SUMMER PROVES TO be a growing segment for business and luxury travelers. It used to be a slower time, but premium-class travelers now extend their trips into the season, often combining business with vacation side trips for some R & R. Spas, golf and great destinations await at every corner of the globe, and GT readers take advantage of these opportunities. I know this because many of you have told me of your adventures.

Last month I attended the Global Traveler annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Competition and after-party at City Winery in New York. The best of the best in wine gathered for our blind judging in which a record number of airlines participated, submitting wines they serve on first- and business-class flights. We will announce the results in the August issue. You may not choose airlines based on their wines, but it serves as another benchmark of the attention they pay their top travelers.

In the evening after the official judging, we welcomed clients and friends to sample some of the residual wines from the competition, offering amateur wine lovers the opportunity to see what wines are served by which airlines. It was an amazing get-together, and I cannot thank the team at City Winery enough for their hospitality and professionalism. Those from Global Traveler involved with Wines on the Wing have nothing but wonderful things to say about the team there. I have attended many events at City Winery, and the staff always performs at the top of their game.

I have to say “thank you” to Eunice Fried, GT’s wine consultant, for organizing the judging, categorizing the wines by flight and tabulating the scoring. Eunice and I have worked together for countless years, long before GT was established, and she is by far the best in the business and a wonderful individual. Cheers to Eunice on her 16th Wines on the Wing!

This issue offers an excellent example of our eclectic destinations, from Cape Town to Bali to the Maldives. Next month will bring another exciting issue plus our annual Global City Guidebook, while August marks our bonus distribution at the Global Business Travel Association conference in beautiful Chicago. We look forward to the opportunity at GTBA to see what new concepts are in store for luxury travelers from the world’s airlines and hotels.

Thanks for being a part of our success!