Travel Weekly Honors Best of the Travel Industry

Travel Weekly, the most influential source of news, research, opinion and analysis to the travel industry, honored the winners of its 19th annual Readers’ Choice Awards at a black-tie gala dinner and ceremony on December 16 at the Conrad New York.

The award winners, one for each of the 79 categories, represent the best of the best of the travel industry. The nominees and award recipients were chosen in two rounds of voting by Travel Weekly’s audience of travel professionals.

These widely recognized, coveted awards are presented annually to the industry suppliers who led the way in product and service during the past year. The open ballot phase of the voting was conducted during the summer. Travel Weekly readers were invited to write in the names of any company they believe best exemplifies a particular category. The leading vote recipients were identified as finalists, and a second round of voting to determine the winners took place September through November 2021.

“This is the highest recognition given to those who transport, entertain, enlighten and accommodate billions of travelers each year,” said Arnie Weissmann, Travel Weekly’s editor in chief. “Every day, those who vote in our Readers Choice Awards must evaluate an ever-increasing number of transportation, hospitality and activity options – and especially in 2021, keep tabs of changing border crossing regulations -- on behalf of their clients. The companies they select as winners are the ones they know bring consumers the highest levels of satisfaction.”

“Among our readers are travel counselors, industry marketing executives and the CEOs of the world’s largest travel companies – a group uniquely qualified to evaluate a very crowded field of potential nominees.”

Travel Weekly also recognized Bradley Tolkin, Co-CEO/Co-Chairman, World Travel Holdings; Jeffrey D. Tolkin, Co-CEO/Co-Chairman, World Travel Holdings; Gloria Bohan, President and CEO, Omega World Travel; Dolores Lopez Lira, Owner and Co-Founder, Grupo Lomas, Jose Luis Martinez, Owner and Co-Founder, Grupo Lomas and Paula Hayes, VP, Sales, Globus family of brands; with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The award pays tribute to individuals whose efforts have led to extraordinary results within an organization and who have also made significant contributions to the industry as a whole. The legacy of the recipients of the Travel Weekly Lifetime Achievement Awards collectively defines the environment that the travel industry operates in today.

The first Travel Weekly Sustainability Award was given to Sven-Olof Lindblad in recognition of his pioneering role in highlighting the importance of sustainable practices within the travel industry. Since its founding in 1979, Lindblad Expeditions has had, as core tenets, a profound respect for nature and a dedication to conservation in all aspects of its operations. “Sven created a model for how sustainability can work hand-in-hand with tourism and raised awareness of why the principals of conservation critical to the development of any tour, cruise or expedition,” said Weissmann. “He is a true champion of the planet, and we’re proud to shine a spotlight on his continuing efforts and life’s work.”

Travel Weekly’s 2021 Readers’ Choice winners are:

1. Airline: Domestic - Delta Air Lines
2. Airline: International – Delta Air Lines
3. Airline: Business/First Class – United Airlines
4. Top Airline Global Network - American Airlines
5. Airline: Sales & Service - Delta Air Lines
6. Top Airline Overall - Delta Air Lines
7. Car Rental: Domestic – Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8. Car Rental: International - Hertz
9. Hotel Chain: Domestic - Marriott International
10. Hotel Chain: Asia – InterContinental Hotels Group
11. Hotel Chain: Caribbean - Sandals Resorts
12. Hotel Chain: Europe – Hilton Worldwide
13. Hotel Chain: Mexico – Playa Resorts/Hyatt
14. Hotel Chain: Hawaii/South Pacific – Marriott International
15. Hotel Chain: All-Inclusive - Sandals Resorts
16. Hotel Chain: Luxury - Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts
17. Hotel Chain: Upscale – Westin Hotels & Resorts
18. Hotel Chain: Mid-Priced - Hampton Inn
19. Hotel Chain: Boutique – Karisma Hotels & Resorts
20. Best Resort Worldwide – St. Regis Bora Bora
21. Hotel Chain: Sales & Service – Marriott International
22. Top Overall Hotel Group - Marriott International
23. Tour Operator: Domestic Packaged – Delta Vacations
24. Tour Operator: Domestic Escorted – Collette
25. Tour Operator: International – Trafalgar
26. Tour Operator: Adventure – Adventures by Disney
27. Tour Operator: Africa – Abercrombie & Kent
28. Tour Operator: Asia/Pacific - Trafalgar
29. Tour Operator: Canada - Tauck
30. Tour Operator: Caribbean – Funjet Vacations
31. Tour Operator: Europe - Globus
32. Tour Operator: Hawaii - Pleasant Holidays
33. Tour Operator: Mexico – Apple Vacations
34. Tour Operator: Luxury - Abercrombie & Kent
35. Tour Operator: Group, Packaged – GOGO Vacations
36. Tour Operator: Escorted Sales & Service - Globus
37. Tour Operator: Packaged Sales & Service – Delta Vacations
38. Tour Operator: Escorted Overall - Globus
39. Tour Operator: Packaged Overall – Funjet Vacations
40. Cruise Line: Domestic – Carnival Cruise Line
41. Cruise Line: Alaska - Princess Cruises
42. Cruise Line: Caribbean - Royal Caribbean International
43. Cruise Line: Europe - Celebrity Cruises
44. Cruise Line: Hawaii/Pacific - Norwegian Cruise Line
45. Cruise Line: Under 500 Berths – Windstar Cruises
46. Cruise Line: 500 to 1,000 Berths – Seabourn
47. Cruise Line: Premium - Celebrity Cruises
48. Cruise Line: Luxury – Regent Seven Seas Cruises
49. Cruise Line: River Cruising - Viking River Cruises
50. Best World Cruise Itinerary - Holland America Line
51. Best Family Cruise Line – Carnival Cruise Line
52. Cruise Line: Expedition – Celebrity Cruises
53. Cruise Line: Best Cuisine – Oceania Cruises
54. Cruise Line: Best Entertainment – Royal Caribbean International
55. Cruise Line: Best Private Island/Destination – CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International
56. Cruise Ship: River Cruising – AmaMagna, AmaWaterways
57. Cruise Ship: New – Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Cruises
58. Cruise Ship: Premium - Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Cruises
59. Cruise Ship: Luxury – Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn
60. Cruise Ship: Overall Individual – Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
61. Cruise Line: River Cruise Sales & Service - Viking River Cruises
62. Cruise Line: Sales & Service - Royal Caribbean International
63. Cruise Line: Overall - Royal Caribbean International
64. Destination: Africa - South Africa
65. Destination: Asia/Pacific - Australia
66. Destination: Canada - Vancouver
67. Destination: Caribbean – St. Lucia
68. Destination: Central/South America - Costa Rica
69. Destination: Europe - Ireland
70. Destination: Hawaii - Maui
71. Destination: Mexico - Riviera Maya
72. Destination: U.S. State - Hawaii
73. Destination: U.S. City - Las Vegas
74. Best Travel Advisor Educational Program – Royal Caribbean University, Royal Caribbean International
75. Best Advisor Loyalty Program – Norwegian Cruise Line
76. Best Rail Vacation - Rocky Mountaineer
77. Best Travel Technology Provider – VAX/Trisept
78. Best Insurance Provider – Allianz Global Assistance
79. Theme Park - Walt Disney World