Donald Trump was the surprise guest at Global Traveler’s annual reader survey awards ceremony Jan. 17 in New York City. Trump was among more than 300 well-wishers who congratulated award winners during the gala at the Grand Hyatt New York.

Trump, who took the podium in a grand-finale moment following the awards presentation, congratulated the winners for their outstanding contribution to the travel industry and hailed Global Traveler magazine for its success. No stranger to the travel industry, Trump launched his own travel Web site, www.gotrump.com, in January. The event venue — the Grand Hyatt New York at Grand Central Terminal — also brought back memories for Trump, who in 1980 partnered with Hyatt Corp. in a renovation of the property that revitalized the then-neglected Grand Central neighborhood.

UNICEF Ambassador Annette Roque Lauer, the gala’s guest speaker, presented the awards to travel industry executives who represent the best of business and luxury travel.

“When I worked as a fashion model, traveling was a big part of the job, because our shoots were done on location all over the world,” said Lauer. “One thing I noticed during my travels was that UNICEF was present in so many of the countries we visited, helping children in poor communities live better lives.

“As a kid growing up in Holland, I sold UNICEF Christmas cards,” she continued. “But it wasn’t until the birth of my first child, Jack, that I decided to become involved with a children’s organization and play an active role in making the world a better place for kids everywhere. After doing some research, I chose UNICEF.”

Lauer said she was particularly impressed by the effect of UNICEF programs despite how little they cost.

“For every dollar that UNICEF spends, 94 cents goes to provide lifesaving health care, immunization, clean water, nutrition, education and emergency assistance to children in times of crisis,” she said.

Global Traveler publisher and CEO Francis X. Gallagher presented the magazine’s annual GT Tested Awards for the best in business and luxury travel, as well as its Wines on the Wing Awards for the best wines served by airlines around the world. Global Traveler magazine conducted a survey of its readers from Feb. 1, 2005, to Aug. 31, 2005, seeking nominations for the best in many categories of business and luxury travel.

“Global Traveler continues to improve, and we are dedicated to making it the best magazine,” said Gallagher. “Our readers who chose this year’s winners are an elite group of travelers, flying at least 42 round trips per year. They have traveled on virtually every airline in the world, experienced every major hotel brand and sampled many travel-related products.”