Aspire Awards 2021 shortlist unveiled
The shortlist for the Aspire Awards 2021 has been unveiled, highlighting the very best brands, the most passionate trade teams and the most innovative agents in luxury travel.
Aspire will recognise the achievements of the high-end sector during an in-person ceremony on December 13 at new luxury hotel The Londoner in Leicester Square.
The event is being held in partnership with headline sponsor Celebrity Cruises. Other sponsors include One&Only, Air Charter Service, Silversea Cruises, Mail Metro Media, Cayman Islands and Visit USA.
Aspire features writer Erica Bush said: “We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for this year’s Aspire Awards.
“After a pause in 2020 due to Covid-19, it feels particularly special this year to be honouring our sector’s outstanding individuals and companies, who have shown immeasurable levels of dedication and determination through this extremely challenging period.
“Though we streamlined the entry process, we appreciate finding the time to enter this year might have been more difficult, and we’re so grateful to everyone who managed to submit an application.
“We can’t wait to reveal the winners later this year and celebrate our wonderful industry.”
Jo Rzymowska, vice-president and managing director, EMEA, for Celebrity Cruises, added: “We are very proud to be the headline sponsor for the 2021 Aspire Awards. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the successes of trade partners and travel brands in the luxury sector and more so than ever, these awards are vital in recognising the tremendous resilience the travel industry has shown over the past 18 months.
“It will also be incredibly exciting to be reunited at one of our first in-person events after such a significant time apart.”
Only a small number of tickets are left for the awards. To purchase yours, visit aspireawards.co.uk
AGENT CATEGORIES
Independent Agency of the Year (high street)
Haslemere Travel
Off Broadway Travel
Swords Travel
Travel Club Elite
Triangle Travel
Independent Agency of the Year (homeworking)
Cartology Travel
Designer Travel
Future Travel Group
Tarporley Travel
The Luxury Traveller
Concierge Agency of the Year
Elite Travel Boutique
Knightsbridge Circle
Revells Travel
Ten Lifestyle Group
Travel Advisor of the Year
Christina Stewart, Cream Travel
Clare Levy, Different Planet Travel
Dan Salmon, Never A Wasted Journey
Justin Huxter, Cartology Travel
Zoe Franklin, Travel Club Elite
Innovation of the Year
Elite Travel Boutique, elf delivery for Lapland bookings
Never A Wasted Journey, online service
Select World Travel, rebrand/YouTube channel
Swords Travel, associate/affiliate scheme
Travel Matters, partner promotion/B2B business tool
Rising Star of the Year (individual or agency)
Angela Briggs, Designer Travel
Ben Poole, The Travel Journal
Once in a Lifetime Holidays
Pack & Ponder
Wonderluxe Travel
SUPPLIER CATEGORIES
Luxury Tour Operator of the Year
Abercrombie & Kent
Carrier
Elegant Resorts
Knighton Reeve
Travel Gallery
Premium Tour Operator of the Year
If Only
ITC Travel Group
Jet2holidays
Kuoni
Luxury Adventure Brand of the Year
Abercrombie & Kent
Cookson Adventures
White Desert
Luxury Ocean Cruise Line of the Year
Celebrity Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Scenic
Seabourn
Silversea Cruises
Luxury River Cruise Line of the Year
AmaWaterways
Avalon Waterways
Crystal River Cruises
Scenic
Uniworld
Luxury Air Service of the Year
Air Charter Service
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Etihad Airways
VistaJet
Luxury Hotel Brand of the Year
Belmond
Como Hotels & Resorts
One&Only Resorts
Sani & Ikos Group
Six Senses Hotels, Resorts & Spas
Unsung Hero of the Year
Jody Green, Kuoni
Katherine Evans, Knighton Reeve
Lorraine Norcross, Carrier
lnnovation of the Year
Domus Stay, Design-led apartments
Kuoni, Covid Travel Advice Hub
One&Only Resorts, Kerzner Virtual Roadshow/Ultimate Explorers Fam Trip
Trees4Travel, Carbon Calculator/Island Love project
Luxury Tourist Board of the Year
Destination Canada
Italian Government Tourist Board
Jamaica Tourist Board
Tourism Australia
Tourism New Zealand
Sales Representation Company of the Year
Highlife Marketing/Reiimagine
Holberry Associates
Perowne International
SLC Travel Marketing, PR and Representation
Sustainable Practice of the Year
Avalon Waterways
Preferred Hotel Group
Sani Resort
Six Senses Hotels, Resorts & Spas
Trees4Travel
Luxury Team of the Year
Carrier
Celebrity Cruises
Kerzner International / One&Only
If Only
ITC Travel Group
Sani & Ikos Group
Aspire will also recognise certain individuals in four special award categories – Unsung Hero of the Year (Agent), Outstanding Contribution to Luxury (Agent), Outstanding Contribution to Luxury (Supplier) and Aspire Supporter of the Year. These will be announced at the ceremony on December 13.