See photos of this year’s TravelMole Web Awards
The great and the good of online travel gathered in London yesterday for the 10th annual TravelMole Web Awards.
The awards, which have become a key event in the travel industry calendar, celebrate the online achievements of travel and tourism companies.
This year they were held at Urban Meadow, the new restaurant at the Doubletree by Hilton, London Hyde Park, followed by an after party at Zebrano’s in Greek Street.
TravelMole’s Graham McKenzie said over the last 10 years the relaxed and fun awards event has won the support of the industry, largely thanks to the independent judging.
On this year’s panel were Clement Wong, founder & CEO of ByMyGuest.travel, strategist and etourism specialist professor Dimitrios Buhalis, Travel2 MD Andy Freeth, Martin Eade, co-founder of Vibe Software, Travelport UK & Ireland MD Simon Ferguson, and Gill Phipps, head of sixth form college Travel and Tourism department.
"We have done little to the overall format over the years, which is to ensure strictly independent and above board judging in order that truly the best sites are rewarded for their endeavours, rather than what they spend with us," said McKenzie.
"We also wanted to hold an event that is informal, relaxed, enjoyable and rewarding, allowing guests to meet new people in conditions that are conducive to networking. I believe we have achieved our goals and the awards are now a hugely popular event."
He said the awards are also more affordable than others in the industry.
"For the price of a table at many other events we can offer sponsorship opportunities as well as attendance. This may seem commercially naive, but we never set out to be the same as everybody else. Roll on the next 10 years."
So, without further adieu, here are this year’s winners:
Best Accommodation Site www.i-escape.com
Best Airline Site ba.com
Best Car Hire Site www.europcar.co.uk
Best Cruise/Ferry Site www.pocruises.com
Best Rail Operator Site www.railbookers.com
Best Responsible Tourism Site www.responsibletravel.com
Best Sports Travel & Tourism Site www.neilson.co.uk
Best Tour Operator Site www.azoreschoice.com
Best Tourist Board Site www.yorkshire.com
Best Travel Agent Site www.backpackerconcierge.com
Best Travel Blog www.gadventures.co.uk/blog/
Best Travel Directory www.travelzoo.com/uk/
Best Travel Recruitment Site www.jaynepeirce.co.uk
Best Use of Social Media fb.com/gadventures
Holiday Miscellaneous www.tripadvisor.co.uk
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive