Winners in 23 separate categories were announced on November 11 at the inaugural American Group Travel Awards event in New York City.
The Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel at Times Square hosted nearly 300 travel industry professionals at the inaugural American Group Travel Awards event. Presented by HotelPlanner and Group Travel Organiser, the event was sponsored in part by Leisure Group Travel magazine with a gala awards dinner for the top hospitality providers in North America.
Group Travel Awards
The host and emcee for the evening was former MSNBC television host Dylan Ratigan. Over 6,200 votes were received via online polling with voting in 23 separate categories.
Tim Hentchel, CEO of HotelPlanner, said, “We were excited to present the best of the best in group travel to a sold-out show. A special thanks to our host, Dylan Ratigan, and all our great Broadway show entertainers, Les Miserables, Kinky Boots and Phantom of the Opera. The final performance of ‘Music of the Night’ concluded the awards with a standing ovation, which summed up the success of the event perfectly.”
Peter Stonham, Editorial Director of Group Travel Organiser magazine, added, “What a marvelous evening we had at the Hudson Theater – a fantastic and iconic venue for a great occasion! We couldn’t have gotten the American Group Travel Awards off to a better start – and the response indicates that we can only go from strength to strength in putting the spotlight on the best in group travel in North America, with its own high-profile event.”
This year’s winners include:
Best Group Hotel Brand – Full Service: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Best Group Hotel Brand – Limited Service: Comfort Inn & Suites
Best Group Hotel Brand – Luxury: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Best Group Hotel Brand – Boutique: Hotel Indigo
Best Group Casino Hotel – Leisure: Monte Carlo Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Best Sports Team Travel Hotel Brand: Holiday Inn Express
Best Group Casino Hotel – Convention: The Venetian Las Vegas
Best Airline: American Airlines
Best Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Lines
Best River Cruise: AMA Waterways
Best Rail Company: Amtrak
Best Broadway Show for Groups: The Phantom of the Opera
Best Live Stage Performance for Groups: The Phantom of the Opera
Best Theme Park for Groups: Disney World Florida
Best City Destination for Groups: New York City
Best Beach Destination for Groups: Hawaii – Oahu
Best State for Group Travel: New York
Best Group Shopping Experience: Mall of America – Minneapolis
Best Outlet Shopping for Groups: Sawgrass Mills (Sunrise, FL)
Best Group Ground Transportation: Super Shuttle
Best Group Dining Experience: Hard Rock Cafe
