I cannot believe we are celebrating the 12th GT Tested Reader Survey awards this month at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Over the years, we have seen dramatic changes in the airline and hotel industries. Who could have imagined the Gulf carriers would come in with such force? I remember Emirates pulling its Airbus A380 out of New York due to low demand, then returning full throttle. Look at the flights from the Gulf to the United States now; even Philadelphia offers a flight on Qatar Airways!

What makes one company “best” is always up for debate. It may be the value of the frequent-flyer or frequent-stay program that makes you more comfortable when traveling for business or enables you to take along your loved ones and show them the world. It may be the service and training of a fine flight crew; the Asiana crew looked out for me on board, anticipating my every move. Or it may simply be the best connectivity city to city, or WiFi and technology on board.

I am writing this as I fly in business class on United Airlines from Washington, D.C., to Dubai. Like many frequent travelers who know the ins and outs, I was pleased to use my United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase in the United Club and took advantage of a significant discount. The United flight offers a slew of entertainment options, easily accessed power ports and WiFi. Had this flight not been on a Friday night, I would have worked the nearly 13 hours, but the flat bed allows travelers to arrive in Dubai ready to work.

In Dubai I will attend the annual Dubai Air Show as a guest of Dubai Duty Free as well as a gala ball at the Palm Atlantis, where Katy Perry will entertain guests. From Dubai I will fly to Seoul and transfer to Pusan for a game of golf — I hope to cover this in a future issue. Then it’s off to Taipei for meetings with hoteliers (staying at the Grand Hyatt, one of the first luxury hotels in Taipei, opened 27 years ago) and with China Airlines executives. From Taipei, I travel to Seoul to meet with many of our good client friends in Korea and at Asiana Airlines. I am looking forward to my stay at the Four Seasons Seoul.

I will return to celebrate the awards with you at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. A lot of travel in a very short time, something all of you do all the time.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays — may your New Year be full and fulfilling.