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.

 

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