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Global Traveler Announces Inaugural Leisure Travel Award Winners

Apr 26, 2013
Press Releases

Yardley, Pa., April 26, 2013 – The results are in! For the first time, Global Traveler announces the winners of the Leisure Travel Awards. The awards ran online May–December 2012 and were voted on by the readers of Global Traveler, the only monthly magazine written for business and luxury travelers.

The readers of Global Traveler are intrepid business travelers, but, according to the magazine’s most recent MediaMark Research survey, they are also frequent leisure travelers, averaging three international and six domestic leisure trips per year.

The awards were announced April 15, in the magazine’s first-ever Leisure Lifestyle Book, a special edition to Global Traveler’s monthly issue. The book also includes articles on 5-star all-inclusive resorts, signature cocktails, restaurant and hotel rankings, indigenous spa treatments and butler service.

This year’s roster of inaugural winners includes Turkey (Best Historical Attractions), New Zealand (Best Hiking Destination), Silversea Cruises (Best Small Ship Cruise Line), InterContinental Resort & Thalasso Spa, Bora Bora (Best Resort in Asia and the Pacific), Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa (Best Resort in Africa), Kaua’i (Best Island in the United States and Canada) and Capri (Best Island in Europe).

“We are excited to announce the first annual Leisure Travel Awards, in conjunction with our new Leisure Lifestyle Book,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. “Our readers are traveling all the time — for business and pleasure. Nearly all we do recognizes the business travel segment, and we realized it is important to recognize, honor and highlight leisure travel. Our knowledgeable readers are frequenting these winners — the very best cruise lines, resorts and destinations for leisure travel.”

A complete list of winners is as follows:

Best Spa
The Peninsula Bangkok

Best Shopping
Hong Kong

Best Natural Attractions
Australia

Best Historical Attractions
Turkey

Best Skiing
Switzerland

Best Beach Destination
British Virgin Islands

Best Adventure Travel Destination
Australia

Best Safari Destination
South Africa

Best Hiking Destination
New Zealand

Best Small Ship Cruise Line
Silversea Cruises

Best Large Ship Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises

Best River Cruise Line
Viking River Cruises

Best Resort in the United States and Canada
The Phoenician

Best Resort in Hawaii
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

Best Resort in the Caribbean
Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Best Resort in South America
The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago

Best Resort in Mexico
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort

Best Resort in Asia and the Pacific
InterContinental Resort & Thalasso Spa, Bora Bora

Best Resort in Europe
The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort

Best Resort in Africa
Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa

Best Resort in the Middle East
Emirates Palace

Best Luxury Tour Operator
Abercrombie & Kent

Best Island in the United States and Canada
Kaua’i, Hawai’i

Best Island in the Caribbean
Saint Lucia

Best Island in Mexico and Central/South America
Galápagos

Best Island in Australia and the South Pacific
Bora Bora

Best Island in Europe
Capri

Best Island in Asia and Africa
Bali

About Global Traveler/FXExpress Publications, Inc.
Global Traveler, the only ABC-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international business traveler, is a business travel and lifestyle publication with an ABC paid circulation of 107,140+. FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, eFlyer USA; eFlyer Asia and several annuals; and also operating newgtsite.wpengine.com, www.globaltravellerasia.com and newgtsite.wpengine.com/blog.

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