It might be hard to believe, but we are getting closer to the end of the summer and gearing up for the fall travel season. Historically, marketers have felt business travel is heaviest in the spring and fall months, while winter and summer tend to be less traveled. At Global Traveler nearly everyone is out and about traveling the globe to report back to you in timely fashion. One trip this summer, which I just completed, was to my second home: Korea.

I  was asked by Asiana Airlines to fly one more time and report on its service before the merger with Korean Air. Between now and Dec. 17 you will be able to experience both Asiana and Korean Air’s premium products. After Dec. 17 Asiana will cease to exist and will merge fully into the Korean Air family.

I do not want to take any thunder away from Kimberly Inlander, editor in chief, but we have a great many interesting articles in this issue, led, of course, by the annual Wines on the Wing airline wine judging. Speaking of Korean Air, it joined us this year, and its wines excelled, as did wines from British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui and American Airlines.

Also note the recap of the Leisure Lifestyle Awards, which took place at InterContinental Miami and indicates cruising is a big part of your travel plans.

This is a perfect segue into our September issue, which is our second issue of the year focusing on the cruising industry. I am excited to join Transcend Connect on Oct. 29 for a river cruise with readers and board members, departing from Frankfurt to Brussels. I just booked my United Polaris Business Class tickets for the trip and am looking forward to enjoying all the cities and towns along the cruise. Please join us, as we still have a few staterooms available.

One of our account executives, Darla Mossotti with Global Traveler, will set sail in March on a Windstar Global Traveler-hosted cruise — please reach out for details and note the promotional pages in this issue on both cruises. Darla and I have a contest: Who will have the most cruisers? We have other interesting cruises in 2027 which we will be sharing shortly.

This is the last month to get out and vote for your favorite airlines, hotels and other travel-related companies in Global Traveler’s annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards. This is the 23rd anniversary of the awards, and you should make your opinions known! Please log onto globaltravelerusa.com and vote. Remember, these are reader-voted awards from people like you who travel frequently and enjoy the best the world has to offer.

When you read this issue, I will be announcing the Trazee Travel, Wherever Family and Industry Leader awards at The Peninsula Chicago, by far the best address in the Windy City. There we will host the event in the ballroom on Aug. 3. Speaking of the The Peninsula, I am proud to announce we will host our second Entrepreneurial Symposium at The Peninsula Beverly Hills on Jan. 19–21. The Peninsula Beverly Hills stands out as the best hotel in the country with its uncompromising service. I always look forward to my visits at both The Peninsula Chicago and Beverly Hills. Join us for the same experience.