The Business Travel Awards 2011 took place this week at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House. British Airways won best long-haul airline, best airline and CSR award, while Flybe won best short haul airline.
The 16th Business Travel Awards is a key event on the business travel industry calendar combining a glittering gala dinner attended by all the major players in the sector, who can enjoy a night of celebration and invaluable networking, with the presentation of awards that are considered to be the most valued accolades bestowed by the industry.
This year’s host, TV celebrity and comedian Jason Manford, kept the audience laughing with hilarious observations on the topic of travel, while string quartet Asteria entertained before both halves of the show.
The judges, comprising leading travel buyers and consultants, made their final selection from a shortlist of 80, taking into account case studies, submissions and testimonials from clients. A full list of winners follows.
The after-show party is rightly legendary in the industry, providing an unrivalled networking platform, with a casino, live band and disco encouraging attendees to stay and party until the early hours – catching up with old contacts and making many new ones. Many attendees will probably be recovering only today.
A full event review will be published in the March/April 2011 issue of Buying Business Travel.
Official photographs of the event and further details are available at www.businesstravelawards.com
Business Travel Awards 2011 – Winners List
Best Small or Independent Hotel Brand
Park Plaza
Best Full Service Hotel Brand
Marriott International
Best Budget Hotel Brand
Premier Inn
Best Serviced Apartment Company
BridgeStreet Worldwide
**Highly Commended
SACO
Best Car Rental Company
Europcar
Best Ground Transportation Company
Addison Lee
Best Rail Operator
Heathrow Express
Best Short-Haul Airline
Flybe
Best Long-Haul Airline
British Airways
**Highly Commended
Qatar Airways
Best Airline Worldwide
British Airways
Best UK Airport
London City Airport
Best Specialist Business Travel Product/Provider
Chambers Travel Management
Best Corporate Card Provider
AirPlus International
Best Sales Account Management Team
Chambers Travel Management
Best Hotel Booking Agency
BSI
Best Business Travel Management Company (Fewer than 250,000 UK transactions annually)
Giles Travel
Best Business Travel Management Company (More than 250,000 UK transactions annually)
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme
British Airways
**Highly commended
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Qatar Airways
Travel Team of the Year
Microsoft EMEA/Amadeus/American Express
Travel Buyer of the Year
Judith Gledhill (E.on UK)
David Brown Outstanding Achievement Award
Willie Walsh
For details of winners in previous year's, click here