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The results are in! For the first time, Global Traveler announces the winners of the Leisure Travel Awards. The awards ran online May–December 2012 and were voted on by the readers of Global Traveler, the only monthly magazine written for business and luxury travelers.
The readers of Global Traveler are intrepid business travelers, but, according to the magazine’s most recent MediaMark Research survey, they are also frequent leisure travelers, averaging three international and six domestic leisure trips per year.
The awards were announced April 15, in the magazine’s first-ever Leisure Lifestyle Book, a special edition to Global Traveler’s monthly issue. The book also includes articles on 5-star, all-inclusive resorts, signature cocktails, restaurant and hotel rankings, indigenous spa treatments, and butler service.
- Check: Family Cruises
This year’s roster of inaugural winners includes Turkey (Best Historical Attractions), New Zealand (Best Hiking Destination), Silversea Cruises (Best Small Ship Cruise Line), InterContinental Resort&Thalasso Spa, Bora Bora (Best Resort in Asia and the Pacific), Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort&Spa (Best Resort in Africa), Kaua’i (Best Island in the United States and Canada) and Capri (Best Island in Europe).
“We are excited to announce the first annual Leisure Travel Awards, in conjunction with our new Leisure Lifestyle Book,” said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler. “Our readers are traveling all the time — for business and pleasure. Nearly all we do recognizes the business travel segment, and we realized it is important to recognize, honor, and highlight leisure travel. Our knowledgeable readers are frequenting these winners — the very best cruise lines, resorts, and destinations for leisure travel.”
A complete list of winners is as follows:
- Best Spa: The Peninsula Bangkok
- Best Shopping: Hong Kong
- Best Natural Attractions: Australia
- Best Historical Attractions: Turkey
- Best Skiing: Switzerland
- Best Beach Destination: British Virgin Islands
- Best Adventure Travel Destination: Australia
- Best Safari Destination: South Africa
- Best Hiking Destination: New Zealand
- Best Small Ship Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises
- Best Large Ship Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
- Best River Cruise Line: Viking River Cruises
- Best Resort in the United States and Canada: The Phoenician
- Best Resort in Hawaii: Hilton Hawaiian Village&Waikiki Beach Resort
- Best Resort in the Caribbean: Four Seasons Resort Nevis
- Best Resort in South America: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago
- Best Resort in Mexico: Hilton Los Cabos Beach&Golf Resort
- Best Resort in Asia and the Pacific: InterContinental Resort&Thalasso Spa, Bora Bora
- Best Resort in Europe: The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort
- Best Resort in Africa: Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort&Spa
- Best Resort in the Middle East: Emirates Palace
- Best Luxury Tour Operator: Abercrombie&Kent
- Best Island in the United States and Canada: Kaua’i, Hawai’i
- Best Island in the Caribbean: Saint Lucia
- Best Island in Mexico and Central/South America: Galapagos
- Best Island in Australia and the South Pacific: Bora Bora
- Best Island in Europe: Capri
- Best Island in Asia and Africa: Bali
