This was a year to truly celebrate the best in the travel industry, from the Wherever Awards at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington, D.C. earlier this year to the Leisure Lifestyle Awards at the Union League Philadelphia this past June.
At the Wherever Awards we transported attendees to a night in Paris with performances by La Zazous, delicious French food and even a strolling Champagne Lady in a decked-out skirt. The Leisure Lifestyle Awards brought Philadelphia history to life while guests enjoyed a performance from Squad 76 and celebrated the winners.
The awards and festivities throughout our gala nights came together thanks to our sponsors United Airlines, United Explorer Card by Chase, United MileagePlus, United Quest Card from Chase, Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card, Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard, TAP Air Portugal and Cunard Line.
See all the recipients of our Wherever Awards and Leisure Lifestyle Awards on the following pages. Congratulations to all the winners!
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Best Beaches
Cayman Islands
Best Historical Attractions, Domestic
Savannah, Georgia
Second Consecutive Year
Best Historical Attractions, International
Greece
Second Consecutive Year
Best Adventure Destination, Domestic
Asheville, North Carolina
Best Adventure Destination, International
Thailand
Best Leisure Destination in the United States
Nashville, Tennessee
Best Leisure Destination in Africa
South Africa
Best Leisure Destination in Europe
İstanbul, Türkiye
Second Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Destination in Asia
Seoul, South Korea
Best Leisure Destination in Latin/South America
Panamá City, Panamá
Second Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Destination in Mexico
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Second Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Destination for Groups (Four or More)
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Best Weekend Destination in North America
Savannah, Georgia
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Weekend Destination in the World
Dublin, Ireland
Second Consecutive Year
Best North American Ski Destination
Telluride, Colorado
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best International Ski Destination
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Second Consecutive Year
Best Golf Destination
Streamsong Resort
Second Consecutive Year
Best Caribbean Island
Dominican Republic
Third Consecutive Year
Best Island in Europe
Santoríni, Greece
Tenth Consecutive Year
Best Island in the Pacific Rim
Tahiti
Best Island in the United States
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Third Consecutive Year
Best Family Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean
Best Luxury Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line
Best Cruise Line Suites
Mega RockStar Quarters, Virgin Voyages
Best Adventure Cruise Line
Viking Expeditions
Best Small-Ship Cruise Line
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Large-Ship Cruise Line
Viking Ocean Cruises
Best River Cruise Line
AmaWaterways
Best Cruise Line Entertainment
Princess Cruises
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Dining
Azamara
Best Cruise Line Spas
Seabourn Cruise Line
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Ship Excursions
Princess Cruises
Eighth Consecutive Year
Best Cruise Line Rewards Program
Oceania Club, Oceania Cruises
Best Cruise Line to Alaska
Cunard Line
Best Expedition Cruises
Viking Expeditions
Best Cruise Line Caribbean Sailings
Windstar Cruises
Second Consecutive Year
Best World Cruise
Cunard Line
Best Cruise Port
Port of Miami, Florida
Best Luxury Leisure Hotel Group in the World
Meliá Hotels International
Best Hotel Chain Resorts
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Best Pet-Friendly Hotels
Westin Hotels & Resorts
Best Family Resort Chain in the World
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain Caribbean
Meliá Hotels International
Best Hotel Chain Thailand
Six Senses
Best Eco-Friendly Hotel Chain
Six Senses
Best All-Inclusive Resorts
Paradisus Resorts
Best Tour Operator
Abercrombie & Kent
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airport for Layovers
IGA Istanbul Airport
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airport for Recreation
Orlando International Airport
Best Stopover Program
TAP Air Portugal
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Airline
Air Tahiti Nui
Best Eco-Friendly Airline
United Airlines
Second Consecutive Year
Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Airline Onboard Menu
Air Canada Business Class
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Premium Economy Class
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Luxury Vehicle
BMW
Best Leisure Car Rental
Hertz
Sixth Consecutive Year
Best Leisure Credit Card
Aeroplan Credit Card from Chase
Best Airline Affinity Credit Card for Leisure
United MileagePlus Quest Credit Card from Chase
Best Hotel Affinity Credit Card for Leisure
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase
Best Cruise Line Credit Card
Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard from Bank of America
Favorite Luxury Watch Brand
Cartier
Best Destination Jewelry Brand
Na Hoku
Fourth Consecutive Year
Favorite Liquor Brand
Maker’s Mark
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS
Outstanding Social Responsibility
Delta Air Lines
Outstanding Customized Services
Princess Cruises
Outstanding Environmental Initiatives
Viking
Outstanding Innovations
Delta Air Lines
Cruise Line of the Year
AmaWaterways
QUINT STATUS
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Premium Economy Class
Air Canada
Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment
Air Canada
Best Stopover Program
TAP Air Portugal
Best Cruise Line Spas
Seabourn Cruise Line
Best Cruise Line Entertainment
Princess Cruises
HALL OF FAME
Tenth Consecutive Year
Best Island in Europe
Santoríni, Greece
Tenth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline
United Airlines
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Airline in North America
Air Canada
Fifth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly International Airline
Air Canada
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best-Family Friendly Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Hotel Chain
