Leaders from across Britain’s travel industry were revealed at this year’s glitzy British Travel Awards.
What was a night at the Oscars for Britain’s travel industry, came a celebration of this year’s top airlines, cruise lines and holiday operators in a Winter Wonderland themed awards extravaganza.
“This year saw a more diverse mix of winning companies than ever before, once again recognising small, medium and large companies across many of the categories,” CEO of British Travel Awards, Lorraine Barnes Burton said.
Raking in 7322,473 votes by travel consumers, The British Travel Awards had a stellar list of 147 winners, and we’ve got the low-down to share with you.
The night’s biggest standouts were Mercury Holidays who took home five awards in total.
The tour operator was crowned best holiday company in categories for Western Europe, Italian Peninsula, Central & South America and East & Central Asia and also took home the award for best all-inclusive holiday company.
Staying in the category of Best holiday company awards, Emirates Holidays took home two winnings for Best medium family holiday company and Best Luxury holiday company overall.
Best holiday company for singles went to One Traveller, and best large LGBT went to Hoseasons. Hoseasons also took out best large special interest holiday.
In the Best activity and tour holiday companies category, Mark Warner Holidays was crowned the best small activity/sports holiday company and best medium ski and winer sports company.
Contiki took home best large escorted adventure company, while Topdeck Travel was crowned best adventure holiday company overall.
Best rail holiday company overall went to Holidays by Rail, while best safari, wildlife and nature holiday company went to Mahlatini Luxury Travel
Highlights from Best of UK Tourism category included best holiday region which went to Cornwall, and best UK seaside town going to Bournemouth.
The UK’s top luxury hotel brand went to Dorchester Collection, and the economy brand went to Premier Inn.
In the Cruise and ferries category, Viking Cruises was crowned best luxury cruise line, best river cruise line and best midsize ships cruise line, while P&O took home the title as best family cruise line and best ferry cruise operator.
Hotel awards saw Sofitel take the title as best international luxury hotel, while all-inclusive hotel title went to RIU Hotels & Resorts.
British Airways was crowned the best European airline award, while Etihad took the title as best eastbound long-haul airline.
Check out the full list of this year’s winners on the interactive site at britishtravelawards.com/winners2017.
If you want to cast your vote in next year’s industry nominations, polls open on 2 April until 31 May 2018.
