“I thought it would be easier.” Those are the words of Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler, when asked what he was thinking 10 years ago when launching the magazine.

Factors beyond anyone’s control — turmoil in the industry and the world as a whole — certainly made the last decade interesting as Global Traveler found its footing in the niche world of business travel publications. From its infancy in late 2003 to its debut in February 2004 and through the turbulent toddler years, Global Traveler is coming into its own as the market leader and an ever-changing, consistently evolving publication for the next 10 years and beyond.

Was it all worth it? “Absolutely.”

And we are far from the only travel provider celebrating a major milestone in 2014. It is an honor to share an anniversary year with some of our favorite hotel and airline partners. They join us in taking a trip down memory lane.

A 5-star is turning five. Address Hotels + Resorts, the premium brand of Emaar Hospitality Group, marks the fifth anniversary of The Address Downtown Dubai, its flagship property. And what a long way the brand has come, being named Global Traveler’s Hotel of the Year just four years into its development. The brand was inspired by a vision to change Dubai’s hospitality landscape, and the concept grew from there.

“From then on, the group began establishing hotels that catered to the entire spectrum of guests, including business travelers, leisure travelers, sports enthusiasts and culinary connoisseurs, among others,” said Philippe Zuber, chief operating officer, Emaar Hospitality Group. “Each hotel under the umbrella follows the philosophy of Where Life Happens, which guarantees superior service, unmatched amenities and spectacular guest experience.”

In hotels and on board airplanes is where life happens for those of us at Global Traveler and for all of our readers as well. At any given time, most of us are out and about around the globe, making the world our office and delivering the most up-to-date information from the far reaches of the universe. Hands on and in the know are hallmarks of our organization. And those at GT who’ve stayed at an Address property wholeheartedly agree the brand delivers on its tenets of superior service, unmatched amenities and spectacular guest experience.

Furthering the service aspect, Address adopted a “one-size-fits-one” approach, keeping guests the primary focus behind everything. Much like Global Traveler, maintaining a strong focus and an equal amount of determination has allowed it to remain at the forefront of Dubai’s hospitality industry.

What’s in store for the next five years and beyond? The momentum behind the brand’s 10 current properties in Dubai, Egypt, Turkey and Kenya will continue, with upcoming projects including The Address Residence The BLVD, The Address Residence Sky View and The Address Residence Fountain Views I, II and III.

“This has been a truly remarkable journey, and I’m confident that The Address Hotels + Resorts will continue to uphold the highest standards of service that are synonymous with Emaar Hospitality Group,” said Zuber.

South African Airways is celebrating a number of milestones this year. The airline turns 80 in 2014, also in the month of February. On Feb. 1, 1934, the South African government took over the assets and liabilities of Union Airways, changing the name to South African Airways.

By the 1960s, SAA was launching international service, flying weekly to Australia in 1967 and to Rio de Janeiro the following year. In 1969, South African Airways started services to North America, making 2014 the 45th anniversary of service to the United States. That very service, between the United States and South Africa, helped GT CEO and publisher Francis X. Gallagher celebrate his own milestone birthday just a few years ago. Fitting to commemorate these other significant company markers in 2014.

In the new millennium, the South African flagship celebrated a number of crowning achievements in its nearly eight decades of superior service. Among them, in 2006, SAA joined Star Alliance, bringing seamless worldwide air service to the country and linking South Africa with the rest of the world.

During that same period, Global Traveler achieved many important milestones aside from our initial launch. Noticing the need to continually freshen our content and product, we redesigned the magazine several times over the past 10 years, most recently opting for a wider format and a matte cover, standing out as totally different among our competitors. We took Web content a step further, debuting a fresh website look in December 2012 and adding daily content. Our print issue is continually refreshing itself as well; this year alone we add new columns and fresh voices to our regular line-up. A great company never rests on its laurels, reinventing when necessary and recognizing what works. This absolutely is a trait GT and SAA share.

Perhaps most meaningful, especially given the recent passing of the legendary Nelson Mandela, is the upcoming 20th anniversary of freedom in South Africa. April 27, Freedom Day, commemorates the first South African democratic elections, marking the birth of democracy and a new country. South African Airways will celebrate its 80th anniversary in conjunction with this historic moment. The theme of honoring the future will be prevalent throughout much of the year’s festivities.

Royal Jordanian crew members © Royal Jordanian

Another air partner recently celebrated its Golden Jubilee. A decree from His Majesty King Hussein in the 1960s established Jordan’s national carrier, Alia, which would become Royal Jordanian in 1986.

“The story of Alia/Royal Jordanian can be titled ‘the ambition backed by the will.’ Without the ‘will’ that drove it to fulfillment, the ambition would have remained a beautiful dream,” said Ali Ghandour, former CEO, Alia, in an address at the company’s anniversary gala. “On the other hand, if the will had been limited to giving the needed support and if not led by the persistence of the ambition, it would have been fruitless.”

Much like the early beginnings of Royal Jordanian, Global Traveler’s start was a mix of drive, ambition and will. Gallagher started with a vision, found a need to be filled in the arena of travel magazines, and assembled a team with equal parts drive, ambition and will to help realize the bigger picture. With heart and an invested determination, the drive to succeed becomes a reality.

“Also, there and then, there was the continuous challenge of facing so many obstacles and hardships in the region, particularly in Jordan, which Alia was able to overcome,” said Ghandour. “These challenges did not hinder Alia from achieving its goals, and instead, encouraged it to double its efforts to become, over the years, an example in growth and outstanding achievements.”

What does Royal Jordanian at 50 look like? Despite turmoil, the carrier maintained its spirit, not as the largest or the richest airline in the region, but steadfastly at the forefront. Innovation is a key of Royal Jordanian’s continued success.

The last several years have been crucial for the airline. In 2001, Royal Jordanian registered as a public shareholding company before joining the oneworld alliance in 2007, becoming the first Arab airline to join any of the three global airline alliances. In 2012, the airline concluded a short- and medium-haul fleet modernization program with five new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. Most recently, the airline moved all its operations to a new terminal at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan.

Successes are best when shared among friends. At Global Traveler, we are pleased and honored to be among the top travel providers in the midst of celebrating huge milestones. To five, 10, 50 or 80 years, congratulations!