular condensed version of the musical Les Miserables, courtesy of Harlequin Hotels and Resorts' Performing Arts Academy.

 

Clive Jacobs, chairman of Travel Weekly’s parent company TWgroup, said: “This was the most spectacular Globes ever, with a show befitting the biggest night in the travel calendar. After a challenging year for all of us in travel, it was even more important to honour the very best of our great industry.”

 

Flawless were sponsored by Lowcostbeds and Rebecca Ferguson was sponsored by Virgin Holidays. They appeared thanks to E3 Artists agency, under agent Tom O’Connell.

 

---

• In pictures: Globes 2011 photo galleries
• On video: Official Globes 2011 TV report

   

  ---

The winners

 

Short-haul Operators Sector

 

Sponsored by Hurtigruten

• Best Short-haul Operator: Thomas Cook
• Best Accommodation-only Provider: Superbreak
• Best Ski/Activity Operator: Neilson Holidays

 

---

 

Long-haul Operators Sector

 

Sponsored by Travelport

• Best Long-haul Operator (multi-destination): Kuoni
• Best Long-haul Specialist Operator: Wendy Wu Tours
• Best Luxury Operator: ITC Classics
• Best Consolidator: Gold Medal Travel

 

---

 

Flying Sector

 

Sponsored by The Holiday Team

• Best Short-haul Airline: British Airways/EasyJet
• Best Long-haul Airline: Emirates
• Best UK Airport: Gatwick
• Best Charter Airline: Monarch Airlines

 

---

 

On the Move sector

 

Sponsored by P&O Ferries

• Best Rail Operator: Eurostar
• Best Coach Operator: Shearings Holidays
• Best Car Rental Company: Holiday Autos

 

---

 

Destination Sector

 

Sponsored by Travelzoo

• Best All-Inclusive Resort Operator: Sandals
• Best Tourist Board UK Office: Tourism Australia
• Best Theme Park (worldwide): Walt Disney World Resort Florida
• Best Hotel Chain (worldwide): Riu

 

---

 

On the Water Sector

 

Sponsored by Amadeus

• Best Ferry Company: P&O Ferries
• Best Mainstream Cruise Company: Royal Caribbean International
• Best Premium Cruise Company: Celebrity Cruises
• Best Specialist Cruise Company, including River: Hurtigruten
• Best Luxury Cruise Company: Silversea Cruises

 

---

 

Serving the Industry Sector

 

Sponsored by MSC Cruises

• Best Add-ons Provider: Holiday Extras
• Best Technology Provider: Amadeus
• Best Insurance Provider: Holiday Extras

 

---

 

At Home Sector

 

Sponsored by Gail Kenny Recruitment

• Best UK Hotel Chain: Hilton
• Best UK Theme Park: Alton Towers
• Best Operator UK Holidays: Superbreak

 

Special awards

 

Innovation in Travel Award

 

Sponsored by Cheapflights Media

• Expedia.com – Expedia Hotel View
• Highly commended: eWaterways

 

---

 

The Penny Akam Award for Unsung Heroes

• Saffron Tennant, Travel Counsellors

 

Travel Counsellor Saffron Tennant received the 2011 accolade in recognition of her outstanding customer care during the ash cloud crisis, when she twice travelled to the continent to bring back stranded customers. The award was presented by last year’s winner, On the Beach commercial director Johnny Pollard, who said that judges had decided to honour Saffron as an example of the many within the travel industry who excelled during an unprecedented series of events.

 

---

 

Outstanding Achievement Award

• Roger Allard

Consumer Awards Sponsored by Mail Newspapers

 

Cruise and airline awards sponsored by The Daily Mail

• Favourite Cruise Company: P&O Cruises
• Favourite Airline: British Airways

 

---

 

Rail and hotel awards sponsored by The Mail On Sunday

• Best Rail Operator: Orient-Express
• Favourite Hotel Chain: Hilton

 

 

---

 

Online award sponsored by Mail Online

• Favourite Online Booking Website: Expedia.com

 

---

 

European short breaks awards sponsored by Teletext Holidays

• Favourite European Short Break Provider: Superbreak

 

---

 

Long haul award sponsosred by TravelMail

• Favourite Long Haul Operator: Kuoni