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Resort Chain
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Individual Hotel
Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia, Canada
Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Stay Program
IHG One Rewards
Best Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Hotel
Paradisus
Best Family-Friendly Pet Hotel
Sonesta Hotels and Resorts
Best Family-Friendly Hotel Kids Club
Terranea, Rancho Paola Verdes, California
Best Family-Friendly Vacation Company
Hilton Grand Vacations Club
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Tour Company
National Geographic Family Journeys
Best Family-Friendly International Tour Company
National Geographic Vacations
Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (Maine–Maryland)
Ocean City, Maryland
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Southeast (Virginia–Georgia)
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Fourth Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (East)
Amelia Island, Florida
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (West)
Tampa Bay, Florida
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (Panhandle)
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Gulf (Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana)
Gulfport, Mississippi
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, West Coast
Santa Monica, California
Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Hawai‘ian Islands
Lanai City, Lanai
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Multigenerational Destination of the Year
Greece
Best Family-Friendly College Town, East
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Best Family-Friendly College Town, South
Tampa, Florida
Best Family-Friendly College Town, Midwest
Lawrence, Kansas
Best Family-Friendly College Town, West
Tempe, Arizona
Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town, Large
Houston, Texas
Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town, Mid-Sized
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/ Town, Large
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/ Town, Mid-Sized
Lawrence, Kansas
Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/ Town, Small
South Bend, Indiana
Best Family-Friendly Amusement Park
Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
Best Family-Friendly Waterpark
Zoombezi Bay, Columbus, Ohio
Best Family-Friendly Rental Car Company
Sixt
Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airport
Orlando International Airport
Best Family-Friendly International Airport
iGA Istanbul Airport
Second Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Airport Dining
Miami International Airport
Third Consecutive Year
Best Family-Friendly Airport Shopping
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Third Consecutive Year
FAMILY INNOVATORS OF THE YEAR
Family Innovator of the Year – Airlines
Virgin Atlantic Airways
Family Innovator of the Year – Hotel
Hyatt
Family Innovator of the Year – Resort
Dream Resorts & Spas
Family Innovator of the Year – Rental Car
Hertz
Family Innovator of the Year – Travel Provider
Norwegian Cruise Line
Family Innovator of the Year – Destination
Nashville, Tennessee
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Dec 7, 2023Indulge in the Ultimate Coco Chanel Travel Experience
Red Savannah launched a new series called In the Footsteps of…, which debuts itineraries of well-known figures, the first being Coco Chanel. As Chanel No. 5 celebrates its 102nd anniversary this year, the travel company invites fashion lovers, history enthusiasts and admirers of Coco Chanel to experience the new itinerary, In the Footsteps of Coco Chanel. The experience allows travelers to step into the remarkable life of one of most iconic figures in the fashion world.
Sponsored Content
Hit the High Notes in Nashville
Nashville’s once-modest skyline continues to evolve as its luxury market grows. Lavish hotel properties are added to the landscape while acclaimed chefs stake claim in the robust culinary scene and premier cultural offerings round out the city’s repertoire.
Daily
Dec 7, 2023Why Sun-Splashed Mazatlán, Mexico, Attracts Digital Nomads
Mazatlán, Mexico, has long been an attractive home destination for Canadian and American retirees, but, in recent years, young, digital nomads have also discovered the charms of this coastal city, finding inexpensive accommodations, beautiful weather and plenty of bandwidth for working remotely. The laid-back beach scene definitely eases the transition of relocating to Mexico’s West Coast.
December 2023
Dec 7, 2023Global Traveler Announces the Winners of the 2023 Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel Awards
For its third year, Global Traveler awards the airline, cruise line and hotel brand best representing diversity, equity and inclusion within the travel industry. Over the past year Global Traveler analyzed many airlines, cruise lines and hotel brands to determine which companies prove most committed to changing the world through diversity and inclusion.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
December 2023
Dec 7, 2023Enduring Excellence: Global Traveler Honors the Winners Achieving Top Status, Year After Year
The highly anticipated GT Tested Reader Survey has more reason to celebrate in 2024 than ever before. This year marks the 20th anniversary of our GT Tested Reader Survey awards, with many of the winning brands earning milestone accolades for years of dedicated and consistent service.
Daily
Dec 6, 2023Celebrate the Holidays Across Europe with Rocco Forte Hotels
Rocco Forte Hotels all over Europe welcome travelers to celebrate the holidays in luxury.
Sponsored Content
Why Buy Annual Travel Insurance?
One affordable plan can protect an entire year of trips: business or pleasure, short or long, domestic or international.
eFlyer News
Dec 6, 2023First Carbon-Positive Hotel in United States Comes to Denver in 2024
Next summer, Denver, Colorado, becomes home to the country’s first carbon-positive hotel. The 13-story Populus features 265 modern guestrooms, a ground-floor restaurant, café, flexible meeting spaces, and signature rooftop restaurant and bar. Architecture is designed by Studio Gang, with interiors envisioned by Wildman Chalmers Design.
ShareThis