2013 Group Leisure Awards
This is one of the highlights of the calendar for anyone who is involved in the group travel industry as their hard work and dedication is rewarded in a glittering ceremony.
The awards have been taking place annually since its launch in 1997 and the people at Group Leisure ask their readers to vote on what they think are the best destinations, shows, visitor attractions and companies who help with their group travel plans. These awards help to bring together group travel organisers and travel trade suppliers and reward those who have gone the extra mile for groups.
The 2013 Group Leisure Awards took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole near to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in the West Midlands on Wednesday 18th September 2013. The glittering ceremony was attended by some of the Travel Industry's top names and all of the awards were presented by the editor of Group Leisure Magazine, Rob Yandell. Former England rugby international and TV presenter, Martin Bayfield, also helped to present some of the awards as special guest presenter for the evening.
Rob Yandell said of the event "It is great to be able to bring together everyone who helps to make the group travel industry a success for GTO's across the UK. The evening is made even more special because the winners are decided upon those people who arrange group trips and holidays on a daily basis."
The team here at Door2Tour.com would like to say a huge congratulations to two of our featured tour operators, Travelsphere and just for Groups! on their Group Leisure award wins.
The winners of the 2013 Group Leisure Awards were:
• 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 Flower Show
• Best Travel Website – Visit York
• 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 Cruise Line – Fred Olsen
• 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 Travel Organiser of the Year 2013 – Lin Wilson, Solent Events