Travel industry executives gathered recently at Los Angeles landmark, Hotel Bel-Air, to celebrate the West Coast-based winners of the GT Tested Awards 2005. Francis X. Gallagher, Global Traveler’s CEO and publisher, co-hosted the event with the hotel’s managing director, Carlos Lopes. Michael Abraham, marketing communications manager for Qantas Airways in North America, was on hand to accept first place in the category Best Airline in the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. In his words, “The lawn reception was very much like one held in the Hamptons, with shades of Gatsby.”

In January, Global Traveler announced readers’ top travel picks in 32 categories during a gala luncheon at the Grand Hyatt New York. Lopes attended the January event to accept the award for Best Individual Hotel in the United States on behalf of the Hotel Bel-Air.

“The awards ceremony in New York was a great success and we felt it was important that Global Traveler honor the winners here in California with a special event,” said Gallagher.

At Hotel Bel-Air, guests mingled on the hotel’s front lawn well into the May evening enjoying food, cocktails and the festive sounds of a live Brazilian band. Members of the community’s Bel-Air Association were in attendance, along with executives from California-based airlines, hotels, car rental companies and offices of tourism.

Steve Koo, advertising director for Asiana Airlines, said, “Receiving the recognition of Best On-Board Service for the second time is truly an honor. We at Asiana are committed to providing the high level of service that the readers of Global Traveler demand, and would like to extend our wish for the magazine’s continued success.”

Thai Airways’ Rene Cortez was on hand to accept the prize for Best Trans-Pacific Airline. Hertz Vice President Will Cosby attended on behalf of his firm which won Best Car Rental Company. Malaysia Airlines’ Ruth Esparza and Vladimir Velasco accepted the award for Best New Business Class while Singapore Airlines Vice President for the Americas Subhas Menon and Marketing Director Bill Driscoll accepted the GT Tested Award for Best Airline in the World.

“In addition to enjoying an elegant evening hosted by Global Traveler, each of us at SIA was honored and, indeed, humbled to have been voted Best Airline by the readers of the magazine,” said Menon. “As launch customer for the record-breaking A380 aircraft debuting later this year, we look forward to introducing innovations in air travel that will delight travelers for years to come.”

On the following pages, Global Traveler invites you to experience laid-back luxury of the Hotel Bel-Air and meet the people who create travel excellence, as voted by you.