We are honored to have recognized the leading Euorpean suppliers in the industry who year over year continue to provide the kinds of products and programs that offers group travelers the best services and experiences.
LONDON (PRWEB UK) 9 March 2018
HotelPlanner.com, the leading provider of online group hotel bookings worldwide is proud to announce the winners and runner-ups of last night’s 2018 European Group Travel Awards (EGTA).
The fourth annual black-tie awards gala was hosted by Dylan Ratigan, former MSNBC television host, TV journalist, and documentary film producer and held on Thursday 8th March 2018 at the InterContinental Berlin. Music for the evening will be provided by Grammy Award nominee and record producer Paul Oakenfold along with Berlin’s top DJ Benjamin Fröhlich. Eighteen categories were presented throughout the evening to recognize the nominees earning top recognition in their field ranging from hotels, resorts and airlines, to city destinations, cruise lines and theme parks, among others.
“Congratulations once again to this year’s winners and runner-ups in each respective category,” said Tim Hentschel, HotelPlanner.com CEO and Co-Creator of the awards. “We are honored to have recognized the leading Euorpean suppliers in the industry who year over year continue to provide the kinds of products and programs that offers group travelers the best services and experiences.”
More than several hundred travel and hospitality executives, organizers, and journalists were in attendance. The evening also featured a live raffle for a one-carat diamond and magnum bottle of champagne to raise money for UNICEF, the official 2018 charity partner of EGTA.
The evening was generously sponsored by Best Western, Choice Hotels, Carlson Rezidor, and Wyndham Hotel Group, along with ITB Berlin, Big Bus Tours, Cleverdis, and Travelport.
The winners and runner-ups of the 2018 European Group Travel Awards are:
Best Group Hotel Brand - Full Service
Winner: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Runner-Up: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Best Group Hotel Brand - Limited Service
Winner: Comfort Inn
Runner-Up: Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Best Group Hotel Brand - Luxury
Winner: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Runner-up: Best Western Premier
Best Group Hotel Brand - Boutique
Winner: Best Western Plus
Runner-Up: TRYP by Wyndham
Best Resort/Spa Brand for Groups
Winner: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Runner-Up: Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
Best Group Tour Operator
Winner: Thomas Cook
Runner-Up: TUI Group
Best Rail Service for Groups
Winner: Eurostar
Runner-Up: LEO Express
Best Airline for Groups
Winner: British Airways
Runner-Up: KLM
Best Ocean Cruise Line for Groups
Winner: Norwegian Cruise Line
Runner-Up: Celebrity Cruises
Best Golf Resort for Groups
Winner: East Sussex National - UK
Runner-Up: Quinta do Lago – Portugal
Best City Tour for Group Travel
Winner: Big Bus Tours
Runner-Up: City Sightseeing
Best Theme Park for Groups
Winner: Disneyland Paris
Runner-Up: Legoland Billund Resort
Best Independent Hotel Brand for Groups
Winner: The Leading Hotels of the World
Runner-Up: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Best City Destination for Groups
Winner: Paris
Runner-Up: Amsterdam
Best Sport Event for Groups
Winner: Red Bull Crashed Ice - St Petersburg
Runner-Up: UEFA Champions League Final
Best Visitor Attraction
Winner: Eiffel Tower
Runner-Up: Ice Cave Langjökull – Iceland
Best Travel Association facilitating Group Travel
Winner: ETOA
Runner-Up: IBTM
Best Technology Award for Innovation in Group Travel
Winner: Expedia
Runner-Up: Hotels.com
About European Group Travel Awards:
The European Group Travel Awards (EGTA) was created by Tim Hentschel, CEO of HotelPlanner.com, and Peter Stonham, Editorial Director at Landor Travel Publications. Mr. Hentschel and Mr. Stonham organized the EGTA to recognize all the effort and dedication that European suppliers and organizations put into providing group travelers with exceptional travel experiences.
The concept was introduced into the marketplace by Peter Stonham who, with Group Travel Organiser, have been providing group travelers with information and ideas for group travel trips since 1988. The event in London, called the UK Group Travel Awards, is attended by nearly 500 attendees and awards are provided in 23 categories.
HotelPlanner.com and Landor Travel Publications also launched the American Group Travel Awards which took place in New York, New York on November 13th, 2017 at TAO Downtown. The American Group Travel Awards recognizes the finest suppliers in North America that specialize in group travel.
HotelPlanner.com and Group Travel Organiser believe that the group market will continue to grow. Shared travel experiences with family and friends and by corporations and businesses help build more productive relationships and memories that last a lifetime.