07 November 2008

British Travel Awards winners announced

Thomas Cook was named large travel retailer of the year with Flight Centre small travel retailer of the year in last nightÃ¢â¬â¢s British Travel Awards.

Etihad Airways was voted airline of the year, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, cruise line; Thomson Holidays, large operator; and Olympic Holidays, specialist operator.

Small operator was Premier Holidays, hotel chain, Riu Hotels; car hire company, Avis; ferry company, P&O Ferries; and activity/sports operator, Crystal Holidays.

Ocean Village, which is to be phased out in two yearÃ¢â¬â¢s time, was voted best mainstream cruise line with sister company P&O Cruises named best premium/luxury line and Hurtigruten, best niche cruise line.

Haven was named as best UK/domestic operator, while Manchester Airport was airport of the year.

First Choice Airways was judged to be the most environmentally responsible airline, while Flybe was the most environmentally responsible budget airline.

Keycamp Holidays and First Choice Holidays also received awards for being environmentally responsible.

Amadeus was best technology provider while Expedia was judged to be the best flight booking website. Hotels4U.com was the best accommodation booking website.

VisitBritain was the best tourist board and Royal Caribbean achieved training programme of the year.

The winners across 71 categories were unveiled at the ceremony in London.

The British Travel Awards in association with Lloyds TSB Cardnet was hosted by TVÃ¢â¬â¢s Ã¢â¬ÅâœMock The WeekÃ¢â¬~ comedian Frankie Boyle.

Just 21 of the awards were presented on stage, with the remainder of the trophies being presented to winners at the end of the evening.

TravelMole managing director, Graham McKenzie presented the awards for Airport of the Year and Airline of the Year.

Highlights of the night will be covered in a special Travel Clinic programme, presented by Simon Calder on LBC 97.3fm on Sunday 9^th November 9 at 14.00; Sky Travel will broadcast a post-event highlights programme in the coming weeks and TravelMole.TV will also broadcast interviews with sponsors and winners.

In February, a special magazine supplement listing the winners, sponsors and supporters of the British Travel Awards will be published and distributed with The Sunday Times.

For the first time, The British Travel Awards also recognised runners-up in the competition categories with silver-placed finalist status awarded to a number of nominees.

The event programme detailed the voting and judging process from nomination, through open consumer and trade voting and BTA Academy adjudication stages.

*All details, including pictures of the awards night can be found at www.britishtravelawards.com and clicking on the Ã¢â¬ÅâœAwards NightÃ¢â¬~ tab.

by Phil Davies