Industry experts prepare to hone in on TTG Luxury Travel Awards finalists

The popular awards programme attracted a record number of entries this year, as companies proudly bounced back with stories of resilience and innovation and care for their clients, their own teams and the planet.

Representing a cross-section of the travel and hospitality landscape, almost 30 judges have been selected to peruse the entries across 17 categories, including several new ones for 2023, such as Luxury Travel Workplace of the Year and Luxury Travel Big Idea of the Year.

Between them, the judges have many years of operational experience across the agency and tour operating landscape; cruising and hotels; recruitment, tourism and sustainability.

This year’s judges include Dan Acarnley, ITC; Gemma Antrobus, Haslemere Travel; Rebecca Armstrong, The Travel Foundation; Zia Bapuji, 360 Private Travel; Kelly Cookes, Advantage; Sandra Corkin, Oasis Travel; Debbee Dale, Debbee Dale Development; Richard Dixon, Holidaysplease; Mark Duguid, Carrier; Alex Easton, Marriott International Luxury Brands; Justin Huxter, Cartology; Sarah Lancashire, Pure Luxury; Edwina Lonsdale, Mundy Cruising; Thomas Mahoney, Cunard; Amanda Matthews, Designer Travel; Prithi Mehta, Explora Journeys; and Professor Graham Miller from University of Surrey.

Also combing through entries will be Claire Moore, Peakes Travel Elite; Scott Murray, Murray Travel; Lynn Narraway, Seabourn; Steve O’Loughlin, ILTM; Maria Pajares, Mason Rose; Gary Pridmore, Aquilium Travel; Patrick Richards, TerraVerde; Kieron Sellens, AMR Collection; Peter Shanks, Silversea; Stefan Shillito, The Sovereign Cruise Club; Claire Stirrup, Celebrity Cruises; Mark Swords, Swords Travel; Tolene Van Der Merwe, Visit Malta; and Kristina Wallen, Harp Wallen.

“It’s very important to us that we get a great cross section of highly experienced travel professionals and experts from across the luxury sector and travel more broadly,” said April Hutchinson, editor of TTG Luxury. “With more categories than ever before – we will be keeping our judges busy as they seek to help us define who are the best businesses and creative individuals across the field.”

Following the judges’ deliberations, winners of all the 17 categories will be revealed at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards on Friday 24 February, a glittering afternoon ceremony with plenty of time for networking, reconnecting with industry peers and celebrating success, innovation and resilience.

The event will take place at The Biltmore, Mayfair – part of Hilton’s LXR group of hotels – for the first time, with more people than ever before set to attend.

“We had four wonderful awards ceremonies at Rosewood London since launching in 2018, but in order to let more of our finalists and friends from across the industry attend, we have moved to a larger venue space and I know the team at The Biltmore Mayfair will take good care of us and make this a day to remember,” Hutchinson added.

Also on the day will be the surprise announcement of the annual Contribution to Luxury awards, decided by the TTG Luxury team.

Tickets are available to purchase now for the event, which includes welcome networking drinks, two-course lunch, uplifting entertainment, awards ceremony and post-event drinks reception.

Take a look at our highlights video to check out the 2022 event.