As usual, we have a lot going on at Global Traveler. We are about to start our efforts with the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center Roundup Gala, to be held Oct. 24 in Philadelphia. The organization asked me to serve as cochair with John Kelley, a member of the Advisory Board of FXExpress Publications, Inc. Last year’s event surpassed that of 2023, so we have big shoes to fill for 2025.

We owe our success to both our airline and hotel clients who donate tickets and accommodations, as well as our readers who go online and bid during our annual silent auction with CCTC. Devoted to providing mental and behavioral health services to
children and their families, CCTC addresses the effects of abuse, neglect and other challenges to early childhood development. You should know 100 percent of the proceeds collected from your contributions goes to CCTC, whether through the app or bidding site (bidpal.net/cctcroundup2025), which will go live closer to the event.

In addition, our team is gearing up for the Leisure Lifestyle Awards, to be held at the beautiful InterContinental Hotel Miami May 22. In its 13th year, the reader-voted survey now honors more than 40 award winners specializing in luxury leisure travel and luxury goods. We will also present four Special Achievement Awards ranging from social responsibility to environmental achievements. We are delighted the InterContinental team, under the leadership of Glenn Sampert, general manager, is working with the GT team to make this the best event of the year.

Directly before the Leisure Lifestyle Awards, I will hop across the pond to Ireland for my annual “golf tune-up” trip. Over six days we’ll tackle five rounds of golf, leaving little time to do anything else but sleep.We will play at Royal County Down Golf Club,
Royal Portrush Dunluce Championship Links, The Royal Dublin Golf Club, County Louth Golf Club and end with The Island Golf Club. I hope to share some additional golf reports for Global Traveler after the trip!

In June we head to New York to host Global Traveler’s 19th Wines on the Wing business- and first-class wine survey at The Ned NoMad, located on Broadway. The judging includes a professional blind tasting to award the best wines served in business class, first class and premium economy — internationally and in North America. This is the only such judging in the United States.
Enjoy this Wellness Issue, and make time during your busy schedule to plan a spa appointment — whether it’s at the end of the day on a business trip or on board a luxury cruise ship with a line such as Regent Seven Seas.

Embrace wellness while traveling!

Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO