For the sixth year, the travel magazine names the best in the industry
Yardley, PA (PRWEB) December 1, 2009 -- For the sixth year, Global Traveler readers have spoken, and the results are in! More than 25,000 people responded to the magazine's annual survey. This year, Global Traveler's distinguished readers recognized airlines, hotels, loyalty programs and travel-related products in 60 categories. The results of the survey will be announced in the December 2009 issue.
GT readers are frequent premium travelers who average 32 round-trip flights a year, with 96 percent traveling in first or business class regularly.
This year's roster of highly regarded winners includes Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), British Airways (Best Airline for Business Class) and Lufthansa (Best Trans-Atlantic Airline). Other top winners are Etihad (Best Airline in the Middle East), Asiana Airlines (Best Airline in North Asia), Air China (Best Airline in China), Park Hyatt (Best International Hotel Chain), Spain (Best International Tourism Destination), AT&T Wireless (Best Wireless Service in the World) and American Express Membership Rewards (Best Credit Card Rewards Program).
Global Traveler is celebrating the sixth anniversary of the GT Tested Reader Survey Awards. Our consistent, unbiased reporting has placed the awards among the most highly regarded in the industry. The following award winners have claimed top honors in their respective categories since the survey's inception: Singapore Airlines (Best Airline in the World), Asiana Airlines (Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants), Air Canada (Best Airline in Canada), Qantas (Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand), South African Airways (Best Airline in Africa), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (Best Airport in North America), United Mileage Plus (Best Frequent-Flyer Program), Park Hyatt (Best International Hotel Chain), Sheraton Hotels and Resorts (Best Hotel Chain in Latin America) and American Express Membership Rewards (Best Credit Card Rewards Program).
This year marks the first year for the following GT Tested categories: Best All-Business Class (Singapore Airlines), Best First-Class Seat Design (Swiss International Airlines), Best Business-Class Seat Design (Korean Air), Best Airline to Japan (All Nippon Airways), Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents (Korean Air), Best Airport Dining (Denver International Airport), Best WiFi Service (Boingo Wireless) and Best Travel Gadget (Amazon Kindle Reader).
"I am proud to present our annual awards survey for the sixth consecutive year," said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. "Over the years, the GT Tested Awards have come to represent success in the travel industry. Our award winners continue to set the benchmark for service in the industry. As frequent luxury travelers, our readers know quality, and year after year the winners they vote for emulate their high standards. I congratulate all the winners and I thank all our readers for their participation."
This year's winners will be feted at an evening cocktail reception on Thurs., Jan. 21, 2010 at the Andaz Wall Street in New York City. For more information, check out the December 2009 issue of Global Traveler or visit our website at www.globaltravelerusa.com.
A complete list of winners is as follows:
Best Airline in the World
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline for First Class
Emirates
Best Airline for Business Class
British Airways
Best All-Business-Class Airline
Singapore Airlines
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
American Airlines
Best First-Class Seat Design
Swiss International Airlines
Best Business-Class Seat Design
Korean Air
Best Airline in North America
Air Canada
Best Airline for Premium Economy Class
EVA Air Elite Class
Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants
Asiana Airlines
Best Airline in Central/South America
TAM
Best Airline in Canada
Air Canada
Best Airline in Mexico
Mexicana
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
Lufthansa
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
Thai Airways
Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand
Qantas
Best Airline in the South Pacific
Air Pacific
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
LOT Polish Airlines
Best Airline in Africa
South African Airways
Best Airline in the Middle East
Etihad Airways
Best Airline in North Asia
Asiana Airlines
Best Airline in Southeast Asia
Malaysia Airlines
Best Airline in China
Air China
Best Airline in Central/South Asia and India
Air India
Best Airline to Japan
All Nippon Airways
Best Airline for Security
EL AL Israel Airlines
Best Airport Lounges
Delta Air Lines Sky Lounge
Best Airport in the World
Seoul Incheon Airport
Best Airport in North America
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Best Aircraft Type
Boeing 747
Best Frequent-Flyer Program
United Mileage Plus
Best Airport Dining
Denver International Airport
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
Korean Air
Best Airline Alliance
SkyTeam
Best International Hotel Chain
Park Hyatt
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
Marriott Hotels and Resorts
Best Hotel in the United States
The Grand Del Mar, San Diego
Best Hotel in the Eastern United States
Jumeirah Essex House, New York City
Best Hotel in the Western United States
Montage Beverly Hills
Best Hotel in the Southern United States
The Breakers Palm Beach
Best Hotel in the Midwestern United States
The Peninsula Chicago
Best Individual Hotel in Asia
InterContinental Bangkok
Best Hotel Chain in Europe
Conrad Hotels and Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in Asia
Grand Hyatt
Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts
Best Domestic Tourism Destination
Arizona
Best International Tourism Destination
Spain
Best Domestic Business City
New Orleans
Best International Business City
Istanbul
Best Spa
Montage Laguna Beach, Calif.
Best Domestic Golf Resort
Pinehurst Resort, N.C.
Best Hotel Rewards Program
InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards
Best Wireless Service in the World
AT&T Wireless
Best WiFi Service
Boingo Wireless
Best Luggage Brand
Delsey
Best Credit Card Rewards Program
American Express Membership Rewards
Best Travel Gadget
Amazon Kindle Reader
Best Cruise Line
Seabourn
Best Duty-Free Shops
Dubai Duty Free
Global Traveler will also recognize the following Wines on the Wing award winners at the January reception: Qatar Airways (Best Wines on the Wing and Best White Wine), LAN (Best Sparkling Wine), Alitalia (Best Red Wine), Virgin America (Best North America Wines on the Wing and Best North America White Wine), American Airlines (Best North America Sparkling Wine) and Air Canada (Best North America Red Wine). The results of the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey were announced in the August 2009 issue.
About the Survey
Global Traveler conducted an open-ended survey of its readers to determine the best in 60 travel-related categories. The survey was conducted from Jan. 1, 2009, to Aug. 1, 2009. Questionnaires were available in subscriber copies of the magazine, online at www.globaltravelerusa.com/survey and through direct mail and email. Only questionnaires with more than 50 percent of the questions answered were considered. An outside accounting firm, Citrin, Cooperman LLP, tabulated the results. Employees of the magazine and members of the travel industry were barred from participation. A total of 25,951 responses were received.
About Global Traveler
Global Traveler is a business travel and lifestyle publication and the publication of choice among seasoned business travelers. Global Traveler is the only ABC-audited U.S.-based magazine for the international business traveler, with an ABC paid circulation of 107,140+. The magazine is also the only ABC-audited magazine independently measured by MediaMark Research (MRI). No other monthly magazine in its category boasts a higher audited circulation or page count. Ninety percent of its readership has average household income in excess of $100,000; 96 percent attended or graduated from college; and 98 percent of its readers are either top management or professionals.
About FXExpress Publications
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler magazine; eFlyer, a weekly electronic travel newsletter sent to subscribers and accessible online at www.globaltravelerusa.com/eflyer; and eFlyer Asia, www.globaltravellerasia.com/eflyer. The company also operates www.globaltravelerusa.com, www.globaltravellerasia.com and blog.globaltravelerusa.com. The company produces several annuals, including the Class Act Book, Global City Guidebook, Luxury Book, Globility book series and custom publishing for various entities.
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