The British Museum ,
Westfield Stratford City ,
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Malta
were amongst the top attractions, destinations and companies for group trips
and holidays celebrated at last night's Group Leisure Awards ceremony. Votes
were cast by readers of specialist travel magazine, Group Leisure.
Winners also
included the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter,
Warner Leisure Hotels, and West End production
The Bodyguard; votes were cast by active travel organisers from sports & social
clubs, retired associations, special interest societies and other groups.
RHS Hampton
Court Palace Flower Show was awarded Best Event for Groups 2012/13, while Birmingham and Brighton
collected the accolades for Best UK City and Best UK Resort respectively. A
brand new category this year saw London-based company City & Village Tours
collect the award for Best Guided Tour.
Lin Wilson of
Solent Events was announced the winner of the prestigious Group Travel
Organiser of the Year Award. Impressing an expert judging panel with her
incredibly organised approach and passion for travel, Lin organises day trips,
short breaks and holidays for people in the Gosport, Fareham, Southampton and Portsmouth areas. Along
with her trophy, Lin collected £1,750 to use on a familiarisation holiday of
her choice.
The ceremony
took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, and was attended by some of the
top names in the travel industry. Awards were presented by Group Leisure
magazine editor Rob Yandell, alongside special guest presenter, former England rugby
international and television presenter, Martin Bayfield.
Group Leisure
magazine editor, Rob Yandell commented: "It's great that the group travel
industry can come together on this one night each year to celebrate the
successes and achievements of so many individuals and companies, as recognised
by the very people who use their services to arrange group trips and holidays
every day."
The 2013
categories and winners are as follows:
Best UK Attraction for Children: Warner Bros. Studio
Tour London -
The Making of Harry Potter
Best Coach or
Tour Operator - UK Tours: just for groups!
Best Ferry
Operator: P&O Ferries
Best Airline:
Jet2.com
Best Event
for Groups 2012/2013: RHS
Hampton Court
Palace Flower Show
Best Travel
Website: Visit York
- www.visityork.org
Best Guided
Tour: City & Village Tours
Best
Accommodation for Groups: Warner Leisure Hotels
Best Shopping
Centre: Westfield
Stratford City
Best Shopping
Retail Outlet: Clarks
Village Outlet Shopping
Best Theatre
Production: The Bodyguard
Best
Ticketing Agency: Group Line
Best UK Resort: Brighton
Best UK City: Birmingham
Best
International Destination: Malta
The
Excellence Award 2013: Janet Fielding, Diamond Group Travel
Best Group
Tour Operator - Short Haul: Success Tours
Best Group
Tour Operator - Long Haul: Travelsphere
Best UK Attraction: The British Museum
Group Travel
Organiser of the Year 2013: Lin Wilson, Solent
Events.